Maolin National Scenic Area

The Maolin National Scenic Area covers Sandimen Township in southern Taiwan's Pingtung County, as well as Maolin Township and Liouguei Township in Kaohsiung County.

The Maolin National Scenic Area features many scenic spots, such as the Baolai Hot Spring, Forever Young Hot Spring, Duona Hot Spring. Eighteen Monks Mountain, Meiya Valley Waterfall, Dragon Head Mountain, and Maolin Valley.

Near the Eighteen Monks Mountain Reservation Area and the Meiya Valley, local and international visitors can often see wild animals such as the Formosan Macaque, squirrels, Varicorhinus barbatulus, and Taiwan blue magpies. All of them are precious natural resources in the Maolin National Scenic Area. The state-owned forest in this area is another natural feature.

Meanwhile, the artistic side of the Maolin National Scenic Area includes tunnels, temples, suspension bridges and aboriginal cultures. Several villages in Maolin Township are reserved for people of the Rukai aboriginal tribe. The Rukai tribe is famous for its slate houses. At present, about 30 slate houses are being preserved in Duona Village of Maolin Township. It is the largest collection of preserved slate houses in Taiwan.

The Liouquei Tunnel consists of six parts and is the only highway tunnel in southern Taiwan. It has become a famous scenic spot in recent years because of its fascinating views.

The Maolin National Scenic Area has many well-known Buddhist temples, such as Miaotong Temple. The area also has many suspension bridges. The Duona Suspension Bridge is the most famous among them, for its length.