Walk barefoot on healing grasslands – a stunning ancient trail even foreigners love

By MOOK Scenic Spots, compiled and reported
 
Located in the Mudan Township of southeastern Pingtung County, bordered by the vast Pacific Ocean on one side and the tail end of the Coastal Mountain Range on the other, this area also boasts rich indigenous culture. Take a weekend trip to Mudan with your family this season.

The water meadow located east of Dongyuan Tribe, called “pudung” in the Paiwan language meaning “corner,” is considered a taboo area by the local indigenous people. In this region, wetland plants grow intricately over high-moisture swampy mudflats, forming a unique water meadow landscape. Together with the Dongyuan Forest Recreation Area, the water meadow falls within the Dongyuan Wetlands, featuring abundant flora and fauna diversity. Friendly and knowledgeable guides are available, making it an ideal spot for eco-tourism.
 
Address: Mudan Township, Pingtung County
Phone: 08-8831223
Hours: 09:00–17:00, closed on Tuesdays

Situated on the gentle summit of Mudan Nose Mountain in Xuhai Village, Mudan Township, Xuhai Grassland features expansive grasslands and low shrub vegetation. As you walk along the winding trails, lush green scenery unfolds, with unique flora and fauna native to the Hengchun Peninsula visible along the way. Reach the hilltop viewing pavilion to admire the beautiful view of Mudan Bay; follow the nearby shrub path to the ocean-viewing platform for a sweeping panorama of the blue Pacific Ocean. A full loop around the grassland trails takes about 40 minutes, making it perfect for hiking and nature walks.
 
Address: Grassland Trail, Mudan Township, Pingtung County
Phone: 08-8831001
Hours: 08:00–17:00

In the past, the transportation route between Taitung and Hengchun was the “Beinan-Langqiao Ancient Trail.” This path along the Pacific coast served as a vital corridor for migration, trade, and travel among various ethnic groups settling in the mountainous hinterland. Alangyi is the former name of Anshuo Tribe in Daren Township, and the stretch from Xuhai to Anshuo is known as the “Alangyi Ancient Trail.” This section of coastline is one of the few in Taiwan still without road access and has been designated as the “Xuhai Guanyin Nose Nature Reserve,” preserving a well-protected ecosystem with rich biodiversity.
 
Entry to the Xuhai Guanyin Nose Nature Reserve requires advance application; daily visitor limit is 300 people.
 
Address: Xuhai Village, Mudan Township, Pingtung County
Hours: 07:30–14:00

Silinkuei Mountain is located north of Silin Village in Mudan Township, at the heart of the Hengchun Peninsula’s mountainous region. It boasts stunning grassland vistas. From the summit, you can look north to the tail ridge of the Central Mountain Range, east to the Pacific Ocean, south to the Bashi Channel and Manzhou Valley, and west to the Taiwan Strait—offering a breathtaking panoramic view of sea meeting sky. Hence, it is hailed as the best observation deck on the Hengchun Peninsula and has become a rising star among tourist destinations.
 
Address: Mudan Township, Pingtung County
Phone: 08-8831001
Hours: 08:00–17:00