Zhangyuan Tribe Introduction
Zhangyuan Village is located in Changbin Township, Taitung County, and it, along with Dapingfeng Village, represents the northernmost villages in Taitung County. The main residents are the Amis people, as well as the Kavalan people who migrated here from Xinshe Village in Fengbin Township during the Jalawan incident. The area was originally named "Guzilü," and in 1937, it was renamed "Zhangyuan" due to the abundant wild camphor trees in the nearby mountains, indicating that this place was once a hub for camphor extraction. Because the two tribes coexist in the area, in addition to the Amis Harvest Festival, the Kavalan people of Zhangyuan and Dapingfeng Village also hold a sea ceremony (sepaw tu lazing) lasting 2-3 days around July each year, where elders perform rituals by the sea to honor the ancestral spirits and offer sacrifices to both the spirits of the ancestors and the spirits of the sea for bountiful harvests. The most eye-catching and popular Instagram spot in Zhangyuan Village is the Zhangyuan Elder Church, known for its unique boat-shaped design. The blue anchor pattern contrasts with the pure white body of the boat, making the Zhangyuan Elder Church's appearance resemble the "Noah's Ark" on land, symbolizing the spirit of the church and reflecting the tribe's traditional livelihood connected to the sea. Zhangyuan Village is less than a 10-minute drive from the famous attractions in Changbin Township, including the Eight Immortals Cave and the old Zhangyuan Bridge recreational area, making it convenient to enjoy the serene landscape of Changbin.
