Hualien is a land of mountains and sea, where rich indigenous cultures thrive in every corner. Through the skillful hands of local artisans, vibrant woven creations emerge, each piece infused with the essence of Hualien. Choosing a woven souvenir on your autumn trip becomes the perfect way to hear and connect with their stories.
Weaving Life into Craft｜Dorcas Clever Workshop
Tzu-Hsuan Chen, a Taroko artisan, once worked in pet grooming. A friend’s love for handmade crafts and her own entrepreneurial experience drew her into the world of weaving. After immersing herself in her tribal culture, she fell in love with it completely. She laughs, saying she was “tricked into it” - soon after the studio opened, she became its director, leading the preservation and innovation of Taroko cultural arts. Her aunt Wan-Li Chen is also one of the workshop’s leaders. By entrusting Tzu-Hsuan Chen with the operation, she empowered a group of tribal sisters to weave beautiful creations that carry both artistry and cultural significance.
INFO｜Dorcas Clever Workshop
Address: No. 345, Dongxing Road, Hualien City
Telephone: 0905-072583
Business hours: The workshop is not generally open to the public, but visitors can order or reserve custom pieces through the website or by phone.
Tribal Crafts Meet Modern Style｜Weaving the Threads of Cultural Heritage
The name “Dorcas” comes from the Bible, where she was a skilled weaver who joyfully helped others - mirroring the workshop’s mission: A team of tribal sisters ensures that indigenous culture is carried forward through woven crafts. Tzu-Hsuan often incorporates diamond patterns, representing the “eyes of ancestors,” which symbolize protection, guidance, and regulation. The workshop logo features overlapping diamonds, reflecting the collective creativity of many individuals.
Her work seamlessly blends traditional weaving with contemporary fashion. Each fabric and motif is carefully designed, with recent favorites combining leather and Taroko tribal weaves shaped like Taiwan. These creations have sold over a thousand units. Products include shoulder straps, tote bags, small pouches, and even crafted items that combine woodworking with other materials, such as phone stands. These creations transform traditional tribal patterns into practical, modern objects while also weaving a space for cultural heritage and its ongoing legac
Memories and Knowledge Woven from Tribal Craft｜Yuan Yang Workshop
Chun-Hsia Lin (formerly Yung-Mei Lin), born to a Sakizaya father and an Amis mother, returned to Hualien in 2009 after years working at a gown company in Taipei. With more than 20 years of sewing experience and a deep understanding of traditional techniques, she first guided mothers at the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families in Hualien in crafting handmade items. She also joined the Indigenous Product Design Competition in Taipei, spending seven days and nights creating a garment entirely by hand from hemp and jute, improvising as she went without relying on any design sketches. The resulting piece, called “Inheritance,” won fourth place and drew inspiration from her childhood memories of her grandfather weaving fishing nets. These early experiences ignited Chun-Hsia’s journey in weaving, embedding cultural recognition and the responsibility of heritage into her work.
Fusing Innovation with Tradition｜Connecting Life to the Future
Yuan Yang Workshop, just a five-minute drive from TRA Hualien Station, welcomes visitors with Chun-Hsia Lin’s award-winning and exhibited creations. Many of her pieces have gained recognition beyond competitions, including consecutive showcases at the “Yu Fu Fashion Show” at Dongli Cycling Station, where Eelin models couldn’t get enough of her designs.
Creating garments from tree bark is no simple feat. The process begins with carefully harvesting the bark from the paper mulberry, which alone can take an entire day. Afterward, the bark is soaked, bleached, and dyed with natural plant pigments before it can be transformed into usable fabric. There’s a wealth of knowledge involved - for instance, the trees are either male or female, and the bark from male trees tends to crack more easily. Chun-Hsia Lin laughs, noting, “Female trees, like women, are more resilient. She also incorporates the Amis tradition of knot tying into her clothing, blending aesthetics with cultural storytelling. Today, Chun-Hsia aims to bring these crafts into daily life - not just in clothing, but also in furniture and décor. Only by connecting these creations to everyday living can traditional craft truly continue into the future.
INFO｜Yuan Yang Workshop
Address: No. 99, Zili Road, Jian Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 0919-941823
Business hours: Visits or custom orders are available by appointment