Visit tribal villages and taste sweet persimmons — Shei-Pa National Park launches autumn tours

By MOOK Travel Life Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin

Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters and the Chinese Green Living Leisure Development Association will jointly offer the “Shei-Yue Erben Song, Maruta Battery, and Xiangbi Tribe Pilgrimage” eco-tour themed “May Your Persimmons Be Sweet,” set to take place during the sweet persimmon harvest season on October 27–28 and November 10–11. The tour will visit the Shei-Yue Recreation Area in Shei-Pa National Park, including the Erben Song Interpretation Station at the former Japanese-era “Erben Song Outpost,” battery ruins, and the Maruta Battery Cultural History Memorial Hall to view battery historical materials, the aboriginal patrol line system from the Japanese occupation period, and Atayal cultural artifacts. Participants will also explore the Xiangbi Tribe, Xiangbi Ancient Trail, and Xiangbi Suspension Bridge to learn about the traditional cultural features of the Atayal and Saisiyat peoples, and enjoy locally grown sweet and juicy persimmons. The cost is NT$4,100 per person.

In addition, Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters and the Chinese Green Living Leisure Development Association will co-host an ecological tour to Wuling for maple leaf viewing on November 25–26 and November 30 to December 1. This tour not only allows participants to admire how the lush forests of the Wuling area gradually transform as various red-leaf plants change color, painting the landscape in hues of gold and crimson, but also offers the chance to observe the Formosan landlocked salmon—a national treasure fish—during its spawning season in autumn, as they move from deep pools to shallow waters to pair and lay eggs, all visible from the elevated vantage points of the Wuling Suspension Bridge or the Fish Viewing Platform.

The scenery of Wuling is delightful in all four seasons, with murmuring streams that blend the natural essence of forests and waterways. It is also world-renowned for the national treasure fish “Formosan landlocked salmon” in the Qijiawan Stream, earning it the reputation of a paradise on earth. There’s even a saying: “The scenery of Li Shan surpasses that of Taiwan, and the scenery of Wuling surpasses that of Li Shan.” This maple-viewing eco-tour will take participants to the Nanshan Tribe, a producer of alpine vegetables, as well as the Taoshan Trail and Yan Sheng Waterfall. They will also visit the Qijiawan Stream to admire the turning red maple leaves and enjoy interpretive sessions along the trail about the habitat of the Formosan landlocked salmon, while visiting the Formosan Landlocked Salmon Ecology Center. In the evening, there will be a musical performance and stargazing activities. The cost is NT$4,300 per person. For detailed itinerary information, visit the website: www.g-life.org.tw.

● Read more: Indigenous festivals, exploration of Wan Shan Rock Carvings, and a plethora of butterfly-watching activities at Maolin

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