Xiangtian Lake Introduction
Located in Donghe Village, Nanjo Township, Miaoli County, it currently has more than twenty households with a population of around two hundred, making it the largest village of the Saisiyat tribe. Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, this place was originally a lake; the ancient people named it Xiangtian Lake, also known as Yangtian Lake, because when they looked up at the sky from the lake. Later, due to the erosion of a tributary of the Dadong River cutting through the lake shore, the lake water drained away, leaving behind fertile lakebed soil, which was cultivated by the indigenous people who moved here into a farmland. Xiangtian Lake is situated at an altitude of 738 meters. To the southeast, it is bordered by the light-sky-high mountain ridge and Luchang; to the southwest, it connects with Penglai Village; and the northwestern side slopes down to Nanjiang Village and Donghe Village. Light-sky-high mountain is a branch ridge of the Jiali Mountains, characterized by steep cliffs on the eastern side due to the cutting erosion of the Dadong River, while the western side has gentle slopes and a wider ridge. Xiangtian Lake is located within the mountains on the west side, surrounded by terraced fields, with cypress forests, mixed woodlands, and bamboo groves thriving in greenery. Due to its higher elevation, it is often shrouded in mist during winter and spring, with clouds drifting like a fairyland. Xiangtian Lake hosts a festival every two years and a grand festival, the Ailing Festival, every ten years. This festival holds profound historical significance and an aura of primal mystery, making it the most important celebration for the Saisiyat people. The Ailing Festival takes place around the 15th day of the 10th lunar month every other year, lasting for four days and three nights. The Saisiyat people hope that visitors come with sincere respect for indigenous culture to witness and help preserve the original appearance of the Ailing Festival. Origin of the Ailing Festival: In ancient times, the short black dwarfs, less than one meter tall, possessed a range of skills. They taught the Saisiyat people farming and rituals, providing them with stable livelihood skills. During harvest time each year, the Saisiyat people invited the dwarfs to the village to celebrate the harvest. Gradually, the invited dwarfs began to behave inappropriately towards the Saisiyat women. During one harvest festival, the Saisiyat plotted a trap that resulted in the deaths of the dwarfs. Afterwards, the crops were no longer bountiful, and to appease the deceased dwarfs, the Saisiyat held the "Ailing Festival," which is now celebrated in mid-October of the lunar calendar, changing from an annual event to a small festival every two years and a grand festival every ten years.
