Dulan Mountain Hiking Trail Introduction
From Provincial Highway 11 to Taitung Dulan, you will pass through Shui Wang Shang Liu, Xin Lan, and Bei Jun Jie. Between Jun Jie and Bei Jun Jie, turn onto the industrial road connecting to the Dulan Mountain Trail. Dulan Mountain is regarded as a sacred mountain by the local Amis and Pinuyumayan people, serving as a symbol of holiness and a place of worship. Although Dulan Mountain stands at only 1,190 meters in elevation, its shape rises prominently and steeply. With the influence of the moisture from the Pacific Ocean on the eastern side, Dulan Mountain is shrouded in mist year-round, creating a mysterious atmosphere reminiscent of a beautiful woman being lovingly protected, hence the nickname "Meiren Mountain" (Beautiful Woman Mountain). At the base of Dulan Mountain, there is the Dulan Forest Station. From the mountain's summit, visitors can take in panoramic views of the Taiyuan Basin, the southern Taitung Valley, and the Taitung Plain; to the east, the Pacific Ocean is visible, with Green Island and Orchid Island clearly in sight, making it an ideal spot for hiking and sightseeing. The forest ecosystem on Dulan Mountain is rich, and hikers can see many tall and straight Taiwan Hiba trees, smooth-barked Taiwania, Snake wood, golden orchids, and bamboo orchids, among others. Many plants commonly used by local indigenous people, such as the false currant used by the Amis to wrap sticky rice, can also be found. As the trail continues to ascend, the forest composition changes with the altitude. Due to the humid environment, many vines wrap around the trees, resembling scenes from the movie "Tarzan." Before reaching the summit, hikers will pass a "Puyuma" altar, which marks the boundary between the territories of the Amis and Pinuyumayan tribes. The Amis people reside on the coastal side, while the Pinuyumayan live on the mountainous side, and they do not infringe on each other's territories. To this day, tribal members visit this stone monument to conduct rituals, seeking blessings from their ancestors or expressing gratitude. Due to the prevailing mist and rain, Dulan Mountain often experiences rain in the afternoon, making the trails slippery. Hikers are advised to prepare rain gear and walking sticks.
