Danayigu Ecological Park

The Danayigu river had been fished out and polluted by the 1980s, and the Tsou community at Shanmei responded by banning fishing on their stretch entirely and patrolling it themselves. The fish came back in numbers, particularly the Taiwan shoveljaw carp, and the community opened the valley as a park funded by entry fees. It is one of the clearer examples in Taiwan of a community taking a river back, and the water is now thick with fish.

The landscape

• The fish - Taiwan shoveljaw carp in numbers, visible in the clear water.
• The community management - the Tsou fishing ban and patrol that made the recovery.
• The river valley - clear water running over rock through forested slopes.
• The Tsou village - Shanmei, with cultural performances and food.

When to go

March to November is the season. Summer brings swimming crowds to the surrounding area. Typhoon damage has closed the park for repairs in the past.

Practical notes

Typhoons have wrecked the park's infrastructure more than once and it has closed for long rebuilds. Fishing and feeding are prohibited and enforced. The road in is winding.

Nearby

Alishan is northeast, and Chiayi is west.