Gaoshi Shrine Forest Trail

Gaoshi Shrine is a Japanese-era shrine site in Gaoshi Village, Mudan Township, Pingtung County, built in 1939 as part of Japan's assimilation policy; it fell into disrepair after the war and was rebuilt on its original site in 2015 by local cultural groups and the community, now marked by a white torii gate overlooking Bayao Bay.

Gaoshi Shrine (originally called Kusukusu Shrine) was built in 1939 as part of Japan's kominka assimilation policy and enshrined Amaterasu; after Japan's surrender in 1945 it fell into disrepair, leaving only its stone foundation intact. In August 2015, local cultural groups and the Paiwan community of Gaoshi rebuilt it on the original site — a spirit-transfer ceremony was held on August 11 and an enshrinement ceremony on August 12 — and a white torii gate was erected on May 7, 2016, at a reconstruction cost of roughly 10 million yen. The shrine site, in the Paiwan indigenous village of Gaoshi, also serves as a memorial to warriors from the community, including those from the 1874 Mudan Incident and Paiwan conscripts of World War II. (Note: the original context draft misstated the township as Manzhou; verification confirms it is Mudan Township, corrected here.)

What to see at Gaoshi Shrine Forest Trail

The trail passes through secondary forest on the hills of Manzhou Township, with vegetation dominated by tropical plants characteristic of Hengchun Peninsula — including tawain persimmon (moshi), false sandalwood (tushanxiang), and orange jasmine (yueju). The trail is not long and the gradient is manageable, suitable for visitors with average walking ability. At the end, an observation deck opens eastward on clear days to sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The contrast between the enclosed forest atmosphere along the way and the sudden openness at the summit is striking.

Gaoshi Village (formerly Gaoshifo community) is a Paiwan indigenous settlement. The shrine, built as part of Japanese colonial policy, carries a particular colonial history memory for the local Paiwan people. Understanding this background before visiting is worthwhile. When entering the village area, observe basic etiquette: do not photograph residents or enter private spaces without permission. The trail itself is a public route, but a respectful approach is always appropriate.

How to make the most of your visit

Practical information

Source: Pingtung County Government Culture Department, Kenting National Park Management Office trail data. History of the Paiwan Gaoshi community references publicly available materials from the Council of Indigenous Peoples. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.