Zhudong Cultural and Creative Arts Village Introduction
The Bamboo County Zhudong Cultural and Creative Arts Village has undergone a splendid transformation into an innovative youth entrepreneurship hub, opening after 10 months of preparation. This creative base integrates the diverse cultures of Hsinchu County and serves as a cradle for dreams, with many of the participating businesses transitioning from traditional industries to develop their own brands. Strolling through the park, public art installations add a cultural atmosphere; special markets are held irregularly, allowing visitors to deeply experience the charm of local life. Taking the Taiwan Railways Inner-Wan branch train brings you to Zhudong, where nine auspicious figurines at the station warmly welcome you. To the right of the platform is the Zhudong Animation Park, showcasing various creative ideas related to anime and animation culture; on the other side lies the newly opened Zhudong Cultural and Creative Arts Village, operated by Fantasys, helping artists and local youth bring their dreams to light with indigenous crafts, culinary delights, and design works. The old space is infused with new creativity, revitalizing and effectively utilizing historical buildings, with various artisans moving in to nurture entrepreneurial dreams. The elongated park features 10 buildings divided into 16 independent spaces, primarily focused on revitalizing existing structures while connecting to Hsinchu County's cultural history, encouraging artists and indigenous workshops to start businesses and inspire youth to realize their dreams. The team at Fantasys, responsible for operations and recruitment, leverages their expertise in shaping creative clusters, marketing local characteristics, and shares the story of the Zhudong Cultural and Creative Arts Village, illustrating its future development. "When we first took over the park, we thoroughly understood the soft and hard facilities, aiming for localized solutions that emphasize cultural differences and jointly create local economies," said deputy general manager Yang Sheng-yao. Thus, the team utilized existing resources, centering on people and cultural essence, retaining the original appearance, architecture, and landscapes, finding the artistic village’s positioning value within infinite possibilities. The 10 buildings were originally leased from the county government and Taiwan Railways, planned and supervised by architects. The walls remain unembellished with a simple gray façade, showcasing layered changes and dimensionality. The buildings are named from A to J, each decorated and arranged by the businesses, hoping to create another image of a creative cluster through the arts and establish a new cultural tourism highlight. Inside the Zhudong Cultural and Creative Arts Village, myriad new creative spirits are emerging. The first batch of incoming units combines local development with aesthetic living, creating distinctive brands. As art evolves into a source of creativity for the cultural cluster, it can unleash collective benefits, with stores sparking inspiration through both competition and cooperation, practicing co-creation and communal benefit. Walking into the arts village, one can see old buildings infused with new life, while creative products are irresistibly appealing; spaces transformed into cafes or eateries provide tranquility and the power for renewed beginnings. The menu features dishes infused with Zhudong’s culinary elements. Wu Jie humorously mentions that because his grandmother lives in Zhudong, the snacks nourished his childhood memories. Old Affairs mainly serves light snacks and drinks, paired with herbal tea to cool down, following his grandmother’s traditional dietary customs. Hakka crystal dumplings are made from rice sourced from the Zhudong soft bridge community, with a soft and chewy skin, and the pork filling emits a fragrant aroma of shallots, making it a must-try Hakka delicacy! A signature special noodle dish includes fried chicken wings, vegetables, and drinks, allowing friends to chat all afternoon without tiring of it. The afternoon sun gently filters into the indoor space, casting light and shadows on old furniture, dancing between the weathered walls and windows, mingling with the imagination of time’s changes. Brief information: Zhudong Cultural and Creative Arts Village Address: No. 194, Lane, Donglin Rd, Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County Opening hours: 11:00 AM (varies for each workshop and store) Old & Crazy Address: No. 194, Lane, Donglin Rd, D Building, Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County Phone: 03 510 0940 Business hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays) 853 Taya Agricultural Market Address: No. 194, Lane, Donglin Rd, C Building, Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County Phone: 0926-151516 Business hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Laurel Workshop Address: No. 194, Lane 8, Donglin Rd, F Building, Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County Business hours: Monday and Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Saturday: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
