Gan Le

Wooden Spinning top - Daxi District in Taoyuan City

This wooden spinning top was acquired during our journey through Daxi District, in Taoyuan City—an unexpected place where spinning tops are part of the local identity. Walking through the area, I was struck by how present they are everywhere, from small handcrafted pieces to impressive giant spinning tops displayed in the park.

Hand-turned from natural wood and designed for string launching, this top reflects Taiwan’s living tradition of “tuoluo” (Chinese name), where skill, balance, and rhythm come together. More than a simple toy, it represents a culture where spinning tops are still celebrated, practiced, and shared across generations.

When we visited there were no spinning tops skills demonstrations, but you can enjoy this very good Youtube video from Kuma Films - https://www.kumafilms.com/