2025 NTUST International Volunteer Team Empowers Nepal's Upper Pisang: Integrating Building Revitalization with Smart Wayfinding
In 2025, the NTSUT International Volunteer Team, in partnership with the JuJu MaMa Children's Education & Care Association, returned to the Manang region of Nepal to drive a comprehensive village revitalization project. A pivotal focus this year was the synergy between historic building revitalization and the systematization of local tourism resources. By designing a sophisticated wayfinding system, the "Directional Signage and Tourist Guide Maps" team aimed to enhance the accessibility of Upper Pisang and guide global travelers deeper into the mountain village, ultimately stimulating the local economy.
Revitalizing Historic Spaces: Mapping the Cultural Depth of Upper Pisang
To complement the revitalization of local heritage sites, such as the Story House, the team conducted thorough research into local history and architectural assets. Volunteers developed an intuitive tourist guide map that consolidates 9 key points of interest, transforming scattered historical narratives into tangible tourism assets:
Tourist Map of Upper Pisang.
Cultural Landmarks: Including the Historical Side Gate, the New Monastery, and the Prayer Wheels.
Community Hubs: The Pisang Story House (bakery & café), Stone Stupa, Pisang Basic School, and the Medical Aid-Post.
This map significantly boosts the visibility of Upper Pisang, enabling hikers to explore the village’s heritage with greater ease.
Beyond digital and paper data, the team actively improved the physical environment by installing six handcrafted directional signposts at strategic intersections. These signs—collaboratively designed, painted, and installed by volunteers and locals—were crafted to harmonize with the mountain landscape. By providing clear directions to the "Story House" and "Administrative Area," the team reduced navigation barriers for visitors. This improved navigability is designed to encourage longer stays, thereby increasing the economic demand for local B&B areas and commercial services.
Sustainable Co-construction: Bridging Taipei and Nepal
As an international extension of the "Infinity of the Southern Taipei - Sustainable Co-construction Project of Urban Mountain City and Infinity University," a metal nameplate was placed at the Story House to commemorate the partnership between Taiwan Tech and the local community. This initiative represents a profound social practice, using tourism as a vehicle for cultural preservation and sustainable development in Upper Pisang.
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