The drive from Chiayi climbs into the Alishan mountain range, reaching Tsou indigenous communities at elevations above 1,000 meters where tea cultivation and community-managed forest occupy the same terrain. The first two days are spent immersed in Alishan indigenous culture and experiencing Indigenous life as it was yesterday and is today. We first arrive in Chashan, the southernmost Indigenous community in the Alishan National Scenic Area. It is home to Indigenous Tsou, Indigenous Bunun, and Han Chinese (Hakka) peoples. This community is unique in that many of its young people have returned in recent years to serve as local guides or to start their own businesses, such as guesthouses and coffee shops. These young people have energized this community’s tourism efforts, while reconnecting with their roots and learning from their elders.
On Day 1, you become quickly acclimated to Indigenous Tsou culture with an exploration of Chashan Community’s culture park. Gain an understanding of the traditional uses of plants, view a traditional watchtower, and experience the sounds of a traditional air whistle (a device used by the elders to signal the start of a meeting). Then, enjoy a meal of fusion cuisine (traditional Indigenous and locally grown ingredients made using modern cooking methods). This is followed by time spent with a local guide in a natural swimming pool, cooling off or simply relaxing in a beautiful natural setting. After changing clothes and enjoying another dinner of fusion cuisine, our local guide leads us in a torch lighting ceremony and tells us stories and legends.
On Day 2, we head into the mountains above Chashan to experience more of traditional Alishan indigenous life, such as making a bird call from shellflower stalks and archery. From there, we head to the Danayigu Ecological Park. This nature reserve, located within the Indigenous Tsou community of Shanmei, is famed for its success in restoring its river and Taiwan shoveljaw carp population. There are several areas along the river for viewing these fish, including from above, along the Danayigu Suspension Bridge. Lunch is at one of Taiwan’s few “floating restaurants,” meaning that food is served in the river on trays that float. This is followed by a guided cultural tour. To end the day, we head to Shizhuo, a “hub” along the Alishan Highway with convenience stores and snack shops.
On Day 3, there will be a major shift in our cultural exploration of Alishan as we visit a tea plantation and learn about and experience traditional tea processing methods. We wrap up this journey by sampling locally produced teas, followed by a Chinese cuisine lunch in a nearby restaurant.
This 3-day, 2-night adventure includes round-trip transport from the Chiayi High-Speed Rail Station. Alternative pickup locations are available upon request (additional charges may apply).
