#HualienThreeMountainTownships
#EastYushanParkEntrance
#HomeOfTheBlackBear
#FifthLargestTownship319sqkm
#LargestCamelliaOilRegion
Courtesy of Editorial Office; Na Hai Hu Farm Studio; East Longitudinal Valley Festival
At Taiwan’s southwestern edge, Zhuoxi Township lies where the Central and Yushan mountain ranges meet, featuring over 20 peaks above 3,000 meters. The Bunun are the largest Indigenous group here, along with the Atayal and Taroko peoples. Connected to Nantou County, the historic Batongguan Traverse Trail, renovated during the Qing dynasty, cuts through the township, leaving a rich legacy of pristine ecology and cultural heritage. Known as the “Home of the Black Bear,” Zhuoxi is one of the best places in Taiwan to see these bears in the wild.
Golden Rice Waves Roll In:｜Nanan Visitor Center
Nanan Visitor Center sits at the eastern entrance of Walami Trail and the Batongguan Traverse Trail, surrounded by more than 30 hectares of rice fields, earning it the nickname “The First Field under Yushan.” When the rice ripens, golden waves sweep across the fields, offering a stunning view.
About six kilometers from the visitor center, the Walami Trail winds past the remnants of Shanfong Station, embraced by dense greenery. Along the way, hikers can admire Shanfong Bridge No. 1 and No. 2, as well as the Shanfong Waterfall. The trail offers a mix of cultural history, breathtaking landscapes, and chances to spot wildlife. Standing on a suspension bridge or resting beside a waterfall, visitors can feel fully rejuvenated.
Bunun × Mountains × Farming｜Na Hai Hu Farm Studio
“Na Hai Hu” comes from the original name of the tribe’s location, “Naai-vul,” meaning “whirlpool” in Bunun. Surrounded by mountains, the Nanan Tribe sits at the confluence of the Laklak and Qingshui Rivers, where the waters swirl like a whirlpool. Peter Lin, recognized as one of “Taiwan Agri Best 100 (Taiwan Top Young Farmers),” runs Na Hai Hu Farm Studio and is a key figure in developing tourism in the Nanan Tribe. He returned from military service to practice natural farming, develop the tribal brand, and grow organic rice through contract farming with private banks, while also promoting organic vegetables and fruits via the Tribal E-shop cooperative platform. By turning “Nanan” into a brand, farmers take greater pride in their crops.
Visitors to the Nanan Tribe can take part in immersive experiences that include working in the fields or venturing into the mountains for challenges. Tribal women prepare meals such as “Hunter’s Meal” and “Little Bear Bento,” made with organic ingredients like Bunun black beans. These experiences not only promote Bunun culture but also aim to attract travelers interested in Indigenous life, mountains, and rural communities, offering more than simple sightseeing and entertainment.
Experiencing Camellia Oil Farming｜33 Naliang Organic Farm
Zhuoxi Township, with the largest area of camellia oil cultivation in Taiwan, has a significant portion of its crops in the Dauqpusan community. Located at the northernmost and highest point of Zhuoxi, Dauqpusan is home to Meng-Hsien Na and Liang-Chen Shen. After retiring from military service, the couple returned home to develop organic camellia oil farming. They named their farm “33 Naliang Organic Farm” after themselves and set up a production and marketing cooperative to support the local camellia oil industry. With the rise of tribal tourism and cultural experiences, visitors to Dauqpusan can participate in educational farm tours, learn about camellia oil, and enjoy meals at the Izukan Bunun Tribal Environmental Education Center, deepening their understanding of the benefits of camellia oil and the importance of sustainable farming.
Recently, “Wongwong’s Private Kitchen,” an Indigenous culinary restaurant in the Sinkan community, has attracted attention. Led by Wongwong, travelers can explore the Bunun food culture, including the delicate flavors of Bunun beans, and taste cross-cultural dishes that blend his personal background, offering a flexible and creative Indigenous culinary experience that is as much about culture as it is about food.
