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  • <P>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</P>

    Liu Ka-shiang

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

  • <br/>
<P>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</P>
<P>Liu Ka-shiang at the age of three with his parents and younger brother.</P>

    1957

    Born in Wuri District of Taichung City, Taiwan


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu Ka-shiang at the age of three with his parents and younger brother.

  • <br/>
<P>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</P>
<P>Five-year-old Liu Ka-shiang with his younger brother.</P>

    1962

    Enters Da Tung Elementary School, Taichung


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Five-year-old Liu Ka-shiang with his younger brother.

  • <br/>
<P>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</P>
<P>Liu Ka-shiang as a teenager.</P>

    1969

    Enters Taichung Municipal Chu Jen Junior High School


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu Ka-shiang as a teenager.

  • <br/>
<P>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</P>

    1972

    Enters Taichung Municipal Taichung First Senior High School


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

  • <p>Develops interest in nature: herbs, plants and trees.</p>
<br/>
<P>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</P>
<P>Liu trying to catch butterflies at Nantou, a county that abounds in 330 butterfly species.</P>

    1975

    Enters Department of Journalism, College of Chinese Culture

    Develops interest in nature: herbs, plants and trees.


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu trying to catch butterflies at Nantou, a county that abounds in 330 butterfly species.

  • <p>Begins writing.</p>
<br/>
<P>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</P>
<P>Liu at Chenggong Ling, a military Training Center for college students.</P>

    1976

    Joins the Hwa Kang Poets Society

    Begins writing.


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu at Chenggong Ling, a military Training Center for college students.

  • <p>Published in the literary supplement to <i>The United Daily News</i>.<br>
Obtains a copy of <i>Cold Mountain Poems</i> translated by Gary Snyder and is greatly inspired by it.</p>
<br/>
<P>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</P>
<P>Photograph taken with Snyder in Okinawa, 2004.</P>

    1977

    “Hair Loosened,” first poem published in a newspaper

    Published in the literary supplement to The United Daily News.
    Obtains a copy of Cold Mountain Poems translated by Gary Snyder and is greatly inspired by it.


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Photograph taken with Snyder in Okinawa, 2004.

  • <p>Burns all the printed copies of Lower Reaches of the River later.<br /> Starts internship at the literary supplement to The United Daily News.<br /> Begins thirty years of editorship.</p>
<p></p>
<p>self-published</p>

    1978

    Poetry collection Lower Reaches of the River self-published

    Burns all the printed copies of Lower Reaches of the River later.
    Starts internship at the literary supplement to The United Daily News.
    Begins thirty years of editorship.

    self-published

  • 1979

    Drafted for military service

    Serves on a Republic of China Navyʼs battleship.
    Develops interest in bird watching.

  • <p>Joins Taichung Wild Bird Conservation Association.<br>
Travels frequently to the upper and middle reaches and estuaries of streams and rivers in Central Taiwan.<br>
Begins nature observation.</p>
<br/>
<P>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</P>
<P>Liu during his military service in the Navy, 1981.</P>

    1981

    Receives military discharge and starts writing on birds

    Joins Taichung Wild Bird Conservation Association.
    Travels frequently to the upper and middle reaches and estuaries of streams and rivers in Central Taiwan.
    Begins nature observation.


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu during his military service in the Navy, 1981.

  • <p>Praised by the cultural critic Zhan Hong-zhi as a pioneer of popular science and nature writing in Taiwan.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: China Times Publishing Co.</p>

    1982

    Prose collection Travelogue published

    Praised by the cultural critic Zhan Hong-zhi as a pioneer of popular science and nature writing in Taiwan.

    Taipei: China Times Publishing Co.

  • <p>Accumulates background knowledge for writing on birds.</p>
<br/>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>Liu doing fieldwork, 1983.</p>

    1982

    Begins yearlong birdwatching at the lower reaches of Tamsui River

    Accumulates background knowledge for writing on birds.


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu doing fieldwork, 1983.

  • <p>Liuʼs poetry begins to circulate among students.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>The <i>China Times</i> Literary Award trophy.</p>

    1984

    Wins the Newcomer Prize from Twenty Years of Li Poetry Society, the Taiwan Poetry Award, the China Times Literary Award, and the Modern Poetry Award from the Chung-Wai Literary Journal

    Liuʼs poetry begins to circulate among students.

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    The China Times Literary Award trophy.

