Entering its ninth year, the "Taste of Native Cuisines, The Journey to Tribes" initiative, organized by the East Longitudinal Valley National Scenic Area Headquarters, Tourism Administration, MOTC (hereinafter referred to as the Valley Headquarters), continues to invite visitors to discover the living traditions of Indigenous communities in Taiwan’s East Longitudinal Valley.
This year, the Valley Headquarters once again partners with Bayang Amis Cuisine of Dapu Community (Kalokapuk) in Chishang Township, Taitung County, to present the "Harvest Feast at the Granary under the Moon" on November 13 (Friday) and November 14 (Saturday), 2026. With limited seats available, the experience combines guided community walks, traditional fermented rice-making workshops, a special spiced-salt rice wine tasting, and distinctive local dishes inspired by the community’s migration history. Through these immersive activities, visitors are invited to discover the remarkable journey of the Hengchun Amis, one flavor and story at a time.
From Traditional Fermentation Plants to Local Flavors: Hands-On Rice Wine Making and a Special Tasting Experience
The journey begins with an interactive workshop introducing the traditional plants used to prepare fermentation starters for rice wine. Guided by community members, participants will learn to identify these plants growing in the surrounding fields and use locally sourced ingredients to prepare their own jar of sweet fermented rice, capturing the distinctive flavors of the East Longitudinal Valley. Participants will also collect flowers and leaves from the fields and use a traditional pounding technique to create botanical prints, designing one-of-a-kind labels for their handmade fermented rice jars.
Additionally, this year’s program introduces an exclusive seasoned salt tasting experience: glass rims are moistened with fresh lemon and coated with tribal hand-roasted sea salt to complement the classic indigenous sweet rice brew. Layering the aromatic profiles of prickly ash, lemongrass, chili, and sea salt, visitors can savor the fragrant nuances rooted in the community's daily life.
Strolling Through Dapu Community: Listening to the Eastern Migration Chronicles
Dapu Community (Kalokapuk) stands as living testimony to the historic journey of the Hengchun Amis, who crossed mountain ranges to settle and forge new beginnings in the East Longitudinal Valley. A key feature of the itinerary is a guided walking tour led by indigenous residents. Strolling along the outskirts of Chishang, guides recount early migration milestones and the gentle, resilient cultural philosophy that allowed the Hengchun Amis to coexist harmoniously with neighboring groups, allowing travelers to discover the deep historical contours of the land amid the autumn breeze.
Harvest Feast at the Granary under the Moon: Savoring the Memories of Migration
As evening falls, the experience culminates in the "Harvest Feast at the Granary under the Moon," held in a renovated granary space. The dinner brings the migration history of the Hengchun Amis to the table, transforming generations of memories and cultural traditions into a memorable culinary experience. Classic dishes, including "Hunter’s Ludo," local spiced chicken, seasonal wild green soup, and a crisp plum vinegar salad, are served in succession, concluded with a comforting handcrafted fermented rice dessert. Every dish and indigenous ingredient tells a story connecting the people to their ancestral land. During the dinner, tribal elders bring the evening to an emotional high with traditional songs, festive dance performances, and interactive moments with guests, weaving stories, gastronomy, and cultural heritage together under the Chishang night sky.
The Valley Headquarters Director: Elevating Culture into Meaningful Valley
Director Tsung-Min Hsu of the Valley Headquarters stated: "The true charm of the East Longitudinal Valley extends far beyond scenic mountains and waterways; it resides in the generational wisdom preserved across our diverse communities. Over the past nine years, 'Taste of Native Cuisines, The Journey to Tribes' has continuously supported indigenous communities in transforming their daily foraging, farming, and living memories into refined tourism experiences. The banquet at Dapu Community (Kalokapuk) showcases the profound migratory background and philosophy of the Hengchun Amis people. Visitors are not simply enjoying a meal. Through hands-on activities, cultural walks, songs, and dances, they become part of a living cultural dialogue. This is the very essence of the meaningful and sustainable tourism experiences we strive to promote throughout the East Longitudinal Valley.”
Travel Limited Autumn Capacity Open for Booking with Eco-Friendly Transfers Included
To encourage low-carbon travel through public transit, the Valley Headquarters provides complimentary round-trip shuttle service connecting Chishang Railway Station with Dapu Community (Kalokapuk) for both sessions. Priced at NT$2,580 per person, the comprehensive package covers the guided village walk, sweet rice brewing and botanical printing workshops, the seasoned salt tasting, the granary evening banquet, interactive traditional performances, station transfers, full travel insurance, and an exclusive souvenir jar of Dapu Community’s signature wild vegetable pesto. To ensure an intimate, high-quality cultural immersion, each session is strictly capped at 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. For full itinerary details and ticketing, please visit the official "East Longitudinal Valley Tour" website or social media channels.
