Zhangyuan Introduction
Zhangyuan is located at the northernmost tip of the east coast of Taitung County, bordering the Pacific Ocean to the east, the East Coast Mountain Range to the west, adjacent to Baxian Cave to the south, and the Changhong Bridge to the north. It has a picturesque scenery surrounded by mountains and water. The local residents are predominantly from the Amis ethnic group, mainly engaged in agriculture, casual labor, and fishing; the community has a simple and frugal lifestyle. The most distinctive landmark in Zhangyuan Village is the Zhangyuan Christian Presbyterian Church, which embodies the spirit of Noah's Ark as learned by the Amis Zhangyuan tribe. The residents proactively contributed to the collective fundraising, and the church was built through initiatives like charity sales, selling wild vegetables, and catching frogs. This building is acclaimed as Taiwan's most beautiful "Noah's Ark"-shaped church. The structure is surrounded by low walls on both sides, resembling a vessel arriving at Zhangyuan Harbor, protecting the local residents. The vibrant red-brick tribal totem on the exterior symbolizes the enduring spirit of the local tribe's homeland. Additionally, at the southern end of Zhangyuan Village, the "Zhangyuan Bridge" features three bridges—old, middle, and new—arranged in parallel across the Jiumow Ditch. Due to varying terrain heights, a unique landscape is formed. The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation has also established a "Zhangyuan Bridge Rest Area" here, where visitors can pause on the new bridge to admire the old bridge made of cobblestones with its arching structure spanning the valley, showcasing a natural landscape of rustic charm.
