Penglai River Fish Conservation Trail Introduction
Penglai River is located in the southwestern part of Nanzhuang, and it is the upstream section of the Zhonggang River. Due to its secluded location in the mountains, both sides of the river feature steep peaks, surrounded by dense osmanthus and mixed deciduous forests, creating a lush and towering natural landscape. Immersed in this setting, one can often hear the dialogue between the forest and the mountain breeze, or the stream singing along with the fish. The pristine natural scenery allows visitors to completely shed their pressures; chaotic thoughts settle down, and noisy sounds fade away. Here, all one desires is to take a deep breath, touch the cool stream water, admire the graceful figure of the "bitter flower," cross through the woods, jump over the stream, and then return home filled with the essence of nature and renewed energy. Looking at the clear stream before you, where schools of fish swim, it’s hard to believe that fish once disappeared from this area. The present beauty is the result of the efforts of the locals in Nanzhuang. Initially, a group of passionate local residents, feeling the ecological damage to the stream, spontaneously formed the "Penglai River Patrol Team" to monitor the stream, reminding and advising visitors engaged in activities in the stream to reduce ecological pressure, hoping to restore the stream to its original condition. In 2001, the Miaoli County Government announced the closure of the Penglai River’s mid and upper reaches for fish protection, completely prohibiting any fishing or angling activities in the protected section of the stream, making it the first river in Miaoli County to implement fish protection measures. With the active efforts of the community, fish protection in Penglai Village has succeeded, and in 2002, it received the "Excellent Natural Landscape Award" from the Ministry of the Interior under the "Charming Towns and Villages Award." Today, the stream water is crystal clear, and one can easily see schools of fish swimming in the water. The bitter flower and stone fish sparkle in the water, captivatingly beautiful, and occasionally, one can see schools of fish leaping over the rocks. The fish protection path is 2.4 kilometers long, and if you walk briskly, it takes about one and a half hours for a round trip. However, since you are here for hiking and to connect with nature, it is sincerely recommended to slow down, stop at various places, and observe the fish, insects, plants, and other small animals hiding shyly behind trees or stones along the way. The wonders of natural ecology are endlessly surprising at any moment. The water sprite of Penglai River, the Taiwan Bitterling, is a species of ray-finned fish commonly known for its lower mouth position that makes it prone to collisions with its head while foraging on the moss-covered stones. To escape these accidents, it has evolved a survival mechanism to flip its body quickly, displaying its silvery belly that shines in the water, hence called "the firefly of the water." The Taiwan Maculatus prefers cold water habitats, is strong in swimming, and adept at leaping; it mainly inhabits the upper reaches of rivers and tributaries, displaying omnivorous tendencies with a preference for carnivorous diets, primarily feeding on aquatic insects. Its most distinctive feature is a slightly wider blue-black vertical band that extends from behind the gill cover to the end of the tail base; adults can grow up to 20 centimeters long. The Taiwan Stone (or Reef) fish is endemic to Taiwan, found in fast-flowing, clear waters of the middle to upper reaches, often in deep pools, and it feeds at night. It is omnivorous and during its juvenile stage, has seven black horizontal stripes on its sides, which fade as it matures, and its color darkens. Along the way, you'll encounter various plants: - The Stone Calamus, part of the family Araceae, is a perennial evergreen herb that prefers low-altitude stream environments. Its rhizomes creep, with linear leaves about 30 centimeters long that resemble slender swords, hence known as "water sword grass." The entire plant has a distinctive fragrance and is used medicinally. Since ancient times, Stone Calamus has been favored by literati, along with orchids, chrysanthemums, and daffodils, collectively called "Four Elegant Flowers." - The Giant Flower Mandrake belongs to the Solanaceae family and is an evergreen shrub with alternate leaves. Its flowers are solitary and drooping, with a trumpet-shaped white corolla that releases a strong fragrance at night to attract nocturnal insects for pollination. The entire plant is toxic, especially the flowers and seeds, and it is often mistaken for lilies, which can be dangerous when consumed. - The Taiwan Nest Fern (also known as the Taiwan Teahouse Fern) belongs to the family Davalliaceae and is found in Taiwan's low-altitude natural broadleaf forests, often growing on tree trunks or rocks, marking it as an indicator plant of subtropical broadleaf forests. - The Dragon's Blood Vine, belonging to the family Rutaceae, is an evergreen climbing shrub with alternate leaves that are trifoliate. The leaflets are ovate, measuring 4 to 6 centimeters in length, and are found in low to mid-altitude secondary forests or coastal hills across the island. One should be particularly cautious of the Dragon's Blood Vine, as its “thick vines with sharp spikes” can cause bloody injuries; thus, it is aptly named "Dragon's Blood."
