Series : "My Hometown" (Vol.3) - Changhua Written by Daphne Lee, administrator of MKT Dept.

	The Middle Western Country of Taiwan, between Taiwan's two bigger rivers and leaning against the sky-blue Taiwan Strait, is my hometown — Changhua County. When talking about Changhua, the first image come to my mind is local delicious foods such as Changhua Meatball, Lukang Oyster Omelet, Yuanlin conserves, Hsihu Mutton pot and so on. Especially Changhua meatball is out of this world. Oh! My stomach is growling now! Anyway, I should introduce you some formal aspects of Changhua County now, should I?		The total area of the County is 1,074 square kilometers, which occupies 3.02% of the total area of the Taiwan. The population of the County is about 1.3 million by the end of December 2003. As for the climate, the County belongs to the sub-tropical Zone with its annual average temperature is about 23°C. Typhoons seldom attack Changhua due to her landform. So, you can always enjoy the sunshine over there. Besides, the well-developed railroad and highway communications could make you visit this place more easily.

	Changhua has many pretty mountains, good brooks and nice views. Pakua Hill Landscape of Yuanlin is the natural scenic resource. Tatu River is a Water Bird Protection District, which provides bird watchers with a good spot to watch birds and take a rest. Besides, the well-known Grand Buddha built in 1961, standing 72 Chinese feet high atop Pakua Hill, is the symbolic landmark of Changhua. Taiwan Folk Village of Huatan and Tienwei Highway Garden are all good choices for visitors.		This small beautiful county also retains abundant history relics.  In early days of Taiwanese history, Lukang Harbor of Changhua ranked with Anping of Tainan and Wanhua of Taipei as principal seaports during the time of Taiwan cultivation.  Rich culture is expressed as we see old Buddhist temples, ancient schools and relics. Most of these ancient remains have been built since 400 years ago.  Tienhou Kung is crowded with incense burning and worshipers everyday.  Confucian Temple of Changhua is also classified as the first class historic site of interest.  Old streets of Lukang are narrow and crooked along which stand old styled houses and shops, expressing unique characteristics of the town, named Touching-Breast Lane is well known.

	As Taiwan's largest flower-producing county, Changhua organizes the island's first flowers expo in the beginning of 2004 to delight local and foreign visitors with a wide variety of species. Changhua has a total production site of 4,729 hectares. Chrysanthemum, gladiolus and roses are the top three flowers grown in the county. So far, there are over 1.5 million people have been being there. It's a very successful flower exposition. Even though I am not living in Changhua now due to working at Taipei, I still expect and keep my eyes on my lovely hometown. Wish she became a prosperous and peaceful county!

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