Sun Moon Lake Year Ladder Trail Introduction
Before the construction of the Huan Tan Highway, one had to take a boat to the dock below the Wenwu Temple to worship and sightsee. Then, there was a steep climb up the stairs, which was quite strenuous; thus, the stairs were once known as the "Sky Ladder." Later, after the Huan Tan Highway was completed, visiting the Wenwu Temple became much easier, and gradually the stairs below the temple were forgotten. In recent years, the administration of the area has renovated these stairs, which stretch approximately 150 meters and consist of 366 steps, symbolizing the 366 days of a leap year. At the first of every month along the way, resting platforms have been installed, and information related to the 24 solar terms is engraved on both sides of the stairs, allowing visitors to learn about Taiwan's traditional folk culture during their climb. Therefore, these stairs are called the "Wenwu Temple Year Ladder" or "Year Ladder Trail." Along the Year Ladder Trail, aside from the information about the 24 solar terms, there is also a design for "Blessing Wind Chimes," providing visitors with an interesting blessing activity. Visitors first purchase a blessing wind chime corresponding to their zodiac sign at the Wenwu Temple, and after it has been blessed by the temple, they can write their name and wishes on it. Then, at the entrance of the Year Ladder, they can ring a large wind chime, descend the Year Ladder, and hang their blessing wind chime on the railings corresponding to their birthday, which signifies the completion of the ritual. Walking on the Year Ladder Trail also offers an engaging experience: each step is engraved with the date and the names of famous people born on that day, allowing visitors to see which celebrity shares their birthday! As you walk and search, the journey up the 366 steps won’t feel strenuous at all.
