Mataian Wetland (Lasuei Ecological Park) is located beside Mataian community in Guangfu Township and is one of the largest natural inland wetlands in Taiwan. It supports a diverse range of emergent, floating-leaf, and submerged aquatic plants. The park is renowned for the traditional Amis Palakaw composite fishing method, and each summer (approximately June to August), lotus flowers bloom across the wetland, making it one of the key attractions in the Hualien-Taitung Rift Valley for combined indigenous cultural and ecological experiences.
Highlights of Mataian Wetland
"Mataian" is an Amis word meaning the tree bean (a legume plant), reflecting the close relationship between the community and the plants of the land. The wetland lies adjacent to the village and has long been an important resource area for the community. The traditional Amis "Palakaw" fishing method is the most representative ecological knowledge associated with this site. It involves constructing a composite fish habitat from bamboo tubes, wooden branches, and bundles of rice straw to simulate the bottom-dwelling environment of a water body, attracting fish to settle inside. The entire structure is then lifted out of the water to harvest the fish — a traditional fishing technique with a comparatively low impact on wetland ecology.
The wetland supports a rich variety of plant life, with lotus flowers, water hyacinths, water chestnuts, and other floating-leaf plants appearing in seasonal succession. From June to August, the lotus blooms transform the park's ponds into one of the Rift Valley's most popular seasonal attractions. Water birds such as grey herons and little egrets are present year-round, and in summer various dragonfly and frog species are active around the wetland edges. Please follow the park's rules during your visit — do not pick plants or enter areas outside the designated trails, in order to protect the wetland ecosystem.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time
- Located along Maxi Mountain Road in Guangfu Township. About a 5–10-minute drive from Taiwan Railways Guangfu Station; approximately 50 minutes from Hualien City.
- The park has a parking area. For opening hours and guided tour arrangements, check in advance with the Mataian community or the Hualien County Tourism Bureau.
- Allow 1.5 to 2 hours; summer lotus viewing plus the ecological trail can extend to 2.5 hours. Insect repellent is essential for a wetland visit.
Nearby Connections
- About 10 minutes by car from Guangfu Sugar Factory — a natural combination of a wetland ecology morning and a sugar factory ice cream afternoon for a Guangfu Township half-day.
- Some community members in Mataian run food service offering traditional Amis cuisine. Check before visiting whether table reservations are available.
Sources: Hualien County Tourism Bureau; publicly available materials from the Mataian Community Cultural Development Association. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own photography.