Henglong Historic Trail Introduction
1. Location: Qing'an Village, Taian Township 2. Route: Longshan Village, Taian Township to the Triangulation Point of the North Peak of Helong Mountain 3. Trail Length: Approximately 2 kilometers, Walking Time: About 90 minutes one way The Helong Ancient Trail was originally a mountain path used by the Atayal people from the Longshan Village (Siwasik) for hunting, also known as the Siwasike Ancient Trail. This path serves as a route for interactions between Longshan Village and the Nanzhuang Luchang Village. Along the trail, visitors can see vine tunnels and bamboo groves, surrounded by lush greenery, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere. Occasionally, bamboo fences and pheasants may leap from the bushes, providing delightful surprises. Traveling along County Road 62 through Longshan Village and then on the Helong Mountain Industrial Road, the trailhead of the Helong Ancient Trail is at the end of the industrial road. A giant stone pillar at the entrance is inscribed with the words "Helong Ancient Trail," and visitors can ascend via the zigzagging stone steps. After reaching a platform of about one hundred pings, surrounded by stone steps, this site was once a military post built by the Japanese to suppress the Atayal people, leaving behind the foundation and low walls as historical witnesses. Continuing northward, one can enjoy the serene scenery of densely growing cedar and camphor trees on both sides. Further ahead, to the right is another platform, resembling the previous structure, known as the old post site. Before long, sandstone steps meander along the trail, leading to an observation deck where the views to the west reveal Dahu, Zhuolan, and Tongluo, with a sea of clouds intertwining with emerald hills, a scene reminiscent of a fairyland. Returning to the trail and proceeding forward, the mountain peak comes into view. At this point, the path narrows and steepens, revealing spectacular and steep cross-sections of the mountainside to the right. Along the way, there is a platform for resting. Ascending to the peak, one will find a triangulation point marked in the shape of a mountain, known as the North Peak of Helong Mountain, which is the endpoint of the Helong Ancient Trail. The view from the peak is excellent, with distant sights of Hushan and the Shei-Pa National Park. If one descends the gentle slope to the north from the peak, a stone-built base comes into view, referred to by the Longshan villagers as the "white outpost," also known as the old post site, quietly recounting the history of the past.
