Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
much the same policies and until 1987 limited access to the mountains to anthro-
pologists, government officials and missionaries. One result of this was to see 84%
of Atayal convert to Christianity.
As with all aboriginal groups in the 20th century, the Atayal lost much more of
their cultural traditions than just religious beliefs. But starting in the late '90s, this
trend began to reverse. Weaving, for example, is once again a focus of culture and
continuity though it is no longer gender specific. Language too has been revived,
and in villages such as Smangus it is common to hear Atayal of all ages speaking
fluently in their native tongue. Finally, government has also begun to take aborigin-
al identity more seriously which led to the recognition of the Truku people in 2004
and the Seediq in 2008. Previously both had been classified as Atayal.
Land rights and usage are still a major problem, however, as seen in Wulai where
Atayal are now less than half the population in their traditional territory.
To further your understanding of the Atayal, visit the Wulai Atayal Museum ( Click
here ), and the villages of Smangus and Qingquan. Also check out Chen Wen-pin's
documentaryA Thousand Years of Atayal ().
Activities
Swimming & River Tracing
Every weekend in the hot summer months, river-tracing clubs or informal groups of
friends flock to the rivers and streams around Wulai to practise river tracing, which com-
bines scrambling, swimming and hiking (and true technical climbing and rappelling at
higher levels).
Jia Jiu Liao Stream WATER SPORTS
(Jiā Jiǔ Liáo Xī) A popular river tracing venue, the Jia Jiu Liao Stream features a jungle
canopy worthy of a Tarzan film, an amazing natural waterslide MAP GOOGLE MAP
and a deep pool large enough for a group to swim in. The stream has no steep inclines
and flows relatively gently, so it's pretty easy going but still great fun.
To get to the Jia Jiu Liao Stream, take a bus to Wulai and get off just past the 11.5km
mark at Cheng Gong Village MAP GOOGLE MAP and then follow the side road down.
Cross the red bridge, go over the hump and, before the second bridge, head up the stairs
on the left. When obvious make your way to the stream. The first section is usually very
crowded with picnickers and swimmers on summer weekends.
An average walker can reach the big swimming hole in less than an hour. The natural
slide is about 100m downstream. On summer weekends you'll usually see groups here.
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