Luchang Tribal Village Introduction
The original name "Jiubusi" (in Atayal language) refers to a gathering tribe of the Atayal people. The Atayal are one of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, with a population second only to the Amis. They mostly reside in mountainous areas with streams, which not only aids in defense but also provides easy access to water. A few years ago, a car advertisement reintroduced people to the pure and graceful beauty of the area, where its natural and unpretentious charm is its greatest attraction. The residents here are primarily of Atayal descent. During the Japanese colonial period, there were more than 300 residents from Fengmei Community and Poluhe Community, with public elementary schools, a Japanese police station, a post office, and a trading center established. After a geological shift which raised safety concerns, all residents relocated to Donghe Village, leaving Luchang a sparsely populated area. Today, old buildings can still be seen on the mountain, although the school left over from the Japanese period has since been demolished. Many of the Atayal people in this area migrated from other places, primarily stemming from the Makanaqi system's Xikaluo group, the Jinanji group, and the Poluhe group of Morira. It has been surveyed that the Atayal people currently residing here originally lived on both sides of the mountain ranges extending from the northern ridge of the Xueshan Mountain range. The village is situated on a gentle slope or terrace flanked by two small tributaries, located at the source of the Xikaluo Stream, where to the north stands the beautiful Minyu Mountain and to the south extends the Luchang Mountain down to the Chuo Mountains. After the end of Japanese rule, some of the indigenous people who were "forcibly relocated" returned to their ancestral lands, but due to inconvenient transportation and difficult living conditions, most of them chose to settle here. Village Features: - Jialishan Trail: A 5.8-kilometer hiking trail that features remnants of logging trolley tracks. From the summit, there is a first-class triangulation point that offers a distant view of the Xueshan Sacred Crest and Luchang Mountain. - Shenshian Valley: A magnificent natural landscape with boardwalks, pavilions, and suspension bridges for visitors to walk along. The suspension bridge offers views overlooking the famous "Double Waterfall of the Immortals." - Japanese Police Monument: Located on the hillside behind the old site of Luchang Elementary School, this monument commemorates the police who died during the fierce resistance of the community against Japanese exploitation of mountain forest resources in 1935. - Kuhuatan: Located about 1 kilometer away from Luchang Tribe, Kuhuatan is supplied by Fengmei Creek and features stunning waterfalls hidden in the valley. It has become a popular natural sanctuary, with clear deep pools ideal for summer recreation. In recent years, visitors have engaged in activities like river tracing and diving. To ensure the safety and quality of the tourist experience, stone pathways and steel bridges have been constructed, safety ropes have been added to the sloping sections, and rest platforms with interpretive facilities have been provided at appropriate locations.
