DAY1: Cou Tribe Culture, Tapangʉ
Chukou Visitor Center at Alishan National Scenic Area
Basing on the construction goals of preserving natural environment and incorporating the original terrains and surrounding mountains, designing methods such as “intertwining landscapes”, “floating”, and “interchanging movements” were implemented. And the end result is a naturally harmonical landscape architecture. Between the Management Center and the rear mountain, a tourists’ backyard was set up with the elements of mini trains, cherry blossoms, Cou tribe gazebo, sacred tree, and tea garden. In front of the Management Center, rows of trees penetrated through the “Plaza of Wind and Rain”, extending the symbolic image of sacred trees all the way to the backyard. Mini railways in the shapes of “之” and “8” have been arranged as the tourists’ main path of movements. Wandering amidst the cherry blossom woods and circling up to the hilltop, tourists would experience the fun similar to climbing up to Alishan. Various kinds of trees also bring biodiversity and changing sceneries and colors of four seasons for the Scenic Area.
Leyeh Village
Compared with other Alishan’s tourist destinations at high altitudes, Leyeh is at merely a bit more than 1,200m. For many tourists who cannot bear high-altitude mountains, Leyeh is an excellent choice. Cou people call Leyeh “Lalauya”, which means the maple woods; Leyeh used to have mountains of maple trees, and a maple decorated image is even shown on the entrance sign of the Leyeh Community. Over the past few years, Leyeh, where is suitable for high-altitude and cold-climate agriculture, has begun focusing on exporting its high-mountain teas and wasabi, which have then replaced the maple woods sceneries in the past. Leyeh is also Taiwan’s largest production site of moth orchids, possessing substantially large-scale orchid cultivating techniques and environment.
Mihu Trail
Located by Alishan Township Office is the starting point for the 1.2km-long Miyang Creek Trail. A beautiful and elegant Miyang Suspension Bridge quietly stands over the river valley, and the hiking trail is softly summoning the tourists at the other end of the Suspension Bridge. Along the way, there are also many plum trees. And at the meeting point with Fushan Ancient Trail, visitors could also find the “FO’na” or “life bean” that symbolizes life and romance in Cou tribe. Miyang Creek Trail is also a great bird-watching trail, which offers views of Steere's Liocichla, Taiwan Sibia, red-headed tree babbler, barbet, and more.
Tapangʉ Tribe Guided Tour (Cou Nature and Culture Center, Kuba)
Dabang is located at the end of Alishan Mountain Range at an elevation of approximately 900m, and it is the hometown of the Cou people. About three centuries ago, Dabang Village was formed near the convergence of Chang-gu-chuan River and Iskiana River at the upstream of Zengwen River; and it is Cou’s largest settlement. Dabang possesses bountiful natural ecological resources, including Iskiana Natural Ecological Park and Taptuana Ecological Area. Currently, two hiking trails were planned out according to historic battling and hunting pathways, where manmade coniferous forest grown during the period of Japanese rule was widely distributed. Iskiana Natural Park further exhibits the primitive sights of the woods, where gigantic nest ferns can be spotted over the trees or at roadside, and there are also crystal-clear streams and waterfalls. Moreover, Dabang is also a great spot for bird-watching.
DAY2: Giant Stone Slab Trail, Cou Tribe Culture, Lijia Tribe
Lijia Tribe Guided Tour (Panicifatu, Fengliu Cave)
DAY3: Tefuye Hiking Trail
Tefuye Hiking Trail, Camphor Tree Giant Trees Hiking Trail (Tefuye- Tapangʉ)
Following County Highway 169 towards Dabang and Tefuye – turning right after entering the symbolic entrance of Tefuye Village, the starting point of the Trail can be immediately seen. The Trail is 1.6km long and a leisurely hiking trail friendly for all ages.
Along the way, bird chirping of collared bush robin, vinaceous rosefinch, white-whiskered laughing thrush, white-eared sibia, and other species can be heard. Or over the branches of cherry blossoms in springtime, sights of coal tit, green-backed tit, black-throated bushtit, flamecrest, Taiwan yuhina, and others can also be discovered.
After Alishan Sacred Tree fell down, in order to prevent the soil from being stomped over and to protect red cypress giant tree and roots, other sacred trees within the Park were gradually organized into 2 sections. Giant Trees Hiking Trail was built amongst 36 thousand-years-old red cypress giant trees, offering tourists an opportunity to appreciate Alishan area’s most ancient and vigorous cypress trees. Guangwu Cypress (Xianglin Sacred Tree), Thousand-Years Cypress, Tree Spirit Tower, and Shenmu Station are all key scenic spots in the Area.
Dabang is located at the end of Alishan Mountain Range at an elevation of approximately 900m, and it is the hometown of the Cou people. About three centuries ago, Dabang Village was formed near the convergence of Chang-gu-chuan River and Iskiana River at the upstream of Zengwen River; and it is Cou’s largest settlement. Dabang possesses bountiful natural ecological resources, including Iskiana Natural Ecological Park and Taptuana Ecological Area. Currently, two hiking trails were planned out according to historic battling and hunting pathways, where manmade coniferous forest grown during the period of Japanese rule was widely distributed. Iskiana Natural Park further exhibits the primitive sights of the woods, where gigantic nest ferns can be spotted over the trees or at roadside, and there are also crystal-clear streams and waterfalls. Moreover, Dabang is also a great spot for bird-watching.
Leyeh Village (Coffee DIY)
Compared with other Alishan’s tourist destinations at high altitudes, Leyeh is at merely a bit more than 1,200m. For many tourists who cannot bear high-altitude mountains, Leyeh is an excellent choice. Cou people call Leyeh “Lalauya”, which means the maple woods; Leyeh used to have mountains of maple trees, and a maple decorated image is even shown on the entrance sign of the Leyeh Community. Over the past few years, Leyeh, where is suitable for high-altitude and cold-climate agriculture, has begun focusing on exporting its high-mountain teas and wasabi, which have then replaced the maple woods sceneries in the past. Leyeh is also Taiwan’s largest production site of moth orchids, possessing substantially large-scale orchid cultivating techniques and environment.