Millions of purple crow butterflies head to Kaohsiung for winter—come from the 18th to Maolin to see the “butterfly carpet”

▲ The breathtaking sight of millions of purple crow butterflies in flight. (Photo / Courtesy of the Maolin National Scenic Area official website)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

As autumn turns to winter, this year’s purple crow butterflies will once again migrate en masse to southern Taiwan to escape the cold. The Maolin National Scenic Area in Kaohsiung has announced that its butterfly-watching activities will begin on the 18th, inviting the public to visit the valleys of Maolin to witness the spectacular sight of millions of purple crow butterflies fluttering through the sky.

Every year during autumn and winter, the valleys of Maolin District in Kaohsiung City become home to millions of purple crow butterflies that migrate south to overwinter. This natural ecological wonder of butterflies swarming and flying together is as renowned as Mexico’s “Monarch Butterfly Valley,” and is recognized as a world-class natural asset. It is one of only two places in the world where you can see purple crow butterflies filling the sky.

The Maolin National Forest Recreation Area Management Office stated that this year it has specially organized a five-month-long New Year purple crow butterfly viewing series. Starting on the 18th, in addition to guiding visitors into the valleys to admire the butterflies and learn about the mysteries and life cycle of their winter migration, the event will also feature the popular “Dorna Black Rice Festival.” For the first time, the “Wanshan Warriors Festival” has been included, where visitors can enjoy free hunter-cooked meals, warrior marathons, warrior dance competitions, and moonlit group dances.

In addition, besides taking advantage of Taiwan Tourist Shuttle buses, the Maolin National Forest Recreation Area Management Office will provide free shuttle services between Xinyi and Maolin, as well as to the Dorna tribe, every weekend and on national holidays until the end of the year. There will also be free guided tours at fixed locations in the Maolin Ecological Park. For details, please visitthe official website of the Maolin National Scenic Areafor more information.