  • <p>Primarily political poetry,second edition published ten days later.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Avanguard Book</p>

    1984

    Poetry collection Homeland of the Wandervogel published

    Primarily political poetry,second edition published ten days later.

    Taipei: Avanguard Book

  • <p>Donates copyright royalties to Society for Wildlife and Nature, S. W. A. N., in the hope that the Guandu Nature Park will be set up.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Society for Wildlife And Nature</p>

    1984

    Ecological reportage Relay Station for the Birds of Passage: Seasonal Observations of the Lower Reaches of Tamsui River published

    Donates copyright royalties to Society for Wildlife and Nature, S. W. A. N., in the hope that the Guandu Nature Park will be set up.

    Taipei: Society for Wildlife And Nature

  • <p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>Liu doing fieldwork, 1985.</p>

    1985

    Serves as the editor for the China Timesʼ literary supplement “Human Realm”

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu doing fieldwork, 1985.

  • <p>Serves as the director of the Art and Literature Section at <i>The Independent Evening Post</i>. Begins research on nature encyclopedia.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>Liu at the <i>Independent Evening Post</i> office, 1988.</p>

    1988

    Plans for the column “Adventurers in Taiwan” in The Independent Evening Post (Zi Li Wan Bao).

    Serves as the director of the Art and Literature Section at The Independent Evening Post. Begins research on nature encyclopedia.

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu at the Independent Evening Post office, 1988.

  • <p>Taipei: He Zhi Wen Hua Publishing</p>

    1988

    Poetry collection Opinions of the Baby Flying Squirrel published

    Taipei: He Zhi Wen Hua Publishing

  • <p>Begins writing Taiwanʼs nature history.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Linking Publishing</p>

    1989

    Nature histories History of Ornithology in Taiwan (1980-1912) and Across Formosa: Foreignersʼ Travel in Taiwan (1860-1880) published consecutively

    Begins writing Taiwanʼs nature history.

    Taipei: Linking Publishing

  • <p>First animal fiction in Taiwan.<br /> Wins the China Times Open Book Award for Top Ten Books of the Year.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>Liu on the <i>China Times</i> Open Book Award ceremony.</p>

    1991

    Novel Ringed Plover Pinocchia published.

    First animal fiction in Taiwan.
    Wins the China Times Open Book Award for Top Ten Books of the Year.

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu on the China Times Open Book Award ceremony.

  • 1992

    “Black-faced Dancer” published in the China Timesʼ literary supplement

    Boosts public awareness of the endangered black-faced spoonbill.

  • <p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>A panorama of the green hills and ponds surrounded by city buildings.</p>

    1992

    Starts observing nature at the green hills in his neighborhood for three years

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    A panorama of the green hills and ponds surrounded by city buildings.

  • <p>First fiction writing concerning ocean creatures.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Yuan-Liou Publishing Co.</p>

    1993

    Novel Hollyann Momo the Humpback Whale published

    First fiction writing concerning ocean creatures.

    Taipei: Yuan-Liou Publishing Co.

  • 1993

    Wins the Wu San-lien Award for Literary Reportage

    Wins the award for natural history writing and ecological reportage.

  • <p>The <i>Songs of the Green Hill trilogy</i> is a carefully documented historical writing and nature survey of Taiwanʼs land, bringing in the concept of &ldquo;urban wilderness.&rdquo;<br /> Wins the UDN Literatiʼs Best Book Award for the trilogy.<br /> Wins Taiwan Conservation Award.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: China Times Publishing Co.</p>

    1995

    Observation journals Dance of the Green Hill , Songs of the Green Hill, and the Spirits of the Green Hill published

    The Songs of the Green Hill trilogy is a carefully documented historical writing and nature survey of Taiwanʼs land, bringing in the concept of “urban wilderness.”
    Wins the UDN Literatiʼs Best Book Award for the trilogy.
    Wins Taiwan Conservation Award.

    Taipei: China Times Publishing Co.

  • <p>Attempts writing on picture fiction books for children.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Taiwan Interminds Publishing</p>

    1996

    Picture book When the Whale Feels Blue (But Not the Blue), The Water Bird Who Calls for No Names, The Private Life of a Pea Mouse published

    Attempts writing on picture fiction books for children.

    Taipei: Taiwan Interminds Publishing

  • <p>The bedtime stories Liu reads for his son as the prototype.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: China Times Publishing Co.</p>

    1997

    Fantasy novel The Pea Mouse Trilogy: The Hyacinth Bean Forest, Over a Small Island, Ghost Rain on the Prairie published

    The bedtime stories Liu reads for his son as the prototype.

