Mataian Wetland

The Amis community at Mataian built a fishing method into the wetland that works without nets: palakaw, a stack of three layers made from bamboo tubes, tree branches and hollow stems laid in the water so that shrimp, small fish and large fish each take the layer that suits them, and the catch is lifted out by hand. It is still done. The wetland around it is fed by springs, thick with water plants, and the village runs meals of wild greens caught and gathered here.

What you actually see

• The palakaw traps - three-layer bamboo and branch structures set in the water.
• The spring-fed wetland - clear water and dense aquatic plants across the marsh.
• The Amis food - meals built on wild greens and the wetland catch.
• The demonstrations - trap-building and harvesting shown by community members.

When to go

March to November is the comfortable season. Experiences and meals are arranged in advance through the community. Summer is hot and buggy.

Honest expectations

The demonstrations are arranged for visitors and must be booked; there is no drop-in. Mosquitoes are heavy. The site is small and takes half a day at most.

Nearby

Lintianshan is northeast, and Ruisui is south.