9 Tips When Visiting Orchid Island (蘭嶼)
Text and Photos by Tatianna Chen
Orchid Island is a piece of living poetry.
Located in the Taitung County, it is an island off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. Immersing yourself in its wild mountains and the ocean is the best way to unwind from the hustle bustle. It is the last untouched place in Taiwan by industrialization. The indigenous tribe on the island — the Tao people — continue to live their traditional lifestyle with a strong stance to protect the balance between man and nature.
Today I have 9 tips to share with you about where to go and what to eat on Orchid Island!
蘭嶼位於台灣東南外海，是一座古老的火山島，也是人稱掉在太平洋上的遺世珍珠。偶爾想喘口氣離開繁忙的城市生活時，不妨來擁抱蘭嶼的山與海，與當地珍貴的傳統文化一起慢活幾天。自古以來，島上的達悟族深信自然與人文並重共存，他們的生活至今保留著與大自然緊密且平衡永續的關係。這裡，可能和你想像的熱帶海島假期不同，島上沒有商業氣息，資源也有限，但令人難忘的，是大自然撼動人心的生命力與將心靈返璞歸真的衝擊。
以下推薦幾個去蘭嶼必玩的旅遊景點與必嚐美食!
1. Hongtou Mountain
拜訪蘭嶼最高山—紅頭山
Hike up the lush mountains. Hongtou Mountain (紅頭山) is one of Taiwan’s Top One Hundred Small Mountains to be rewarded with breathtaking view.The trail entrance is beside a bright blue house located 100m south of Yeyou Elementary school. There are no official markings, so be sure to check on maps or ask the locals. (GPX location).
Along the trail you can spot endangered plants, listen to the sound of nature, and walk in an adventurous jungle trail. This trail takes about 3-4 hours to hike for intermediate hikers.
登上蘭嶼島上最高的紅頭山，此山為台灣小百岳之一，登山口不遠處能俯瞰沿海的波浪溫柔地翻滾在沙灘上，美得像一張明信片。登山口位於椰油小學往南一百公尺處，有棟亮藍色的房子，隨著房子一旁的道路往山上走。紅頭山的林道，沒有山路標示，前往登山務必要先把GPX路線準備好或是詢問當地嚮導，安全第一。慢慢進入山區，在山間能親眼看見受保育的稀有植物。來這裡擁抱茂密的原始景觀，觀賞闊葉層層疊疊的美，呼吸古老森林的芬多精。這條路線往返需三至四小時，比較適合有登山經驗的旅客。
2. Nipple Mountain 乳頭山
Nipple Mountain is a good 20-minute scooter ride from Hongtou, on the opposite side of the island. Nipple Mountain (乳頭山) has an amazing island view over Dongqing Village and its entire bay area down below. The village is nestled between mountains and the ocean, the entire landscape is heavenly and tranquil when the sun shines softly above it all. Located on the east side of the island. It only takes 15 minutes to hike up the hill.
另一個絕佳景點是乳頭山，只需要花十五分鐘爬上山頂，就能看到蔚藍的大海、壯麗的山和山腳下的東清小鎮，能一次將所有美景收入眼簾。東清小鎮位於山與海之間，當溫和的午後陽光灑落於此，畫面極像人間天堂。可以花一些時間，坐在這裡吹吹太平洋的海風，眺望正個東清灣的無敵海景。
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“There is an irreplaceable and magical vibe to this island that brings pure joy in being connected with nature.”
3.Yeyin Cold Springs 野銀冷泉
The best thing to do after the hike to Nipple Mountain is to jump into the Yeyin cold springs—where cold mountain water meets the ocean. This refreshing spring is less than 10 minutes away from Nipple Mountain, again by scooter. Enjoy the turquoise water, white sand below your feet with playful fish swimming around you, and the warm sun above your head.
結束登山行程後，最享受的便是跳下沁涼的野銀冷泉，掃去一身的熱氣，讓身心涼爽輕鬆。這個夢幻碧藍的冷泉位於山冷泉與海水的漸層交會處，在這裏可以腳踩蘭嶼島少見細緻白砂，看著魚兒在身邊游玩，還有感受斜陽冉冉落下前那暖和的光芒。
4.Iraralay Village’s Secret Snorkling Spot
朗島秘境浮淺
Compared to the popular Dongqing location also on Orchid Island, this quieter enclave is recommended as there are less tourists. The water is crystal clear allowing you to see rainbow-coloured fish circling around you and a magical display of the pristine corals. If you’re adventurous enough, jump off the coral cliff into the deep blue waters!
比起東清秘境，我更愛人潮較少的朗島淺點。由岩石包圍的海域，水流緩和，琉璃清透的藍海，一眼就能看見海中各種五顏六色的珊瑚和生態，擁有令人驚豔的能見度。這裏水深最淺約五米，最深可到十五米，如果想要來一點刺激的活動，試試看從岩石上跳入深藍的海中吧！
5.Du-wawa 小天池
Visit this forbidden area of the islanders. The Tao people call this place the “Sea of the Mountain.” It used to be a volcanic crater which forms a lake only in wet seasons. The view over seeing the grand Pacific Ocean itself is worth the visit. The lake is located at the right side of the second picture, where you see a dried patch of grassland. Local people avoid coming to this area, but when they have to, they would rub silver-grass over their body as protection from evil spirits.
