Zhangyuan Village Introduction
Changyuan Tribe is located in Changbin Township, Taitung County, and together with Dafengfeng Tribe, they are the northernmost tribes in Taitung County. The main residents are from the Amis tribe, as well as the Kavalan people who migrated here from the Xinshe Tribe in Fengbin Township during the Jialiwan Incident. The area was originally named "Guzilü," but in 1937, it was renamed "Changyuan" due to the abundance of wild camphor trees in the nearby mountains, indicating that it was once a hub for camphor extraction. Since both tribes coexist, in addition to the annual Amis harvest festival, the Kavalan people from Changyuan and Dafengfeng Tribe also hold a sea festival (sepaw tu lazing) for 2 to 3 days around July each year, during which elders perform rituals at the seaside to honor ancestral spirits, offering sacrifices to them and the spirits of the sea in prayer for a bountiful harvest. The most eye-catching and popular attraction in Changyuan Tribe is the Changyuan Presbyterian Church, renowned for its unique ship-like design. The blue anchor pattern contrasts beautifully with the pure white body of the church, making its appearance resemble "Noah's Ark" on land, which symbolizes the church's spirit and reflects the tribe's traditional reliance on the sea. Changyuan Tribe is less than a 10-minute drive from the well-known attractions of Baxian Cave and the Old Changyuan Bridge Recreational Area, making it easy to visit all three places and enjoy the tranquil scenery of Changbin.
