September 27, 2019

Taitung Travel: Attractions of Dulan Forest's coastal area

Travel Date: 2019/08/31-09/02

I always spend a lot of time searching for interesting places on Google Maps. It saves me from having to search for nearby attractions every time we go somewhere. When I first saw the name "Xiaoyehliu," I immediately thought of Yehliu Geopark, which is an amazing place in my opinion. However, I was quite disappointed after visiting Xiaoyehliu. There were some rocks, but not as many or as beautiful as those on the northern coast. Nevertheless, we did get to try some different flavors of ice cream there, like roselle and sugar apple. I love trying new ice cream flavors!

Jialulan (加路蘭海岸)

"Galalan" is a famous Ami tribe in Taitung County and a branch of Wawan. The area was originally an abandoned soil dumping area when the Air Force built the Zhihang base airport. After planning and development by the East Tube Office, it became the current "Galulan Recreation Area." There are various native plants in the area, including Magnolia, Manjusri, Cuiyu Agave, Qiongma, Huangwen Wannian, Red Thorn, orchids, coconut palms, saliva, slate, and more.


jialulan, taitung, taiwan

jialulan, taitung, taiwan
  
jialulan, taitung, taiwan

Xiaoyehliu (小野柳)

Xiaoyehliu (小野柳) is located in the northern part of Fugang fishing port and is one of the scenic spots on the eastern coast. It is called Xiaoyehliu because it resembles the terrain and rocks of Yehliu Geopark. The park features a tourist center, shops, camping areas, and seaside walks. Apart from enjoying the different rock formations and the ocean view, on clear days, you can see up to about 33 kilometers.

The landscape of Xiaoyehliu is the result of ocean and crustal changes. After crustal uplift and thousands of years of erosion by the ocean, it has created unique rock formations such as tofu rock and honeycomb rock that attract visitors' attention. The weathering of the rock formations has resulted in various shapes, with the big eye frog, camel stone, and turtle lava being the most famous. From May to October, the "Night Visiting Ono Liu" event allows visitors to learn about the nighttime ecological environment of Xiaoyeliu, including the hermit crabs that live there.

At Xiaoyehliu, you can also visit the visitor center to learn about the evolution and changes in the ecology of the area. The coast of Xiaoyehliu is a sedimentary deposit between thick sandstone and thin mudstone. Due to changes in the geological structure, there are huge sand shales, coral reefs, and irregularities on the surface. The landscape has been eroded by waves for many years, forming clear geometric lines and showcasing fascinating geological phenomena, including slanting ridges, honeycomb rocks, turtle vertices, tofu rocks, and scorpion rocks. It's like a natural sculpture park.

Camping is also available here. Each camping area is equipped with barbecue stands, picnic tables and chairs, water and electricity facilities, as well as toilets and shower rooms. It's a high-quality campsite with excellent facilities and a beautiful environment.
There weren't many food shops open around the area, but you can also try some ice cream there. Two scoops cost only 40NTD, and they had flavors that I had never seen before, like custard apple and roselle.

See also: Yehliu Geopark

xiaoyehliu, taitung, taiwan


xiaoyehliu, taitung, taiwan

xiaoyehliu, taitung, taiwan 

xiaoyehliu, taitung, taiwan

sugar apple and roselle ice cream, taitung, taiwan
 

sugar apple and roselle ice cream, taitung, taiwan

Shanyuan beach (杉原海水浴場)

It used to be the only bathing beach in the county and has widely distributed coral reefs in its waters. The beach has soft, fine sand and a wide, flat terrain. The water is crystal clear. The coastal area is rich and diverse in terms of ecology, and you can often find traces of amphibians. However, due to severe erosion caused by the Pacific Ocean and illegal hotel construction, the coastline has been gradually reduced and the ecological balance of the original flora and fauna has been disrupted.

shanyuan beach, taitung, taiwan
 
shanyuan beach, taitung, taiwan

Address: 

1. Jialulan: 950台東縣台東市台11線加路蘭遊憩區
2. Xiaoyeliu: 950台東縣台東市松江路一段500號小野柳遊客中心
3. Shanyuan Beach: 954台東縣卑南鄉杉原(海水浴場)

September 24, 2019

[Recipe] What is Aiyu Jelly and how to prepare it

aiyu jelly, desserts, taiwan

Visiting my husband's uncle in Taidong, we discovered some aiyu plants in his garden. It was the first time for me to see the plant and learn about the preparation process. We even got some aiyu seeds to make our own jelly at home.

