Day1: Amis Tribe Culture, Kaadaadaan (Dian-Guang) Tribe
Chihshang Township, Taitung County
The name "Chihshang" is originated from the meaning of "being above (shang) Lake (chi) Dapo". Lake Dapo is located at east of Chihshang and was once the largest lake in Taitung. Lake Dapo is a natural inland lake with abundant ecological resources. In the early days, many families were living off the fish caught along the lake. They would use bamboo rafts and fish baskets to catch fish, and over the recent years, “Bamboo Raft Festival” has been held every year in Chihshang to commemorate this part of Chihshang people’s history.
Kaadaadaan (Dian-Guang) Tribe (Tribal Meals)
Kaadaadaan (Dian-Guang) Tribe is located at the piedmont west of the Coastal Mountain Range, on the opposite end of Guanshan Township, Taitung separated by Beinan River. Kaadaadaan was formerly known as "Lei-Gong-Huo" (or Fire of Thunder God) – the legend has it that as there is a mud volcano here, fire sparks would often ignite at night, and the local residents believed that those unexplainable fires were caused by the lightening. Since lightening in Taiwanese is known as “Thunder God”, so the place was naturally named "Lei-Gong-Huo". Dian-Guang Elementary School is one of the highlighted destinations in the Tribe – the school's bamboo cannon DIY and Amis traditional percussion performance are its specialties.
Day2: Luanshan Forest Meusen, Rice School
Luanshan Forest Meusen
Taiwan’s low- to mid-altitude primeval forests can be found in Luanshan, including more than a thousand rare native white banyan trees – wandering among them, one would feel as if walking into the fantasyland of the movie Avatar. The native banyan trees here are also called the "walking trees" as the aerial roots of the trees continuously extend all over the place. When the native branches began to wither, the aerial roots would also replace them, so it would appear that the trees are constantly moving around.
Rice School (Rice Producing DIY)
Rice County School was transformed from a rice mill and a granary. You can see the old mills and learn how ancestors husk the rice. Also, the school provides DIY activities to let visitors make their own package of rice. After visiting the school, don't forget to stroll through the beautiful garden beside it.
Day3: Guanshan Township Old Street, Lungtien Village in Luye
Old Guanshan Railway Station, Station Master Dormitory, Guanshan Old Street
Old Guanshan Railway Station is of high historical significance. In 1937, Lilong Station was renamed "Guanshan Station". The old train station was built based on the design of Japan's northern farm houses, which was constructed using western bricks. Mansard roof of two-section slopes was used, and a semi-circular ventilation window and a row of four cubicles of lighting windows are on the wall of the roof. The old station is of high preservation value, as it is now the only existing European style building from the period of Japanese rule along Taiwan Railways' Eastern Mainline. In fact, it has been recognized as Taitung County’s cultural heritage under the “Historic Buildings” category.
Lungtien Village in Luye
Lungtien Village is a settlement in eastern Taiwan that is rich in history as well as humanistic and cultural essence. In the early days, Lungtien Village was once the hunting ground for Beinan indigenous people and was known as "Luliao" or "deer hut", where sky full of dancing butterflies were accompanied by herds of deer running and playing with one another. Later, during the period of Japanese rule in Taiwan, the Village became one of the most well-known Japanese immigrants’ villages at that time. Till this day, traditional Japanese buildings such as the "Japanese Style School Principal Dormitory" are still well-preserved. Immigrants from varying eras have brought in different cultures, enriching Lungtien Village's cultural diversity. Moreover, the beautiful grid-plan farmlands and tea plantations also make Lungtien a desirable destination for many.