There are many ways one can travel and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. What’s your ideal way of traveling? More and more people are choosing to come to the east coast, take a break from their busy daily lives, and enjoy a fresh breath of slowed pace of life. Take a break from your usual packed travel itineraries and experience immersing yourselves in comfortable and genuine slow living. Taitung has a healthy and natural environment as well as a unique take to slow living. This unique pace is precisely the slow economy that Taitung has been promoting recently.
The lovely mountains, pristine waters, rich natural resources, and diverse ethnic groups are the basis of the slow economic traveling model with the theme “man and nature.” The key is to preserve the integrity of the environment and culture and win visitors over again and again with the good things of Taitung. The Tribal Working Holiday is one of the ways visitors can come and truly get to understand the tribes, not simply brushing the surface of things, but becoming a part of their daily lives.
Nantian, Taitung, is a village that lives off the sea. This village is the only place in the world where Qaciljai Ljupetje can be found. The deep blue sea and sunny skies of Nantian have unique qualities that allow Qaciljai Ljupetje to form. The stunning views have also made Nantian one of the best-hidden gems of the South Link. The Alangyi Old Trail also begins in Nantian Village. Not only is it the oldest and most preserved old trail in Taiwan, but it is also the last coastal old-growth forest in Taiwan.
The Nantian Tribe (Liubetj) is the southernmost tribe in Taitung. The original name of the Nantian Tribe was Seljupelj, and it was one of the Japanese immigration villages. The inhabitants were all Paiwanese people from Mudan, Dawu, and Daren. Live and experience the tribal life, try using an ecological toilet, visit the nightlife of the streams, climb some trees, walk along the lovely Nantian coasts, and marvel at the process of Qaciljai Ljupetje and bow creation.
Have you ever tried climbing a tree in a tranquil forest? You will feel completely connected to nature. Close your eyes and feel and listen to the sound of the trees and branches with your body. You’ll feel the embrace of nature when all electronic distractions are cut off and your body is truly allowed to rest and relax.
Taste the aboriginal dish “shake shake rice.” The key to delicious shake shake rice is the force used when shaking. After mixing in the wild greens, the entire pot of rice explodes with the fresh and delicious scent of wild greens. Red quinoa is also added to boost the dish’s health benefits. Find items around the forest to create the best-grilled meat. You’ll need suitable stones set up in a specific manner to grill the meat to perfection. After enjoying your dinner in the forest, you can enjoy a natural symphony accompanied by singing frogs. The nightlife of the streams can be observed with the assistance of your guide. Work your way upstream with a headlamp and you’ll experience the best outdoor classroom you could ever ask for.
Visit the secret paths and locations of the tribe. The upstream river route leads to the ancient Paiwanese gathering spot. This is where the rituals and sacrifices were held. Listen to the Paiwanese stories while standing here and you’ll feel as though you are right in the midst of it all. If you are lucky enough, you may get to visit the Tjanga Lavan, a vital part of the Nantian Tribal Village.
Waking up early in the morning in the deep forest might be something almost unachievable by city dwellers these days. Enjoy your breakfast while watching the sunrise at the Nantian Seascape Platform while you take in the endless Pacific Ocean view. You can also visit the Nantianhai'an Riverside Park where you can overlook the Pacific Ocean.
The Tribal Experience is a unique and precious perk of Taitung. The deep travel experience allows visitors to learn about the history, culture, and traditions of the villages while also creating a sustainable way of growth, and providing a different way of life and local microeconomics for these places. This type of travel and spirit also matches perfectly with the goals of Taitung, to create deep travel, rebranding, and enforcing Taitung’s slow economy model.
Learn more about and experience Austronesian culture.
