On August 8 2009 Typhoon Morakot struck southern Taiwan causing substantial damage and loss of life. Maolin Township, Baolai village in Liugui Township and Taoyuan Township were seriously damaged, faced an unprecedented challenge and were actually, for a time, cut off from the outside. However, the people remained determined to rebuild their homes.
We express a sincere thank you to all the people who worked tirelessly in the rebuilding effort. We would also like to express out gratitude to the people all over Taiwan who continue to support and care for the people living in the scenic area. The support received has given us the strength to put the disaster behind us and work actively to restore the scenic area and make life for local people normal again. Today the scenic area’s business and amenities have basically recovered from the typhoon and the people are full of energy and hope. The biennial “2009-2010 Butterfly Watching Activity” went ahead as planned and the purple crow butterflies (milkweed butterflies) spending the winter were more numerous than ever before, the event, as usual, attracting a large number of visitors
Some of the sights are no longer with us, but we retain their images on the website to help people remember the good times once had there. Other sights are being repaired night and day so it is necessary for visitors to take care when in the scenic area. Some scenic spots may have been lost but the distinctive products of the Pingdong-Kaohsiung mountains are as rich as ever, for example Liugui Township’s plum products, the woven fabric of Taoyuan Township, the leather caring of Maolin Township and the glass bead art and coffee of Sandimen Township. These, and many other wonderful things to eat, appreciate, wear or experience, await you in Maolin National Scenic Area.
All the staff of Maolin National Scenic Area hope that visitors new and old will come to the scenic area and have a really enjoyable visit. Your visit is the best way of cheering on the people who are working so hard to help the scenic area recover from the damage caused by the typhoon and to support local residents and businesses.