Pangkan Kou Introduction
Pangongkou is another term for "tunnel entrance." Currently known as "Pangongkou," it mostly refers to the Pangongkou in Jiufen Mountain, which was wide enough to accommodate two-way traffic of light vehicles at the time, but now can only allow one van to pass in a single line. Its rock quality is hard, and mountain spring water often drips down through the cracks in the tunnel, especially noticeable after heavy rain. The Wujin-Jiufen area has several Pangongkous for vehicle passage, all related to the light railway. During the gold rush in Jiufen's past, traditional human transportation methods, mainly along the Zhuqi Road and Baojia Road, became inadequate, prompting Yan Guonian to establish the Ruifang Light Railway Company, laying the Ruifang Light Railway Jingguashih Line, approximately 6 kilometers long, which was completed and opened for traffic in November of the 6th year of Showa (1931). This railroad served as a connection between Ruifang, Jiufen, and Jingguashih. The stations along the way include: Ruifang Yuanzaitang, Lingganping Li (Liulong), (Pangongkou in Jiufen Mountain), Jiufen Jilongsan Foot Tunnel No. 6, and Jingguashih. Ruifang Station can connect to the Keelung Light Railway to reach Keelung. Shortly after the completion of this railway, it was merged and operated by the "Keelung Light Railway" (Keelung Light Railway Company), becoming the primary transportation tool connecting Jiufen to the outside, significantly enhancing the speed of goods supply and product circulation, while impacting the position of Gangziliao Port (now Ruibin Fishing Port), allowing Ruifang to emerge as an important supply point for Jiufen's resources. This segment between Liulongtou and Liulongjiao was so steep that human power could not bear it, and there was a high risk of vehicles sliding and causing accidents, so it was switched to a Liulong traction method. The light vehicle had a hook attached to the Liulong rope, which was driven to pull the vehicle. This short 6-kilometer light railway crosses three Pangongkous: one is located on the Liulangjiao Scenic Trail (Liulongjiao Scenic Trail), the second is the Pangongkou in Jiufen Mountain before entering Jiufen from the end of the light railway, approximately 50 meters long, and the third is the Jilongsan Foot Pangongkou, about 100 meters long, which is located between Jiufen and Jingguashih. However, the third tunnel has been closed due to risks of rock falls caused by a fault zone formed by the intersection of sandstone and andesite. Although Pangongkou is just a tunnel, it has become an intangible symbol of the endpoint of the Jiufen settlement. There are some households and guesthouses beside the Pangongkou, but further west, there are no more residents. Vehicles crossing the Pangongkou from west to east must make an immediate 90-degree turn, causing unfamiliar drivers to mistakenly believe the road at Pangongkou is the end. After turning right, it opens up to reveal Songde Park, and further ahead are the houses of the Songde community, followed by the junction of the light railway and Jishan Street, gradually becoming lively. The scenes at both ends of the Pangongkou resemble the separation of two different worlds. Reference information: On-site interviews, "Jiufen: Oral History of Taiyang River’s Two Prosperities."
