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  4. Three-year Effort in Preserving Languages and Culture of Indigenous Peoples: Languages of the Mountains and Forests Introduces Traditional Names of Indigenous Places at Yushan National Park

Three-year Effort in Preserving Languages and Culture of Indigenous Peoples: Languages of the Mountains and Forests Introduces Traditional Names of Indigenous Places at Yushan National Park

Towering at an altitude of 3,952 meters, Yushan is a mountain sacred to both the Bunun and the Tsou. According to mythology and legends, the Bunun and the Tsou people were not the only ones lived at the foot of Yushan or took refuge in Yushan during the Great Flood. They shared the mountain with the Saaroa, the Mumusu, the Bantalang, the Maya and other ethnic groups.

The Bunun people calls Yushan “Usavih,” and the mountain ranges “Saviq.” It was the mountain where the Bunun took refuge during the flood. The Tsou people calls Yushan “Patungkuonu,” which refers to Yushan and the Batongguan region. Thus, not only do ethnic languages impart ancestral wisdom, but also demonstrate unique geographical meanings that can be traced to their history and culture.

alt-Three-year Effort in Preserving Languages and Culture of Indigenous Peoples: Languages of the Mountains and Forests Introduces Traditional Names of Indigenous Places at Yushan National Park-1
Towering at an altitude of 3,952 meters, Yushan is a mountain sacred to both the Bunun and the Tsou.

The traditional names of places are an important medium for emotional connection between people and the locale, reflecting the surrounding geographical environment and human activities during various times. In 2021, the Yushan National Park Headquarters initiated the “Survey Project on Traditional Names and Cultural Meanings of Indigenous Regions in the Yushan National Park,” inviting Professor Haisul Palalavi of the National Taitung University to conduct field surveys and interviews. The research data has since been compiled and incorporated in Languages of the Mountains and Forests.

Professor Palalavi, who is a Bunun and proficient in the Bunun language and culture, is the first ethnologist with a doctoral degree among the indigenous people. The Yushan National Park Headquarters’ survey project covered the entire park. Its objective was to trace the traditional cultural meanings of place names left by various indigenous peoples who once lived on this land.

the Yushan National Park Headquarters initiated the “Survey Project on Traditional Names and Cultural Meanings of Indigenous Regions in the Yushan National Park,” inviting Professor Haisul Palalavi of the National Taitung University to conduct field surveys and interviews. The research data has since been compiled and incorporated in Languages of the Mountains and Forests
the Yushan National Park Headquarters initiated the “Survey Project on Traditional Names and Cultural Meanings of Indigenous Regions in the Yushan National Park,” inviting Professor Haisul Palalavi of the National Taitung University to conduct field surveys and interviews. The research data has since been compiled and incorporated in Languages of the Mountains and Forests
alt-issue3
Professor Palalavi spent two years working on this project, going through both the archives and oral sources, as well as visiting tribal communities within and without the mountains for investigating, documenting, and organizing his research. His endeavor is able to enrich the historic legacy of the indigenous peoples
Professor Palalavi conducted interviews with tribal elders, as well as carrying out on-site surveys and archival collection to find out stories, mythology, and legends related to the mountains, hills, old communities, and cultivated land. He then “restored” the names of these places into the Bunun or Tsou language using the current pinyin method.
Professor Palalavi conducted interviews with tribal elders, as well as carrying out on-site surveys and archival collection to find out stories, mythology, and legends related to the mountains, hills, old communities, and cultivated land. He then “restored” the names of these places into the Bunun or Tsou language using the current pinyin method.

Professor Palalavi spent two years working on this project, going through both the archives and oral sources, as well as visiting tribal communities within and without the mountains for investigating, documenting, and organizing his research. His endeavor is able to enrich the historic legacy of the indigenous peoples.

Professor Palalavi conducted interviews with tribal elders, as well as carrying out on-site surveys and archival collection to find out stories, mythology, and legends related to the mountains, hills, old communities, and cultivated land. He then “restored” the names of these places into the Bunun or Tsou language using the current pinyin method.

The Yushan National Park Headquarters pointed out that although some of the signboards in the park do include the indigenous names of the places and their pinyin to help with pronunciation, it is not always possible to understand the stories behind them from the Chinese characters or pinyin. Thus, Languages of the Mountains and Forests will help the public comprehend the true meaning of these names or stories. Many vestiges of old communities can be found in Yushan, leaving behind traditional place names with cultural and ecological significance. Thus, Languages of the Mountains and Forests is able to guide the younger generation to learn more about the indigenous history.

