Yanping

Yanping is a mountain township with five villages spread across remote terrain in eastern Taiwan, where settlements sit at significant elevation above the surrounding valleys. The communities of Hongye, Luanshan, Taoyuan, Wuling, and Yongkang occupy distinct areas within this expansive mountain landscape.

The region kept its original indigenous character until the late 1800s because few Han Chinese settlers moved into these mountains. This geographic separation allowed local people to maintain their way of life and identity over many generations.

The Bunun people shape daily life across the five villages through customs that remain visible in how residents interact with the land and each other. Local gathering places serve as centers where traditional practices are experienced and passed down to younger generations.

Reaching the five villages requires traveling on mountain roads that branch from provincial highways connecting to Taitung. Visitors should expect winding roads and varying weather conditions due to the high elevation.

A youth baseball memorial hall honors local teams and records their competitive history in this mountain region. This unexpected connection between baseball and mountain culture reveals how the area developed in modern times.