The Slate Village in the Misty Forest

After the Rukais (魯凱) were invaded, they were forced to move westward from the southern-east coast. Along the way, their pet Clouded Leopard stopped at the Misty Forest and would not move any further. The Rukais so loved the land chosen by their Clouded Leopard that they vowed to never hunt this animal again.
Jouhaochar (舊好茶) is the only aboriginal site classified as an historic monument because it preserves the Rukais' traditional houses, their Ancestors’ Spirit House and their Stone Columns. Since Jouhaochar is not accessible by car, you may wish to visit Wutai (霧台) instead where you can see similar stone slate houses, craftwork and stone sculptures of this tribe. Also, there are several Wutai houses that offer a Bed and Breakfast. You can be a real Flintsone and live in a stone house!

 

The decorations of the houses give clues to the occupation of the house owners. Is the owner a chief, a noble, a hunter, a blacksmith? Just be a Sherlock Holmes and guess it! Carvings on the walls tell the legend of the life cycle of Man, the Hundred-pace Snake and the Eagle. The lily, beloved by both the Rukai and Paiwan (排灣) tribes, is worn on special occasions as a symbol of purity and bravery. All these interesting features add to the mystery and richness of this tribe.

 

If you stop by the Sandimen Culture Exhibition Hall (三地門文化館) on a weekend, you might find some activities and dances organized by the township. It is a pleasure to take part in workshops of their culture's handicrafts, sculptures, and glass beads. Don’t forget to taste the local dishes in one of their restaurants. Not only the food but also the furniture and other things in the restaurant are original. The Police Station here is the place for you to get the Mountain Pass to Wutai. You'll need this A-class permit to enter the Mountain Reservation Area.

 

The nearby Dimore Artistic Park (地摩兒藝術公園) is an interesting spot to see the outdoor sculptures of local artists. When you get tired of walking, you can go flying in the sky at Saijia Air Sports Park (賽嘉航空公園) in the north. The strong ascending air here makes it a great place for paragliding. Or you can head south to Kenting National Park to enjoy the beach and nature.

 

For those of you who are interested in linguistics, Taiwan is famous! The large family of Austronesian languages is thought to have originated in Taiwan!
If you are interested in learning about the aboriginal tribes of Taiwan, then we recommend that you visit the Taiwan Aboriginal Culture Park. You'll see architectural examples of different tribes. You'll learn about their religious beliefs, their everyday living, their costumes and handicrafts. You'll be able to better understand their culture after watching singing and dancing performed at the Naluwan Theater. You'll also enjoy some delicious, classical aboriginal cuisine at the restaurant. Chinavou (taro and meat), Wild Boar Bar-B-Q on a stone slate and millet liquor are especially recommended. The Masalu Hotel in the park could be the best lodge in this area for you to stay overnight.

Service Center