On its way to Liukuei, a small village in southern Taiwan, the bus passes through many quiet and picturesque communities snuggling between mountain passes. The road is lined with coconuts collected from the trees surrounding the bright green rice fields. The clouds which gathered overnight around the peaks begin to disperse as the sun breaks through. Liukuei begins to awaken, and soon farmers are on their way to the fields and workers on their way to work.
Liukuei is located in a remote part of northeast Kaohsiung County in southern Taiwan. Hemmed in by mountains, the village seems to have spread in any direction it could. The entire district covers an area of 194 square kilometers, but of the total, less than half is cultivated, while the rest is made up of forested mountain tracts.
Many visitors to Liukuei are curious as to how it got its name, meaning "six turtles" in English. Villagers are happy to explain that at one time, there were three boulders on either side of the Laonung Creek close to the village, which looked like turtles surfacing for air.
There are many other legends about Liukuei. One of them describes how an official in the Ching Dynasty was approaching the village during an inspection tour when he saw the 40-odd peaks that make up the Lohan Range, and was impressed by their beauty. He particularly noticed the banks of clouds, which seemed to convey a spirit of harmony. Looking across from the clouds, he saw a rock formation that looked like a throne. To the superstitious official, this had to signify that a person of high rank was living in the valley, and he dismounted from his horse as a sign of respect. But a long search failed to turn up such a person. The villagers explained that the rock was split in two when a nearby brook was diverted. As a result, the harmony of the area was disturbed, and it could produce no men of renown.
Despite its remote location, the village of Liukuei has inhabitants not only from all over Taiwan, but also from the 35 provinces of the mainland of China as well. Even though they all have their own customs and traditions, they work harmoniously together.
A history of the area gives a clue as to why this should be so. The early residents were content to farm small plots and, as long as they had enough to live comfortably, they were content. They even worked out a system of alternating the pork and poultry raising responsibilities. Each year, a different family took over the task, and at slaughter time, divided the meat with all the other families, and even among outsiders.
However, many of the newcomers were not content to just farm, and went into the mountains and cut lumber as well. As their timber and fruit-growing businesses expanded, they required outside help, and thus they learned new farming methods and were able to take up new occupations. Together, everyone prospered.
As further evidence of benevolence and self-help, there is an orphanage housing 94 children, most of them aborigines. The couple who run the orphanage, Pastor Yang and his wife, praise the villagers for the help and concern they show for the children. They treat the orphans as their own, and lend a hand whenever possible.
Liukuei is also famous for its butterflies which inhabit the 13 surrounding valleys. The flowers which grow between the mountains and along the banks of creeks provide an ideal environment for the insects. During mating season, the butterflies are particularly lovely as they perform an aerial ballet. One of the most spectacular sights can be obtained by shaking a tree full of newly transformed butterflies. They all fly in all directions to form a colorful cloud.
One of the principal industries in the area is forestry. The Taiwan Forestry Research Institute has set up a station where the current project is a study of the Formosa-China fir. The tree's wood is of a high quality, suitable for making fine furniture, and only 40 years to reach maturity. The time-consuming task of weeding is now done by cows, which also provide extra income for Liukuei residents. The original herd of 15 has grown to 24 in five years.
There is also a reforestation program under way, and some seedlings are sent to cities to help urban greening campaigns. Reforested areas also serve a recreational purpose, since the lush, green surroundings are popular with tourists.
One of the experimental station workers, Huang Chin-huang, began to experiment with mango crops in 1968, using experience he gathered while growing up on a farm. He experimented in cross-breeding indigenous and exotic mangoes strains until he came up with a "better mango" which has more flesh and a smaller stone, is insect resistant and economical. Last year Huang made between NT$60,000 and 70,000 from mango sales, and this year's harvest looks even better.
Liukuei is also one of the most important deer raising areas in Taiwan, with some 2,000 animals being cared for. The deer are raised mainly for their antlers, which are believed to have medicinal value. Since a good pair can bring in NT$1,000 (US$25) an ounce, and each deer can produce a pair of antlers weighing more than six pounds, deer farmers are prospering.
One deer breeder said he earns NT$1 million a year from an initial investment of NT$3 million.
