Today, our school’s basketball and volleyball teams officially embarked on their sports exchange tour, flying smoothly from Hong Kong International Airport to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport. The first stop of the itinerary was Shifen Scenic Area, the historic home of sky lanterns. Here, teachers and students conducted a field study around Shifen Station and Old Street, immersing themselves in the traditional local atmosphere. After enjoying a lunch of Taiwan’s signature brick-kiln roasted chicken, the group headed to the Raohe Street Night Market to explore Taipei's rich cultural heritage. Students arranged their own dinners within the night market, sampling authentic local delicacies and experiencing Taiwan's unique night market culture while gearing up for tomorrow’s training.
The second day marked the beginning of professional training. Both the volleyball and basketball teams gathered at New Taipei Municipal Yingge Junior High School for tactical training sessions in the morning and afternoon. They also played friendship matches against local students, promoting cross-border sports exchange through friendly competition. Following the training sessions, the team headed to Ximending in the evening for a cultural exploration, experiencing Taipei's vibrant pop culture firsthand to broaden their horizons and add excitement to the trip.
Day three was packed with intensive activities. The volleyball team spent the entire day at the NVA Club House Volleyball Club for high-intensity specialized training and friendly matches. Meanwhile, the basketball team trained at Juanguang High School in the morning before moving to the Xingyao Building at Zhongshan Junior High School in the afternoon to participate in a friendly match and exchange training with the Taipei Suns, broadening our students' athletic perspectives. Through intensive training and match play, the team members learned the value of teamwork, cultivated a never-give-up attitude, and achieved significant growth in both their technical skills and sportsmanship.
On the morning of the fourth day, the team visited the home arena of the New Taipei Kings to deepen their understanding of the professional sports industry. This was followed by a visit to the Huashan 1914 Creative Park, where they experienced Taipei's rich history and creative cultural atmosphere, before heading to the iconic landmark Taipei 101 to admire its unique, cutting-edge architecture. In the afternoon, both teams returned to the court for exchange matches. The volleyball team competed against the Fei Yi Volleyball Team at the Fei Yi Volleyball Hall, while the basketball team faced off against Juanguang High School. Throughout the matches, our players maintained an exemplary attitude, fully demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship.
As the journey drew to a close, the team spent their final morning strolling through the historic streets of Dadaocheng and Dihua Street, experiencing Taipei's traditional commerce and historical charm. Afterwards, teachers and students participated in a pineapple cake DIY cultural workshop, gaining hands-on insight into local culinary traditions. With this, our five-day trip came to a successful conclusion. We are confident that our students have benefited immensely and grown significantly from this unforgettable journey.
