Sun Moon Lake Year-Round Steps Trail Introduction
Before the establishment of the Circular Lake Highway, to visit the Wenwu Temple for worship and sightseeing, one had to first take a boat to the dock below the temple, then hike up a steep staircase which was quite strenuous. This staircase was once known as the "Stairway to Heaven." After the completion of the Circular Lake Highway, it became much easier for tourists to reach the Wenwu Temple, and the staircase below the temple gradually became forgotten. In recent years, the National Scenic Area Administration has renovated the staircase, which is approximately 150 meters long and has 366 steps, symbolizing the 366 days in a year (including leap years). Along the way, there are resting platforms at the first of every month, and information related to the 24 solar terms is engraved on both sides of the staircase, allowing visitors to learn about Taiwan's traditional culture while climbing. As a result, this staircase is now called the "Wenwu Temple Year Ladder" or "Year Ladder Trail." On the Year Ladder Trail, in addition to the information about the 24 solar terms, there is also a design for "Blessing Wind Chimes," providing visitors with an interesting blessing activity; they can first purchase a wind chime representing their zodiac sign from the Wenwu Temple, and after it has been blessed by the temple, they can write their name and wishes on it. Then, they go to the entrance of the Year Ladder and ring the large wind chime before walking down the ladder, hanging their blessing wind chime on the railings on either side of their birthday, completing the ritual. Walking along the Year Ladder Trail also offers an interesting experience: Each step is engraved with the date and the names of famous people born on that day, allowing you to see which celebrity shares your birthday! Searching for this while climbing the 366 steps makes the journey feel much less arduous.
