Bulowan Recreation Area

Bulowan Recreation Area

The Bulowan Recreation Area is an important site in Taroko National Park that showcases indigenous culture and historical relics. Located on the Bulowan river terrace near Swallow Grotto, it is surrounded by majestic mountains on three sides, offering extremely beautiful scenery. This area was once a stronghold for the Atayal people and has yielded prehistoric cultural sites. Today, it is a carefully planned Atayal cultural recreation area. “Bulowan” means “valley of thunderous echoes” in the Atayal language. It is said that 250 years ago, the Toda subgroup of the Atayal people crossed the Central Mountain Range from the Taichung area into this region. When they arrived at this river terrace, they encountered heavy rain and heard the booming sound of thunder echoing through the valley, so they named the place “Bulowan.”

Traditionally, the Atayal people of Taroko lived on river terraces, making a living through slash-and-burn agriculture and hunting, and developed excellent weaving skills. Today, Bulowan preserves traditional Atayal residential architecture and weaving techniques, and the Atayal Cultural Ecology Research Center is also located here.

Bulowan is divided into two terraces, an upper and a lower level, with a height difference of 30 meters. The average annual temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius, offering a comfortable climate and vast green spaces that exude the beauty of mountain pastoral life. The upper terrace includes attractions such as Mountain Moon Village, the Bambusa old-growth bamboo forest, and the Tree Hugging Stone. The lower terrace features facilities such as an amphitheater, exhibition hall, audiovisual room, and visitor center. Mountain Moon Village is a small settlement made up of traditional bamboo and thatched huts, with a dense and deep Bambusa old-growth bamboo forest behind the houses. Among them, the “Tree Hugging Stone” is a large rock tightly embraced by the long aerial roots of a banyan tree, making it one of Bulowan’s most remarkable sights.

The audiovisual room on the lower terrace introduces the history and indigenous culture of the Taroko region. The 360-degree amphitheater showcases highly engaging audiovisual performances of Atayal and Amis dance cultures. Additionally, the exhibition center features Atayal women weaving on-site and selling handicrafts, making it a must-visit cultural highlight in Taroko.

Transportation Guide

1. Take a bus operated by Hualien Bus or Fengyuan Bus from in front of Hualien Railway Station bound for Tianxiang, Luoshao, or Taichung, get off at Xipan, and walk about 2.2 kilometers following the signs to reach the area.

2. Take a bus operated by Fengyuan Bus or Hualien Bus from in front of Taichung Railway Station, Fengyuan, or Dongshi bound for Hualien, get off at Xipan, then follow the same route as above.