Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Guan De Xin Paper Umbrella Shop
HANDICRAFTS
(Guǎngdéxīng Zhǐsǎn; 361 Jungshan Rd, Sec 1)
If you're looking to buy, this is one of the best
places. An umbrella here costs between NT$400 and NT$1500.
Jing Shing Blue Shirts Shop
CLOTHING
(Jǐnxīngháng Lánshāndiàn; 177 Yong'an St; 7.30am-9pm)
This little family-run shop opened
in the 1930s making traditional Hakka-style indigo clothing and accessories. A loose-fit-
ting shirt costs NT$3000.
Getting There & Around
Buses between Meinong and Kaohsiung (NT$134, 1½ hours) run every one or two
hours.
Meinong is small but the surrounding country-side is expansive and you'll need a
vehicle or bicycle to get around. B&B owners may be able to help you hire a scooter.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Maolin Recreation Area
07
is the Purple Butterfly Valley, one of 15 overwintering sites that stretch across southern
Taiwan from Maolin to Dawu in Taitung. Other than that, you'll discover pristine moun-
tain landscapes, vertiginously high suspension bridges, waterfalls, natural swimming
pools and strong Rukai aboriginal culture in this remote yet beautiful valley.
The only road that runs through the area, County Rd 132, connects two Rukai settle-
ments: Maolin village at the start and Dona at the end.
WORTH A TRIP
WUSHANDING MUD VOLCANOES
In the boondocks between Kaohsiung and Meinong you'll come across some of the
most unusual sights in Taiwan - mud volcanoes. While they aren't the same as
those amazing spectacles in Azerbaijan, which has the lion's share of the world's
