- Title: TAIWAN: A hilltop graveyard becomes one of Taiwan's most popular camping sites
- Date: 2nd July 2011
- Summary: YILAN COUNTY, TAIWAN (JUNE 29, 2011) (REUTERS) A MAN WALKING IN THE SAKURA CEMETERY IN THE RAIN CEMETERY WITH A CAMPING GROUND IN FRONT NEW GRAVES TENT IN CAMPER'S DINING AREA CAMPING GROUND
- Embargoed: 17th July 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Taiwan, Province of China
- Country: Taiwan
- Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA1XG8XMDMMEACHSEO6QKRXBJ22
- Story Text: A graveyard in Taiwan's Yilan County boasts spectacular views, great Feng Shui and a camping ground.
The Sakura Cemetery Park is a 45-hectare (450,000 metre-squared) area which has opened for campers to pitch tents beside tombs.
Opened two years ago, the cemetery is selling underground spaces for more than 7,000 bodies, whilst promoting 15 camping slots for 10 families at a time.
It is 750 metres above sea level and overlooks the Yilan plain.
Campers told Reuters on Wednesday (June 29) they were enticed by the stunning views and unusual concept.
"This is quite novel so I come here to take a look. I heard the Sakura Cemetery is a park-styled cemetery with beautiful scenery, so we are here to see if we could plan to camp here, or even find a place to rest after a hundred years to be with the beautiful mountains," said 40-year-old civil servant Ni Wen-Chen.
The campers said they were unperturbed by the presence of the deceased.
"I'm not scared at all. We are here to camp and be close to nature, we and the cemetery each have our own worlds, it does not effect the camping atmosphere, but this could be a rather special experience," said 45-year-old Sun Chih-Feng.
The Mortuary Services Office said since the camping event's opening on Saturday (June 25), 22 groups of approximately 100 people have camped at the cemetery and most weekends in July are already fully-booked.
A huge camping event for 100 families will be held on July 16 with a concert and celebration.
Yilan County Magistrate Lin Tsong-shyan says he hopes to promote graveyard camping throughout the region.
"Some of the other cemeteries in the Yilan County are unfortunately not organised this way, but in the future we hope to promote the beautiful landscapes at other cemeteries. I think this is a possible improvement for all the other cemeteries," he said.
Cemetery officials say 24-hour security will be provided to ensure the tombs are not desecrated. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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