Penglai Creek Fish Protection Trail Introduction
The Punglai River is located in the southwestern part of Nanzhuang, upstream of the Zhonggang River. Due to its secluded location among the mountains, the riverbanks are steep, and the surrounding landscape is rich with bamboo groves and mixed hardwood forests, creating a lush and towering environment. In this nature, one can occasionally hear the conversations between the forest and the mountain winds, and at other times listen to the singing of the stream water and the fish schools. The unspoiled natural scenery helps to release all the pressure, calming chaotic thoughts, and silencing noisy distractions. Here, all one wants to do is take a deep breath, touch the cool stream water, and admire the graceful figure of the "bitter flower." One can go through the forest and cross the stream, returning home with a body full of phytoncides and energy. Looking at the clear stream, teeming with fish, you probably wouldn't believe that fish once disappeared from here. The stunning beauty seen today is the result of the efforts of the residents of Nanzhuang Township. Initially, a group of local enthusiasts, concerned about the destruction of the stream ecology, spontaneously formed the "Punglai River Guardian Team" to patrol the stream, reminding and advising visitors engaged in activities within the stream to reduce the pressure on the ecological environment, hoping to restore the stream to its original state. In 2001, the Miaoli County Government announced a ban on fishing and angling activities within the designated protective section of the river. It became the first river in Miaoli County to implement protection actions for fish. With the active efforts of residents, the fish conservation in Punglai Village has been effective; in 2002, it was awarded the "Excellence Award for Natural Scenic Beauty" by the Ministry of the Interior. Today, the water is crystal clear, and schools of fish can be seen swimming near the shore. The bitter flowers and stone fish shimmer in the water, beautifully captivating, and one can occasionally see fish leaping over rocks. The fish protection path is 2.4 kilometers long; if you walk briskly, you can round trip in about an hour and a half. However, since you are here to hike and enjoy nature, it is sincerely recommended to slow down and take time to explore the fish, insects, and plants greeting you along the way, as well as the shy little animals hiding behind trees and under stones. The wonders of natural ecology are endless and surprise you at every moment! The water sprite of the Punglai River, the Taiwan Chub, commonly known as the bitter flower, has a relatively low jaw position, which causes it to bump its head when feeding on algae on stones. Thus, it has evolved a survival mechanism to escape by flipping its body, showing its silvery belly in the water, which is why it is called the "firefly of the water." The Taiwan Bitterling prefers cold waters, is strong and agile, and mostly inhabits the upper reaches of rivers and tributaries. It is omnivorous with a preference for carnivorous foods, primarily aquatic insects. The most notable characteristic is a slightly wider blue-black stripe extending from the gill cover to the end of the tail, with adults reaching up to 20 centimeters in length. The Taiwan Stone Fish is endemic to Taiwan and lives in swift, clear waters and deep pools in the middle to upper reaches of rivers, feeding at night and is omnivorous. In the juvenile stage, it has seven black horizontal stripes on its sides, which become less distinct in adulthood. Along the way, you can see various plants. The Common Acorus, belonging to the family Acoraceae, is a perennial evergreen herb found in low-altitude stream environments, with creeping rhizomes and linear leaves about 30 centimeters long. Due to its sword-like shape, it is also known as "water sword grass," and the whole plant has a distinctive fragrance, making it medicinal. Since ancient times, Common Acorus has been favored by scholars and is known alongside orchids, chrysanthemums, and daffodils as one of the "Four Elegant Flowers." The Giant Flower Mandrake, a member of the Solanaceae family, is a perennial shrub with alternate leaves and singular, drooping, trumpet-shaped white flowers that bloom year-round. At night, it emits a strong fragrance to attract nocturnal insects for pollination. The entire plant is toxic, especially the flowers and seeds, and it is often mistaken for a lily and used in cooking, so caution is advised. The Taiwan Nest Fern, belonging to the family Polypodiaceae, also known as the Taishan fern, is found in Taiwan's low-altitude natural broadleaf forests and often grows on tree trunks or rocks, being an indicator species of subtropical broadleaf forests. The Bloodleaf Dragon is a vigorous evergreen climbing shrub from the family Euphorbiaceae. Its leaves are alternately arranged with trifoliate compound leaves. It grows in low to mid-altitude secondary forests or coastal hills across the island. Be particularly careful when encountering the Bloodleaf Dragon, as its "rough vines and dense thorns" can cause injury if precautions are not taken, which is how it got its name.
