Tonghou Stream Introduction
Wulai District is renowned for its hot springs and mountain cherry blossoms. It is also the northernmost Indigenous mountain area in Taiwan, primarily inhabited by the Atayal people. The name "Wulai" comes from the Atayal language, meaning "be careful, the water is very hot" (Kiluh-ulay). During the Qing Dynasty and Japanese colonial period, the Atayal Indigenous people in Wulai were referred to as "Kuchirfan." The Tonghou Creek, located in northern Taiwan, is the largest tributary of the Nanshi Creek, with its watershed spread across the northeastern part of Wulai District in New Taipei City. Its source is located at Honglu Mountain, flowing northwest to Xiaoyi, where it gathers tributaries from the south, namely the Ayu Creek, and continues to Wulai, merging with Nanshi Creek at the end of its course. The upper reaches of Tonghou Creek feature the Tonghou Ancient Trail, a path used by the Atayal people for hunting and migration in the past. Notably, there is a sand-trapping dam approximately 4 kilometers along the trail, where the water flows over an artificial cube, making it a hidden photography spot. The endpoint of the Tonghou Ancient Trail spans 17 kilometers, leading to Jiaoxi Township in Yilan County. Tonghou Creek, situated in a valley, serves as a water source for the Taipei area (Feitsui Reservoir), and visitors are required to apply for vehicle and personnel permits to enter the mountains. The local natural ecology is rich and complete, attracting dozens of bird species, making it one of Taiwan's top ten birdwatching locations. It features picturesque scenery reminiscent of an oil painting and was chosen as a filming location for the movie "Seediq Bale."
