Meinong

Introducing Meinong

Northeast of Foguangshan, rural Meinong (Méinóng), once the centre of a thriving tobacco industry, has now refashioned itself as a rural retreat. Fortunately, its popularity hasn’t yet ruined the very reasons people want to come here. The countryside is still covered with fields of bananas, tobacco and rice, people still smile at strangers from their front porches, and everyone wants to know your story.

Meinong was settled about 200 years ago by Hakka (Kèjiā rén) immigrants. While the Hakka make up about 10% to 15% of the population of Taiwan, in Meinong the percentage goes up to 95%. The Hakka are traditionally seen as a hard-working people, who value education, and little Meinong can count a disproportionate amount of PhDs (and in the past, imperial scholars) among its population.

In recent years a number of B&Bs and even a camping ground have opened in Meinong. It’s well worth your while to while away a few days here. Winter is our favourite time to go, as the weather is perfect – warm and dry – and the tourists are few. And, around Chinese New Year farmers plant colourful cosmos flowers in the fallow fields to help restock the soil before the next growing season. It’s a lovely sight.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009