Laojie River Educational Center Introduction
Environmental education is not as boring as you might think! The first river-themed environmental education facility in Taiwan—the Laojiexik River Education Center—encompasses outdoor environments and indoor exhibits, allowing you to fully understand the past, present, and future of the Laojiexik River. In addition, the center regularly hosts environmental film screenings, riverside markets, agricultural talks, hands-on courses, and clean-up walks, which are sure to excite visitors with their novelty! You can officially begin this educational journey by sliding down a colorful 6-meter-long time tunnel slide. The water source hill at the entrance simulates the wisdom of the ancestors through the construction of terraced fields, showcasing a harmonious coexistence with nature. Both main buildings in the park are converted Hakka old houses. Entering the Laojiexik Story Museum, which has been reconstructed from a brick house, you will find a vegetable garden, bamboo fence, courtyard, kitchen stove, and plaza, recreating the life scenes of an old farmhouse, providing a great opportunity for city kids to learn about rural life. Inside the Laojiexik Story Museum, there are displays on the development of the Zhongli area; does Fruit Street sell only fruits? Where is the largest market in Zhongli? Why is Zhongli beef noodle soup so famous? Which is the oldest elementary school in Zhongli? A walk around and you will become a Zhongli expert! Another two-story building in the park—the River Ecology Education Center—features a new steel structure wrapped around the restored old house. The first floor showcases exhibits on Laojiexik, where children can learn about the river's ecology through illustrated boards, vivid models, and interactive devices. The second floor discusses the 120-day process of restoration and revitalization of Laojiexik. The protruding observation deck allows trees to grow upward, adding greenery to the park while echoing the concept of environmental sustainability promoted by the River Education Center.
