Mianzi Ancient Trail Introduction
Arriving in Hualien, enjoy the fresh air from nature. After climbing high and looking far, it seems like you can forget all your worries, recharge yourself, and continue writing a new chapter. The Mijian Old Trail is located at kilometer 42 on County Road 193, next to Mijian Elementary School, which was transformed into a rest area after being closed. The original Mijian Old Trail was 7 kilometers long and served as an important road for transporting goods to Hualien from the Shui-Lian area from 1888 to 1979. Residents of Shui-Lian would hire porters to carry goods here for centralization, then transport them via ferry or ox cart along the Hualien River to Shoufeng and Hualien for sale. Most goods were rice, stacked one by one, which is how the name "Mijian" originated. Due to the opening of County Road 193 and Provincial Highway 11, transportation became much more convenient than before, leading to the gradual decline of the Mijian Old Trail, which became forgotten over time. However, through the efforts of local community residents, it has been rebuilt into a new hiking trail. The renovated Mijian Old Trail is now 2.1 kilometers long, rich in natural ecology, and offers a serene environment suitable for hiking enthusiasts, evoking memories of the bustling and arduous past. Before entering the Mijian Old Trail, visitors will see an exhibit made up of eight pillars, along with decorative art featuring rice urns. The top of the rice urn is inscribed with "Mijian Old Trail," indicating the years from 1888 to 2007; the former marks the rise of the old trail, while the latter signifies the year of the revival of the Mijian landscape. The Mijian Old Trail retains its original appearance, with community residents building a simple path at the beginning using bamboo and wood. Due to the rugged terrain, walking may give the illusion that you've climbed quite a distance, and only upon seeing the sign will you realize you have only made slight progress. After 400 meters, there is a small viewing platform where you can see distant mountains and the blue sky amidst greenery, creating a very pleasant atmosphere. Continuing to climb higher, you will encounter stone steps, and the path gradually becomes steeper, with denser shade from the trees. Rays of sunlight filter through the leaves, creating beautiful shadow patterns on the ground that help forget the fatigue. After 1200 meters, the path turns into a narrow trail. Due to the lack of visitors, the natural scenery remains well-preserved, with swarms of bees and butterflies fluttering nearby. The path becomes slightly bumpy, and when you encounter a fork, remember to go left; going right might accidentally lead you into private residences. Upon reaching the viewing platform, you will find two hundred-year-old banyan trees standing beside you. After crossing the ridge, the vastness of the Pacific Ocean unfolds before you, along with a distant view of the Shui-Lian village. One can’t help but wonder if the porters of the past, after their arduous journeys, would also rest beside the banyan trees, enjoying the same scenery as we do.
Mizhan Ancient Trail: Walking Through Historical Tracks 1
Mi Zhan Ancient Trail: Exploring Historical Tracks 2
