Ita Thao Thao Village (Thao Indigenous Community)

Ita Thao is the main settlement of the Thao people on the eastern shore of Sun Moon Lake in Yuchi Township, Nantou County; formerly known as Dehua She, it is home to Taiwan's smallest officially recognized indigenous people. The Thao gained formal government recognition as Taiwan's tenth indigenous people in 2001, and as of April 2021 their population was about 829. The community preserves dugout canoe culture, pestle music ceremonies, and a traditional craft market, making it an essential place to learn about Thao living culture.

The Thao are Taiwan's smallest officially registered indigenous people, numbering about 829 as of April 2021. After a long campaign, the government formally recognized the Thao as Taiwan's tenth indigenous people in 2001. They are concentrated at Ita Thao (formerly Dehua She, now Riyue Village) on the eastern shore of Sun Moon Lake, where they were resettled during the Japanese colonial era's Sun Moon Lake hydroelectric project.

Highlights of Ita Thao Thao Village (Thao Indigenous Community)

The Ita Thao community is built along the lake, and the main commercial street has a Thao craft market selling traditional Thao weaving, embroidery, and accessories — some handmade by tribal members. The community features interpretive signage on core Thao spiritual objects such as the "ancestral spirit basket," helping visitors understand the basic outlines of Thao religious culture. The Thao dugout canoe culture is closely tied to the Sun Moon Lake environment; traditional dugouts can be seen displayed or in use along the lakeshore, and at certain festivals, tribal members demonstrate paddling. Pestle music — the rhythmic sounds produced by women pounding grain with pestles — is an important musical form of the Thao. Performances may be arranged during specific festivals; on ordinary days there are no fixed schedules. Check for event information before visiting.

Ita Thao is a tribal community with actual tribal members living there, not a purely tourist facility. When visiting, approach the community environment and tribal members' living spaces with respect. Do not enter areas that are clearly marked as non-public or are private tribal spaces. Ask for consent before photographing people. When purchasing crafts, it is worth asking whether they were made by tribal members — supporting handmade products by tribal members helps sustain cultural economic cycles within the community.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

Practical Information

Sources: Thao Cultural Development Association related materials, Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration introduction to Ita Thao. Photos pending replacement with Dio's original shots.