The Hengch'un peninsula with its many attractions and pleasant climate has become a favorite travel spot for people of all ages. To meet the growing demand for accommodation space, the newest of the "Youth Activity Centers" opened its doors to the public last August.

More than just a place to stay, the K'enting Youth Activity Center is part of the island-wide chain of such centers administered by the China Youth Corps (Ch'iukuot'uan). Like its sister centers, the K'enting site is built with an eye to the local environment and setting. The center in Hsit'ou utilizes its alpine forest location to construct lovely log-cabin style buildings while P'enghu island uses the locally produced red brick to combat the ever-blowing sea winds. By the same token, the K'enting center makes the best of its seaside locale to recreate the world of a traditional Chinese fishing village.

The center is modelled after traditional fishing villages of Fukien province in southeastern mainland China. Not only does the center strive for authenticity, but a concerted effort is also being made to create a tranquil, harmonious atmosphere as well. Han Pao-te, chief architect of the project, stressed that the idea of the center is to give young people of today a chance to experience what daily life in the world of their ancestors was like. Sung Shih-hsuan, director of the China Youth Corps, added that hopefully the traditional architecture will help the youth of today better understand their roots and thus inspire them to seek a greater interest in traditional ideals.

The complex is located at the southern end of the Hengch'un peninsula within the designated K'enting National Park area. Covering an area of 25 hectares, the center grounds include the jutting coral rock projection known as Ch'ingwashih(frog stone), and a long strip of broken sandy beach, surrounded on. three sides by the warm waters of the Bashi Channel. This provides an ideal area for water recreation and sunbathing.

All buildings are painted white with the doors and window frames a brilliant red. Architecturally the buildings are in the traditional style with elegant swallowtail roofs, red pillar supports and delicate latticework window screens. While the buildings were constructed with painstaking attention to traditional detail, the designers have also managed to include all the most modern conveniences. Every building has an air conditioning system, telephone and announcing system and hot running water. The designers responsible for this project have succeeded in integrating traditional and modern elements in a truly harmonious fashion. Although they often ran into many small areas of conflict, they managed to come up with ingenious solutions. For instance, when installing the air-conditioning system it was discovered that the traditional clay roof tile dissipated heat and would quickly fall apart. Therefore a solution had to be found that would allow the traditional style to be retained while providing the guests with the comfort of air-conditioning. After much testing a seven-layer roof was designed that would accommodate the air-conditioning and preserve the original exterior roof design.

The interior, like the exterior, shows the care that has gone into the construction of this show piece. Traditional arts were not overlooked, and many of the best artisans in Taiwan were employed to exercise their skills. Many were intensively trained to master some of the older crafts like carving, masonry and painting. Furniture has also been meticulously selected and lends to the traditional atmosphere that has been sought. All in all, no stone has been left unturned in the quest for authenticity.

The buildings and their design not only serve to give the impression of the old days, they also are a reflection of traditional values and ideals. A stroll around the building site will provide the visitor with many examples. Each building has a Menk'an (the raised doorsill) which is a traditional feature of Chinese homes. This raised doorsill was an obstacle for visitors to remind them to pause and fix their clothes to make themselves presentable to the host. It also prevented them from suddenly barging in and disturbing the family. Thus the Menk'an became a symbol of the Confucian ideal of respect and the measure one should take in dealing with one's friends and neighbors. Another interesting architectural feature preserved in the center are the projecting walls of the buildings called Niaot'ahsien, which served to keep rain off the walls, and gave birds a safe haven to rest and build nests. This is also expressive of a traditional Chinese virtue: that of harmony with nature.

Each dormitory is named after the clan name (T'anghao) of the nine most common surnames in Taiwan. The clan name reflects the ancestral origin of the family. For example the surname Chang carries the clan name Ch'ingho after the region in Hopeh province from which the family's ancestors first came. This use of the clan names is just one more way in which visitors can learn a little more about their heritage.

With such a large investment of both time and money the center's accommodation rates are a little higher than the other centers. But at a nightly rate of five U.S. dollars it is still reasonable and well worth a trip.

In summing up the activities of the center and its aims. Han states that it is not only an activity center but an artistic achievement as well. In this modern and often hectic world the new K'enting Youth Activity Center provides a delightful escape for anyone nostalgic for a more peaceful time.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. The newly opened K'enting Youth Activity Center uses traditional architecture styles to recreate the world of a traditional Fukienese fishing village. The colorfully designed roof ridges attest to emphasis on details. 2. From the vantage point of Ch'ingwa (frog rock), one gets a panoramic view of the entire center. On the left are the deep blue waters of Nanwan (South Bay).

1. Each of the nine dormitory halls uses the clan names (t'anghao), of the nine most commonly used surnames in Taiwan. Pictured is the clan name of the surname Ch'en. 2. Through one of the traditional shaped doors on can see visiting youths enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the center. 3,4. Strolling through the beautifully designed grounds the visitor cannot but be infected by the spirit of tradition.

1. A view of the interior of the three-level dining hall. 2. Beauty and delicacy of design are revealed in these windows. 3. The outer entrance to the dining hall.

1. A seaside pavilion provides a complete view of the surrounding beauty. 2. Two young girls in a moment of reflection on one of the dormitory balconies.

2. From the vantage point of Ch'ingwa （frog rock）, one gets a panoramic view of the entire center. On the left are the deep blue waters of Nanwan （South Bay）.

1. Each of the nine dormitory halls uses the clan names （t'anghao）, of the nine most commonly used surnames in Taiwan. Pictured is the clan name of the surname Ch'en.

2. Through one of the traditional shaped doors on can see visiting youths enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the center.

3,4. Strolling through the beautifully designed grounds the visitor cannot but be infected by the spirit of tradition.

3,4. Strolling through the beautifully designed grounds the visitor cannot but be infected by the spirit of tradition.

1. A view of the interior of the three-level dining hall.

2. Beauty and delicacy of design are revealed in these windows.

3. The outer entrance to the dining hall.

1. A seaside pavilion provides a complete view of the surrounding beauty.

2. Two young girls in a moment of reflection on one of the dormitory balconies.