Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hiking
The interior of the island has some magnificent hiking and one of the best hikes on
Lanyu leads up to
Tienchi
(
Tiānchí, Heaven Lake
), an often-dry pond formed inside a vol-
canic crater on top of
Tashenshan
(
Tashen Mountain)
. The hike to the lake and back is
moderately difficult, with one section requiring hikers to navigate their way through a
large, rocky ravine. As you climb higher into the jungly elevations the views open up and
there are good opportunities for both bird- and butterfly-watching. Allow three to four
hours to do the round-trip hike.
Tours
Most homestays can arrange snorkelling and wildlife tours. If you have an interest in a
special part of Tao culture, contact Canaanland Workshop (
Click here
)
, about 500m from
the main strip in Langtao. Look for the really big canoe on the left.
island's health clinic and is one of the few fully fluent English speakers on Lanyu, also
serves as a guide for those interested in Tao culture. Rates for her guide service go from
NT$4000 per day for groups of no more than eight people. She also knows the various
Flying Fish Festival dates.
Festivals & Events
Flying Fish Festival
ABORIGINAL FESTIVAL
(Fēiyú Jì)
The Flying Fish Festival is a traditional coming-of-age ceremony for young men
whose societal standing was based on how many fish they could catch. The springtime
festival is a very localised af fair and each village celebrates it on a different day chosen
by the elders.
During the festival the men of the village wear traditional Tao loincloths, bark helmets
and breastplates, and smear the blood of a freshly killed chicken on the rocks by the sea,
all the while chanting 'return flying fish' in unison before heading out to sea in their ca-
noes. According to custom, women are not allowed to view the festival, but most villages
will make exceptions for visitors.
The festival usually takes place between March and May. If you have at least eight
companions, you can arrange for fishermen to take you out fishing during the flying fish
season.
