Courtesy of Editorial Office & Bukuy Dgiyag Mhiyug Giril
In the Kdusan Tribe of Xiulin, Hualien, a group of young locals returning home founded “Bukuy Dgiyag Mhiyug Giril” to bring the disappearing nest ferns back to the land. They combine sustainable farming with cultural experiences, transforming the village’s destiny and letting hope sprout again between the mountains and the sea.
From Decline to Renewal｜Returning Youth Restore Value to Nest Ferns
The Kdusan Tribe in Xiulin Township, Hualien, once abundant in nest ferns, saw the crop dwindle due to price collapse and monopolization by traders. When a group of returning youths saw women quietly packaging the ferns and elders sighing in despair - “Our nest ferns are almost gone!” - they decided to take action to rewrite the tribe’s future.
Through organic transformation, shared learning at the origin, and brand marketing, nest ferns are no longer just an undervalued crop - they symbolize hope reborn. Chun-Hsiung Lin has been a key driving force in revitalizing the village. Leaving behind a career in long-term care to return home, he established a social enterprise and rallied local youth into organized teams. By implementing the Ministry of Agriculture’s “Green Care” program, elders are invited to participate in planting while young people take charge of management. This approach not only restores confidence in the local agriculture industry but also sparks a broader rural regeneration movement, nurturing a cycle of mutual care and growth between the community and the land.
From Farming to Branding｜Bukuy Dgiyag Mhiyug Giril’s Sustainable Practices
Kdusan Tribe is not only home to nest ferns but also the best gateway to experiencing culture and connecting with the land. Travelers can choose half-day tours or two-day, one-night immersive trips to participate in music, crafts, and harvesting, experiencing tribal life firsthand. The “Hunter Across the Central Mountain Range” package is among the most popular experiences. This six-hour journey combines Taroko tradition and modernity: donning tribal attire, participating in welcome dances, making indigenous bamboo rice, setting traps, practicing archery, and finally enjoying a tribal feast. It’s more than tourism - it’s an adventure into culture and nature.
Bukuy Dgiyag Mhiyug Giril practices friendly agriculture, avoiding chemical sprays and protecting forests through natural cycles. Chun-Hsiung Lin and the youth team hope to show that farming can be a lifestyle, not just labor. In the Kdusan Tribe, with mountains behind and the sea ahead, they aim to restore the land inch by inch, creating a green miracle.
INFO｜Bukuy Dgiyag Mhiyug Giril
Address: No. 48-11, Kdusan Tribe, Xiulin Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 03- 8262772
Lavatory: Yes
※Various itineraries available; reservations recommended online.