Taiwan – Luoghi Parlanti

ALISHAN

Taiwan

PERSONAGES WHAT TO EAT MUST-SEE PICTURES

PERSONAGES

Kawai Kyao Taro Hayashi

Dr. Kawai Kyao Taro Hayashi was a Tokyo Imperial University professor in Japan. In May 1902, the Governor’s Office of Taiwan invited him to visit Alishan. He found that the Alishan Forest was excellent, well-made, and rich in storage. When he submitted the factual survey report, he advocated for development. The Governor’s Palace placed significant value on it. Dr. Kawai has made the greatest contribution in the development of Alishan forestry, and his opinions have subsequently influenced several important surveys and forestry management plans. After his death, a monument was erected in his honor and designated as a prefectural monument.

Three-More Forest Policy

During the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese found that Alishan contained a large number of Taiwan cypress trees. To transport the wood, the Alishan Railway was built in 1912, and the railway was divided into trunk lines and branch lines. In 1956, the National Government of the Republic of China established the Three-More Forest Policy, which advocated more logging, more afforestation, and more income for the treasury, resulting in a large number of natural forests being cut down. From 1987 to 1991, awareness of forest protection increased, and the forest protection movement began. In 1991, timber logging was completely banned, and forest conservation continues to this day. In addition, the railway, originally constructed for logging, was changed to a forest railway, mainly for tourism.

A Veo Veo Yu

The Tsou people strive to preserve their culture and language, so they use the Tsou language in conversations as often as possible. For instance, A Veo Veo Yu, which means “rejoicing,” is one of their most common idioms. Clan members greet each other with the idiom A Veo Veo Yu, which is how they say hello. Interestingly, the Tsou language does not have a word for thank you, so when they want to express gratitude, they use A Veo Veo Yu.

WHAT TO EAT

Agricultural products

Alishan, which is rich in natural ecology, has thousands of hectares of agricultural production area and products. From the high mountains to the flat lands, Alishan is famous for its tea. When you come to Alishan, you must taste the freshest agricultural products: high-cold vegetables, bamboo shoots, etc., and fruits such as longan, lychee, peach, kiwi, sweet persimmon, and others.

Tea, coffee, and Aiyu Jelly

Tea, coffee, and Aiyu Jelly are the most famous drinks in Alishan. Alishan tea is grown in the Alishan tea area at an altitude of about 1000 to 1600 meters. It belongs to the alpine tea variety, so the leaves are thicker, and the gums are more. Because of its unique climatic conditions, Alishan has become a well-known and excellent tea area. The volume of Alishan coffee has kept pace with Alishan tea year by year! The coolest thing about Alishan’s coffee is that it’s not just about planting coffee bushes. The coffee farmers on the mountain manage the whole process of roasting, sun-drying, and brewing to ensure that every aspect of the self-produced and self-sold coffee beans can be perfectly presented. When on the mountain, be sure to find a coffee shop to drink authentic Alishan coffee. Wild Aiyu grows naturally in the virgin forest at an altitude above 1000 meters. It is located in state-owned forest lands. Before gathering wild Aiyu, you must submit a bid to the Forestry Bureau to obtain the right to harvest. The harvest period of wild Aiyu is in November to February. When you come to Alishan in the summer, you must have a cup of Aiyu ice to cool off.

Hunting

The Zou people rely on hunting to survive. They use a lot of physical strength throughout the day, so they developed the original cuisine of grilling. Charcoal-grilled meats, using local ingredients, make delicious dishes; they usually grill hunted animals, such as turtledoves, Muntiacus reevesi, and mountain pigs.

MUST-SEE

The 5 wonders of Alishan

The sunrise, sunset, cloud sea, forest railway, and sacred trees are the five wonders of Alishan. When visiting Alishan, viewing the sunrise and sunset glows is an iconic experience for any Taiwanese itinerary.The time to watch the cloud sea is usually from November to April in the morning and at dusk. The Alishan Forest Railway is a world-renowned mountain railway. It was built for transporting logs, but now, it has been transformed into a heritage railway.The Formosan red cypress is a sacred tree with a diameter of four meters and a height of 45 meters. Some of the sacred trees in Alishan is more than 1000 years old.

Alishan Forest Railway

One amazing way to get to Alishan is by taking the Alishan Forest Railway! The railway is divided into two sections: plain and mountainous. The forest resources of Alishan cover different climatic zones. It starts with tropical plants: the Flat-ground-grown longan, betel nut, acacia tree, and laurel bamboo forest. The landscape changes to a warm forest of Mengzong bamboo, alpine tea gardens, and Aiyuzi as you climb up the mountain. A little higher up, temperate forests can be found with cedar, Taiwan cypress, Huashan pine, Taiwan fir, and red juniper. Fuji, Yoshino, Taiwan and Yaezakura are some of the varieties of cherry blossoms that bloom all over the edge of Alishan every year. Because of the climate, they bloom in the different months. The tall giant trees in the forest are covered with pale pink Taiwanese cherry blossoms and snow-white Fuji cherry blossoms. The petals are falling like raindrops, and the surrounding structure creates a romantic scene.

The Mayasvi Ceremony

The Mayasvi ceremony is the holiest of all the religious traditions of the Tsou tribe. In the early years, it was held before a battle or hunt. Today, it is held annually in February and is alternately organized by the communities of Dabang and Tefuye. The ceremony is held at the tribal gathering house for the men. The tribe’s war ceremony includes the rites of triumph, rites for the heads of the enemies, and welcoming rites for the gods.