Miaoli Rice Path Introduction
The character "糶" (pronounced "tiào") in the name of the "糶米古道" translates to "selling grains." "糶米" refers to "selling rice." During the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, farmers in the SanZhangLi area, in order to save transportation time and conserve their strength, chose not to travel long distances on flat roads and opened this mountain path instead. This pathway, which consists of a total of 500 stone steps, facilitated the rapid transportation of rice and grains from places such as Nangang, Muzha, ShenKeng, and Jingmei, enhancing trade. Due to the presence of the "糶米公廟" (Qiaomi Temple) along the ancient path, it is known as the "糶米古道" (Qiaomi Ancient Path). It is also referred to as the "挑米古道" (Tiao Rice Ancient Path). Because the steps are quite steep, it is said that people carrying rice would often stop here to rest. To thank the Earth God for a smooth journey, they would leave a bowl of rice while resting. Over time, residents built a simple stone shrine to show their respect to the Earth God, which after several renovations became the current "糶米公廟" (Qiaomi Temple). Nearby, there is also the "德興煤礦坑口" (Daxing Coal Mine Entrance). The Daxing Coal Mine began operations around 1897, peaking in the years 1946-1948. Later, as the coal vein was depleted, the mining activity ceased, leaving only the mine entrance for visitors to explore. In 2011, the stone steps of the Qiaomi Ancient Path were reconstructed, and arch bridges, wooden walkways, and informational signboards along the path were installed, resulting in the appearance we see today.
