Wanrong [Akay Playlife] Taroko Weaving Experience

Wanrong Township

With about 600 square kilometers of land area, and the population is about 6,000 people, with population density of 10 people per km2. What’s special in Wanrong are the Taroko culture, Bunun culture, Atayal culture and Seediq culture, as well as bamboo harmonica, xylophone performances, pure hand-woven fabrics, traditional weaving, bamboo rice, coffee and hunter school.

Ciyakang Tribe

Located in Xilin Village, Wanrong Township, Hualien County, it is a tribe dominated by the Taroko people.

Origin of the name “Ciyakang”

1.The terrain is a deep pit like a kettle, so it’s named as Ciyakang.

2.The family that developed this tribe was “CyangUkan”, hence the place name Cyakang.

In 1914, the Japanese launched a “Taroko War” here. The military force used in this war reached its largest scale during the Japanese colonization. This incident also caused the Taroko people, who were originally distributed in the high mountains, to migrate to the shallow mountains and flatlands on the east side of the Central Mountain Range. The major events a hundred years ago gave this tribe a precious history. Visit them to know more about this!

Tminum (weaving) is an important culture of the Taroko people. There are still many weavers in the Ciyakang tribe, who continue this precious tradition. This experience takes you to understand how weaving are formed from the farmland: ramie planting, fiber harvesting, dyeing, warping and weaving. We will take a look at these precious process, and finally transform what we've learnt into hand-made bookmarks, experience the fun of weaving together.

Half day Trip: 4-20 people as a group

Check-in Time

Morning Session: before 0900

Afternoon Session: before 1330

  • Blessing Ceremony｜We pray for the success in today’s tour, let the ancestors know that friends and tourists are visiting, through the local traditional blessing ceremony.
  • Farming Experience｜Enter the ramie park, get to know the origin of the threads of the Taroko people, and experience working in the field such as weeding, cultivating soil, and collecting ramie (arranged according to current situation).
  • Thread Making｜Scrape out the collected ramie fibers with a special bamboo utensil, and learn how to twist them into threads.
  • Thread Reeling｜The most important process to learn: To thread and reel.
  • Weaving Experience｜Learn weaving using desktop weaving machine or traditional looms.
  • Handmade Woven Bookmark｜Turn what you’ve learnt into your own woven bookmark. 
  • Feast in the Tree Hollow｜The delicacies of Tree Hollow Dining Table made according to the local cooking methods and with local greens, which are gifts from the woods in mountain.
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Daytrip: 4-20 people as a group

Check in before 0900, tour ends at 1700

  • Itinerary｜The itinerary in the morning refers to the half-day tour, and in the afternoon, we will walk through the Ciyakang Tribe, listening to local history while visiting spots, to know how they live using the natural resources, and also get a chance to play games.
  • Attractions｜Kamu Yashiro (Japanese Temple), Japanese Education Center for Aboriginal Children, Nest Fern Farm, the Tree Hollow, Traditional Workshops and many more.
  • Desserts Making｜Try making one of the local Taroko-style desserts: mashed sticky rice, roasted sweet potato or banana rice.

Tour Highlights

  • Ecological Knowledge ★★★★
  • Cultural Knowledge ★★★★
  • Stamina Requirement ★★★

  • Body & Mind Healing ★★★★★

  • Handcraft Difficulties ★★★

TRA Schedule

Charges: Kindly contact the operator for more details.

Dress code Suggestions: Long sleeve, trousers/pants, cap, mosquito repellent, sneakers, rain gear, light outerwear, water bottle, cutleries

Itinerary Description: Kindly contact the operator for latest information.

Contact:
(03) 8772862
Information of related cooperative operator members:
【Friends of the Community】&【Master&Artisan】

We truly appreciate your contribution.

Because of you choosing to join us, we get to help AT LEAST:

ONE to TWO local drivers

ONE organization/person who strive to protect local culture & history

ONE association/workshop that put great effort in community recreation

ONE courageous non-profit organization which supports local underprivileged groups

As well as their workers, partners, and families,

Enable them to keep up the right job because of your support.

l Advance Reservation In Group

We cordially invite families, merchants, associations & organizations, customize and book a trip in advance. Options of a Full or Half-day tour is provided, with transportation service at specific locations.