Penglai River Fish Protection Trail Introduction
Penglai River is located in the southwestern part of Nanzhuang, and it is the upstream of the Zhonggang River. Due to its secluded location in the mountains, the river banks are steep, surrounded by dense groves of Gui bamboo and mixed natural forests, creating a lush, towering landscape. Engulfed in this environment, one can occasionally hear the dialogue between the forest and the mountain breeze, or the cheerful songs of the stream and the fish. The naturally beautiful scenery allows visitors to release their stress, calm their restless minds, and leave behind the noise. Here, one simply wants to take deep breaths, touch the cool stream water, and observe the graceful shapes of the “bitter flower.” Crossing through the woods and over the waters, one returns home with a body full of phytoncides and abundant energy. Looking at the clear stream waters and schools of fish, one may find it hard to believe that fish once vanished from this area. The current beauty is the result of the efforts of the people of Nanzhuang. Initially, a group of locals who loved their hometown, concerned about the ecological damage to the stream, spontaneously formed the “Penglai River Guardians Fish Care Patrol” to monitor the river path, reminding and advising visitors engaged in activities in the stream to reduce pressure on the aquatic ecosystem, hoping to restore the stream to its original state. In 2001, the Miaoli County Government announced the implementation of a fishing ban in the middle and upper reaches of the Penglai River, completely prohibiting any fishing or angling activities in the protected segments, making it the first stream in Miaoli County to initiate such fish protection actions. Thanks to the active efforts of the residents, the Penglai Village succeeded in fish conservation, and in 2002, it was awarded the “Excellent Natural Landscape Award” by the Ministry of the Interior. Today, the stream is crystal clear, with schools of fish swimming visible from the shore, while the bitter flowers and stone fish shimmer with silver light in the water, beautiful and captivating. Occasionally, one may also witness fish leaping over the rocks. The protected fish path is 2.4 kilometers long, and if you walk quickly, you can make a round trip in about one and a half hours. However, since you are here for hiking and to connect with nature, it is sincerely recommended to slow down, stop frequently, and explore the fish, insects, plants, and the little animals shyly hiding behind trees or under rocks along the way. The mysteries of natural ecology can surprise you at any moment! The Taiwan bitterling, commonly known as the bitter flower, has a lower mouth position that makes it prone to head impacts when eating algae from stones, thus evolving a survival mechanism that allows it to escape by flipping its body; during this flip, its silvery belly glistens in the water, hence its nickname "firefly of the water." The Taiwan minnow prefers cold waters, is a strong swimmer, and is known for its leaping ability. It mostly inhabits the upper reaches and tributaries of rivers and has a diet that leans towards carnivorous, primarily feeding on aquatic insects. Its most distinctive feature is the broad blue-black lateral band that extends from behind the gill cover to the end of the tail, and adults can reach a body length of 20 centimeters. The Taiwan stone loach, an endemic species, is found in fast-flowing, clear waters and deep pools of the middle or upper reaches. It feeds at night and is omnivorous; during its juvenile stage, it has seven black transverse bands on its side, which become less distinct as it grows. Along the way, one can see various plants. The Chinese sweetflag, a perennial evergreen herb under the family of Araceae, thrives in low-altitude stream environments. Its rhizomes spread out, and its leaves are linear, about 30 centimeters long, earning it the nickname "water sword grass." The whole plant emits a unique fragrance and is medicinal. Since ancient times, sweetflag has been favored by scholars, and together with orchids, chrysanthemums, and daffodils, it is referred to as the “four noble flowers.” The giant flower mandrake, an evergreen shrub of the Solanaceae family, has alternate leaves and drooping solitary flowers that are trumpet-shaped and white. It blooms 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 cooked, so caution is advised. The Taiwan nest fern, also known as the Taisan fern, belongs to the family of Dryopteridaceae and is found in Taiwan's low-altitude natural broadleaf forests, often growing on tree trunks or rocks. It is an indicator plant of subtropical broadleaf forests. Dragon blood tree, a perennial climbing shrub of the Rutaceae family, has alternate leaves, trifoliate compound leaves, and its leaflets are elongated and oval-shaped, measuring 4 to 6 centimeters long. It is found in secondary forests or coastal hill areas at low to mid-elevations throughout the island. Be particularly careful when encountering "dragon blood" as it is covered in sharp spines that can cause bleeding easily; this is the origin of its name.