Aiyu jelly (愛玉凍; àiyùdòng) is a jelly made from the gel extracted from the seeds of the awkeotsang creeping fig, which is found in Taiwan and other East Asian countries with similar climates. The jelly is not commonly made or found outside of Taiwan and Singapore, although it can be purchased fresh in specialty stores in Japan and canned in Chinatowns. Aiyu jelly is also used in Taiwanese cuisine and is popular in the historical town of Ipoh in Malaysia, known as Aiyu Jelly or "wan tau long" in the local Cantonese dialect.
Traditionally, aiyu jelly is served with honey and lemon juice. It can also be added to other sweetened beverages or shaved ice, making it a refreshing drink, particularly during hot summers. Due to the gel's resistance to dissolving in hot water, aiyu is sometimes used as an ingredient in hot pot dishes.

The gelling agent in aiyu seeds is pectin, which is found in the transparent layer on the surface of the seeds. To extract the pectin, the seeds are washed and rubbed rather than ground into a powder. The main component of the water extract is LMP (low methoxy pectin), as opposed to the high methoxy pectins found in commercially used sources such as apples or citrus peels. LMP gels in the presence of divalent cations, which are present in water (when it's not distilled), resulting in the formation of jelly.

aiyu figs vine and fruit, taiwan

aiyu figs fruit peels, taiwan

aiyu figs fruit, taiwan

The origin of Aiyu jelly

According to oral history, the plant and the jelly were named after the daughter of a Taiwanese tea businessman in the 1800s. The jelling property of the seeds was discovered by the businessman as he drank water from a creek in Chiayi. He noticed a clear yellowish jelly in the water and found it refreshing upon tasting it. When he looked above the creek, he saw fruits on hanging vines that contained seeds exuding a sticky gel when rubbed.

Impressed by the discovery, he collected some fruits and served them at home with honeyed lemon juice and sweetened beverages. The jelly-containing beverage became popular and was eventually sold by his 15-year-old daughter, Aiyu. As the snack gained popularity, the businessman named the jelly and the vines after his daughter. However, the Austronesian name "igos," derived from the Spanish word "higo," suggests a possible Austronesian origin for this food.

aiyu figs fruit seeds, taiwan

aiyu figs fruit seeds, taiwan

Harvesting and preparation of jelly 

The fruits of the creeping fig (Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang) resemble large fig fruits about the size of small mangoes and are harvested from September to January, just before they ripen to a dark purple color. The fruits are halved and turned inside out to dry over several days.
To prepare the jelly, the aiyu seeds are placed in a cloth bag and submerged in water. The bag is then rubbed, extracting a slimy gel from the seeds. This process is known as "washing aiyu" in Chinese (洗愛玉). The washed gel is then left to set into a jelly in a cool location or in the refrigerator.

To make aiyu jelly you need about 20g aiyu seeds and 1L water.
Separate the aiyu seeds from the shells.
Place the seeds in a cloth bag and soak them in water for about 5 minutes.
Wash the seeds in water, gently rubbing them for 3 minutes.
During the washing process, the water will become more gelatinous.
Allow the aiyu jelly to set in a cool place or in the fridge.
Cut the jelly into smaller pieces.
Add some sugar syrup and lemon juice, as the jelly itself doesn't have a strong flavor.


making aiyu jelly, taiwan

making aiyu jelly, taiwan

making aiyu jelly, taiwan

making aiyu jelly, taiwan

making aiyu jelly, taiwan

making aiyu jelly, taiwan

making aiyu jelly, taiwan

making aiyu jelly, taiwan

September 19, 2019

Taitung Travel: Coral Museum

Travel Date: 2019/08/31-09/02

While in Taidong, we visited the Coral Museum. Honestly, I probably wouldn't go there again. It's an experience that you can visit once in your life, but it's not a must-do activity. Tickets to the Goryeo Coral Museum cost 100NTD. The museum's opening hours are from 13:30 to 17:00, with the last entrance allowed half an hour before closing time.