    Taipei: China Times Publishing Co.

  • <p>Introduces common birdsʼ behavior and habits.<br /> Wins the UDN Literatiʼs Best Children&rsquo;s Book Award.<br /> Wins the 3rd Little Sun Award from Government Information Office.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Taiwan Interminds Publishing</p>
<p>Liu on the UDN Literatiʼs Best Children&rsquo;s Book Award ceremony.</p>

    1997

    Teen fiction The Spirits in the Telescope – Stories of Common Birds in Taiwan published

    Introduces common birdsʼ behavior and habits.
    Wins the UDN Literatiʼs Best Children’s Book Award.
    Wins the 3rd Little Sun Award from Government Information Office.

    Taipei: Taiwan Interminds Publishing

    Liu on the UDN Literatiʼs Best Children’s Book Award ceremony.

  • <p>Seeks to improve the quality of tourism in Taiwan.<br /> Wins the Top Ten Domestic Books Award from <i>Tomorrow Times</i>, Taiwanʼs first electronic newspaper.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taichung: Morning Star Publishing Inc.</p>

    2000

    Travel guide The Nature Tour in Northern Taiwan Guide published

    Seeks to improve the quality of tourism in Taiwan.
    Wins the Top Ten Domestic Books Award from Tomorrow Times, Taiwanʼs first electronic newspaper.

    Taichung: Morning Star Publishing Inc.

  • <p>Continues the investigation of small town tourism.<br /> Listed as one of the Top Ten Books of the Year, Editorsʼ Choice, on <a href="https://www.books.com.tw/" target="_blank"></a><a class="tl-makelink" href="https://www.books.com.tw" onclick="void(0)">www.books.com.tw</a><a></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Crown publisher</p>

    2002

    Prose collection Straying for One Day in the Small Town published

    Continues the investigation of small town tourism.
    Listed as one of the Top Ten Books of the Year, Editorsʼ Choice, on www.books.com.tw

    Taipei: Crown publisher

  • <p>Wins the <i>China Times</i> Open Book Award for Teen Books.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Taiwan Interminds Publishing</p>

    2003

    Teen fiction Teenagersʼ Green Paper: Our Travels on the Island published

    Wins the China Times Open Book Award for Teen Books.

    Taipei: Taiwan Interminds Publishing

  • 2004

    Wins the 21st Wu Luqin Award for prose

  • <p>Explores the gradually forgotten nature in common peopleʼs daily life.<br /> Wins the Golden Tripod Award.<br /> Joins the International Writersʼ Workshop hosted by the Hong Kong Baptist University.<br /> Explores hills and fields in Hong Kong.<br /> Serves as the curator of the 1st Taiwan Ecological Film Festival.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: 2-fishes</p>

    2006

    Prose collection The Lost Fruits and Vegetables published

    Explores the gradually forgotten nature in common peopleʼs daily life.
    Wins the Golden Tripod Award.
    Joins the International Writersʼ Workshop hosted by the Hong Kong Baptist University.
    Explores hills and fields in Hong Kong.
    Serves as the curator of the 1st Taiwan Ecological Film Festival.

    Taipei: 2-fishes

  • <p>Edited by his wife Chu Huiching. <br /> Begins longterm cooperation with his wife.<br /> Joins the conservation of Zhongbu Shan.<br /> Uses the Songs of the Green Hill trilogy as the basic reference material.<br /> Participates in &ldquo;Stray Cats and Dogs Rescue Project.&rdquo;</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Yuan-Liou Publishing Co.,Ltd.</p>

    2007

    Novel Hill of Stray Dogs published

    Edited by his wife Chu Huiching.
    Begins longterm cooperation with his wife.
    Joins the conservation of Zhongbu Shan.
    Uses the Songs of the Green Hill trilogy as the basic reference material.
    Participates in “Stray Cats and Dogs Rescue Project.”

    Taipei: Yuan-Liou Publishing Co.,Ltd.

  • 2008

    Resigns from the Executive Vice-Directorship of the China Timesʼ literary supplement

    Dedicates himself to writing as well as nature conservation.

  • <p>Uses elements of Taiwan history in this animal fiction.<br /> Wins the Taipei International Book Exhibition Prize.<br /> Writer-in-Residence at National Chung Hsing University.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Yuan-Liou Publishing Co.,Ltd.</p>

    2008

    Novel Albatross Forever published

    Uses elements of Taiwan history in this animal fiction.
    Wins the Taipei International Book Exhibition Prize.
    Writer-in-Residence at National Chung Hsing University.

