Luchang Village Introduction
Originally named "Jiubusi" in the Atayal language, it is a gathering settlement of the Atayal people. The Atayal are one of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, with a population second only to the Amis, predominantly residing in mountainous areas with streams, which are advantageous for defense and water access. A few years ago, a car commercial reintroduced the pure and ethereal beauty of Duwang, whose natural charm is its greatest attraction. The residents here are mainly Atayal, and during the Japanese occupation, over 300 residents from Fengmei and Puluhu Social held public elementary schools, police stations, post offices, and trading posts. Due to a tectonic shift, all residents were relocated to Donghe Village for safety reasons, making Duwang a sparsely populated area. Currently, old buildings can still be seen on the mountain, while the school left from the Japanese era has been demolished. The Atayal in this area predominantly migrated from other locations, with origins from the Makanaqi system's Xikaluo Group, Jinakiji Group, and the Luchang Group of Morira. Surveys indicate that the current Atayal residents originally came from both sides of the mountain range extending from the northern ridge of the Xue Mountain Range, with the settlement located on the gentle shoulders or terraces between two small tributaries, at the confluence of the upper Xuping Creek and the Xikaluo Creek. To the north lies the mountains of Mindong, and to the south stretches the Duwang Mountain reaching the long ridge of Zateng Mountain, all of which are ancestral lands. After the end of the occupation, some indigenous people who were "forcibly relocated" returned to their ancestral lands, but due to inconvenient transportation and living conditions, most remained to settle here. Community features: The Jialishan Hiking Trail is 5.8 kilometers long, with remnants of logging railroads along the way, and at the summit, there is a first-class triangulation point that offers a distant view of the Xue Mountain Holy Ridge and Duwang Mountain. Community features: The scenery of Shenxian Valley is magnificent and beautiful, with walkways, pavilions, and suspension bridges for visitors to stroll upon; from the bridge, one can overlook the famous scenic spot "Shenxian Double Waterfall." Community features: The Japanese police memorial is located behind the old site of Duwang Elementary School, commemorating the personnel who died in the conflict between the community and the Japanese, who faced fierce opposition while developing mountainous forest resources, leading to serious casualties among the Japanese police. In Showa 10 (1935), this monument was established to honor those who lost their lives at Duwang. Community features: Kujuhuan (Kuhua Pond) is about 1 kilometer from Duwang Community, with its water source from Fengmei Creek, nestled in a valley close to spectacular waterfalls, offering a very soothing natural retreat. The clear, deep pond has become a popular spot for summer activities such as river tracing and diving in recent years. To maintain and enhance the safety and quality of tourist visits, stone walkways and steel bridges have been newly constructed after adjusting the terrain, with safety ropes added at the slope and resting platforms with interpretive facilities provided at appropriate points.
