Luanshan Forest Musuem
In its first eight years of operation, the Luanshan Forest Museum has welcomed over 18,000 visitors from more than 60 countries. Major environmental protection and ecology organizations, including Earth Charter, The Society of Wilderness, the Homemakers Union, Taiwan Wetlands Alliance, and Taiwan Environmental Information Association, have hosted their conferences here. The Reserve is considered an important site for ecological education and forest protection. ACF works with the Luanshan Tribe to promote and market the rain forest experience to visitors around the world. Many corporations such as the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) had its corporate retreat at the Reserve.
To maintain the integrity of the rain forest, all trails were built without using heavy machinery. On-site tours are conducted quietly and the number of visitors is limited at all times. The tour through the Reserve is generally spread over four different routes. Every trail leads visitors to the “Walking Tree” and “One Thread Heaven”, whereby one climbs on top of gigantic rocks covered with ancient banyan tree roots to gain a spectacular vista of the rainforest. The sense of exhilaration is unparalleled.
To prevent real estate developers from taking over the rainforest, Luanshan Tribal Chief Aliman had to purchase many parcels of land from fellow tribesmen, incurring a significant amount of debt in the process. Nevertheless, Aliman believes “the Forest is our bank, the 'interest' earned will allow the tribe to protect its ancestral land and preserve tribal traditions.
To prevent real estate developers from taking over the rainforest, Luanshan Tribal Chief Aliman had to purchase many parcels of land from fellow tribesmen, incurring a significant amount of debt in the process. Nevertheless, Aliman believes “the Forest is our bank, the 'interest' earned will allow the tribe to protect its ancestral land and preserve tribal traditions.
As part of its initiative to help uplift small businesses through advisory services, ACF helped Luanshan Tribe and Aliman to build a multi-functional tribal gathering venue known as the “palihansiapan”. This venue provides shelter and a dining area for visitors in inclement weather. Wilang, an experienced tribal housing builder, served as the consultant for this project. His task also included teaching young tribal members to use traditional crafts to build tribal housing.
By assisting small business enterprises in its initial founding, ACF hoped to create new jobs and promote economic growth in Taitung. ACF also hopes the Luanshan forrest museum will provide a major impetus in the development of Huatung’s experiential tourism sector.
By assisting small business enterprises in its initial founding, ACF hoped to create new jobs and promote economic growth in Taitung. ACF also hopes the Luanshan forrest museum will provide a major impetus in the development of Huatung’s experiential tourism sector.
