The Marlin Biennial Butterfly Watching Festival to Kick Off in October – Millions of Purple Crow Butterflies Gracefully Winter Here

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei

The “2014-2015 Marlin Purple Butterfly Valley ~ Biennial Butterfly Watching Series” will grandly commence on October 18. Over the course of more than five months, in addition to butterfly viewing activities, the popular “Dohna Black Rice Festival” remains part of the series, and for the first time, the “Wanshan Warriors Festival” is also included. The organizers have specially launched a “Memorable Travel Diary” submission campaign, with participants having the chance to win a grand prize of NT$20,000.


▲ Illustration of a spectacular scene of Purple Crow Butterflies. (Photo / Courtesy of the Maolin National Scenic Area official website)

The Maolin National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, stated that every year during autumn and winter, millions of Purple Crow Butterflies migrate south to the valleys of Maolin District, Kaohsiung City, to overwinter. This natural ecological spectacle of Purple Crow Butterflies gathering and flying in swarms is as renowned as Mexico’s “Monarch Butterfly Valley,” and is considered a world-class natural treasure. Therefore, the administration specially holds an annual cross-year butterfly watching event, allowing visitors to witness Taiwan’s only and one of only two such spectacles in the world where Purple Crow Butterflies fill the skies, as well as to learn about the mysteries and life cycle of their overwintering.

All those who participate in the opening event of the biennial butterfly watching series on October 18 will receive one free raffle ticket. Friends who enjoy ecological exploration and immersing themselves in the purple ambiance can welcome these delicate purple sprites, explore the magical metamorphosis of the Purple Crow Butterflies, and be amazed. The event site will also feature challenge games and performances by street artists. This year, the “Wanshan Warriors Festival,” newly included in the series, will invite domestic and international visitors on October 25 to experience creative hunting hut displays, free tastings of hunter-style campfire cuisine, a Warriors Marathon, Warrior Dance Battles, and a moonlit group dance. Then, on November 22, visitors can take part in the challenge games of the “Dohna Black Rice Festival,” followed by the main ceremony of the Black Rice Festival on November 23, offering an in-depth understanding of Dohna’s unique black rice culture.

In addition to the continued operation of Taiwan Tourist Buses, the Maolin National Scenic Area Administration will provide free shuttle services from Xinyi to Maolin and the Dohna tribe every Saturday, Sunday, and national holiday from the start of the butterfly watching series until the end of the year. There will also be free on-site guided tours at the Maolin Ecological Park. Visitors are welcome to take advantage of these services. For details, please visit the Maolin Administration’s tourism website.