    Taipei: Yuan-Liou Publishing Co.,Ltd.

  • <p>Wins the <i>China Times</i> Open Book Award.<br /> Wins the Golden Tripod Award for Best Literature from Government Information Office.<br /> Wins the Book of Taoyuan.<br /> Wins the Book of Taichung.<br /> Writer-in-Residence at National Dong Hwa University.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>The <i>China Times</i> Open Book Award trophy.</p>

    2009

    Prose collection Eleven-Dollar Train Trips published

    Wins the China Times Open Book Award.
    Wins the Golden Tripod Award for Best Literature from Government Information Office.
    Wins the Book of Taoyuan.
    Wins the Book of Taichung.
    Writer-in-Residence at National Dong Hwa University.

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    The China Times Open Book Award trophy.

  • <p>Wins the <i>China Times</i> Open Book Award.<br /> Wins the Golden Tripod Award.<br /> Takes part in the Taiwanese-German literature exchange program.<br /> Stays in Berlin for a month.<br /> Participates in the Frankfurt Book Fair on behalf of Taiwan.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>Liu giving a speech at the Frankfurt Book Fair.</p>

    2010

    Prose collection 15 Little Planets published

    Wins the China Times Open Book Award.
    Wins the Golden Tripod Award.
    Takes part in the Taiwanese-German literature exchange program.
    Stays in Berlin for a month.
    Participates in the Frankfurt Book Fair on behalf of Taiwan.

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu giving a speech at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

  • <p>Guides students to know the natural environment of Hong Kong.</p>
<br/>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>Liu with students from City University doing fieldwork.</p>

    2011

    Invited as a visiting writer at City University of Hong Kong

    Guides students to know the natural environment of Hong Kong.


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu with students from City University doing fieldwork.

  • <p>Introduces students to country parks and wetlands.</p>
<br/>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>Liu with students from Lingnan University doing fieldwork.</p>

    2012

    Writer-in-Residence at Lingnan University (Hong Kong)

    Introduces students to country parks and wetlands.


    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu with students from Lingnan University doing fieldwork.

  • <p>Explores nature in the living space of common peopleʼs daily life.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>Liu visiting Muzha Fruit and Vegetable Market.</p>

    2012

    Prose collection Markets for Men published

    Explores nature in the living space of common peopleʼs daily life.

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu visiting Muzha Fruit and Vegetable Market.

  • <p>Participates in television program to production, representing fieldwork experience .</p>
<p></p>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>Liu doing fieldwork, 2014.</p>

    2014

    Co-hosts the television program Slow Travel Adventures with writer Wang Hao-yi on Public Television

    Participates in television program to production, representing fieldwork experience .

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    Liu doing fieldwork, 2014.

  • <p>Begins writing on Hong Kongʼs nature.<br /> Wins the China Times Open Book Award.<br /> Wins the Taipei International Book Award.<br /> Wins the Yazhou Zhoukanʼ Top Ten Books of the Year.<br /> Wins the 8th Hong Kong Book Prize.<br /> Wins the Tencent-Daily Chinese Book Award for the Simplified Chinese version of <i>Three Fourths of Hong Kong</i>.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Taipei: Yuan-Liou Publishing Co.,Ltd.</p>

    2014

    Hiking guidebook Three Fourths of Hong Kong: Across the Mountains, through the Village, Spotting Fung Shui Woods published

    Begins writing on Hong Kongʼs nature.
    Wins the China Times Open Book Award.
    Wins the Taipei International Book Award.
    Wins the Yazhou Zhoukanʼ Top Ten Books of the Year.
    Wins the 8th Hong Kong Book Prize.
    Wins the Tencent-Daily Chinese Book Award for the Simplified Chinese version of Three Fourths of Hong Kong.

    Taipei: Yuan-Liou Publishing Co.,Ltd.

  • <p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>The Taichung Literature Prize trophy.</p>

    2016

    Wins the 5th Taichung Literature Prize for Contribution to Literature

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    The Taichung Literature Prize trophy.

  • <p>Win the 10th Hong Kong Book Prize.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang</p>
<p>the Taipei International Book Exhibition Award trophy.</p>

    2017

    Wins his third Taipei International Book Exhibition Award for Stray Cats

    Win the 10th Hong Kong Book Prize.

    Photograph provided by Liu Ka-shiang

    the Taipei International Book Exhibition Award trophy.