Goryeo Coral Museum (綺麗珊瑚博物館)

The museum showcases detailed explanations about corals, including how they are formed, the distinction between gemstones and reef-building corals, and a comprehensive introduction to the variety of gemstones. The museum features various gemstone seascapes and displays works by renowned international masters, such as the prestigious former Chuan Taishan and Lai Rongxing's "Jiangnanchun." One of the highlights of the museum is the world's largest red blood coral, which was captured in the outer sea of Taiwan in 1985, purchased by Japanese buyers, and eventually returned to Taiwan after 20 years. The museum records the significant events in the modern development history of Taiwan's coral industry, highlighting the historical significance and cultural importance of gem coral across different cultures. It also presents the unique connection between coral and religion through precious works of art. Visitors can gain an understanding of the gem coral production process through the physical equipment and tools displayed, observing the meticulous eight-step method from selection to polishing. The museum includes an audio-visual room where visitors can watch educational films about coral knowledge, allowing them to learn about the mining process of gem corals and gain a deeper understanding of the historical development of gem coral in Taiwan. The museum also has a gift department that showcases exquisite coral craft treasures. All the displayed corals are natural gem corals and come with a guarantee and complete after-sales service.

coral museum, taitung, taiwan

coral museum, taitung, taiwan

coral museum, taitung, taiwan

coral museum, taitung, taiwan

coral museum, taitung, taiwan

coral museum, taitung, taiwan

coral museum, taitung, taiwan

coral museum, taitung, taiwan

Address:

950台東縣台東市南島大道502號綺麗珊瑚博物館

September 14, 2019

Taitung Travel: National Museum of Prehistory

Travel Date: 2019/08/31-09/02

I enjoyed walking around and exploring the various exhibitions. The National Taiwan Museum of Prehistoric Culture is quite spacious, and you have the option to purchase tickets specifically for the museum or joint tickets to also visit the Beinan Site. It provides a great opportunity to learn not only about the lives of prehistoric people in Taiwan but also about the aboriginal cultures.

National Taiwan Museum of Prehistoric Culture (國立臺灣史前文化博物館) 

Located in Taitung City, the National Museum of Prehistory is the most significant national museum for anthropological and natural history in Taiwan. It is also the only national museum in eastern Taiwan that focuses on Taiwanese prehistoric culture and aboriginal heritage. The museum encompasses the Beinan site, which covers about 10 hectares and includes the Beinan Relics Park, as well as the Nanke Archaeological Museum in the Tainan Science Park. The building itself was designed and constructed by American architect Michael Graves.

The discovery of the Beinan Cultural Site in July 1980, during the construction of the South Beinan Station (now Taitung Station) by the Taiwan Railway Administration, led to the excavation of a large number of cultural relics. Under the leadership of Professor Song Wenxun and Professor Lian Zhaomei from the Department of Anthropology at National Taiwan University, the excavation became the largest Neolithic excavation site in Taiwan. Through years of rescue, research, and planning, the National Taiwan Museum of Prehistoric Culture was established and showcases three main themes: Taiwan's natural history, Taiwan's prehistoric history, and the cultures of the South Island tribes. While the museum is not directly built on the archaeological site, a Beinan Cultural Park was established to preserve the site.

In April 1989, the Ministry of Education submitted the "National Taiwan Prehistoric Culture Museum Planning Program," which was approved by the Executive Yuan in July of the same year. The Preparatory Office of the National Taiwan Prehistoric Culture Museum was then established on February 1, 1990. In November 1990, the Ministry of the Interior approved the conversion of protected areas near Beinan Station into park land for museum construction. However, due to the expansion of the Beinan site in 1991, large-scale buildings were deemed unsuitable for construction. As a result, the Preparatory Office requested assistance from the Ministry of Education, and a museum construction site in Taiti County was planned.

In 1995, the Institute of History and Philology of the Academia Sinica, commissioned by the National Science Council, conducted a site investigation in the Tainan Science Park. A total of 58 archaeological sites were discovered, along with the newly developed Tainan specific industrial zone and Shugu Industrial Park. The new project for the National Taiwan Museum of Prehistoric Culture began in 1998, and the prehistoric pavilion underwent a trial operation and held an opening ceremony in 2001. The reconstruction of the prehistoric pavilion was completed and officially opened in 2002.

In 2004, the Ministry of Education approved the establishment of the Nanke branch under the Prehistoric Museum. It was also decided to construct the Nandao Cultural Park. In 2007, the Executive Yuan approved the project for the South Branch of the Prehistoric Museum, with a construction budget of NT$1.5 billion. The museum, temporarily named "National Taiwan Museum of Prehistoric Culture, Nanke Archaeological Museum," covers an area of 2.44 hectares. In October 2008, the East Broadcasting Center of the Aboriginal TV Station opened in the prehistoric pavilion, and in 2015, the prehistoric pavilion introduced its first ticket purchase service.

