Tuzu Tribal Village Introduction
According to historical records, Tuhsien Community is one of the few Paiwan communities that has never been ruled by the Puyuma people and is also one of the few communities that still preserves the complete tradition of the five-year festival. The Paiwan people's five-year festival is said to be a covenant between humans and gods, held every five years. The last five-year festival was held in 2008, so it is easy to calculate the upcoming dates. Friends interested can keep an eye out and participate in the rare Tuhsien five-year festival. Tuhsien Community is known as the hometown of hairy crabs, so many stone decorations of hairy crabs can be seen on the mountain walls along the roads. Every year in March and April, large and delicious hairy crabs are in season, and the local township office holds a hairy crab festival. Visitors coming to Tuhsien during this time can indulge in the freshest and most delicious hairy crabs. The hairy crab festival not only allows people to enjoy fresh hairy crabs but also promotes the spirit of sustainable ecology, as the Paiwan people usually only keep hairy crabs above a certain size, releasing the smaller ones back into the sea to maintain ecological sustainability. ※The hairy crab festival is currently temporarily suspended for the purpose of crab rehabilitation. Although hairy crabs are a feature of Tuhsien, what is most captivating about Tuhsien is the strong ambiance of the Paiwan culture that permeates the entire community. The walls along the community streets are covered with traditional Paiwan patterns, and many doorways showcase Paiwan wood carvings. If guided by community members, visitors can learn that the sculptures, buildings, and even every blade of grass in the community have their own stories. After exploring Tuhsien Community, visitors can take a stroll at the nearby Tuhsien Scenic Bridge. According to the elder members of the community, during the harvest of millet, the community would gather at the bridge to sing Paiwan songs in gratitude to the heavens. Young men and women often met at the bridge to express their feelings for each other, hence earning the nickname "Lover's Bridge." After half a century, the old bridge, originally built in 1938, became unusable, so a new suspension bridge was constructed, completed in July 2011. The new bridge incorporates the Paiwan totem in its design, with a red bridge body spanning between lush green mountains and waters, making it particularly eye-catching. There are several dining establishments in Tuhsien Community, but accommodations are limited. It is recommended to head to Jinfong or Dawu district for more options. The Jinfong area is also a famous hot spring area in Taitung, with many guesthouses offering hot spring services.【Source: Backpacking in the Community, Taitung】
