The summer time every year is also the time for the Harvest Festival (豐年祭) of many Taiwanese aboriginal tribes, living in Hualien County and Taitung County. The 4 main tribes, the Ami Tribe, the Beinan Tribe, the Paiwan Tribe, and the Rukkai Tribe will be having the Harvest Festivals starting from July till September. The Harvest Festival is very an important celebration for the aborigines. It is interesting for you as tourists to participate at their festivals. It is not only fun to participate, but it is also a great self-enrichment to learn about the aboriginal traditions of Taiwan. This year, the Ami Tribe in Hualien County started the earliest Harvest Festival this year on July 16. There will be the numerous and impressive celebrations especially in August. The aborigines will passionately sing and dance together as a tribe to thank God for the year's good harvest, and hope for good harvest next year.

For the Ami Tribe, after their crops are harvested, their elder would then decide the date for his tribe unit to hold their celebration of the Harvest Festival. This annual Harvest Festival is what keeps the Ami Tribe traditions and language running. Without the festival, these cultures and music can vanish forever.

It would be a lot of fun to organize rafting activity along with your visit to Taiwan's east coast for the Harvest Festival. Rafting on the Siougulaun River is a unique and thrilling experience, and can only be experienced here in Hualien County. First you can enjoy the milk at Rueisuei Pasture, then go rafting, go to Fongbin Village for the Harvest Festival, and then watch whales at the sea shores. You can have a fun time at Hualien this summer. Visit Sinotour's Hualien Tourguide to learn more about other things to do in Hualien County!