Water Carrying Ancient Path Introduction
The Caotiao Ancient Path is located between Dazhu Village and Xitou Village in Fengyuan Township, Changhua. It is a stone-paved path that early settlers used to access mountain spring water. The entrance features an archway resembling a shrine gate. About 1 kilometer ahead is the vehicle restriction point, and after getting off the vehicle, the initial part of the path is relatively easy to walk. However, as you enter the middle mountainous section, the terrain becomes more uneven, so it is advisable for elderly visitors to carry a hiking pole. During the Qing Dynasty, early settlers cleared land in search of water sources and discovered a channel at the foot of Bagua Mountain that flows with spring water year-round. They excavated two wells, Long and Feng, at that location and used rocks to build a stepped pathway to access the water. The exact date of completion for this path is unknown, but it is speculated to be at least hundreds of years old. The two wells have since dried up, and it was only after the expansion of the Da-Zhang Road and Zhang-Nan Road along County Road 139 that the area combined with the flood control ditch was redeveloped into a hiking trail. The Caotiao Ancient Path is also one of the eight major tung tree viewing spots in Changhua. At the entrance stands a thousand-year-old welcoming tung tree, followed by a large number of tung trees lining both sides of the path. During the tung flower season in spring and summer, petals fall and cover the entire path, creating an effect akin to walking in the snow. The ancient path features gazebos and wooden benches under trees where visitors can sit for a moment, quietly admiring the blooming and fluttering tung flowers, and enjoy this romantic and tranquil time.