大天池是傳統原住民的禁地，並稱之為「高山之海」。天池是由火山噴發後遺留下的火山，只有雨季時才有機會看到湖泊景象。想要目睹大天池的神秘之美需要三個小時和一些運氣。相較於大天池，小天池較容易抵達，景色則是壯麗遼闊。這次去了小天池，雖然沒有看到湖泊，但在第二張照片的右上方可看到湖泊的位置。站在高山上，面對大海，身處大自然很寧靜，但心裏滿滿震撼與感動。當地原住民平時忌諱到此地，若必需要踏入這裡，他們會先以芒草抹身以做驅邪。
6.Jikarahem Cave
「很深之意」海蝕洞
The name of this sea cave literally says “Very Deep Meaning.” From the roadside, there is a mystical vibe coming from this cave. The magnificent patterns and colours of the cave are fascinating. It is very cool and humid in the cave, which makes it a great stop to cool down. From the locals, this cave is regarded as the “Devil’s Cave.” Tale has it that it was an Anaconda’s nest, old fishermen go in but never get out. Till this day, only tourists would visit, the locals do not head in.
這個海蝕洞的取名開門見山就是「很深之意」。在島上騎車時，我的眼睛瞄到了這個神秘又驚人的大洞穴，立即拍拍伴侶的背，跟他說我們進去探險看看。當我們越靠近洞穴時，洞穴感覺越來越深，越來越暗，因溫度下降得很快，雞皮疙瘩都起來了。實際進了洞穴中，心中本來小小的不安，被這洞穴中的交織的色彩和線條吸引而平復，簡直是大自然鬼斧神工之作。裡頭涼爽帶一點溼氣，很適合避暑。離開幽暗的洞穴，回到日光燦爛的地方，強光讓眼睛有點不適應。我立即查了相關資料，才知道，這裏是當地居民俗稱「惡靈之窩」，婦女和孩童不宜久留之地。傳說中，其中一個海蝕洞中是大蟒蛇窩，老一輩的漁夫進去後會出不來。至今，仍然只有遊客會走進這個海蝕洞，當地居民是不會踏入。這裏很適合想要來趟壯膽探險的旅客。
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7.Eat their famous flying fish cuisine
蘭嶼必吃飛魚料理
Flying fish is one of the main protein source for the Tao people. Be sure to try to flying fish fried rice. Flying fish meat has a firm and chewy texture, a lot like chicken. It has a very mild taste, so it is easily likeable even for those who are not a fan of seafood.
飛魚是島上居民主要的蛋白質來源之一，島上有各種不同的飛魚料理可以嘗試，我最推薦無疑是飛魚炒飯。飛魚的肉質扎實帶嫩，吃起來的口感很像雞肉，味道鮮甜，對於平時不太喜愛海鮮料理的人，都很容易愛上它。飛魚肉經過熱油大炒，融化的油質讓魚肉香氣逼人，配上鍋氣十足的蛋炒飯，蛋汁因為飛魚肉薰陶，帶了點煙燻香氣，燙口的滋味，令人一口接著一口停不下來。
8.Try Hala Juice 林投果汁
It is especially refreshing on a hot day. It is slight sweet and comes with multiple health benefits as it full of vitamins. The name also means “the devil’s fruit” in the local language.
One of the most common things to do on the island is resting at the roadside pavilion. There are plenty of those around the island, used for fishermen to rest or for local families to gather at night. You can also visit small cafe by the sea to chill and relax.
炙熱的夏天，最適合來一杯冰涼清爽的林投果汁。林投果的長相奇特，金橘色的硬果皮，處理過程繁雜，要採收、去皮、熬煮，一杯林投果汁背後可是下了很多功夫。它也被稱之為惡魔的果實，但其實林投果含豐富維他命，有益健康，當地的老一輩都會在夏天飲用來退火。
在蘭嶼的各個海岸邊，都會有小涼亭。這是當地漁人午後歇息的地方、若下雨了可以稍微躲雨、傍晚當地居民會與家人坐在小涼亭聊天。除了涼亭，也可以去座落在海邊的蘭嶼旅人咖啡廳，人人在木棧板上席地而坐，聽著海浪聲，喝著水果奶昔，享受海景環繞的自在。
9.Green Green Grassland
青青草原
End the day with watching the beautiful sunset at Green Green Grassland. Here you will be greeted by mountain goats just chilling on the side while you also relax.
一整天最棒的壓軸戲，就是到青青草原眺望浪漫的夕陽。一大片的青草原如同大海般無限延伸到盡頭，沿著步道慢慢走，散步的倒影隨著日落漸漸拉長，成群的山羊在身旁低頭咀嚼。走到懸涯邊，金色的太平洋迎接而來，仰頭可見絢麗陽光染紅天空，為美好的一天劃下完美的句點。
Lastly, Orchid Island is more akin to spiritual travel than your typical island vacation. Resources are very limited there. But the visit is worth it. There is an irreplaceable and magical vibe to this island that brings pure joy in being connected with nature. Enjoy!
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