The picturesque village of Dipit is located at the foot of the Coastal Mountain Range overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Dipit is an Amis name meaning hard limpet - which stands steadfast on the rock no matter how strong the wind and waves are – a symbol of the village's resilience and expectations. Due to the remoteness of the village's location, reaching the isolated paradise requires some time, but upon arrival, visitors will discover that it is well worth the effort.
Text/Lin Yen-Shao
Picture/Kapahay a niyaru i Dipit, Lin Yen-Shao
Common good|Symbiosis with nature
Youth exodus is a common challenge in all indigenous villages including Dipit, where the problem is relatively more serious. The new village built in the latter stages of Japanese occupation was established by Amis people from Matai’an and Tafalong who migrated here in search of water and a better living environment. However, after several disasters including typhoons, the village was faced with a depopulation problem compounded by inconvenient transport, hence youths naturally choose to live in villages at the foot of the mountain or work in the city. Even with such a dilemma, Dipit still managed to create its unique characteristics. In 2006, it became the first smoke-free village, where residents entered a pack to ban cigarettes, wine, and betel nuts in the hope of changing their habits and keeping them healthy. Furthermore, the traditional farming technique of applying pesticides was improved and replaced by nature-friendly farming to maintain the sustainable development and common good of the pristine land.
Experiential journey|Tribal flavor meals, guided tour of river ecology, blue dye experience, farming experience, banyan tree adventure, ancient trail tour
In recent years, organizers of art festivals and activities have joined forces with Dipit. In particular, Kapahay a niyaru i Dipit, an organization dedicated to the revitalization of villages, continues to recruit youths to make a difference in the village. Activities such as paddy field restoration involve labor-intensive work to cultivate traditional crops, hence they are replaced with selective, quality crops including roselle, stevia, and quinoa that can be made into tea bags for sale. True indigo – an essential dye used for the village's blue dye experience tour - is also planted.
The splendid landscape is more than just a catchphrase in Dipit. Visitors may experience a guided tour of river ecology and catch shrimps and fish to understand the region's biodiversity. They can also partake in farming activities, visit ancient trails used by the villagers for migration, or climb the tower banyan tree to experience the most primitive, natural way of life. However, these activities are not all available at the same time, and they are constantly adjusted to control the number of participants and maintain the quality of Dipit's environment.
INFO|Dipit
Address: No. 49, Fuxing Township, Fengbin Township, Hualien County
Telephone: 0930-063985
Business hours: Reservation via telephone or official website
Lavatory:Yes