Explore the Ancient Irrigation Channels of the Tribal Villages in New Taipei’s North & Unveil the Mysteries of Pristine Mountain Forests

Travel Center / Taipei Report

When life speeds up every day and all you see are towering skyscrapers, do you yearn to escape the hustle and bustle, slow your hectic pace, and immerse yourself in the forests and wilderness to breathe in the forest’s essential oils? The New Taipei City Government has launched a tribal experience tour — the “Wulai Fushan Tribe Leisurely Journey ~ River Adventure in Dralan & A Chance Encounter with the Aroma of Makau” package. Travel to Fushan Tribe, the most precious water conservation area in Greater Taipei, and embark on a refreshing ecological adventure.


▲ Daluolan River. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau)

The “Wulai Fushan Tribe Leisurely Journey,” launched this year (2013), combines the ecological fish-conservation trail along the Wulai Fushan Tribe’s Daluolan River. With the guidance of local tribal guides, participants can deeply experience the region’s abundant ecological resources. It’s a special tour that blends “tribal culture, ecology, and culture” into one.

Following the guides from Dralan (the Atayal name for Fushan), venture into the mysterious indigenous villages. Witness the simple and slow-paced life of the Atayal people, listen to the gentle sound of the Daluolan River’s flowing waters, and stir your innate desire to connect with nature. You can also breathe in the forest’s essential oils and enjoy a tribal meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients, immersing yourself in a primitive forest experience. Especially memorable is taking off your shoes and socks to soak in the ancient irrigation channels built during the Japanese colonial period. The shaded ecological corridor offers complete relief from the summer heat.


▲ Irrigation Channel Trail. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau)
 
The Tourism Bureau stated that the event will offer Makau tea snacks with an indigenous flavor, along with a Dralan notebook for participants to record the wisdom of Atayal culture and the dreamlike beauty of Fushan. The activity has 2,400 spots available and registration opens on May 17 (registration website: www.tranantour.com). The fee is 499 NTD per person. The tour runs from May 29 to October 2013, departing every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, with only 18 participants per group to ensure high-quality guiding.