Penglai River Fish Protection Trail Introduction
Penglai Creek is located in the southwestern part of Nanzhuang and is the upper stream of the Zhonggang River. Because it is situated in the mountains, the banks of the creek have steep peaks, surrounded by fragrant bamboo forests and mixed natural hardwood forests, lush and towering. Immersed in this setting, one can occasionally hear the dialogue between the forest and the mountain breeze, or the stream singing along with the fish. The naturally beautiful scenery allows visitors to let go of their stress, calm their restless thoughts, and escape the noise. Here, one just wants to take a deep, deep breath, feel the cool creek water, and see the elegant form of "bitter flowers," wandering through the woods and crossing the creek before returning home filled with phytoncides and energy. Looking at the clear creek water and the schools of fish, you wouldn't believe that fish once disappeared from this place. The beautiful scenery today is the result of the efforts of the residents of Nanzhuang. A group of local individuals who loved their hometown, concerned about the ecological damage of the creek, voluntarily formed the "Penglai Creek Vigilance and Protection Team" to patrol the creek, reminding and educating visitors to minimize the pressure on the creek's ecology, hoping to restore the creek to its original beauty. In 2001, the Miaoli County Government announced a fishing ban in the middle and upper reaches of Penglai Creek in Nanzhuang, prohibiting any fishing activities within the protected section, making it the first creek in Miaoli County to implement fish protection measures. Thanks to the active efforts of the residents, the fish protection efforts in Penglai Village have yielded success. In 2002, they were awarded the "Excellent Natural Landscape Award" in the Ministry of the Interior's "Charming Urban and Rural Awards." Now, the creek water is crystal clear, and from the shore, one can see schools of fish swimming below; the bitter flower and stone (fish guest) gleam with silver in the water, creating a beautiful scene, occasionally allowing one to see groups of fish leaping over stones. The fish protection path is 2.4 kilometers long, and if you walk briskly, you can make a round trip in about one and a half hours. However, since you are here to hike and experience nature, it is sincerely suggested to slow down, stop at various spots, and visit the fish, insects, and plants that greet you along the way, as well as the shy little animals hiding behind trees or rocks. The mysteries of nature's ecology are profound and can bring surprises at any moment! In the Penglai Creek, the Taiwan Barred Minnow, commonly known as the bitter flower, has evolved a survival mechanism due to the lower position of its mouth. When it feeds on the algae on the rocks, it can easily bump its head, so it uses a flip of its body to escape. When it flips, its silver belly shines in the water, hence it is called "firefly in the water." The Taiwan Shiny Minnow prefers cold waters and is strong and agile in swimming, mostly inhabiting the upper reaches and tributaries of rivers. It is omnivorous but leans towards carnivorous, primarily feeding on aquatic insects. Its most distinctive feature is a broad blue-black longitudinal stripe that extends from behind the gill cover to the end of the tail stem, and adults can reach a length of up to 20 centimeters. The Taiwan Stone (fish guest) is an endemic species found in rapid, clear waters in the middle or upper reaches and deep pools, feeding at night. They are omnivorous; while juvenile, they have seven black transverse stripes on their sides, and as they mature, their color darkens and the stripes become less pronounced. Along the way, several plants can be seen. Acorus calamus, which belongs to the family Araceae, is a perennial evergreen herb that prefers low-altitude stream environments. Its rhizomes are prostrate, and the leaves are linear, about 30 centimeters long. Because they are sword-like and slender, they are also referred to as "water sword grass." The entire plant has a distinct aroma and can be used medicinally. Since ancient times, Acorus calamus has been favored by scholars and is grouped with orchids, chrysanthemums, and daffodils, collectively known as "the four elegant plants." The large-flowered mandrake belongs to the family Solanaceae, is an evergreen shrub with alternate leaves and solitary drooping flowers. The corolla is trumpet-shaped and white, flowering year-round, and emits a strong fragrance at night to attract nocturnal insects for pollination. The entire plant is toxic, especially the flowers and seeds, which are often mistaken for lilies and prepared for food, requiring special caution. The Taiwan Nest Fern, belonging to the family Polypodiaceae, is also known as Taiwan's Taisan Suhua and grows in the low-altitude natural broadleaf forests of Taiwan, often found on tree trunks or rocks, marking itself as an indicator plant of subtropical broadleaf forests. The dragon fist plant, from the family Rutaceae, is a green, vine-like shrub with alternate leaves and trifoliate compound leaves. The small leaflets are long and oval, measuring 4 to 6 centimeters, and are found in secondary forests or coastal hilly areas at low to medium altitudes throughout the island. Encountering the "dragon fist" requires special caution: “rough vines and thick spines” describe the body of the dragon, while “new vines have dense spines, three claws emerge together” refers to its hand. Being careless can result in serious bleeding, which is the source of the name "dragon fist."
