Summer Ecological Rural Exploration Journey: Step into Liyue's Dragon Gate

To mark the arrival of summer vacation, the Kenting National Park Headquarters is offering the public a high-quality activity, specially launching four sessions of the "Ecological Exploration and Mountain-Farm Village Life Experience Summer Camp." Unlike previous activities, this event specifically combines different communities within the park, assembling recreational activities of different kinds, and community eco-guides trained under the Headquarters' guidance will lead you to enjoy the natural ecology of the mountains and forests, as well as the beautiful natural scenery of the Indian Almond Stream (Lanshi Creek), where you can watch butterflies dancing in flocks and fish swimming leisurely, and at night peek at what the nocturnal animals are doing; walk barefoot on the field ridges to check the field water, experiencing the early rural fun of feeling for clams while washing your pants, and also experiencing the hardship of farmers tending the fields. In addition, you will be taught how to make traditional rice desserts. As places are limited, those who want to join should act quickly so as not to miss this good opportunity.

The activity sites include "Lide Village," famous for its katabatic winds (luoshanfeng), pasture grass, grey-faced buzzards and shrikes, with the winding Indian Almond Stream flowing through, a varied and rich natural ecological environment, an inexhaustible natural treasure house, and a beautiful environment with even more captivating features; "Longshui Village"'s rice paddies are organically cultivated using natural methods, and the irrigation channels still preserve the traditional style to this day, built from mud, tree trunks and branches, and bamboo strips, a rare sight on this island, while the water in the channels is diverted in from natural springs gushing out nearby; between the ditches and the fields, water inlet holes are left, and in the water channels and ditches here you will find fish, shrimp, shellfish and other creatures swimming about. Step into the channels and experience the fun of "feeling for clams while washing your pants," guaranteed to awaken your long-lost childlike heart; "Shuiwaku" is located between Eluanbi Park and Fengchuisha, with an abundance of frogs; whenever on summer nights or after rain, you can often hear endless frog calls, hence the name "Shuiwaku" (Water Frog Cave). Residents make a living by farming, and the farmland is leased from the National Property Administration, mainly growing root crops and pasture grass.

Every village and neighborhood within Kenting National Park has a different appearance and its own characteristics. In order to give the public a chance to experience the pleasures within, we actively promote a strategic alliance for community eco-tourism, integrating and matching the most flavorful itineraries of each community, successively presenting them before the people. Rather than just being tempted, act now. This rural life experience, containing ecological features, humanistic sentiment, country living, and checking the field water, welcomes everyone to invite friends and come and play.

Activity dates:

Lide and Longshui Community:

First session: July 14-15, 101 (ROC year)
Third session: August 11-12, 101 (ROC year)

Lide and Shuiwaku Community:

Second session: July 28-29, 101 (ROC year)
Fourth session: August 25-26, 101 (ROC year)

Activity itinerary:

[Day 1] Lide Community
11:30-12:00 Register at Manzhou Township Office
12:00-13:20 Vegetable-flavor lunch
13:20-17:00 Secret backyard garden (Indian Almond Stream ecological tour)
17:00-18:00 Handicraft DIY
18:00-19:00 Kite-flavor dinner
19:00-20:30 Nighttime ecological observation
20:30-21:00 Snack time
21:00 Overnight stay at a host family in Lide Community.
[Day 2] Longshui Community itinerary (1st and 3rd sessions)
7:00 Wake up to the rooster's crow
7:30-8:00 Energizing breakfast
8:00-8:30 Happy outing
8:30-10:00 Checking the field water (feeling for clams while washing your pants)
10:00-11:00 Rice food DIY experience
11:00-12:00 The life of sisal
12:00-13:30 LOHAS-flavor lunch
13:30 Return home GO HOME.
[Day 2] Shuiwaku Community (2nd and 4th sessions)
7:30-8:00 Wake up to the rooster's crow
8:00-8:30 Energizing breakfast
8:30-9:00 Getting to know the community and exploring the ecological pond
9:00-11:00 Fengchuisha exploration and grassland experience
11:00-11:30 Grassland concert
12:00-13:30 LOHAS-flavor lunch
13:30 Return home GO HOME.

Activity participants: Children in grade 5 of elementary school and above (must be accompanied by a parent), people without major illnesses and in good physical condition.

Activity quota: 35 people, registration online (40 places opened online, the last 5 are regarded as waitlist)

Registration period: From now until full, up to the day before each session's activity.

Activity fee: NT$2,200 per person for two days and one night, including flavorful lunch and dinner, energizing breakfast, insurance, accommodation fee, and DIY; the remainder is paid by the Kenting National Park Headquarters.

Payment method: Within 3 days after registration approval, remit to Manzhou Township Farmers' Association, Pingtung County, account number: 00215210093280, account name: Manzhou Township Lide Community Development Association. (Along with the receipt noting participants' names and activity dates, confirm the relevant information by fax and phone to 08-8801680 (same line) or E-mail: [email protected], and the payment procedure is then complete. Those who fail to pay within 3 days after registration approval are deemed to have forfeited, and the places will be filled by waitlisted applicants.)

Refund mechanism: Cancel 5 days prior to receive an 80% refund; cancel on the day itself and no refund; only substitution of the name list is allowed. In case of natural disasters (such as typhoons or heavy rain), the activity will be postponed; if you wish to cancel, an administrative handling fee of 50 yuan will be deducted, and the rest refunded in full.

Registration time:

Lide and Longshui Community:
First session: July 14, 101 (ROC year) (Sat) 11:30 am
Third session: August 11, 101 (ROC year) (Sat) 11:30 am

Lide and Shuiwaku Community:
Second session: July 28, 101 (ROC year) (Sat) 11:30 am
Fourth session: August 25, 101 (ROC year) (Sat) 11:30 am

Registration location: Manzhou Township Office (No. 43, Zhongshan Road, Manzhou Village, Manzhou Township, Pingtung County).

Activity format: The Headquarters guides the community in arranging homestay accommodation, and community eco-guides trained by the Headquarters provide guided interpretation; combined with community residents, local people lead you on a journey of natural ecology and rural experience. Everyone is welcome to invite friends and come and play.

Notes:

1. This activity is time-consuming and strenuous; please wear clothing suitable for the field, sports shoes (rain boots are best), a sun hat, etc., and bring your own flashlight, and please pay attention to sun protection or bring rain gear depending on the weather. Summer is hot; if it is sunny it will be very hot, so be mentally prepared.

2. To save energy and reduce carbon, participants are encouraged to carpool. If your car has empty seats and you are willing to give others a ride, or if you would like to hitch a ride, please call (or write) to inform us of the number of people and location for pickup (or drop-off), so we can arrange it.

3. This activity is combined with the community, staying at ordinary host families, which differs from a bed-and-breakfast. Staying with a host family is a country-living experience; if needed, please bring your own mosquito repellent and personal toiletries. If you do not wish to stay with a host family, you may also book better accommodation yourself (the accommodation fee will be refunded on site), or the Xiaokenting Resort, which has a cooperative arrangement with Lide Community, offers a good discounted rate; please call to inform us and the staff will book the room for you.

4. To promote energy saving and carbon reduction, please bring your own reusable eco-friendly tableware and tea/water.

5. During nighttime observation, please always pay attention to your own safety and follow staff instructions.

For details, please visit the Kenting National Park Headquarters activity webpage