Tonghou Creek Introduction
Wulai District is renowned for its hot springs and mountain cherry blossoms. It is also the northernmost indigenous mountainous area in Taiwan, primarily inhabited by the Atayal people. The name "Wulai" comes from the Atayal language "Ulay," which means "the water is very hot, be careful" (Kiluh-ulay). The Atayal indigenous people in Wulai were referred to as "Kuchir Fan" during the Qing Dynasty and Japanese colonial period. The Tonghou River is located in northern Taiwan and is the largest tributary of the Nanshi River, flowing through the northeastern part of Wulai District in New Taipei City. Its source is near Hongludi Mountain and flows northwest to Xiaoyi, where it merges with the tributary Ayu River from the south, continuing to Wulai and eventually draining into the Nanshi River. There is an ancient trail called the Tonghou Crossing Old Trail upstream of the Tonghou River, which was a route used by the Atayal for hunting and migration. Notably, there is a sand dam marked about 4 kilometers along the trail, where the river flows over artificial blocks, making it a hidden gem for photographers. The Tonghou Crossing Old Trail extends 17 kilometers and leads to Jiaoxi Township in Yilan County. The Tonghou River, situated in a valley, serves as a water source for the Taipei area (Feicui Reservoir). Visitors need to submit applications for vehicle and personnel entry into the mountains. The local natural ecology is rich and complete, attracting dozens of bird species, making it one of Taiwan's top ten bird-watching locations. The area offers picturesque landscapes and has even been selected as a filming location for the movie "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale."
