1 DAY: Indigenous Atayal and Saisiyat/Hakka Cultural Tour

Duration: one day ( from 8 am to 7 pm )
Meeting Point : Taichung
Meeting Time : 8 am
Languages: English
Price includes: Van, Minibus or Bus, English speaking guide, lunch, entrance ticket at Saisuyat Cultural Hall, DIY activities
Price does not include: Insurance ( 85 TWD - adults / 35 TWD children) Tips ( not mandatory )

This tour will lead you to the discover of the indigenous world and its culture in Taiwan. You will meet the Atayal Tribe ( the meaning of Atayal :"genuine person" or "brave man") which is the third world largest tribal group and the Saisyat Tribe. In this last tribe members do not use the Saisiyat language. Many young people use Hakka or Atayal instead, and few children speak Saisiyat.

說明 Introduction

Nanzhuang Township is nestled in the hills of Miaoli County. It possesses a diversity of cultures, including communities of the Hakka and indigenous Atayal and Saisiyat peoples.

Its natural landscapes include hillside forests, lake and crystal-clear rivers. The Atayal tribe is mostly found in northern and central Taiwan along both sides of the Central Mountain Range. It has a population of about 80,000, and the largest distribution among the indigenous tribes of Taiwan.

The Atayal women are excellent weavers. The Atayal are also well known for their tradition of facial tattooing. In the past, males that proved themselves in battle and females with outstanding weaving skills could receive these tattoos, which were a symbol of adulthood and eligibility for marriage.

The Saisiyat tribe currently has a population of about 5,600 concentrated in the mountains of Miaoli and Hsinchu counties. The Saisiyat's most important ceremony is the Dwarf Spirit Ceremony (pasta'ay).
According to tribal legend, a people who were described as short in stature with dark skin lived next to the Saisiyat. They taught the Saisiyat how to improve their agricultural techniques and their crops flourished. However, the males would often harass the Saisiyat women, infuriating the Saisiyat men. One day the Saisiyat men killed off all of these people except for an elderly couple who foretold of future crop failures. To appease their spirits, the surviving couple taught the Saisiyat the songs of the Dwarf Spirit Ceremony. This ceremony is held once every two years, over several successive nights.The first Hakka people arrived in Taiwan more than three centuries ago and tended to congregate in hilly areas where they carried out farming. In Nanzhuang, the Hakka were attracted by the camphor harvesting, forestry and coal mining industries that once prospered here. The Hakka planted many tong trees, which produce picturesque white blossoms in May.

詳細行程 Itinerary

Day 1

8 .00 am meet in Taichung 10 am Arrival in Xiangtianhu Xiangtianhu is the name of a natural lake and a small community of the Saisiyat tribe. It is also where one of two Pasta'ay (Dwarf Spirit Ceremony) ceremonial grounds is located, the other is in Wufeng Township, Hsinchu County. The Saisiyat Cultural Hall features bilingual exhibitions on the history and culture of this tribe and is located next to the ceremonial grounds .

10:00 am-11:45 am Visit the Saisiyat Cultural Hall Walk the nature trail that goes around the lake and into the Xiangtianhu Community

12:15 pm-1:15 pm Lunch (indigenous-themed cuisine)

1:15 pm-3:15 pm Raisinay Weaving and Dyeing Workshop (Shibi Community, Atayal tribe) There are several Atayal communities in Nanzhuang Township. Shibi is the Chinese name of one such community and literally means "rock face". This is due to the sheer cliff topography in this area. The Raisinay Weaving and Dyeing Workshop features a small botanical garden where it grows ramie (a type of Asian hemp that is the traditional material used in woven cloth), as well as plants used to dye cloth. Members of the community are employed here producing hand woven textiles, bags and other products on modern looms. In the classroom area, we will view a demonstration of a traditional indigenous loom and participate in a DIY activity using natural plant materials to dye cloth.

3:30 pm-4:15 pm Donghe Suspension Bridge and Walo Cultural Hall Before the development of modern bridges, indigenous people crossed rivers to travel between communities by stringing rope across in a shallower part. They would wade through the water holding onto the rope, or sometimes used this rope to send across goods, so that they would be kept dry. Later suspension bridges began to be made of rope and wood, which were later replaced with stronger versions starting in the Japanese occupation era (1895-1945). At the Walo Cultural Hall, converted from a Japanese-era logging operation office, we will learn about efforts to promote local cultural tourism and handicrafts. Next to this cultural hall are examples of traditional Atayal structures, such as granary.

4:30 pm-5:15 pm Nanzhuang Old Street When the coal mining, forestry and camphor harvesting industries declined, many residents moved away and Nanzhuang lay forgotten for more than a decade. Thus, many of the historical buildings along Nanzhuang Old Street, once a prosperous commercial area, were preserved. Along Guihua (Osmanthus Flower) Lane are shops selling snacks and souvenirs. At the entrance to this lane are preserved washboard stones, where Hakka women once gathered to wash clothes.

5:15 pm Depart for Taichung 7:00 pm Arrive Taichung

End of services

Lunch

注意事項 Notes

Snacks, Hakka lei tea (ground tea with nuts or herbs) are optional;

You might want to bring: Sunscreen,Hat/sunglasses, Mosquito repellent,Water, Camera/memory card/extra battery, Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Long pants and sleeves are recommended too.

Payments: Payment can be done with credit card or by bank wire. To confirm the reservation a deposit of 50% will be required. Final payment has to be done 25 days before the departure date of the tour.

Cancellation Policy: This tour requires a minimum of 2 people to operate. Cancellation from 0 to 10 days before departure: non-refundable. Cancellation between 10 and 25 days before departure: charge 50% of full payment. Cancellation made more than 25 days before departure: full refund.

For reservation and information, please contact:

NORTHWEST TOUR

Taipei City Phone + 886 2 27232188
Taichung City Phone +886 4 37001268 ext 203 for English

✉ Email:
taiwan.tour@northwest.com.tw
anna@northwest.com.tw