The Southernmost Puzzle of Fertile Hualien｜Fuli Township
# Taiwan Last Postal Code
# Liushidan Mountain Daylily Flowers
# Cilamitay Little Tianxiang
# Fuli Farmers Association Flowers&Luoshan RecreationArea
# Rich Hakka Cultural Heritage
Hualien’s southernmost piece in the fertile East Longitudinal Valley, Fuli Township, is where the Xiuguluan and Beinan Rivers split at the southern end of the township. In summer and autumn, Liushidan Mountain’s daylily fields attract travelers from across Taiwan, while the Fuli Township Farmers’ Association maintains scenic flower fields year-round. Fuli’s rich soil has drawn settlers over time - not only the Indigenous peoples originally living here but also Hakka and Minnan communities. The combination of diverse cultures and natural beauty has shaped Fuli into the vibrant township it is today.
Harmony Between Flowers and Migration｜Daylily Flowers and the Trails of Settlers
Each late summer to early autumn, the mountains are blanketed with blooming daylily flowers. Life in Fuli town, where most residents are farmers, transforms from a quiet, sunrise-to-sunset rhythm into a bustling scene as cars head to Liushidan Mountain. From the top of Wangyou Pavilion, visitors can see the plains, rivers, terraces, and distant peaks, taking in the beauty of the township’s cultivated landscapes.
Many daylily farmers on Liushidan Mountain relocated from Yunlin County after the August 7th Flood, evident from the “Yun-Min” labels on their homes. At the foot of the mountains along Provincial Highway No. 9, earlier Hakka settlers formed villages such as Dongli (formerly Dazhuang), Zhutian, and Xuetian. These villages preserve a rich Hakka cultural heritage, including the Maliwang Memorial, which honors the pioneering efforts of early Han settlers, and the Chiu Residence – Henan Hall in Dongli. Cycling between these sites offers a leisurely, culturally rich journey through Hakka villages.
Savoring the Connection with Nature｜Fuli Farmers’ Association and Luoshan Recreation Area
Fuli Township, famous for its rice, offers visitors a chance to explore the Fuli Farmers’ Association sales center along Provincial Highway No. 9. Here, you can purchase locally branded packaged rice and carefully crafted agricultural products. Nearby, straw art installations transform the fields into creative stages: large-scale works built from harvested rice straw reflect a deep connection between each piece and the land.
At the nearby Luoshan Recreation Area, visitors are drawn to the mud volcano landscapes, handcrafted tofu, and Luoshan Falls. Walking along the neatly maintained Luoshan Bamboo Forest Trail (羅山竹林步道), one can feel the heroic spirit reminiscent of scenes from “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” From the Luoshan Great Fish Pond, you can admire Luoshan Falls from afar. A hands-on DIY experience lets visitors make tofu using the salt-rich soil from the so-called “Yanping” mud volcano. Pressing the tofu into molds, cutting it into blocks, and seeing the porous surface proves its handmade nature. The tofu’s rich soybean aroma and firm yet tender texture shine through naturally, requiring no seasoning to enjoy its pure flavor.
Living in Harmony with the Land｜Cilamitay Tribe
Traveling along Provincial Highway No. 9 through the East Longitudinal Valley, after passing the community center and the Little Tianxiang tunnel, you reach the Cilamitay Tribe in Fengnan Village. On the tribe’s northern side lies a settlement called Ciharaay, where fields sit at an elevation of 300 to 500 meters. Here, the Amis people maintain water channels and preserve the natural landscape using traditional reciprocal labor systems, creating terraces that soar to incredible heights, resembling a fairy tale landscape. This area was selected as one of the “Top 100 Green Destinations” in 2016.
Tenmoy Cinaw, a young tribal member and former singer, recognized the vital connection between rice, tribal ecology, and culture. He founded Palafalan Studio, designing exclusive tours such as the “Half-Day American Farming Classroom,” “Full-Day Bie River Rafting Adventure,” and the “Great Tree Roots Journey.” These tours include ecological and conservation-focused guided walks, wild vegetable hot pot experiences, bamboo raft trips on the Bie River, and opportunities to sing traditional Amis songs up close. Visitors gain a deep understanding of traditional tribal life and the commitment to coexistence with the land.