Alang Yi Ancient Trail Introduction
The Alangyi Trail is over 200 kilometers long, connecting Nantian Village in Daren Township, Taitung County, and Xuhai Village in Mudan Township, Pingtung County. It is an ancient path built along the southeastern section of the Central Mountain Range, adjacent to the Pacific coastline, with a history of over a century. The early function of this trail was to facilitate hunting and farming for the indigenous people, as well as military movements and migration by the Qing army. Due to the lack of roads leading to this area, the landscapes and cultural history along the trail have retained their beautiful original appearance. The stunning cultural relics, beautiful coastal erosion rocks, lush tropical vegetation, and magnificent cliffs are rare examples of Taiwan's pristine beauty. In terms of natural scenery, the Alangyi Trail extends to the coastal segment of Taiwan and remains undeveloped, allowing the coastal landscape to remain largely intact. The long pebble beaches along the coast are made up of smooth, rounded stones, varying in size, scattered across the shore, resembling piles of stone trays. The original coastal vegetation is also well-preserved, with many rare plant species found here, particularly in the Xuhai Grassland along the trail, where the vegetation presents a rich layering of species. The areas traversed by the trail are home to a diverse array of wildlife, including wild boars, macaques, weasel badgers, yellow-headed herons, black-naped oriole, bamboo partridges, black-naped blue flycatchers, red-bellied thrushes, small rain frogs, and Aeschylus tree frogs can all be found in this region. In terms of cultural history, the early residents' reliance on the Alangyi Trail was profound. These residents included the Puyuma tribe from Jhiben, the Amis, the Paiwan, the Makatao Plain indigenous people, as well as Han Chinese of Hakka and Minnan descent. Throughout their migrations and settlements, they left behind valuable cultural legacies, including ritual customs, architectural remnants, marriage rituals, and daily necessities, all of which are captivating pages of history.
