Salt Trail Introduction
Located in Jiuhe Village, Tongluo Township, and Nanga Village, Tongxiao Township, it is an official road built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty to connect the areas of Yuanli, Tongxiao, and Tongluo. It is known as the "Salt Transport Ancient Path" because it was used to transport sea salt produced in Tongxiao to Tongluo. During rainy days, the yellow earth mixed with rainwater makes the muddy slopes extremely difficult to traverse. In the fourth year of the Tongzhi reign (1865), with the help of local benefactors, stone steps were built along a path that has a total of 1,237 steps. Due to its curvy shape resembling a "grinding hook," it is named "Grinding Hook Hill." This trail drops over a thousand meters from the top, surrounded by lush forests and a sense of ancient history, evoking deep nostalgia. The Salt Transport Ancient Path runs from Nanga Village in Tongxiao Township to Jiuhe Village in Tongluo Township, divided into upper and lower sections. The entrance to the lower section is located 4.5 kilometers along County Road 38 from Tongxiao Town to Tongluo Township, with a total length of approximately 300 meters. It exits at the 5.5-kilometer mark on County Road 38, and after another 100 meters, you can access the upper section of the "Salt Transport Ancient Path," which is about 700 meters long. Additionally, a path at Feiniu Ranch also leads to the entrance of the ancient path. The entire trail mostly meanders through forests of tung trees and acacia, with a section lined with a grove of sacred tree species (Manglietia delavayi). The shaded path, combined with the trail's total length of about 1 kilometer and gradual incline, allows for a hike that takes only about 30 minutes, making it perfect for families of all ages. Walking on smooth, rounded stones, one can reflect on the footsteps of predecessors and contemplate the hardships endured by ancestors. At the end of the stone steps, there is a platform where you can admire the Dajia River and Tiezhenshan Mountain, broadening the view and uplifting the mood. For the return journey, you can take the original route or County Road 38; although the latter is longer, it offers a different scenic experience. Continuing along, accompanied by the lush green tea plantations, you can reach the renowned Jiuhua Mountain's Daxingshan Temple. History of the Salt Transport Ancient Path: The Salt Transport Ancient Path was a vital transport route during the Qing Dynasty, connecting Tongxiao and Tongluo. At that time, residents along the coast and mountains built the "Hutoukeng Ancient Path" through Hujiao Mountain to facilitate the exchange of production materials. Starting from "Yanguanpu" (near Sanlin in Nanjiao Village, Tongxiao Township, which was a salt distribution center), it stretches about four kilometers to the vicinity of Jiuhua Mountain in Jiuhe Village, Tongluo Township. Coastal residents would transport salt by boat to the Nanshi River, then use ox carts to bring it to "Yanguanpu," hiring porters to carry the salt over Hujiao Mountain, which rises over 500 meters in elevation, to the inland villages. On the return trip, they would carry back tea, charcoal, and other goods not produced in coastal areas for sale; thus, it is also called the "Salt Transport Ancient Path." Beauty of the Salt Transport Ancient Path: The Salt Transport Ancient Path is situated on the Tongluo Fault, which forms the eastern boundary of the Miaoli Hills, consisting of a gravel plateau. The vegetation along this ancient path primarily consists of low-elevation broadleaf mixed forests dominated by acacia, tung trees, and banyan trees, with abundant pencil cedar and ferns. Each year from April to May, the tung flowers bloom, blanketing the path in white petals, creating a breathtaking scene and making it a well-known spot for appreciating tung flowers.
