Today (the 16th), the Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the YMS National Park HQ) under the National Park Service, Ministry of the Interior, held the "Zhuzihu Historical and Cultural Park Restoration Launch and Centennial Ceremony for the Naming of Ponlai Rice" at the Zhuzihu Ponlai Rice Foundation Seed Field Story House. Partners and local residents were invited to gather and reflect on a century of development in Zhuzihu, while officially announcing the commencement of the Zhuzihu Historical and Cultural Park restoration project.

Chang Shun-Fa, Director of the YMS National Park HQ, noted that many people come to know Zhuzihu through its leisure agriculture, such as calla lilies and hydrangeas. However, the area also features a unique volcanic landscape and ecology, as well as a rich agricultural and village heritage. In 1926, rice successfully cultivated in Zhuzihu was officially named "Ponlai" (Ponlai rice). In 1928, the construction of the Ponlai Rice Foundation Seed Field Office was completed, establishing it as a key agricultural hub of the era.

Beyond agricultural development, Zhuzihu has also witnessed the early mountaineering and recreational culture of Yangmingshan. In the early 20th century, with the development of hot springs in the Yangmingshan region, Zhuzihu gradually became a base for hiking and leisure activities. In 1930, the Taihoku Prefecture utilized leftover timber from the construction of "The Syurakuen Recreation Hotel at Sozan" to build a simple rest station above the Seed Field Office. This space was further expanded in 1934, incorporating hot springs and officially named the "Zhuzishan Villa" to serve hikers and tourists at the time. While the Ponlai Rice Foundation Seed Field Office records Zhuzihu's agricultural history, the Zhuzishan Villa bears witness to Yangmingshan's early mountaineering and recreation culture, together preserving the developmental trajectories of Zhuzihu across different eras.

Following the post-war shifts in industries and lifestyles, these buildings underwent various phases of use and transformation. The Ponlai Rice Foundation Seed Field Office was once used by the military and later expanded into the "Military Police Mei-He Study Center". It was designated as a historic building in 2009, transferred to the management of the YMS National Park HQ in 2011, and reopened as a story house in 2015. Meanwhile, the privately-owned Zhuzishan Villa remained largely vacant after the 1990s. In addition to actively negotiating to acquire ownership of the villa, the YMS National Park HQ commissioned research teams to conduct studies in 2018, and subsequently incorporated the villa and the nearby meteorological observation station into a preserved historic building cluster in 2022.

Director Chang further stated that cultural assets represent "living" history. People from different eras have lived and worked here, leaving their unique marks as time progressed. Therefore, this restoration is not simply about returning the structures to the appearance of a single decade; rather, it follows the principles of cultural asset preservation—maintaining existing historical textures while accommodating future functional needs, allowing the public to discover stories of different eras directly through the architecture. This restoration project also responds to the long-standing community aspirations for continuing historical memory and community revitalization. Over the years, the YMS National Park HQ has maintained ongoing communication and discussions with the Hutian community to gradually piece together local history. It is hoped that this restoration will bring these buildings—which carry local memories—back into public view, while laying the foundation for future collaborative revitalization and utilization with the community.

Today’s ceremony integrated local participation and cultural heritage, featuring a traditional folk lion dance performance by the Hutian Elementary School Lion Dance Troupe, alongside ground-breaking blessing and earth-turning rituals. Following the ceremony, a special tea reception centered around the concepts of "rice, Yangmingshan, and local identity" was held, accompanied by a live performance by independent musician Cliff. Through local food, music, and cultural assets, the event highlighted the deep connection between people and the land.

In conclusion, Director Chang expressed that the launch of this restoration project marks the beginning of the next chapter in Zhuzihu's cultural asset preservation. Moving forward, the development of the Zhuzihu Historical and Cultural Park will be driven by four key pillars: "volcanic ecology, cultural assets, community revitalization, and visitor services." By linking the surrounding natural ecosystem, agricultural landscape, historic buildings, and village life, and by continuing to partner with local residents and stakeholders, the shared historical memories of the community can be sustained. Furthermore, through revitalization and reuse, cultural assets will be seamlessly reintegrated into contemporary life, moving toward a sustainable vision of harmony between nature and humanity.