Luchang Village Introduction
Originally named "Jiubusi" in the Atayal language, it is a village where the Atayal people gather. The Atayal are one of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, second in population only to the Amis, and they mostly inhabit areas with mountains and streams, which are advantageous for defense and water access. A few years ago, a car advertisement renewed interest in the pure and elegant beauty of Luchang, where its natural and unpretentious charm is its greatest attraction. The residents of this area are primarily Atayal, and during the Japanese colonial period, there were over three hundred residents from Fengmei and Luchang communities, with public elementary schools, police stations, post offices, and trading places established. Due to a geological shift and safety considerations, all residents relocated to Donghe Village, making Luchang a sparsely populated place. Currently, old buildings can still be seen on the mountain, but schools established during the Japanese colonial era have been dismantled. The Atayal people in this area mostly migrated from elsewhere, stemming from the Makanaqi system, including the Xiakalu group, the Jinnaki group, and the Luchang group of Morire. According to surveys, the currently resident Atayal originally lived on both sides of the northern ridge of the Xueshan mountain range, with the village located on a gentle hillside or terrace between two small tributaries, at the upstream source of the Xikaru River along the upper reaches of the Shangping River. The northern part features Minyu Mountain, while the southern part extends from Luchang Mountain to the long ridge of Sato Mountain, which are all ancestral lands. After the recovery, some of the indigenous people who were “forcibly relocated” returned to their ancestral lands, but due to inconvenient transportation and living conditions, most chose to settle here. Village features - The Jialishan Trail is 5.8 kilometers long, with remnants of the logging industry carried along the ancient railroad tracks. At the summit, there is a first-class triangulation point that offers distant views of the Xueshan Sacred Ridge Line and Luchang Mountain. Village features - The scenery of Shenshan Valley is magnificent and beautiful, with boardwalks, pavilions, and suspension bridges for visitors to stroll. From the bridge, one can overlook the famous "Shenshan Twin Waterfalls." Village features - The Japanese Police Memorial is located on the hillside behind the old site of Luchang Elementary School. The Japanese faced fierce resistance from the village while developing mountain forest resources, leading to severe casualties among the Japanese police. In Showa 10 (1935), this monument was established to commemorate those who perished in Luchang. Village features - Kuohua Pond is about 1 kilometer from Luchang Village, with its water source from Fengmei Creek. Hidden in a valley, the waterfall is a breathtaking sight and a very healing natural sanctuary. The clear deep pond has become a popular spot for summer creek activities in recent years, with many visitors engaging in stream tracing and diving. To maintain and improve the safety and quality of tourism, new stone pathways and steel bridges have been added after adjusting the terrain according to the site conditions. Safety ropes have been installed on the slopes below the pathways, and resting platforms and informational facilities have been provided at appropriate locations.
