Living with Water: Wisdom and Resilience

In Taiwan, surrounded by ocean and blessed with many rivers, water is not just a natural resource, but a vehicle of cultural memories. Across the island, water-related spaces shape local landscapes, embody our reliance upon the earth, and inspire deep-rooted folk culture. When visiting rivers, ponds, and coastlines, we discover that these “watersides” are not only tied to traditional beliefs and life memories, but are also intertwined with the appearance of modern cities and the foundations of Taiwan’s cultural landscapes.

Taiwan has unique attractions everywhere. Dadaocheng Wharf by the Tamsui River combines a container market and ferry routes, linking history with modern life. Tainan’s The Spring park, designed by Dutch architects, has transformed the site of a former shopping mall into a recreational “lagoon,” restoring nature to the city center. At the Dongshan River Ecoark in Yilan County, 25 years of work turned rice paddies into a woodland park that demonstrates the charm of “artificial nature.” And at the Annong River, also in Yilan, public–private partnership has created a green corridor for walking, cycling, and birdwatching. These spaces both enhance ecological and climate resilience and contribute to urban and rural healing and rebirth.

Water is a source of life and of human culture. The ponds of the Taoyuan Plateau were created for irrigation purposes, but have also become part of the cultural landscape. Today they not only supply water to farmland, they have become ecological, recreational, educational, and disaster-preparedness spaces.

These glittering ponds reflect the history of local people’s co-existence with water, and suggest new possibilities for dealing with future environmental change. In this month’s Cover Story, we track Taiwan’s water culture, and explore how bodies of water have nurtured the land and shaped lifestyles. We also highlight the wisdom and resilience of Taiwanese people’s relationship with water.

In this issue we also bring you stories about Taiwan’s youth overseas volunteer teams, as well as an article on the magnificent achievements of the teachers and students of Yilan’s Yue Ming Elementary and Junior High School, who brought together partners from 36 schools across Taiwan and its offshore islands to embark on a sea voyage lasting 29 days and covering 1,939 kilo­meters. Water is an important point of origin for Taiwanese folk culture and collective memories. Water venues not only are sites for interactions between humans and nature, but also provide a stage for profound dialogue between culture and modernity.