Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the visitor information centre for good butterfly-watching locations. The centre is located
where County Rd 132 meets Hwy 27, before the entrance of the recreation area.
The best time to watch the butterflies is between 9am and 11am. On cooler or rainy
days the butterflies remain motionless, hanging from the trees like garlands. It's possible
to arrange a tour with De En Gorge Guesthouse.
Waterfalls
WATERFALLS
You can drive up to the first of the five levels of
Qingren Valley Waterfall
(Qíngrén
Pùbù). Now only the first three levels of it are accessible by a trail. The next waterfall in
the park is
Maolin Gorge Waterfall
(Màolíngǔ Pùbù). As you drive down into Maolin
Gorge Valley there is a sign for the waterfall. The road was closed at the time of writing
but is likely to be reopened by the time you read this.
Road to Dona (Duona)
SCENIC AREA
County Rd 132 from Maolin Village to Dona features a number of roadside attractions,
including the
Dona High Suspension Bridge
(Duō nà diàoqiáo), the
Snake Head
mountain
(Shétóu Shān) and the
Dragon Head mountain
(Lóngtóu Shān), which are
odd-shaped mounds in the river valley.
Dona
(Duō nà) is a stronghold for Rukai aboriginal culture and stonework. However,
the village was damaged by natural disasters and now there's a mix of traditional shale
buildings and makeshift houses.
Sleeping
There are guesthouses in Dona charging around NT$1500 a night for a double. Just walk
around and you will see them.
De En Gorge Guesthouse
HOMESTAY $$$
(Dé Ēn Gǔ Mínsù; 0989-579 751;
http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/maolin-deengorge
;
dm/2-person
cabin NT$500/2500)
Run by a friendly local family that offers good ecotours in English,
De En Gorge Guesthouse is the default accommodation in Maolin. Camping is permitted
on the grass bluff (per person NT$200; bring your own equipment), while the cabins,
made of grey stone, offer some modern comfort.
To get to the guesthouse head up County Rd 132 until you see the signs for Maolin
Valley (Màolíngǔ, also Maolin Gorge). Turn right down a side road and cross the bridge.
When the road ends at a fork, head left and up about 1km. The first building you see is
the guesthouse.
