Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eating
Options for eating are very limited in Maolin. Little stalls are set up on the main road in
Maolin Village but be aware that these places close early (by 6pm or 7pm).
Information
The new
visitor information centre
( 9am-5pm)
stands where County Rd 132 meets
Hwy 27, right before you enter Maolin Village. It has exhibitions on the region's topo-
graphy and stocks a good brochure that introduces the butterflies and flora in the valley.
Getting There & Away
Maolin can be reached from Meinong via the new Shinwei Bridge (Xīnwēi Dàqiáo),
which links Hwys 28 and 27 - a much quicker route than going via Liugui. You need
your own vehicle. Consider renting a car or scooter in Kaohsiung or Tainan.
PINGTUNG COUNTY
Oddly, Taiwan's poorest county has some of the country's best beaches, most fertile
farmland, richest fish stocks and balmiest weather. Also, Pingtung County boasts one of
the most exuberant festivals in Taiwan, the Burning of the Wang Yeh Boats, and there are
outdoor pursuits aplenty - swimming, snorkeling and birding at Kenting National Park,
and cycling along the quiet county roads that roll slowly past calming fields and foot-
hills.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Donggang
POP 49,097
During the Qing dynasty, Donggang (Tungkang) was one of three main commercial ports
in Taiwan, the landing site for the ancestors of millions of modern Taiwanese (in particu-
lar the Hakka), and a rather prosperous little town. Today the town of about 50,000
people remains an important centre for fishing, especially the prized blue-fin tuna and
mullet, but its heyday is long gone.
Festivals & Events
