Shih Hsin University Students Explore Dadaocheng, Recreate History of Taiwanese Tea Exports in Short Film

(CNA, Taipei, May 20, by reporter Hsu Chih-wei) The Department of Tourism at Shih Hsin University (SHU) collaborated with Taipei Datong Community College, starting with an exploration of Dadaocheng, to present the historical context of tea cultivation, production, processing, and export promoted by Lee Chun-sheng, the "Father of Taiwanese Tea," through a short film, helping people understand how Taiwanese tea reached the world. Shih Hsin University issued a press release today stating that SHU and Taipei Datong Community College held a premiere for their USR (University Social Responsibility) project film, launching the youth-perspective short film "A Cup of Tea, A Story." The film showcases the results of teachers and students entering the local community to record tea culture and personal stories through video. "A Cup of Tea, A Story" begins with SHU Tourism students' exploration of Dadaocheng. Following tea shops, historical materials, and local interviews, they organized the historical narrative of how Lee Chun-sheng, the "Father of Taiwanese Tea," promoted the industry. Guided by local figures such as Lee Fu-ran, the 4th generation descendant of the Lee family, the film helped students gain a more concrete understanding of Dadaocheng's tea culture and urban history. SHU President Chen Ching-ho stated that the most moving aspect of the short film is its clear presentation of three layers: the concern generated after teachers and students entered the community, the insight into the business context behind urban development through the tea industry, and the retelling of old stories in the language of the younger generation, making local memories more accessible to contemporary understanding. Chang Wan-chun, President of Taipei Datong Community College, mentioned that if local stories are not preserved in time, they may disappear with the passage of time. The significance of this collaboration is not just completing a film, but connecting academic expertise with local experience, allowing students to learn about people, industries, and cultural spaces in a real-world setting. Lin Chang-yu, Director of the SHU USR Project Office and Head of the Department of Tourism, pointed out that the team chose to film at Sin Hong Choon, a historic tea house, through course integration and fieldwork. This decision was based on its historical atmosphere as a representative site of Dadaocheng's tea culture, hoping to present a sense of authenticity in the dialogue between the younger generation and local elders. The film is now available on the department's platform and YouTube, allowing more people to access local stories. Yang Chieh-ting, a SHU Tourism student who participated in the film, said that tea is not unfamiliar to the new generation, and this filming experience gave her a new understanding that tea is not just a daily beverage but also an entrance to understanding the land. SHU Tourism student Yu Yi-ling shared that participating in the filming brought her closer to Dadaocheng and made her realize that no amount of complete online information can compare to the profound experience of being on-site and listening to local elders recount history. (Editor: Kuang Chung-wei) 1150520