Ita Thao (formerly known as Dehua She) is located on the eastern shore of Sun Moon Lake and is the main settlement of the Thao people. The Thao are the smallest registered indigenous people in Taiwan, with important cultural characteristics including dugout canoe culture, pestle music ceremonies, and fishing and hunting traditions. The community has traditional architectural displays and a craft market, preserving the transmission of Thao living culture. It is an essential stop for understanding local indigenous culture within a Sun Moon Lake itinerary.
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
Getting There & Time Required
- Take a ferry from Sun Moon Lake's Shuishe Pier to Ita Thao Pier, about 15 to 20 minutes; or drive via the lakeside ring road, with a parking area on the outer edge of the community.
- Walking through the community's commercial street takes about 1 to 1.5 hours; including interpretation or activities, it can extend to 2 to 3 hours.
Nearby Connections
- Ita Thao is on the eastern shore of Sun Moon Lake and can be combined with a lake circuit itinerary — arrive by cycling from Shuishe or by ferry, forming a complete Sun Moon Lake itinerary that pairs natural scenery with cultural experience.
- Heading north along the ring road leads to Xuanguang Temple (where a relic of Master Xuanzang is enshrined), forming an east shore attractions circuit.
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.