She Tou Mountain Introduction
Shetou Mountain is located at the 12 kilometer mark on Provincial Highway 132 in the Maolin District, easily visible while heading to Donnelly Road. It is named because it resembles a hundred-step snake coiled along the Zhuokou River. Shetou Mountain is a typical meandering landform and was originally a环流丘 (an oxbow lake), contrasting with Longtou Mountain on either side. The Hundred-step Snake Head Mountain is also regarded as a sacred mountain that protects the indigenous people and is one of the most famous attractions in the Maolin area. According to legend, a long time ago, a mother snake was foraging here with her two young snakes when she heard the sound of rushing river water, which she thought was the result of heavy rain in the mountains that might cause a flash flood. As a result, she called for her children to quickly climb up the trees to seek refuge and instructed them to close their eyes and focus on chanting a mantra, hoping that her son and daughter would transform into an eagle and a purple butterfly, respectively, to escape the disaster. This tale is quite fascinating. If you wish to view Shetou Mountain's form, you can enjoy its full appearance from the Shetou Mountain Observation Deck. A stay of about 15 minutes is recommended, allowing you to leisurely appreciate the unique meandering landscape of Shetou Mountain from the observation deck.