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

national museum of prehistory, taitung, taiwan

Address:

950台東縣台東市博物館路1號國立臺灣史前文化 博物館

September 10, 2019

Taitung Travel: Archeological Site of Beinan

Travel Date: 2019/08/31-09/02

In my opinion, this place is really interesting and a must-see in Taidong. Unfortunately, part of this place was under maintenance, but a large part of it, especially the small museum, was open for visitors. We can learn more about the lifestyle of ancient people and how they dealt with many problems. Even without our modern technology, they were able to make their own clothing, jewelry, pottery, and many everyday items. It amazed me to learn that they used stones that could only be found in the central mountains area, which was quite far from their location. They didn't have cars or machinery to assist them in their work, yet they still managed to transport stones that were several meters long and quite thick to build their coffins, houses, and more. Unfortunately, many of their utensils are still not well understood by today's researchers.

Newer post about Beinan Site: HERE

Beinan Site (卑南遺址)

Beinan Site, was partly closed for renovation, so we couldn't see the exact place where the relics were found. However, the park surrounding the site and the small museum were very interesting, with different things to see. We could see prehistoric houses, boats, and many artifacts unearthed in this area. The museum also had replicas of coffins. Everything was explained in English, and at certain times, a tour guide would provide additional information in English as well. The ticket to this place costs 30 NTD, and if combined with the National Museum of Prehistory ticket, it costs only 80 NTD.

The moon-shaped stone pillar near the entrance to the Beinan Cultural Park is considered one of the park's landmarks. The Beinan site, located at the southeastern tip of the Beinan Mountain, is a representative site of the Beilin culture from the Neolithic Age in eastern Taiwan. According to archaeologists, the site dates back 5,300 to 2,300 years ago, with the most prosperous period being 3,500 to 2,300 years ago. Covering an area of over 300,000 square meters, the Beinan site is the largest prehistoric settlement ever discovered in Taiwan. Many slate slabs and exquisite funerary objects have been unearthed at the site, making it the largest slate tomb ruins in the Pacific Rim and Southeast Asia. The Beinan Cultural Park is the first archaeological site park in Taiwan.

The development of the Beinan site as an archaeological site began in the early 20th century. After the end of World War II, many Taiwanese scholars came to Beinan to conduct investigations, although no excavation was carried out at that time. In 1980, during the construction of the Beinan Railway Station, a large number of remains and relics that had been buried for thousands of years were exposed, causing significant damage. The Taitung County Government entrusted professors Song Wenxun and Lian Zhaomei from the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology at Taiwan University to conduct rescue archaeology. The rescue work lasted for 9 years and yielded fruitful results. The excavation area, the number of unearthed stone plaques, and the quantity of relics set an unprecedented record in Taiwan's archaeological history, especially the large number of exquisite jade artifacts that were discovered.

Apart from the Beinan site, other important sites include Zhabiao, Fushan, Donghe, and other locations where numerous agricultural tools such as sickles and stone knives have been unearthed. These tools indicate the development of farming as a crucial activity. In the coastal areas, abundant fishing equipment such as net pendants and sharp tools have been found, highlighting the reliance on marine resources.

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

The Beinan ruins feature slate house buildings similar to those of the Paiwan tribe's leader. The site covers a large area, exceeding 300,000 square meters. The buildings are arranged in rows, indicating a well-organized social structure. The houses have a slightly north-south axis, facing Dulan Mountain. Each house faces west to east, providing views of the stream and the ocean. The main structure of the houses is rectangular, measuring 11.5 meters in length and 5.5 meters in width. Slate boards and large boulders are used as wall foundations, with wooden columns and bamboo frame roofs covered in thatch. In front of the houses, there are square vestibules, and behind the houses, oval stone masonry structures are used for food storage and large clay pots. The settlement also features sporadic elevated silos, equipped with pillars that have anti-rat boards.

