The Marvelous Spectacle of Millions of Purple Crow Butterflies in the Mysterious Valley of Maolin

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team, compiled and reported

The “2014-2015 Maolin Purple Butterfly Valley ~ Biennial Butterfly-Watching Series” grandly kicked offon October 18. Over the course of more than five months, in addition to butterfly-watching activities, the popular “Dona Black Rice Festival” remains part of the series. This year, the “Wanshan Warriors Festival” is also being included for the first time, offering a rich program. Domestic and international visitors are welcome to explore Maolin District in Kaohsiung City.

What Maolin District in Kaohsiung City is most proud of is having one of only two large-scale overwintering butterfly valleys in the world. Every autumn and winter, millions of purple crow butterflies migrate south to overwinter here. The natural ecological wonder of these butterflies gathering and flying in swarms is as renowned as Mexico’s “Monarch Butterfly Valley,” both considered world-class natural assets. Therefore, the management office specially holds an annual New Year butterfly-watching event, allowing visitors to witness the only one in Taiwan and the only one of its kind in the world — the breathtaking sight of purple crow butterflies filling the skies, as well as to learn about the mysteries and life cycle of their overwintering journey.

When the first rays of dawn break over the Maolin Purple Butterfly Valley on a winter morning, we find the sleeping purple crow butterflies awakening and beginning to eagerly chase the light filtering through the treetops and dancing among the woods. At times they remain perfectly still, displaying their iridescent wings, and at other times they flutter up and down through the valley. Not only does this provide visitors with one of the best ecotourism destinations, but it also brings a touch of warmth to the winter season.

This year’s New Year butterfly-watching series includes a variety of activities planned by the organizers, such as 3D films about purple crow butterflies, exhibitions of imagery from the world’s two major overwintering butterfly valleys, as well as 1–2 day discounted butterfly-watching tours. In addition, multi-level international marketing efforts have been carried out, and partnerships with several travel agencies have resulted in the launch of 5-day, 4-night international butterfly-watching tour packages. This year also sees the “Wanshan Warriors Festival” included in the series for the first time, making the program especially rich. A special highlight of this year’s series is the expanded collaboration with three indigenous townships in northern Pingtung, Maolin District in Kaohsiung City, and specialty shops in Yunlin County to launch a “Tourism Passport,” giving visitors access to special discounts at participating businesses.

Visitors who participate in the opening event of the Biennial Butterfly-Watching Series on October 18 will receive one free raffle ticket, with opportunities to win great prizes such as high-end cameras and stylish suitcases. Friends who love ecological exploration and immersing themselves in the purple ambiance absolutely must not miss the invitation from these delicate purple sprites, to witness the magical metamorphosis of the purple crow butterflies and marvel at their transformation. The event site will also feature game challenges, street performances, presentations on the results of the Citi Organic Agriculture Development Foundation’s promotion of toxin-free organic farming in Maolin, and a puppet show tour around Taiwan creatively curated by a master puppeteer from Yunlin County — the program promises to be spectacular.