Taitung Amis Tree Bark Clothing — Even Janet Went Crazy About It!

▲ Making tree bark clothing in Taitung’s Tulaan—no worries about fashion clashes on the street. (Photo / fromPanai Faki's Amis Barkcloth Culture Studio Facebook)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Making clothes from tree bark? Janet, the host of the show "Crazy about Taiwan," and internationally renowned host Anita Kapoor visited the Amis Tulaan Tribe in Taitung on the 25th to film a travel program. They specially met with local indigenous people and personally experienced the process of making "tree bark clothing." Since it was their first time seeing clothes made from tree bark, Kapoor even exclaimed, "That’s amazing!"

▲ Janet and Kapoor went to Taitung’s Tulaan to learn how to make tree bark clothing. (Photo / fromJanet’s FacebookandAnita Kapoor’s Facebook)

The new "Crazy about Taiwan All-Stars" travel show, produced in collaboration between the Tourism Bureau and TLC Travel & Living Channel, is set to air next year. Hosted by Janet, it features well-known hosts from around the world traveling across Taiwan. During this visit to Taitung, the two followed an indigenous tree bark clothing expert into the forest, selecting trees, stripping off the bark, and then using wooden mallets to begin crafting their own unique tree bark garments.

Janet made a skirt and top, while Kapoor completed a necklace. The pair joked that wearing tree bark clothing and accessories on the street would definitely prevent any fashion overlaps. As the indigenous tree bark clothing tradition had once faced a decline, it has gradually seen a revival with young people returning to learn the craft again through promotion. Kapoor expressed being deeply moved by the ability to innovate within traditional artistry.

▲ Panai Faki's Amis Barkcloth Culture Studio displays various types of tree bark clothing and accessories. (Photo / from Panai Faki's Amis Barkcloth Culture Studio Facebook)

Tree bark clothing is primarily promoted in the Amis Tulaan Tribe of Donghe Township. The main artisan behind the craft is 80-year-old tribal elder Panai (Chinese name: Shen Taimu). To promote tree bark clothing, he specially founded the "Panai Dali Gong Workshop." With years of experience, the master artisan found that paper mulberry and banyan trees are the best materials. Through his skilled craftsmanship, the workshop showcases a variety of clothing, bags, hats, and small accessories made from tree bark—even tree bark phone cases. Visitors traveling to Taitung shouldn’t miss this.

▲ The 80-year-old tree bark clothing master artisan, Panai. (Photo / from Panai Faki's Amis Barkcloth Culture Studio Facebook)

[Panai Dali Gong Workshop]
Address: No. 21, Lane 94, Neighbors 20, Tulaan Village, Donghe Township, Taitung County
Phone: 0911-811970