Tuzang Village Introduction
According to historical records, the Tusan community is one of the few Paiwan villages that has never been ruled by the Puyuma tribe and is also one of the rare communities that still preserves the complete tradition of the five-year ceremony. The Paiwan five-year ceremony is said to be a covenant between humans and gods, held every five years. The last five-year ceremony was held in 2008, making it easy to calculate future dates; those interested can keep an eye out to participate in the rare Tusan five-year ceremony. The Tusan community is known as the hometown of hairy crabs, and many stone decorations of hairy crabs can be seen on the hillside by the roadside. Each year, during March and April, the hairy crabs are large and delicious, and the local township office organizes a hairy crab festival. Tourists visiting Tusan during this period can indulge in the freshest and most delicious hairy crabs. The hairy crab festival not only allows participants to enjoy fresh hairy crabs but also promotes the spirit of sustainable ecology, as the Paiwan tribe typically only retains hairy crabs that are above a certain size, returning smaller ones to maintain ecological sustainability. ※ The hairy crab festival is currently temporarily suspended due to the restocking of hairy crabs. Although hairy crabs are a feature of Tusan, what is most captivating about Tusan is the strong aura of Paiwan culture that permeates the entire village. Many walls along the village streets are adorned with traditional Paiwan patterns, and numerous houses feature Paiwan wood carvings. With guided tours from community members, visitors can learn the stories behind the sculptures, buildings, and even every blade of grass in the village. After exploring Tusan, visitors can also take a stroll on the nearby Tusan Scenic Bridge. According to the elders in the community, during millet harvests, villagers would gather at the bridge to sing Paiwan songs in gratitude for the blessings from the heavens. Young men and women often met at the bridge to express their feelings for each other, which led to its romantic name, "Lover’s Bridge." After enduring half a century, the old bridge, originally built in 1938, became unusable, prompting the construction of a new suspension bridge, completed in July 2011. The new bridge incorporates Paiwan totems into its design, with its red structure standing out against the lush green mountains and waters. While there are a few dining establishments in Tusan, there are not many accommodation options, so it is advisable to head to Jinvun or Dawu for more choices. The Jinvun area is also a famous hot spring region in Taitung, offering many homestays with hot spring facilities. [Source: Tribe Backpackers Feng Taitung]
