Salt-Picking Ancient Trail Introduction
Located in Jiuhu Village of Tongluo Township and in the Nanhe Village of Tongxiao Township, this official road was built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty to connect Yuanli, Tongxiao, and Tongluo, and was known as the "Salt Carrying Ancient Path" because it transported sea salt produced in Tongxiao to Tongluo. During rain, the yellow earth becomes mixed with rainwater, creating a slippery muddy slope that makes it difficult to walk. In the fourth year of Tongzhi (1865), with the help of local benevolent individuals who donated funds and efforts, a pebble-paved staircase was constructed, with a length of 1,237 steps. Due to its winding shape resembling a "grinding hook," it was named "Grinding Hook Ridge." It descends steeply for a thousand meters below Kanding, with lush forests and ancient charm that evoke a sense of nostalgia. The Salt Carrying Ancient Path extends from Nanhe Village in Tongxiao to Jiuhu Village in Tongluo Township, divided into upper and lower sections. The entrance to the lower section is located 4.5 kilometers along the Miao 38 line from Tongxiao Township to Tongluo Township, with a total length of about 300 meters. It emerges at 5.5 kilometers of Miao 38 line, and after proceeding more than 100 meters, one can connect to the upper half of the "Salt Carrying Ancient Path," which is approximately 700 meters long. Additionally, there is a path in Feiniu Ranch that leads to the entrance of the ancient path. The entire trail mostly winds through the oil tea and acacia forests, with a section featuring a cluster of sacred banyan trees. The shaded path allows for an easy hike, with the entire ancient path being only about 1 kilometer long and a gentle slope, taking around 30 minutes one way, making it very suitable for family outings. Walking over smooth, rounded stones while tracing the footprints of those who came before, one recalls the hardships of past ancestors and intertwines nostalgia into the natural journey of hiking and recreation. At the top of the stone steps, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Dajia River and Tiezhen Mountain, which broadens the horizon and lightens the mood. The return can be made along the same path or via Miao County 38; while the latter is a longer route, it offers a different scenic experience along the way. Continuing uphill through the lush tea gardens leads to the well-known Daxing Shansi Temple on Jiuhua Mountain. History of the Salt Carrying Ancient Path: The Salt Carrying Ancient Path was a crucial transportation route connecting Tongxiao and Tongluo during the Qing Dynasty. At that time, residents along the coast and mountains built the "Hutoukan Ancient Path," which passed through Hutou Mountain to exchange production materials with each other as they traveled between Tongxiao and Tongluo. Starting from "Yanguanpu" (located near Chengnan Village in Tongxiao, a salt distribution center), the path stretches about four kilometers to the vicinity of Jiuhua Mountain in Jiuhu Village of Tongluo Township. Coastal residents would transport salt shipments to the Nanshi River, then use ox carts to carry them to "Yanguanpu," hiring porters to manually carry the salt across the over 500-meter-high Hutou Mountain, into the inner mountain townships. On the return trip, they would transport goods such as tea leaves and charcoal that were not produced in coastal areas for sale, hence the name "Salt Carrying Ancient Path." Beauty of the Salt Carrying Ancient Path: The Salt Carrying Ancient Path is located on the Tongluo Fault, at the eastern edge of the Miaoli Hills, classified as a gravel plateau. The vegetation along the ancient path consists of low-elevation broadleaf mixed forests, primarily featuring acacia, oil tea, and banyan trees, with pen bamboo and ferns also abundant. Every year, during April and May, the oil tea trees bloom, and the white oil tea flowers cover the path, creating a breathtaking view, making it a renowned trail for oil tea flower appreciation.
