Yong'an Yulongquan Trail Introduction
Yulong Spring is a natural spring located in the Yong'an community. The abundant water source nurtures a rich natural ecosystem and forest landscape. The local residents regard it as a "sacred spring," where every year on Dragon Boat Festival at noon, all villagers gather to collect the noon water, making it one of the local customs in Luye Township. The Yulong Spring Ecological Trail has a total length of 1,100 meters, divided into three main sections. The first section is the Sheng'an Temple Staircase Trail, which connects the Yong'an Sheng'an Temple to Yulong Spring and features a staircase with 108 steps. Along the way are the Yulong Spring spring area, wetland ecological area, wooden bridge, and water play area, spanning approximately 250 meters. The second section is the Yulong Spring Streamside Trail, featuring stream ecological areas, soil and water conservation education areas, and family-friendly water play areas. This part of the trail runs alongside the stream, with stone and concrete paths laid out, and has a rich forest landscape, stretching about 550 meters. The third section is the High Platform Shaded Staircase Trail, which has a staircase with 370 steps in the middle. Walking the entire Yulong Spring Ecological Trail takes about 50 minutes without stopping. The cool environment amidst the mountains and forests, along with abundant plant life and clear stream water, nurtures rich natural ecology where butterflies flutter around, making it a paradise for birds. Along the gentle stream by the mountainside, clean environments support the robust growth of watercress, and under the protection of the watercress, one can see tree frogs, crabs, and freshwater shrimp busy foraging. Various species of crabs and frogs make their home here, predominantly the Two-colored Marsh Crab, alongside other species such as the Gray Marsh Crab, Cai's Marsh Crab, and the La's Clear Stream Crab, as well as multiple frog species, including the White-throated Tree Frog, Brown Tree Frog, Radocephalus Red Frog, Black Montane Rain Frog, and the Japanese Tree Frog that loves hot springs. To ensure that crossing animals and insects are not disturbed by visitors while continuing their passage, the children from Yong'an Elementary School ingeniously paved the road with tires, even decorating them, nicknaming it the "Flower Tire Trail," making it quite distinctive. Visitors can easily cross the muddy areas without wet feet, leaving a deep impression of the children’s thoughtfulness and care. The Yulong Spring Ecological Trail features a water resource platform with various traditional landscaping and ecological ponds made using traditional techniques, allowing visitors to rest and observe the rich natural ecology up close. Resting benches are provided along the way, and walking to the end of the staircase trail leads to a high-altitude tea garden. The trail concludes at a large viewing pavilion called "Mingpu," set up by the Central Rift Valley Management Office, where visitors can enjoy the panoramic views of the rift valley, marking a perfect end to a beautiful journey.