Hunting and farming were the main activities of the Beinan culture. They hunted wild boars in the mountains and sika deer in the hills and plains. The cultivated grains included dry rice and millet, with fields being opened through the practice of "mountain burning." Many agricultural tools have been unearthed, such as stone shovels, axes, and knives. Stone spears and sarcophagi were the main hunting tools. Although the settlement is located on the edge of the Beinan Daxi, the villagers were not skilled in fishing, and fish only served as supplementary food.
Various types of technology were developed as a result of long-term settlement. In addition to agricultural and hunting tools made of stone, pottery was one of the most common utensils used in daily life, primarily for water storage and cooking. Pottery was usually hand-made, occasionally utilizing a turntable refurbishment technique, and fired in low-temperature open-air kilns. The main pottery shapes included jars, pots, small-mouth bottles, as well as tools like ceramic spinning wheels, pottery pots, and spoons.

Exquisite jade artifacts can best showcase the aesthetics and craftsmanship of the tribe. These include headwear, earrings, neck ornaments (such as small jade bells), chest ornaments, wrist ornaments, arm ornaments (such as flared rings), and various unique styles of non-utilitarian weapons and tools. Among the various earring shapes, the human body shape is particularly representative and has been selected as the museum emblem by the National Taiwan Museum of Prehistoric Culture. Most of these jade articles were ordinary decorations used by the tribes. After a person's death, they were buried as grave goods. Based on the fine craftsmanship of these jade articles, it is likely that some individuals specialized in making and trading jade jewelry.

In addition, thousands of slate slabs have been found buried under the buildings at the Beinan ruins. They are distributed in a strip shape and correspond to the position of the above-ground buildings, indicating a significant meaning. The plaques also contain abundant and exquisite burial jade and pottery. It can be inferred that the people of that time had a concept of the afterlife, believing in a world beyond death and conducting funeral rituals accordingly. The homes and tombs at the site closely overlap, which is a major characteristic of the Beinan site. The remains of headless individuals believed to be headhunters have also been found, likely indicating intergroup competition for natural resources and the beginning of tribal warfare.

Recognizing the importance of the Beinan site, Professor Song Wenxun proposed the construction of a field museum on-site in 1982. In 1988, the Beinan site was designated as a first-class national monument. In 1991, the central government planned the site as the "Beinan Cultural Park." The National Taiwan Prehistoric Culture Museum was opened there in August 2002. The entire Beinan Cultural Park was planned to encompass the site as an open-air museum.
The largest stone pillar at the Beinan Site measures 4.85 meters in height, 2.12 meters in width, and is 15 centimeters thick.

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan
Stone coffins

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan
The largest stone pillar at Beinan Site measures 4.85m in height, 2.12m in width and is 15cm thick.

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

Longfeng Temple (龍鳳佛堂)

Longfeng Temple, located in the scenic area of Liyu Mountain, is known as the landmark of Taitung City. The temple's evolution is connected to the transformation of Bo'ai Road in Taitung City, which is now known as Dongling Palace. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Guan Shengdi, a descendant of the emperor, and the founding committee aims to promote Taitung. Lin Jinquan, a mountain freight business owner, serves as the main committee member, while Wu Jiangxiang is the deputy chairman, and Zheng Yuxin is responsible for project supervision and design.

The construction of Longfeng Baoyu Tower was completed in 1973, followed by the completion of the Longfeng Buddhist Temple in 1976. However, in the 1980s, due to a lack of maintenance, even the pagoda buildings were deemed unsafe. As a precautionary measure, visitors were not allowed to go upstairs to enjoy the panoramic view of Taitung from the air. Subsequently, the management committee invested nearly 10 million yuan to improve and maintain the temple, enhancing its beauty.
The second floor of the Buddhist temple houses the Daxiong Hall, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. The main ceremonies held include the Guanyin Bodhisattva Enlightenment Day, and the Longfeng Pagoda follows a three-section practice. The Baoyu Tower and Buddhist Temple have now merged into the same unit, and the decoration of the Buddhist temple has gradually improved. The stakeholders hope that the Longfeng Buddhist Temple will overcome its difficulties and thrive once again.

As early as the foundation of the Buddhist temple in 1968, stone artifacts were unearthed. Professor Song Wenxun from the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology at National Taiwan University led students in conducting research and exploration. The cultural relics discovered here are similar to those unearthed at the Beinan Cultural Site, indicating prehistoric activity in the Carp Mountain area.

beinan site, taitung, taiwan


beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

beinan site, taitung, taiwan

Address:

Beinan Site: 950台東縣台東市文化公園路200號卑南遺址考古現場