To provide readers with an easy and engaging reading experience, the book is presented in a storytelling style. Through systematic organization and a wealth of illustrations and texts, it is hoped that this publication will broaden the horizon of the public and provide people with new understanding of the Yushan National Park through details on history, ethnic groups, and their lifestyle.

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Yushan

Yushan

Accommodation in Yushan

Published: 2009-08-12

Please read articles in our website for more information about accommodation in Yushan National Park.
HotelTelFaxAddress
Jian pu Lodge886-5-2679917--
Pai yun Lodge886-5-2679713--
China Youth Corps886-7-6866166886-7-6866167No.55, Meishan Lane, Taoyuan Township, Kaohsiung County 848, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Sheng Hwa Hotel886-49-2701511~3886-49-2701903No.60,Shen-yi Road, dong-pu village,Nantou county,Taiwan(R.O.C)
Ya Kou Youth Hostel886-7-6866057886-7-6866167No.5 Yakou ,Li-dao village, Hai-ruei Township , Taidong County

Last Updated: 2020-11-20


Travel Guide

Published: 2009-08-12

【Tataka High Mountain Ecotourism】

Climbing Yushan Main Peak
Day 1: Starting Point → Alishan Forest Recreation Area、Dongpu Hot Spring (lodging)
Day 2: Alishan Forest Recreation Area、Dongpu Hot Spring → Tataka pass entry (1.7K) → Menglu Pavillion (1K) → pass entry of Yushan Front Peak (2.3K) →Forest of White Wood (1.7K) → Great Cliff (1.8K) → Paiyun Lodge (lodging)
Day 3: Paiyun Lodge (2.4K) → Yushan Main Peak (10.9K) →Tataka pass entry→ Return
Yushan Main Peak to Batongguan Hiking Tour
Day 1: Starting Point → Alishan Forest Recreation Area (lodging)
Day 2: Tataka pass entry (8.5 K) → Paiyun Lodge (lodging)
Day 3: Paiyun Lodge (2.4 K) → Yushan Main Peak (1.8 K) → Laonong Campsite (4.2 K) → Batongguan   Ancient Trail (2.8 K) → Guangao Mountain-Climbing Service Station (lodging)
Day 4: Guangao Mountain-Climbing Service Station (14 K) → Dongpu pass entry → Return
Tataka Recreation Area --- Nature Trail Routes
Route 1: Visitor Center (0.1K) → Dongpu Prairie(1.7K) → Tataka Police Station (0.4K) → New Central Cross Island 95K Parking Area (on foot around 12 hours)
Route 2: Visitor Center (1.6K) → Giant Hemlock (0.8K) → Linjhih Gap (0.8K) → Linjhih Mountain (0.8K) → Linjhih Gap (0.8K) → Giant Hemlock (1.4K) → Shangdongpu (on foot around 2.5 hours)
Route 3: Visitor Center (1.6K) → Giant Hemlock (0.8K) → Linjhih Gap (1.2K) → Lulin Mountain (0.7K) → Lulin Lodge   (1.1K) → Lulin Gap → Shangdongpu (on foot around 3 hours, reverse around 4 hours)
Route 4: Visitor Center (1.6K) → Giant Hemlock (0.8K) → trail entrance of Linchushan (2.1K) →Tataka Anbu (1.4K) → Giant Hemlock (1.4K) → Shangdongpu (on foot around 7 hours)

【Jhongjhihguan Ancient Trail, Southern Cross-Island Highway】

Southern Cross-Island Highway Jhongjhihguan Rest Area (30 min) → Jhihguan Police Station (20 min) → Charcoal Kiln (60 min) → Lonely Wood (15 min) →Tianchih (Tian Pond) (10) → Changching Shrine

Nanan-Walami

【Nanan-Walami Trail：Tour for discovering fern ecotype】
Route 1: Trail (0.65 K) → Shanfong (0.25 K) → Shanfong bridge1 (0.8 K) →Shanfong Waterfall → Return (a round trip about 3 hours)
Route 2: Trail (1.7 K) → Shanfong   Waterfall (3.2 K) → Juasin (4.9 K) → Huangma no.1 bridge → Return (a round trip about 8 hours)
Route 3: Trail (9.8 K) → Huangma bridge1 (0.8 K) → Huangma bridge2 (3.4 K) → Walami → Return (a round trip about 12 hours)

Last Updated: 2018-09-19


Visitor Safety

Published: 2009-08-12

Attention for visitors

steep mountain

 

