The Culture and History of Taroko

The Main Reading Text

Long before Taroko became a national park, it was home to the Truku people (太魯閣族). The Truku are one of Taiwan's indigenous groups, meaning they are the original people who have lived in this mountainous area for a very long time. Their culture is deeply connected to the land, its rivers, and its forests. Visitors can learn about the unique traditions, crafts, and way of life of the Truku people. A good place to start is the Buluowan Terrace (布洛灣遊憩區). Buluowan is a wide, flat area on a hillside where you can find exhibits and sometimes performances related to Truku culture. There is also a small museum that offers more information.

The park's history also includes more recent stories of human effort and change. One of the most significant features is the Central Cross-Island Highway (中部橫貫公路). This road winds its way through the narrow and steep Taroko Gorge, a deep valley with high rock walls. Building this highway was an extremely difficult and dangerous job, completed many years ago by brave workers.

To honor and remember the workers who lost their lives during the construction of this challenging road, the Eternal Spring Shrine, also known as Changchun Shrine (長春祠), was built. This beautiful shrine is set into the mountainside, with waterfalls flowing beneath it. It serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made to connect the eastern and western parts of Taiwan. These historical sites, along with the stories of the Truku people, show that Taroko Gorge is a place where nature, culture, and history meet.

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Key Learning Points

點擊下方的頁籤，切換不同的學習重點。

indigenous

a.

[ɪnˋdɪdʒənəs] — 原住民的；本土的

Naturally existing in a place or country rather than arriving from another place; native.

• The Truku are one of Taiwan's indigenous groups.
  太魯閣族是台灣的原住民族群之一。
• The kiwi bird is indigenous to New Zealand.
  奇異鳥是紐西蘭的原生鳥類。

tradition

n.

[trəˋdɪʃən] — 傳統

A belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time.

• Visitors can learn about the unique traditions of the Truku people.
  遊客可以學習太魯閣族獨特的傳統。
• It is a family tradition to eat dumplings on New Year's Eve.
  在除夕夜吃餃子是個家庭傳統。

exhibit

n.

[ɪgˋzɪbɪt] — 展覽；陳列品

An object that is shown to the public in a museum, gallery, etc.

• You can find exhibits related to Truku culture.
  你可以找到與太魯閣文化相關的展覽。
• The museum has a new exhibit on dinosaurs.
  博物館有一個關於恐龍的新展覽。

significant

a.

[sɪgˋnɪfəkənt] — 重要的；顯著的

Important or noticeable.

• One of the most significant features is the highway.
  其中一個最重要的特色是這條公路。
• There has been a significant increase in sales.
  銷售額有了顯著的增長。

construction

n.

[kənˋstrʌkʃən] — 建造；建設

The process of building things such as houses, bridges, roads, etc.

• Workers lost their lives during the construction of this road.
  工人們在這條路的建設過程中喪生。
• The new hotel is still under construction.
  新飯店仍在施工中。

shrine

n.

[ʃraɪn] — 祠堂；聖地；神社

A place for worship that is holy because of a connection with a holy person or object.

• The Eternal Spring Shrine was built to remember the workers.
  長春祠是為了紀念這些工人而建的。
• Many people visit the shrine to pray.
  許多人到這座祠堂祈禱。

sacrifice

n.

[ˋsækrə͵faɪs] — 犧牲

The act of giving up something that is valuable to you in order to help another person.

• It's a reminder of the sacrifices made to connect Taiwan.
  它提醒著人們為連接台灣所做的犧牲。
• Parents often make sacrifices for their children.
  父母時常為他們的孩子做出犧牲。