Liukuei's rich human, land, and natural resources have all contributed to the village's economic development. But the residents are not the only ones to benefit. During holidays, tourists stream into the area to picnic among the beautiful mountains and views. The scenery among the Lohans can be compared with that in Kueilin. Here too, pine and mahogany forests also abound. Add to this an abundance of wildlife, waterfalls and hot springs and you have one of the most beautiful spots in all of China.
[Picture Caption]
1. The Lohan Range which is often compared to Kueilin for its beauty, in a light mist reminds one of a poem or a painting. 2. Liukuei is surrounded by mountains so these small suspended bridges are a major form of transportation. From a distance, they appear to be riding across a tightrope. 3. A resident breaking up kindling for fire wood.
1. The natural beauty that surrounds Liukuei makes one feel like one is in a Chinese painting. 2. There are six tunnels along the winding road which leads into Liukuei. 3. There are many waterfalls in the forests surrounding Liukuei. 4. Two of the boulders for which Liukuei got its name, King Turtle Rock and Queen Turtle Rock. 5. The forestry stations where seedlings were planted are now very attractive to picnickers and hikers. 6. Workers in action in the forestry station. 7. A bamboo forest planted by the forestry research station. 8. Preparing lumber for transport.
1. Betel nut and coconut palm trees separate the rice paddies from each other. 2. Dairy cows now do the weeding in the forestry research station. After five years the results are very good and the cattle have adapted very well. 3. Although most of the rice farming in Liukuei has been mechanized it is still possible to see some farmers plant rice the traditional way. 4. A farmer leading his cow on a stroll through the woods.
1,2,3. Some of the butterflies to be found around Liukuei. 4. Farm children roast sweet potatoes on old rice stalks. 5. The China Youth Corps sponsors a nature camp in the area. Here one of the counselors instructs the children about the local vegetation. 6. Tree fungus is used by the Chinese as a medicine. This old man found an especially large specimen during his wanderings through the mountains.
1. New Year's decorations hung by Liukuei residents. 2. Liukuei's business district has shops catering to the residents' every need. 3. A home among the trees, isolated and quiet. 4. "Gourd bamboo" is cut and used for planters. 5. Farmers often place their children in cribs and take them outside with them. 6. Iron gate, dog, and home; a self-reliant farm family. 7. Mrs. Yang helping children with their lessons. 8. One of the orphanage's happy children.
2. Liukuei is surrounded by mountains so these small suspended bridges are a major form of transportation. From a distance, they appear to be riding across a tightrope.
3. A resident breaking up kindling for fire wood.
1. The natural beauty that surrounds Liukuei makes one feel like one is in a Chinese painting.
2. There are six tunnels along the winding road which leads into Liukuei.
3. There are many waterfalls in the forests surrounding Liukuei.
4. Two of the boulders for which Liukuei got its name, King Turtle Rock and Queen Turtle Rock.
5. The forestry stations where seedlings were planted are now very attractive to picnickers and hikers.
6. Workers in action in the forestry station.
7. A bamboo forest planted by the forestry research station.
8. Preparing lumber for transport.
1. Betel nut and coconut palm trees separate the rice paddies from each other.
2. Dairy cows now do the weeding in the forestry research station. After five years the results are very good and the cattle have adapted very well.
3. Although most of the rice farming in Liukuei has been mechanized it is still possible to see some farmers plant rice the traditional way.
4. A farmer leading his cow on a stroll through the woods.
1,2,3. Some of the butterflies to be found around Liukuei.
4. Farm children roast sweet potatoes on old rice stalks.
5. The China Youth Corps sponsors a nature camp in the area. Here one of the counselors instructs the children about the local vegetation.
1,2,3. Some of the butterflies to be found around Liukuei.
1,2,3. Some of the butterflies to be found around Liukuei.
6. Tree fungus is used by the Chinese as a medicine. This old man found an especially large specimen during his wanderings through the mountains.
1. New Year's decorations hung by Liukuei residents.
2. Liukuei's business district has shops catering to the residents' every need.
3. A home among the trees, isolated and quiet.
4. "Gourd bamboo" is cut and used for planters.
5. Farmers often place their children in cribs and take them outside with them.
6. Iron gate, dog, and home; a self-reliant farm family.
7. Mrs. Yang helping children with their lessons.
8. One of the orphanage's happy children.
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