Alang Yi Ancient Trail Introduction
The Alangyi Historic Trail stretches over 200 kilometers, connecting Nantian Village in Daren Township, Taitung County, with Xuhai Village in Mudan Township, Pingtung County. It is an ancient trail built along the southeastern section of the Central Mountain Range and adjacent to the Pacific coastline, with a history of over 100 years. The trail was originally used by indigenous peoples for land cultivation, hunting, military movements, and migration. Because there are no roads leading to this area, the scenery and cultural history along this trail have maintained their beautiful, original appearance. The stunning cultural heritage, beautiful coastal erosion rocks, lush tropical vegetation, and magnificent cliffs make this one of Taiwan's rare untouched landscapes. In terms of natural scenery, the Alangyi Historic Trail extends to the coastal section of Taiwan, which has not yet been developed, resulting in a remarkably intact coastal landscape, especially the long gravel beaches where round pebbles, varying in size, are scattered along the shore, resembling heaps of stone plates. The native vegetation along the coast has also been well preserved, with many rare plant species found here, especially on the Xuhai Grassland along the trail, which showcases a rich diversity of plant life. The areas traversed by the trail are also home to a variety of animal species, including wild boars, Macaques, badgers, yellow-crowned night herons, black-naped orioles, bamboo chickens, black-headed cuckoos, red-bellied thrushes, and little rain frogs, among others. Culturally and historically, early inhabitants had a deep reliance on the Alangyi Historic Trail. These residents included the Payuan people of Chihpen, the Amis, the Paiwan, the Makatao plain indigenous peoples, and Han people from Hakka or Fujian ancestry. During their migration and settlement process, they left behind precious cultural legacies such as rituals, architectural remains, marriage customs, and everyday items, all of which are fascinating chapters in history.
