2D/1N: One Community, Many Faces Pasikau
This tour is all about discover local and off the beaten path, in some cases located in remote area.
It's not a tour for everybody; therefore please read carefully:
► Some of the accommodations are local, simple and basic B&B. If you are expecting hotels with facilities, this tour is not for you. There are not many hotels located in indigenous and rural areas. In these areas, accommodation will mostly be in family-run guesthouses. In other areas, we can provide also 4* and 5* hotels on request (Taroko, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake).
► These tours are not synonyms of "cheap"; the price we are proposing involves many efforts to be made in advance, during and after your trip.
►You will need to bring along enough New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) in cash, as credit cards are rarely accepted and there are very few ATMs or banks.
► Basic medical care and first aid is usually available but there is rarely a pharmacy. So, bring along an ample supply of all necessary prescription and over-the-counter medication.
► Familiar food can be difficult to find and very local food can be sometimes served, please be ready to accept different/unknown flavors and if you need to refuse, be polite while doing it.
► Taking photos is not a problem in most of the cases, but respect their privacy.
► Taiwan's indigenous tribes have had contact with the outside world and mainstream society for a long time. Even in their villages, they mostly live in modern houses and dress in modern clothing.
► Itineraries are subject to change due to weather or road conditions and availability.
說明 Introduction
Taoyuan Village, is located in Yanping Township of Taitung County. The residents here are mostly indigenous Bunun. However, this was once home to the indigenous Puyuma tribe and the community is also referred to as Pasikau, which in the Puyuma language means "bamboo forest". As the Bunun were forced to move down to lower elevations by the Japanese during their occupation of Taiwan (1895-1945), they settled here and the Puyuma moved to their present locations in nearby Beinan Township and Taitung City.
All around this community are explanatory panels with descriptions of various aspects of Bunun culture. In addition to its rich culture, Taoyuan Village lies within the fertile East Rift Valley, nestled between the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range, which explains its abundant pristine mountain forest and river scenery.
Itinerary
09:00-10:30 Pasikau Community Tour
Learn about the community's history and highlights. At the Taoyuan Elementary School, bird and frog sculptures decorate the entryway. These two animals are important to the tribe's legend following a great flood. Also visit Taiwan's only pump-less gas station. Observe a wood carving of a traditional Bunun calendar, decorated with symbols related to various annual hunting and millet cultivation activities. Then, listen to the life story of one of the community's residents.
11:00-11:30 Luming Bridge
Learn about the history of this bridge which has survived many natural disasters over many decades. A new bridge has been put in place to carry traffic across the Luye River and the original bridge is now protected. Luming refers to the sound of deer which once gathered around this river in large numbers. Walk across this old bridge and admire the ingenuity of its construction, as well as the surrounding natural scenery.
12:00-13:30 Lunch
Enjoy a lunch of dishes made with traditional indigenous and locally grown and obtained ingredients.
14:00-15:00 Orange Jessamine Trail
This trail is located along the outskirts of the community in an area of farmland. Stone steps have been put in place to allow visitors to walk this loop and admire the clusters of orange jessamine trees that are 50 to 60 years old, as well as breathtaking mountain views.
15:30-18:00 Check into accommodation and free time
We will be staying overnight in a guesthouse in or near the Pasikau Community. Set your luggage down and take the opportunity to rest or explore the community on your own.
18:30-20:30 Nighttime barbecue and performance at Xing Yue Yuan Campground
The Xing Yue Yuan Campground is run by a local Bunun family and features wooden platforms for pitching tents and rooms converted from large drain pipes. At night, it comes alive with the lighting of the wood-burning barbecue. Local residents sing and chat, and there is the constant sound of music and laughter. Relax and enjoy the good food and fun.
09:00 Songfeng River Gorge
A short, but steep, trail, equipped with ropes, leads to a stunning gorge along the Songfeng River. Climb the large boulders that sit in the crystal clear waters and search for those that appear to be shaped like animals, such as the large frog boulder.
12:00-13:30 Lunch at Xing Yue Yuan Campground
Change into dry clothes and then enjoy this last opportunity to experience the hospitality of this community.
13:30 Depart to your hotel or next destination
注意事項 Notes
This trip is proposed as an example and can be modified upon client's expectations and requests.
To receive a quotation please send us the following information:
1) Date:
2) How many persons (adults, kids and infants):
Interested in this tour or need more information?
Email:
✉ anna@northwest.com.tw
✉ taiwan.tour@northwest.com.tw
We will contact you within 48 hours (Monday to Friday).
This tour is made in collaboration with Tribe Asia.
About Tribe Asia:
Tribe-Asia, working in partnership with responsible tour operators and indigenous villages and communities, is also developing exciting travel itineraries into Taiwan’s indigenous communities. These tours focus on the ecology and culture of these areas. It is also beginning to expand travel itinerary themes to bring attention to Taiwan's incredible diversity and hospitality.
Discover more on https://tribe-asia.com
Texts and pictures belong to Tribe Asia.
About Northwest:
Founded in 1986, Northwest is one of the major travel agencies in Taiwan. With its 30 years of experience and 2 offices in Taiwan, Northwest offers a professional and multilingual service to satisfy all the needs of our clients.Our network of specialists guarantee you to enjoy the incredible sense of hospitality that the island of Taiwan has to offer with a broad range of budgets.
