Woodcarving Dream King and Free Shop Introduction
Shih-liao was initially land intended for the father to enjoy a leisurely retirement. However, after Xu Jian-zhi returned from studying abroad and transitioned to civilian life, he introduced the idea of young people occupying abandoned spaces and promoting the concept of barter. This land underwent significant transformation: most of the area became the Shih-liao Leisure Agriculture Zone and the Tóng-huā Valley Camping Area, with a small street of shops that included his and his sister Xu Qi-rong's experimental bases, "Free Store" and "Wood Carving Dream King". The "Free Store", which opened in June and July 2016, features a simple storefront that carries their profound dreams. It is filled with neatly organized materials, ranging from small toys to thermos flasks. New and clean second-hand items can be donated here, allowing visitors to engage in barter, such as exchanging eggs for a teddy bear, thus leading the community and guests to reminisce about the spirit of mutual assistance and trust from the early rural days, but executed in a more modern way. During the interview, a neighbor brought a bag of freshly picked citrus fruits for exchange, reflecting that the locals have embraced their philosophy. Additionally, a green refrigerator at the entrance, made of blackboard material, encouraging self-service and allowing those with excess ingredients to contribute to the fridge, strictly accepts only raw ingredients and dry goods for hygiene reasons, while collaborating with brands like A She Restaurant, allowing everyone to experience the charming simplicity of the Hakka countryside. During this period, community building has seen exciting results: more people became aware of Shih-liao and the communal dining events held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, bridging exchanges between residents and visitors, enhancing community cohesion, and fostering positive interactions while significantly increasing the item exchange rate. Meanwhile, with media exposure, university students from various places have come here to engage in volunteering activities like assisting the elderly and weeding, as well as writing reports for publicity in exchange for food. The locally collaborated children's ecological camp has also received much praise. On the other side, "Wood Carving Dream King" recalls the original plan and has collaborated with Shih-liao to create an in-depth tourism program. The walls of the shop are filled with photographs of culture, landscapes, industries, and scenery, allowing guests to select the places they wish to visit and the activities they want to experience, customizing an immersive journey that could involve farming with small-scale farmers or enjoying eagles soaring over the lake. The shop also offers frame-making with fallen leaves, branches, and dried flowers, enabling guests to pack environmentally friendly memories along with the concept of sustainable tourism. Their dream is to expand to aspects of food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, and entertainment, creating an ideal world that is self-sufficient and allows the pursuit of a beautiful life without reliance on money.
