Maolin Purple Butterfly Ecological Park (Zhidie Valley) Introduction
Maolin Purple Butterfly Ecological Park is located within Maolin Lane in the Maolin District and serves as a site for butterfly watching activities. By walking along the park's trails, visitors can reach the butterfly viewing path. The "Purple Butterfly Valley" is not an actual place name but rather an ecological phenomenon where various species of butterflies gather to overwinter. The "Purple Butterfly Valley" is mainly distributed in the mid to low-altitude mountain areas of Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Taitung, which are traditionally inhabited by the Paiwan and Rukai peoples. From October to February each year, at least over one million purple butterflies come to the sacred mountains of the Rukai and Paiwan peoples in southern Taiwan—specifically in the warm, sheltered valleys at the foot of Mount Da Wu. Maolin's "Purple Butterfly Valley" is renowned and is on par with the "Monarch Butterfly Valley" in the Americas, both being recognized as world-class natural assets. It is currently one of the two large-scale "overwintering butterfly valleys" recognized worldwide and has been listed as a must-visit attraction with the highest rating of three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Taiwan! A suggested duration for visit is around three hours, and you can stroll along the butterfly viewing path in the Purple Butterfly Ecological Park towards the Zishali Trail to see different species of purple butterflies and an array of vibrant, colorful butterfly species.
