The Intelligent Regional Design Service Research Center of National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (YunTech), in collaboration with Gouba Elementary School in Douliu City, Yunlin County, co-hosted the third session of the picture-book storytelling program Red Altar Sanctuary: The Majestic Cultural Treasures of the Wugu Kaitai Zunwang on January 16 at Gouba Elementary School. To promote Yunlin’s distinctive intangible cultural heritage—the Wugu Kaitai Zunwang Guo-Lu (processional incense-passing) ritual—the YunTech research team has continued to tour schools across Yunlin County. This visit focused on fifth-grade students at Gouba Elementary School, offering in-depth engagement to help local children gain a deeper understanding of the essence of the Guo-Lu ritual and Red Altar traditions.
The Intelligent Regional Design Service Research Center has long been committed to the educational promotion of cultural heritage. Following previous activities at Shigui Elementary School and Zhenxi Elementary School, Gouba Elementary School was selected as the next venue in the series. Located on the outskirts of Douliu City, Gouba Elementary School is known for its simple and sincere learning environment. By transforming academic research outcomes into vivid picture-book narratives and bringing them into the elementary classroom, the program enabled upper-grade students to rediscover this century-old folk tradition officially designated by Yunlin County through illustrations and storytelling.
The event was led by Associate Professor Jing-Yi Wang of YunTech’s Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation, accompanied by graduate students Ying-Rong Chen and Xuan-Yi He, as well as Dr. Jia-Xian Zhuo, a postdoctoral researcher at the Intelligent Regional Design Service Research Center. Chen and He demonstrated excellent coordination, presenting the picture book in an engaging and lively manner that guided fifth-grade students on an immersive journey along the centuries-old incense route. Interactive quiz segments were incorporated throughout the session, sparking enthusiastic participation and active interaction among the students, who showed strong interest and receptiveness toward cultural heritage and local traditions.
Associate Professor Wang noted that the story of the Wugu Kaitai Zunwang is not merely history, but an essential starting point for children to understand their hometown. Whether culture is remembered does not depend solely on festivals, but on the first local story a child reads. Through picture-book storytelling, the team hopes to bring culture into the classroom in the most approachable way. When children open a picture book, cultural heritage becomes an emotional landscape in their hearts. Folk traditions endure because the next generation is willing to retell these stories. Allowing children to hear their own culture is the beginning of a brighter future for the community.
The picture book Red Altar Sanctuary: The Majestic Cultural Treasures of the Wugu Kaitai Zunwang was authored by Associate Professor Jing-Yi Wang and illustrated by graduate students Ying-Rong Chen and Xuan-Yi He. It was published by the Intelligent Regional Design Service Research Center in December of last year (2024). Featuring Chinese text with phonetic annotations, rich illustrations, and accessible language, the book is suitable not only for elementary school students but also for parent–child and intergenerational reading. Through shared reading and oral storytelling among grandparents, parents, and children, respect for the deity and local collective memory are passed on to the next generation, embodying the true spirit of cultural sustainability.
The Red Altar Sanctuary picture-book storytelling tour, jointly organized by the Intelligent Regional Design Service Research Center and four elementary schools, began at Shigui Elementary School on November 7, 2024, continued at Zhenxi Elementary School on December 11, and reached its third stop at Gouba Elementary School with this event. The next session is scheduled to take place at Lianmei Elementary School on January 22. More than a concrete example of collaboration between a university and local elementary schools, the initiative symbolizes close cooperation among YunTech, Shigui Elementary School, Zhenxi Elementary School, Gouba Elementary School, Lianmei Elementary School, and the Chinese Wugu Kaitai Zunwang Association. Together, these partners are advancing local cultural and historical education and providing rich and valuable learning resources for children in the community.
Ying-Rong Chen and Xuan-Yi He, the two senior student mentors, led the storytelling session.
Students eagerly participated and responded enthusiastically to the questions.
The two senior student mentors actively interacted with the students.
An introduction to the distinctive Wu Hong Mao (Black-and-Red Hat) chanting troupe, a unique feature of the Wugu Kaitai Zunwang Guo-Lu folk tradition.
Group Photo
(Back row, from right to left: Director Mao-Yuan Li; Graduate Student Xuan-Yi He; Graduate Student Ying-Rong Chen; Homeroom Teacher Mei-Hsiang Lin; Postdoctoral Researcher Jia-Xian Zhuo)
Organizing Unit: Intelligent Regional Design Service Research Center
Director: Shih-Hui Huang
Contact Person: Jia-Xian Zhuo
Contact Phone: +886-5-534-2601 ext. 2870
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