The sparkling sea and sandy beaches of northern Taiwan, stretching from Tamsui to Keelung, are a popular attraction for people in the Taipei area during the summer months. They are also a place where the country's young people can go to relax and build up their characters.

The China Youth Corps has been quick to realize the area's potential by establishing one of its eight Youth Activity Centers at Chinshan (Golden Mountain) on the coast to provide comfortable, neat and well-furnished accommodation for youths and other visitors. The design and construction work was started in 1961 by the well-known architect Hsiu Tze-lan. To fit in with the seaside environment and reduce the impact of the strong winds in the area, low-profile bungalows were erected to form clusters such as the Cheng Kung (or Success) Village. Completed 20 years ago, this village has been continuously renovated to keep its appearance neat and modern. The Tienhsiang Village, a group of white semi-circular buildings, and the Yangming Village, with its 17 rooms accommodating 210 persons at a time, are also included in the complex.

Just down the road is a building with a blue roof, red brick walls and white pillars, named the Huisheng Hall in commemoration of Gen. Chen Hui-sheng. The two-story building has an auditorium upstairs able to accommodate some 350 people, and a restaurant downstairs with a capacity of 600.

The imposing Kuangfu Building was erected to meet the increasing demand as the standard of living rose in Taiwan, and leisure activities became more popular. Covering an area of 435 pings (1 ping = 6 sq. ft.), the building cost NT$27 million (US$800,000) to construct. The castle-shaped edifice is made of green-gray stones and on the wall encircling its courtyard, a large-scale fresco relief is planned. Out of its seven stories, the basement houses an office, a staff dormitory and a recreation center; the first floor a restaurant; the second and third floors, 34 multiple apartments; while the fifth, sixth, and seventh floors house a reception center, conference hall and sea-viewing rooms. Just down the beach from the Kuangfu Building, cottages can be found dotted amid the pine forest to provide accommodation for youth activities coordinators and assistants, or people from education or literary circles.

In addition to these permanent structures at Chinshan, several areas have been set aside as campsites. Shaded by green trees, these sites can accommodate up to 500 persons. Each summer, the China Youth Corps sponsors a series of camping activities which provide both a healthy seaside environment and practical work training for young people. The most popular activities during the four-day program are associated with the sea and the beach. With a total length of 500 meters, the Chinshan beach is well-furnished with such facilities as dressing rooms, medicare centers and safety stations. Snacks and beverages are on sale, and shelters, beach chairs, swimsuits and life jackets can be rented.

Often young people are encouraged to walk inland to study the flowers and tress which surround the base of the mountain. The Kuang Jih (Sun View) pavilion located on a protruding rock, is one of the best places to enjoy the panorama of the seashore.

From this point, looking out to sea, prominent feature is made up of two rocks standing side-by-side. These are officially known as the Candlestick Rocks, but local people prefer to call them the Lovers' Rocks in recognition of romantic legend concerning their origin. According to this legend, a fisherman failed to return from his voyage out to sea. His wife, however, never gave up hope, and stood on a nearby cliff each day waiting for his return. One evening during a storm, she suddenly saw her husband's boat approaching the shore. But just at that moment, a gust of wind swept her off her perch. The fisherman jumped into the sea to try to save her, but both were swept away and never seen again. As time passed, however, the local people noticed that the two rocks had arisen from the sea side by side, as if to symbolize the dead couple.

Standing on the shore and looking out to these rocks, it is pleasant to believe that the legend might be true. The blue sea, golden sands and clear air engender a sublime feeling which makes it easy to realize why the area is such a lure for visitors, and so able to inspire the nation's youth.

[Picture Caption]

The sparkling sea and sandy beach at Chinshan are a popular attraction f or young people. Each summer, the China Youth Corps sponsors a series of camping activities which provide a healthy seaside environment for youth.

The imposing castle-shaped Kuangfu Building is equipped with modern, comfortable and neat facilities (above). Blow from left: The small houses shaded by pine trees in Chungcheng Park, next to the Chinshan Youth Activity Center stand amid gardens, full of yellow flowers and pine trees; and a bird's eye view of Chinshan.

The sparkling sea and sandy beach at Chinshan are a popular attraction f or young people. Each summer, the China Youth Corps sponsors a series of camping activities which provide a healthy seaside environment for youth.

The sparkling sea and sandy beach at Chinshan are a popular attraction f or young people. Each summer, the China Youth Corps sponsors a series of camping activities which provide a healthy seaside environment for youth.

The sparkling sea and sandy beach at Chinshan are a popular attraction f or young people. Each summer, the China Youth Corps sponsors a series of camping activities which provide a healthy seaside environment for youth.

The imposing castle-shaped Kuangfu Building is equipped with modern, comfortable and neat facilities （above）. Blow from left: The small houses shaded by pine trees in Chungcheng Park, next to the Chinshan Youth Activity Center stand amid gardens, full of yellow flowers and pine trees; and a bird's eye view of Chinshan.

The imposing castle-shaped Kuangfu Building is equipped with modern, comfortable and neat facilities （above）. Blow from left: The small houses shaded by pine trees in Chungcheng Park, next to the Chinshan Youth Activity Center stand amid gardens, full of yellow flowers and pine trees; and a bird's eye view of Chinshan.

The imposing castle-shaped Kuangfu Building is equipped with modern, comfortable and neat facilities （above）. Blow from left: The small houses shaded by pine trees in Chungcheng Park, next to the Chinshan Youth Activity Center stand amid gardens, full of yellow flowers and pine trees; and a bird's eye view of Chinshan.

The imposing castle-shaped Kuangfu Building is equipped with modern, comfortable and neat facilities （above）. Blow from left: The small houses shaded by pine trees in Chungcheng Park, next to the Chinshan Youth Activity Center stand amid gardens, full of yellow flowers and pine trees; and a bird's eye view of Chinshan.