Zhangyuan Introduction
Zhangyuan is located at the northernmost point of the eastern coast of Taitung County, facing the Pacific Ocean to the east, bordered by the East Coast Mountain Range to the west, adjacent to Baxian Cave to the south, and connected to Changhong Bridge to the north. It is characterized by beautiful natural scenery next to mountains and rivers. The local residents are primarily of the Amis ethnic group, with many engaged in agriculture, assorted labor, and fishing; their culture is simple and their lifestyle frugal. The most distinctive landmark in Zhangyuan Village is the Zhangyuan Presbyterian Church, which embodies the spirit of Noah’s Ark learned by the Amis people of the Zhangyuan tribe. The residents actively contributed and raised funds for the church's construction, designing and building it themselves through charity sales, selling wild vegetables, and catching frogs. This building is praised as the most beautiful "Noah's Ark" shaped church in Taiwan; the structure is surrounded by low walls on both sides, resembling a vessel entering Zhangyuan harbor, safeguarding the local community. The bright red brick tribal totem on the outer wall symbolizes the enduring spirit of the local ancestral tribe. Additionally, at the southern end of Zhangyuan Village is the Zhangyuan Bridge, which consists of three bridges—old, middle, and new—arranged in parallel crossing over the Jiumudingtian River. Due to the varying elevations, it creates a unique landscape. The East Coast National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Bureau has also set up a "Zhangyuan Bridge Rest Area" here, where visitors can pause on the new bridge to admire the old bridge made of cobblestones, with its arched body spanning the river valley, showcasing the quaint natural scenery.
