Shé tóu shān Introduction
Shetou Mountain is located at the 12 km mark of Highway 132 in Maolin District. It can be easily spotted on the way to Donar Road. Named for its resemblance to a sign snake coiled around the Zhuokou River, Shetou Mountain is a typical meandering landform and was originally a ring-shaped hill, standing in contrast to Longtou Mountain on either side. Shetou Mountain is regarded as a sacred mountain that protects the indigenous people and is one of the most famous attractions in the Maolin area. Legend has it that a long time ago, a mother snake was searching for food with her two young snakes. Upon hearing the sound of rushing water, the mother believed heavy rain was coming down from the mountains and warned her children to quickly climb trees for safety. She advised them to close their eyes and focus on chanting spells, wishing for her son and daughter to transform into an eagle and a purple butterfly, respectively, to escape the disaster. This story adds an interesting touch to the site. To take in the full view of Shetou Mountain, visitors can go to the Shetou Mountain Viewing Platform. A stay of about 15 minutes is recommended to leisurely appreciate the unique meandering landscape of Shetou Mountain from the platform.
