Taitung ◦ Dawu | Taitung's Gateway, the Beginning of Taitung Blue. | TAIWAN 368-06

by YU-LING

最後更新/Last Updated:2024-12-23

As the train slowly leaves Pingtung and arrives at Dawu in Taitung, the scenery outside the window becomes more magnificent. The seamless blend of Taitung's blue sky and the sparkling white waves sweeps away my gloom, leaving a bright and tranquil feeling. There's no denying that Taitung Blue has a magical, healing power!

◦ The Past of Dawu

Dawu Township used to be the activity area of the Paiwan tribe. It was originally called "Balangwei," which means "hitting with sticks" in the Paiwan language. This dynamic name piqued my curiosity. It turns out that when the Paiwan tribe moved from the mountains to the area near Dawu River, they used sticks to identify marshes and wetlands to avoid, which led to this energetic place name. During the Japanese colonial period, to simplify the name, they adopted the name of the Dawu River, renaming the place "Dawu."

01| Street Scene in 1954

Dawu Township is the gateway to Taitung from the west via the South Link Highway and is also the starting point for Taitung's journey to the west through the South Link Highway. Travelers often stop here for a short break when passing through Dawu.

➤ Photo credits and textual references:午夜懷舊雜譚

◦ Attractions in Dawu
01|Dawu Rainbow Village

Dawu Rainbow Village is situated on the South Link Highway along Route 9, making it a must-visit destination for travelers commuting between Taitung and Pingtung by car. Upon arrival, the vibrant rainbow patterns immediately captivate my attention. The colorful houses and the adjacent footbridge, painted like colorful building blocks, form a lively and dynamic scene.

However, the birth of Rainbow Village is marked by hardship.

In 2009, Typhoon Morakot caused widespread devastation, claiming many lives and destroying countless homes. The Fushan tribe, which lived in the mountains, was severely affected by landslides and had to relocate to the foothills, where they constructed new houses. With the support of a renowned international paint brand, the residents painted their homes and the community, gradually finding a sense of belonging and rediscovering their rainbow.

Dawu Rainbow Village
No. 10, Dawu St., Dawu Township, Taitung
02|Dawu Coastal Park

Located on the South Link Highway, Dawu Coastal Park may be small, but it attracts many travelers eager to enjoy the ocean. There's a particular spot in Dawu Coastal Park that you just can't miss. Because it's near the 420-kilometer mark on Route 9, the Dawu Township Office has set up a landmark that plays on the phrase "I love you" in Chinese, creating a fun photo opportunity for visitors who enjoy puns.

03|Dawu National Forest Trail

Dawu National Forest Trail is a gentle, circular trail with minimal elevation changes, making it perfect for family outings. Its rich and diverse natural ecology has earned it the nickname "Dawu's Backyard Garden."

On weekdays, the trail is relatively quiet. During my hour-long hike, I encountered only two groups of visitors, allowing me to fully enjoy the expansive scenery.

◦ Flying Over Taiwan

*All aerial photography operations are conducted within legal airspace. During flight, regulations stipulated by the Civil Aviation Law are strictly followed, maintaining the required distance from buildings and crowds. Zooming and post-production techniques are used to ensure compliance, making the flights fully legal.
*Anyone citing these images and text must provide proper attribution. Unauthorized or illegal use of the images and text is prohibited and may result in legal liability.

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