Eco-experience × Popular Attractions: Pingtung Launches 4 In-depth Travel Itineraries

By MOOK Travel Life Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

 

Pingtung County has been developing ecotourism for eight years. Currently, 15 communities across the county are engaged in promoting ecotourism in their indigenous regions and the Hengchun Peninsula. In collaboration with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology and Lion Travel, Pingtung County will launch the “Pingtung In-depth Tour” starting in August. Integrating insights from industry, government, academia, and research, the program has planned four exciting itineraries: “Northern Pingtung Ecotourism + Farms + Along-the-Mountain Wanjin + Pingtung City,” “Alangyi + Sihchongxi + Mudan,” “Southern Pingtung In-depth Tour,” and “Full Pingtung In-depth Tour.” Options include one-day and two-day trips, with 15 one-day sessions totaling 525 spots and 8 two-day sessions with 280 spots. Prices start from NT$499.

Chen Meihui, associate professor in the Department of Forestry at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, has led her team in guiding local communities to develop ecotourism for eight years. She noted that Pingtung is the Taiwanese county with the highest number and most mature development of ecotourism sites. These can generally be divided into three ecotourism zones: along Provincial Highway 24, Provincial Highway 26, and the Alangyi Trail. Currently, 15 communities are involved in ecotourism development. In addition to those mentored by Pingtung University of Science and Technology—such as Sheding, Alishi, Shuǐwākū, Dala, Dewen, Lide, Daguang, Longshui, Gangkou, Manzhou, and Dawu—ecotourism around the Alangyi Historic Trail is also bearing fruit in communities like Xuhai, Dongyuan, Gaoshi, and Gangzi. Each community has developed its own unique features to attract more visitors, using ecotourism to convey the importance of cultural heritage, ecological conservation, and cultural preservation, while also boosting the local economy.

 

For example, on the Southern Pingtung In-depth Tour, visitors can go to the Longshui community to try their hand at DIY rice products and learn about farmers’ hard work and the value of rice; or head to the Lide community’s Nephelium lappaceum Creek Waterfall to enjoy a cool summer escape. The two-day Full Pingtung In-depth Tour takes participants from Hengchun’s Longpan Park, to the Shuǐwākū tribe rolling hay, to night wildlife viewing at Sheding Park, then heads north to visit Sandimen Township and see the Dala Church built by villagers, whose stone murals depict the tribe’s migration history and legends.

 

Additionally, these four itineraries were pre-tested by scholars, experts, NPOs, and travel agencies through field visits to help review and evaluate the itinerary arrangements, service offerings, and resource conservation efforts—ensuring participants enjoy a high-quality travel experience on the Pingtung In-depth Tour. The four itineraries will be rolled out seasonally, with the first departure scheduled for August 10. For details, visit: www.liontravel.com/kaohsiung/taiwan.aspx.

 

 

●  Extended Reading: Lovely Taiwan, Kawaii Light Travel

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