Practice Sheet Music Store Introduction
The Practice Song Team is located in Xincheng Village at the northern end of Hualien, a village nestled between mountains and the sea, close to the internationally renowned Taroko Gorge and adjacent to the vast Pacific Ocean. Due to its unique geographical location, it has become a melting pot of diverse ethnic groups. The areas of Xincheng and Xiulin at the northern end of Hualien serve as gateways connecting Huadong, as well as the starting point for delving into the natural and cultural richness of Huadong. The alluvial plain nurtured by mountains, seas, and great rivers unfolds from the mouth of Taroko Gorge, linking the hundred-mile-long valley of the Huadong plain, leaving traces of ethnic migrations that have created a rich tapestry of local memories. Here, one can witness the lifestyles of indigenous peoples living in the mountains, the historical traces of gold mining culture, and the interactions that ensued as Japanese and Han people migrated over time. However, with the decline of the region, these precious historical memories and folk cultures have gradually faded from people's minds. The historical chapter of Xincheng can be traced back to the 16th century during the Age of Exploration. There is a legend of “Doroman: The Land of Gold,” which speaks of a golden river in the eastern part of Taiwan and a group of indigenous peoples identifying themselves as Turuboan, known for their trading skills, recorded in history by maritime adventurers from the Dutch and Spanish periods. “Turuboan” gradually became a synonym for the Xincheng area, marking one of the earliest recorded names in writing for this region. In the 19th century, with the construction of official roads into the hinterland, Han people established a new home named "Xincheng." Before this, Xincheng was not effectively governed by the Qing Dynasty, and indigenous peoples were the primary population, with only a few Han people engaged in trade. The year 1874 marked a turning point in the fate of the island's "hinterland," when a large influx of immigrants arrived, bringing development, conflict, and oppression along with national power. During the Japanese rule, in 1914, the Governor’s Office focused its administration on the indigenous peoples and used Xincheng as a base to launch an offensive into the Taroko tribe along the Liwu River valley, a conflict known as the "Taroko War." In remembrance, the Governor renamed Xincheng to "Yanhai," making it the hub for the management of mountain forests in Eastern Taiwan. Post-war, when Xincheng reverted to its original name, it became a major center for cement industry development due to its geological conditions and national policies. The advantage of being a transportation hub between Suhua and Central Cross-Island Highway also attracted a large floating population, stimulating economic transactions. However, the construction of the outer ring road completed in the 1990s diverted traffic away, leading Xincheng to rapidly decline from its former prosperity. The Practice Song Team was established in 2017 with the intent of making the bookstore a "home" for children in Xincheng, Xiulin, and Aohua, initially serving as a place for baseball kids to have meals and do homework after school. Due to the cultural characteristics of the bookstore, it gradually became a focal point for building local consensus and conducting cultural activities in the Xincheng district, bringing a variety of artistic and cultural activities. Starting with baseball, the “Practice Song” is rooted in the mountains and seas, committed to awakening local energy through educational companionship, space activation, and diverse curriculums for cultural preservation. We hope to translate each story from the land and its people into a form suitable for modern times, continuing the Practice Song's belief in mutual support and showcasing the cultural value of Xincheng.
Local Cultural and Historical Tour Guide
New Star Business District Development Association group photo with partners.
