Readers’ Photos

Harvesting Watermelons (Wang Changlin)

Large expanses of the bed of the Lanyang River in Yilan County’s Datong Township are used to cultivate watermelons. The melons grown in the free-draining sandy soil are sweet and juicy, earning a big thumbs-up from everyone who tries them. 

Harvesting Mangoes with Poles (Wang Changlin)

Mango trees flourish on both sides of this road in Tainan’s Liuying District, forming a beautiful green tunnel. The trees fruit abundantly, and harvesting the mangoes is loads of fun for all the family while bringing back heartwarming childhood memories for adults.

The Canvas of the Earth (Lin Minji)

Chiayi’s Minxiong Township, which lies close to the Tropic of Cancer, produces more pineapples than any other locale in Taiwan. The numerous varieties display multiple colors at different stages of growth, making the earth into a canvas and conveying the warmth of the land. It makes for a remarkably charming scene.

Raking Grains of Rice (Wang Mingxian)

To dry rice in the sun the weather must be good and the grains must be evenly exposed to the sunshine, so raking and turning the rice grains are vital chores. Farmers spread the grains evenly using purpose-made rakes, and must turn the rice over repeatedly until it is completely dry.

Picking Chrysanthemums in Tongluo (Wang Mingxian)

Chrysanthemums are harvested each winter in Miaoli’s Tongluo Township. Besides the rural scene of farmers harvesting the blossoms, tourists find the flowers in full bloom to be even more delightful to the eye.

Dried Persimmons (Xu Jia’en)

Xinpu Township in Hsinchu County is famous for its dried persimmons, which make a tasty and aromatic fruit snack. Each year when autumn arrives, many tourists come here to check out the scene.

Drying Noodles (Xu Jia’en)

The Ayi Handmade Noodles shop in Changhua County’s Fuxing Township still continues its century-old craft of making noodles by hand. The noodles are sun-dried in the courtyard of an old three-sided compound. With a salty flavor from the sea winds, they have a unique taste and are much enjoyed by travelers.

Dongshan Hot-Air Balloon Carnival (Pan Tongxi)

The hot-air balloons flying over the golden rice fields around Mr. Brown Avenue in Yilan’s Dongshan Township attract tourists from near and far.

Diligent Farming with Respect for Deities (Lin Shihao)

To transform a piece of dry land into a verdant rice paddy is no easy task. Therefore farmers feel grateful to the deities of heaven and earth, and before they begin tilling the soil they will always first pay their respects to the Jade Emperor and the Earth God.