A volcanic island rising from the sea off the southeastern coast of Taiwan,
Lanyu has been home to the Tao for 800 years. Read on to find out more about the island, its sights and people.
PHOTO: TAIPEI TIMES
火山島蘭嶼坐落台灣東南部外海，八百年來達悟族人以此為家。跟著我們深入探索蘭嶼的自然人文之美。
A closer look 說古論今
Lanyu is formed of eight rain forest covered mountains, the highest of which is 552m. The Tao or Yami refer to the island simply as 'Island of the people' (Ponso No Tao) in their own language. The ROC government renamed the island Lanyu in 1946 after the orchid flower which then grew in profusion on it. During the Japanese colonial period the island was declared off limits to the public due to the unique culture of the Tao people.
Lanyu is an incredibly beautiful island. The waters surrounding it are clear and blue and boast beautiful coral formations and an annual migration of whales. It is possible to both snorkel and dive. There's even a Korean shipwreck covered in soft coral and sea fans off the west coast.
It is possible to travel around Lanyu on foot, though most people choose to hire a scooter or bicycle and hop off to hike trails. An excellent view of the island can be gained from the weather station and lighthouse.
Boat trips to see flying fish and night walks to stargaze and watch the fauna, especially crabs, are popular.
The Tao still retain much of their traditional culture. Traditionally the women are responsible for farming the land and the men for gathering fish. Although government housing has been introduced to much of the island, traditional Tao houses can still be found. These houses are designed to withstand typhoons by being half underground, and a platform provides a cool summer resting space and workshop. It is possible to stay in homestays in traditional houses.
蘭嶼島上八座山脈連亙，雨林密佈，最高峰海拔五百五十二公尺。達悟族 稱蘭嶼為 Ponso No Tao（意指「人之島」），一九四六年政府以島上盛產蝴蝶蘭為由，更名為蘭嶼。日本殖民時期，由於達悟族文化自成一格，曾禁止外人移墾。
美不勝收的蘭嶼，四周海水湛藍清澈，不但孕育了美麗的珊瑚，每年也吸引大批鯨群前來。此外，從事浮潛和水肺潛水活動是不錯的選擇，西岸外甚至有一艘覆滿軟珊瑚及海扇的韓籍沉船殘骸。
步行環島也不賴，不過大多數人還是選擇租用機車或腳踏車，再沿著步道健行。氣象站和燈塔是俯瞰全島美景的絕佳地點。
乘船欣賞飛魚、夜遊觀星，和動物觀察（尤其是螃蟹），都是熱門的活動。
達悟族保存了許多傳統文化，習慣女耕男漁。島上儘管國宅林立，達悟族傳統屋舍依舊可見，為了防颱，這些傳統屋舍有一半蓋在地下，還有一個平台可供涼夏休憩或工作之用。住宿方面有傳統地下屋民宿可供選擇。
（翻譯：林倩如）
WHO KNEW? 你知道嗎?
There are several different ways to get to Lanyu. The island boasts a small airstrip and flights from Taitung take just 25 minutes. Although there are several flights a day, strong winds on Lanyu can sometimes lead to cancellation of flights. There are several ways to travel by sea. Boats sail to Lanyu from Fukang dock in Taitung. It is also possible to take a boat from the Houpihu marina near Kenting. In general, boats take around two hours and it is important to double check schedules as they are often subject to weather conditions. One of the special things about catching a boat is the approach to the island and the chance to see flying fish, which are considered sacred by the Tao people.
前往蘭嶼的方式很多。蘭嶼有一座小型機場，從台東搭機只要二十五分鐘就可抵達，雖然一天有好幾個航班，但有時會因蘭嶼風勢過大而被迫取消。利用海上交通前往旅遊也有多種選擇，台東的富岡碼頭或墾丁附近的後壁湖碼頭都有客輪往返。一般而言，船行時間約兩小時，不過船班常因天候因素有所調整，出發前最好再次確認。搭船前往的好處，除了可近距離飽覽蘭嶼美景，還有機會可以看見達悟族人視為聖物的飛魚。
A LOOK AT CONTEXT 思前想後猜字義
1. Since the fish conservation effort started, this once desolate area now has a profusion of maritime life.
Profusion means ...
a. very little.
b. very thankful.
c. an abundance.
d. small.
2. Terry is very modest and mild-mannered. In contrast, his cousin Adam boasts about his own intelligence all the time.
To boast means ...
a. to speak modestly.
b. to speak pridefully.
c. to speak softly.
d. to speak loudly.
3. If you hang a sheet of plastic horizontally in the open air overnight it will retain water.
To retain means ...
a. to let go.
b. to hold.
c. to release.
d. to buy
4. This wall is pretty strong. It was built to withstand elephants charging into it.
If something withstands something, it ...
falls over easily.
a. falls over after a medium amount of
b. force is applied.
c. can resist pressure.
d.stands next to something.
旅遊資訊 Web address
（蘭嶼鄉公所網址）: lanyu.taitung.gov.tw/index.asp
Boat schedules（船班時刻）: www.hlhb.gov.tw/ttu04.Asp
Air travel（空中交通）: www.dailyair.com.tw/
Yeyou village township office（椰油村辦公處）: 089 732 001
ABOUT LANYU 蘭嶼概況
Size: 45km2
Location: Off the southeastern coast of Taiwan
Villages: Yayu/ Yeyou, Iraralay/ Langdou, Iranumilk/Dongqing, Ivarinu/ Yeyin, Imourud/ Hongtou, Iratai /Yuren, Iwatas/Yiwadasi
Population: about 3,094
Languages: Tao, Mandarin
面積：四十五平方公里
位置：台灣東南外海
部落：椰油、朗島、東清、野銀、紅頭、漁人、伊瓦達斯
人口：約三千零九十四人
語言：達悟族語、國語
BACKGROUND 背景由來
The Tao people came to Lanyu from the Batan Archipelego in the Northern Philippines 800 years ago. The indigenous people of the Batans are the Ivatan and both peoples still speak the same language (Tao).
達悟族人八百年前從菲律賓北部的巴丹群島來到蘭嶼，巴丹群島的原住民為伊巴丹族，兩個部族至今仍說同一種語言（達悟族語）。
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