Chen Jia-hong × Slow Life in the Waterfront Village

　Whether it is the Shihzihtou Irrigation System built during the 1895-1945 period of Japanese colonial rule, or the Meinong River that runs through the city's rural interior, canals have irrigated the land and helped sustain the people of Meinong for generations. These waterways have become part of people's lives. Chen Jia-hong, one of the organizers of the Meinong Canal Trip Arts Festival, and also editor-in-chief of Mi Nung Magazine, led the way for us to take in the scenic views of the road beside the canal.

　The Meinong Canal Trip Arts Festival took place during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and decorated paper lanterns along the canal illuminated the scenic countryside. The dazzlingly bright lanterns were reflected in the water, and a bright moon hung high, radiating romantic ambiance on the waterfront.

  These are Chen Jia-hong's recommended routes:  

Meinong Canal

　You may see bridges linking the roads on both sides of the canal as you stroll alongside it. On hot summer days, locals spend their free time playing in the waters of the canal, which has become part of their daily lives. 

Meinong Old Bridge

　Meinong Old Bridge, built in 1930, spans the Meinong River. At one end of the bridge is Meinong Market where vendors gather; at the other is Yongan Old Street, where there are many shops. The old bridge functions as an avenue for locals to purchase daily necessities. Even though a new bridge was built nearby, residents are still in the habit of crossing the old bridge. According to Chen Jia-hong, such a way of living is an unnoticed attachment that has developed into a regular routine.

Yongan Old Street

　Once Meinong's busiest street, Yongan Old Street gradually fell silent as the town's center of gravity shifted. Local youths have promoted its revitalization through arts and cuisines. Now, near the century-old Jinsing Hakkanese Blue Shirts Shop stand several other fascinating stores. These include Meinong Tankaotang, a bakery that uses a special local ingredient, a kind of vegetable known as the white-water snowflake, to bake pastries; and Farmer's Life, which sells white-water snowflake dumplings.

Flat Noodle Street

　Flat Noodle Street is where eateries serving flat noodles made of rice flour (bantiao) are located. Chen Jia-hong strongly recommends trying Meinong Flat Noodles, Ginger Stir-Fried Large Intestines, and Stewed Cabbage. These authentic and delectable cuisines are sure to excite your taste buds and make you want to come back again and again.  

Mino Tobacco

　In 2022, the more than 80-year-old Meinong Tobacco Leaf Counseling Center was renovated for reopening as Mino Tobacco. It is a brand-new location where visitors can experience the traditions and cuisine of Meinong through cultural-creative stores that sell quality local products, and restaurants which serve local ingredients.

陳佳鴻x漫漫光陰與水同行

　　築於日本殖民時期的美濃獅子頭圳，到貫穿市街的美濃溪，川流的水圳灌溉土地，餵養世代美濃人，水圳是美濃人生活的一部份。邀請美濃水圳漫旅藝術節主辦人之一，同時也是《米濃誌》總編輯陳佳鴻帶路，領略美濃的圳路之美。

　　中秋節期間，美濃水圳漫旅藝術節登場，和紙燈籠沿著水圳點亮夜晚，光燦燦的燈籠倒映水中，一輪明月高掛，襯托水岸生活的浪漫氣氛。

█ 陳佳鴻路線推薦：

美濃水圳

　　走在美濃街道，從圳道望穿過去，一道道的陸橋，連接起兩端的人家街道，炎夏，孩子們在水圳戲水，是美濃人的日常。

美濃舊橋

　　1930年建造的美濃舊橋跨美濃溪上，橋的一頭是攤販聚集的美濃市場，另一頭則是商店林立的永安老街，這是市民買菜的必經之路，即使不遠處蓋好了新橋，居民們還是習慣從舊橋穿越。陳佳鴻說，那樣的生活模式是一種無形的依戀，一路以來的日常習慣。

永安老街

　　永安老街曾是美濃最熱鬧的街道，在時代更迭下逐漸沉寂。當地青年推動透過藝術、食物活化老街，如今在百年老店錦興客家藍衫店旁，多了家使用水蓮在地食材烘焙西點的「啖糕堂」、以水蓮水餃「濃夫生活」等店家。

粄條街

　　粄條老店聚集的美濃粄條街，陳佳鴻大力推薦品嚐美濃粄條、薑絲炒大腸、高麗菜封，口味道地美味。

菸仕物所

　　逾80年歷史的「美濃菸葉輔導站」，於2022年修整開幕，成為「菸仕物所」，精選在地好物的文創商店，使用當地食材的餐飲，是品味美濃的新去處。