Penglai Creek Fish Conservation Trail Introduction
Penglai Creek is located in the southwestern part of NanJhuang, upstream of the Zhonggang Creek. Due to its secluded location in the mountains, the creek is flanked by steep peaks, surrounded by mixed bamboo and natural broadleaf forests, creating a lush and towering canopy. In this serene environment, one can occasionally hear the dialogue between the forest and the mountain breeze, and at times listen to the creek water singing with the fish. The naturally beautiful scenery invites visitors to throw away their stress, giving them a chance to calm their restless minds, allowing noisy sounds to fade away. Here, one simply wants to take deep, cleansing breaths, feel the cool creek water, and admire the graceful figure of the "bitter flower." Walking through the woods and crossing the creek, one can return home energized and filled with the aroma of nature. Looking at the clear waters filled with fish, you would hardly believe that this was once a place void of aquatic life. The current beautiful landscape is a result of the efforts of the villagers of NanJhuang. A group of local lovers of their hometown, sensing the ecological damage to the creek, spontaneously formed the "Penglai Creek Guardians" to patrol the creek, reminding and advising visitors engaging in activities in the water to reduce the pressure on the creek's ecosystem. They hope to restore the creek to its original beauty. In 2001, the Miaoli County Government announced a ban on fishing activities in the middle and upper reaches of Penglai Creek, making it the first creek in Miaoli County to implement fish protection actions. Thanks to the active efforts of the residents, the fish protection in Penglai Village was successful, and in 2002, it received the "Charming Towns Award for Excellent Natural Scenery" from the Ministry of the Interior. Today, the creek’s water is crystal clear, with schools of fish visible from the shore, and the bitter flowers and stonefish glimmering attractively in the water, providing glimpses of fish breaching the surface near the rocks. The fish protection path runs a total of 2.4 kilometers, and if you walk briskly, you can complete a round trip in about an hour and a half. However, since you are here to hike and connect with nature, it is recommended to slow down, stop frequently, and visit the fish, insects, plants, and other small animals that greet you along the way. The wonders of the natural ecology can surprise at every moment! The aquatic spirits of Penglai Creek include the Taiwan Bitterling, which is known for its downward-facing mouth. When it forages for algae on stones, it can bump its head, resulting in evolutionary adaptations for survival, including quick body flips that allow it to escape. When it flips, its silvery belly sparkles beneath the water, earning it the nickname "firefly of the water." The Taiwan Shiny Catfish prefers cold waters and is an excellent swimmer and jumper, typically found in the upper reaches of rivers and tributaries. It is omnivorous but tends toward carnivory, primarily feeding on aquatic insects. The most notable feature is a broad blue-black stripe on its side that extends from behind the gills to the end of the tail, with adults reaching a length of up to 20 centimeters. The Taiwan Stonefish is a species endemic to Taiwan, found in clear and turbulent waters in the middle and upper reaches, often in deep pools. They feed at night, are omnivorous, and juvenile fish have seven black bands on their sides, with the color becoming darker and the bands less pronounced as they mature. Along the way, you can see various plants. The Acorus calamus, a perennial evergreen herb from the family Araceae, thrives in low-altitude streams. With its sword-like leaves reaching about 30 centimeters, it is also known as "water sword grass" and possesses a unique fragrance for medicinal use. It has long been admired by literati and is grouped with orchids, chrysanthemums, and daffodils as the "four elegant flowers." The Brugmansia suaveolens, a perennial shrub, has alternate leaves and drooping, trumpet-shaped white flowers that bloom year-round and emit a strong fragrance at night to attract nocturnal insects for pollination. All parts of the Brugmansia are toxic, especially the flowers and seeds, and it is often mistaken for a lily, so caution is advised. The Taiwan Tree Fern, also known as Sphaeropteris or Cyathea, is found in Taiwan's low-altitude natural broadleaf forests, often growing on tree trunks or rocks, serving as an indicator plant of the subtropical broadleaf forest. The Dragon's Blood Tree, a green climbing shrub from the family Burseraceae, has alternate leaves and trifoliate leaflets, with the leaflets being oblong and 4-6 centimeters long. Found throughout the low and middle altitude secondary forests or coastal hills of the island, it is essential to be careful of the "Dragon's Blood," as its rough vines and sharp thorns can lead to severe bleeding if one is not careful, which is where its name comes from.