【The must-know for engagement in various activities】
  1. Road conditions in the mountain area are unstable. Falling rocks or landslide could happen easily. Please do not stay or take photographs at dangerous zones where there are falling rocks and landslides.
  2. In the summer afternoons, intermittent rain or dense fog form frequently, whereas in winter, the surface of the road could easily freeze up and becomes slippery. Please drive carefully and reduce speed.
  3. Along the provincial highway, Taiwan rock-monkeys, Mikado Pheasants and Swinhoe’s Pheasant often appear. Drive carefully and please do not feed the animals.
  4. From June to November every year, is the breeding period for killer bees, of when they could be easily terrified and sting on people. Please be cautious.
  5. For mountain hiking, please equip yourself with sufficient mountain hiking equipment and in accordance with the regulations. In addition, getting mountain/park entrance permit ready beforehand is required.
  6. Leaving the team and acting alone, leaving the trail without the knowledge of other members and taking shortcuts are strictly prohibited during mountain hiking. Also, do not linger along the way.
  7. Water resource is scarce in the mountain area. Please conserve on water usage.
  8. Be careful while cooking with fire to avoid the outbreak of fire in the forests.
  9. Please do not litter and bring the garbage downhill.
  10. Please abide stringently on the principle of countryside activities, “Leave nothing but footprints; take nothing but photographs,” in order to protect the environment of the nature, leaving behind a land of purity for later generations.

Last Updated: 2018-09-20


Park Contacts

Published: 2009-08-12

Information of Visitor Center

yushan

 

LocationOpening HoursContact Information
Administration-Tel:886-49-2773121 ext.605/606
Fax:886-49-775466
Shuili Visitor Center-Tel:886-49-348269
Fax:886-49-2773121 ext. 605/606
TatakaVisitor Center09:00am ~ 16:30pm Closed 2nd Tuesdays of the month.  If that Tuesday were a national holiday, it would be postponed to the next day.Tel:886-49-2702200~2
Fax:886-49-702250
NananVisitor Center09:00am ~ 16:30pm Closed 2nd Tuesdays of the month.  If that Tuesday were a national holiday, it would be postponed to the next day.Tel:886-3-8887560
Tel:886-3-8880742
Fax:886-3-8880743
Meishan Visitor Center09:00am ~ 16:30pm Closed 2nd Tuesdays of the month.  If that Tuesday were a national holiday, it would be postponed to the next day.Tel:886-7-6866181~3
Fax:886-7-6866128

Last Updated: 2020-11-20


Map Of The Park

Published: 2009-08-12

map of Yushan

Yushan National Park is located in the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan. Centering around Jade Mountain Main Peak, the park covers a vast area of over 105,000 hectares spread out over the four counties of Nantou, Chiayi, Kaohsiung and Hualien. It is a typical subtropical mountainous national park.

Within the park, there are spectacular views of the peaks. The park covers 30 out of Taiwan’s One Hundred Mountains, including Jade Mountain Peaks, Siouguluan Mountain, Mabolasih Mountain, Dafenjian Mountain, Sinkang Mountain, and Guan Mountain. Each mountain has its own particular style; some are magnificently elegant and full of fury, while others display bizarre and marvelous peaks. Naturally formed, such landscapes are extremely beautiful. The park also includes the origin of the hydro system for the central, southern and eastern areas of Taiwan Province, which was closely related with the livelihood of the public at the lower reaches of the river.

Last Updated: 2018-09-19


How To Get There

Published: 2009-08-12

yushan 

Transportations

  1. Highway Administration Information
Highway Administration Information
Shueili AreaProvincial Highway 16(049) 2234181Nantou Branch
New Central Cross-Island HighwayProvincial Highway 21(049) 27915102nd Maintenance Office of Sinyi Branch
Provincial Highway 21 - Syuefong(049) 2702033126K Station of New Central Cross-Island
Alishan HighwayProvincial Highway 18(05) 25924265th Maintenance Office of Alishan Branch
Southern Cross-Island HighwayJiasian- Meishan(07) 7510143rd Maintenance Office of Jiasian Branch
Haiduan- Yakou(089) 8110243rd Maintenance Office of Guanshan Branch
Southlink HighwayTaitung- Dawu(089) 3250733rd Maintenance Office of Taitung Branch
Dawu- Fonggang(08) 87711143rd Maintenance Office of Fonggang Branch
East Coast LineHualien Section(03) 82305704th Maintenance Office of Hualien Branch
Taitung Section(089) 3250733rd Maintenance Office of Taitung Branch

Last Updated: 2018-09-20