Yong'an Yulongquan Trail Introduction
Yulong Spring is a natural spring located in the Yong'an community, which has formed a rich natural ecosystem and forest scenery due to its abundant water sources. Locals regard it as a “spiritual spring,” and every year during the Dragon Boat Festival at noon, all villagers gather to collect water from the spring, making it one of the local customs in Luye Township. The Yulong Spring Ecological Trail is 1,100 meters long and is divided into three main sections. The first section is the Sheng'an Temple Stairway Trail, which connects the Yong'an Sheng'an Temple to Yulong Spring, featuring 108 steps along the trail, with areas such as the Yulong Spring spring zone, wetland ecological zone, single-plank bridge, and water play area, spanning about 250 meters. The second section is the Yulong Spring Streamside Trail, which runs alongside a stream ecological zone, soil and water conservation education zone, and parent-child play area, featuring stone and concrete paths amidst rich forest scenery, approximately 550 meters long. The third section is the High Platform Shaded Stairway Trail, which includes 370 steps in the middle. Walking through the Yulong Spring Ecological Trail continuously takes about 50 minutes, providing a refreshing stroll through the forest, abundant in plant life, with ample water sources and clear streams nurturing a rich natural ecosystem, where butterflies flutter and it becomes a paradise for birds. The shallow waters along the mountain walls create a clean environment for watercress to thrive, where tree frogs, crabs, and freshwater shrimp can be seen foraging busily. Several species of crabs and frogs reside here, with the dominant species being the bicolor crab, as well as gray-backed crabs, Cai’s crab, and Liu's clear creek crab, along with various frogs, including the white-throated tree frog, brown tree frog, Latughis frogging frog, and black-mountain little rain frog, as well as the Japanese tree frog that loves hot springs. To ensure that animals and insects crossing the road are not disturbed by visitors, the children of Yong'an Elementary School have creatively paved a path with tires, even painting them for color, nicknaming it “Flower Wheel Path,” which is quite unique. Tourists can cross the muddy areas without getting their feet wet, leaving a deep impression of the children's thoughtfulness and love. The Yulong Spring Ecological Trail also features a water resource platform, with various landscape features and ecological ponds made using traditional techniques, where visitors can rest and closely observe and learn about the rich natural ecology. Benches are installed along the trail, and upon finishing the stairway trail, visitors will reach a high-altitude tea garden. At the end of the trail is a large viewing pavilion called “Mingpu,” set up by the Long Valley Scenic Area Management Office, offering a distant view of the Long Valley scenery, marking a perfect conclusion to this beautiful journey.
