Maolin National Scenic Area

The Maolin National Scenic Area covers Maolin Township and Liouguei Township in Kaohsiung County and parts of Sandimen Township in Pingtung County. The area has many scenic spots, including the Baolai Hot Spring, Forever Young Hot Spring, Duona Hot Spring, Eighteen Arhats Mountain (Shiba Luohanshan), Meiyagu Waterfall, Dragon Head Mountain, and Maolin Valley.

Near the Eighteen Arhats Mountain Reservation Area and the Meiya Valley (Meiyagu), visitors can often see Formosan Macaque, squirrels, Varicorhinus barbatulus, and Taiwan blue magpies. All of them are precious natural resources. The state-owned forest in the Maolin National Scenic Area is another natural feature.

The artistic side of the scenic area includes tunnels, temples, suspension bridges and aboriginal cultures. Indeed, Maolin, Wanshan and Duona villages in Maolin Township are reserved for local aboriginal tribes. The township is the home of the Rukai Tribe, which is famous for its slate houses. At present, about 30 slate houses are being preserved in Duona village, making it the largest collection of preserved slate houses in Taiwan.

The Liouguei Tunnel, consisting of six parts, is the only highway tunnel in southern Taiwan. Because of its fantastic views, the tunnel has become a famous scenic spot in recent years.

The Maolin National Scenic Area has beautiful scenery and a lot of well-known Buddhist temples, including the Miaotong Temple. The area also has many suspension bridges, the Duona Suspension Bridge being the most famous for its length.