Every year, from the Bailu solar term (September 7) to Double Tenth Day (October 10), large numbers of Eastern cattle egrets migrate from the north to the warm climates of Southeast Asia to spend the winter. During their migration, they fly over Zhanghu Village in Gukeng Township, Yunlin County and into the valley of Shengmaoshu River in Taixing Village, Meishan Township, Chiayi County. The flocks take advantage of the valley's air currents to fly, change formations, and eventually fly in groups over the mountains, continuing their journey southward. This spectacular sight is known as "Wanlu Chaofeng" (ten thousand egrets paying homage to the phoenix).
To leverage this natural wonder for tourism in both regions and to promote industrial and cultural exchanges between the Great Alishan Tourism Union and the Great Caoling Tourism Union, Alishan National Scenic Area Headquarters, in collaboration with Taixing Village in Meishan Township, Chiayi County, and Zhanghu Village in Gukeng Township, Yunlin County, has, for the first time, combined the unique features of these villages with the beauty of the Northwest Corridor and the Zhanghu area to organize activities that allow tourists to visit the towns and experience the mountain village lifestyle.
Egret-watching is an important seasonal event in Meishan Township, Chiayi County. Local resources have been coordinated, and beautiful pamphlets created to guide visitors to secluded spots where they can enjoy this unique experience. August to October is the best time for egret-watching. All are welcome to follow the Eastern cattle egrets to Taixing for a healing ecological tour that also includes tea tasting!
Visitors can participate in unique hands-on experiences in the natural and cultural environment, such as indigo eco-dyeing, tea tasing in a traditional tea setting, fossil classes, and bamboo art exchanges. Through these experiences, they can learn about and appreciate nature through enjoyment.
"Egret-Watching Starting from the Bailu Solar Term" has become an important tourism event. It is hoped that this refined ecological tour experience will help develop niche and in-depth tourism markets. Local culture and nature will be gradually promoted to visitors, offering dynamic tourism options.
During the "Egret-Watching Starting from the Bailu Solar Term" event, visitors to Taixing Community in Meishan Township, Chiayi County and Zhanghu Community in Gukeng Township, Yunlin County who complete the stamp collection game at designated stores in both locations can redeem their stamps for a gift. It is hoped that this initiative will encourage visitors to explore both places, fostering successful tourism collaboration between the two villages.
