TRAVEL

－Maolishan Park－

A quiet forest park with numerous pines

The word "maoli" originated from a translated name, "Maolishe", which was the area where the "Taokas of Taiwanese Plains Indigenous Peoples" moved about; its original meaning is "plain".
The park is adjacent to downtown Miaoli. The 12ha Park at an altitude of 119m surrounds the entire Maolishan with great height differences in the terrains. It is a place where inhabitants and tourists can rest, take a field trip, sketching, barbecue, etc. In addition, the Park offers cultural and historic landscapes (e.g. Luo Fu-Xing Monument, Arch of Virtue and Piety for Madame Lai) and natural landscapes (e.g. Century Old Banyan) for sightseeing.

－Gong Wei Xu Trail－

The dazzling centennial tunnel

Formerly named "Miaoli Tunnel".
The construction began in June of 1902 and was completed in March of 1903. However, as dual tracks were used for mountain railways in September of 1998, Miaoli Tunnel was shut down. Miaoli City Office installed colorful LED lights in the tunnel in 2015 for the centennial tunnel to be presented once again with a brand new appearance. It has even become a popular site for photography.
At the northern exit of the 441m long tunnel, natural water springs and ecological techniques are applied for the free range of carps, paradise fish and native plants. Step onto the wooden plank road in this quiet and beautiful environment and enjoy a relaxing time.

－Houlong Cape of Good Hope－

Admire railways, windmills and ocean views from a high ground

－ Looking down from the Cape of Good Hope, an infinite and beautiful ocean view is on one side; while on the other side are layers of green landscape.

－ The rise and fall of tides and the whitecaps on the sea surface, the calmness and surge, and the lights of the sunrise and sunset; there is no need for words, because the view says it all. The green meadow on the other side, the windmills standing in the distance and the passing by trains form different charming scenery.

－Tongxiao Coastline－

Qiumao Garden, Shilian Garden

Shilian Garden

Mr. Shi-Lian Luo worked for Taiwan Railways Administration for over thirty years. He bought two old trains that were about to be disassembled, and put efforts into moving and reconstructing them. The blue train cars and nostalgic railway bentos create a distinctive railway style.
By the restaurant is a sea dike. You can dine here while admiring the ocean view, and take a walk on the long levee afterwards. Moreover, there are numerous water lilies planted in the garden.

Qiumao Garden

This was built by Mr. Qiu-Mao Huang, a Chinese in Japan, in 1976. The garden does not charge any ticket fees and is open for free visits. Fruit trees are planted all over the garden. There are also statues of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs and characters from the Journey to the West, as well as swirling slides, which are the child memories of numerous people in their forties and fifties.
Although the garden managed poorly and gradually became desolated after Mr. Qiu-Mao Huang passed away, twenty million in funds were acquired for renovation to recreate its old time glamour. The garden remains open for free so that people can go there with their children on holidays.

－Shengxing Station, Sanyi－

Japanese style centennial station

The station was established in the 29th year of Emperor Guangxu, Qing Dynasty (1903). It was originally named "Bo Gong Keng" Signal Lot, which was changed to "No. 16 Signal Lot" and then "No. 16 Station"; it was renamed "Shengxing Station" after the establishment of Sanyi Township.
The station was activated in 1907. Its service ceased in 1998 and it was designated by the county as a historic site. The station was reestablished in 2010, making it a centennial station.
This is the highest point of the West Coast line of the Taiwan Railways Administration. A monument (an elevation of 402.326m) is set up on the platform. Wood is used as the main material for construction, and there are no nails between the standard columns. Near the station are nine mountain summits with special forms and evil avoiding purposes; topped with the beautiful sceneries, the station is a good place for sightseeing.

－Longteng Bridge－

A witness of the central Taiwan earthquake and the 921 earthquake

Also referred to as "Yutengping Bridge", its original name was "Yutengping Bridge (written differently)". The Japanese built the bridge in 1905 using red bricks and cement; rebars were not used at all, but the structure was very strong and firm.
The bridge was destroyed in the central Taiwan earthquake on April 21, 1935 (the epicenter was near Guandaoshan). After the earthquake, a new bridge was built to the west of the original bridge, leaving the arch columns standing as memories for later generations.
It was harmed again by an earthquake on September 21, 1999. The remains of the fifth pier from the north collapsed, so besides the ancient beauty, Longteng Bridge became a witness to the two major earthquakes in Taiwan.
Legend said that there was a carp spirit in the Carp Lake, which made it very hard for the reclaiming inhabitants. In order to control the carp spirit, the inhabitants planted poisonous three-leaf jewelvines (yuteng) all over the mountain. The east side of the mountain was shaped like the back of the Green Dragon Crescent Blade (a guandao), so it was named Guandaoshan. The idea was to kill yuteng with guandao, i.e. poison the carp spirit. In the end, the spirit stopped harming the people and they lived safely and happily ever after. After the establishment Longteng Village, the people thought the name "Yuteng" was indecent, so it was changed to Longteng.

－Tongluo Chrysanthemum Festival－

A scenery that blossoms in November every year

The time is around mid-November to early December.
Chrysanthemums blossom around mid-November every year. The chrysanthemum fields in Tongluo are covered in snow white or golden yellow, so people can't help taking pictures.
In order to maintain the health and quality of chrysanthemums, Tongluo Township cultivates chrysanthemums and Asian rice in alternations every other year. The chrysanthemum fields are also allowed to rest through the planting of other flowers or fertilization with green manure. So the chrysanthemum field you see this year may be a field of golden Asian rice or beautiful sunflowers or cosmos next year.
The chrysanthemums of Tongluo County are not only for admiring, as they are also used for making tea, cooking, and brewing tea.

－Tongluo Tea Factory－

Experience tea plucking and tea processing, get to know the tea culture

This is one of the five tea factories of Taiwan Tea Corporation. The total area of the tea plantation is approximately 30ha, which mostly adopts natural agriculture and organic cultivation. The tea plantation with organic certification is about 3ha. This is a tea garden that focuses on sustainable and environmental-friendly ecology.
The primary products are Oriental Beauty tea, honey scented black tea, green tea and oolong tea, among which the Oriental Beauty, commonly referred to as pong-feng tea, can most represent the locality. The tea plantation is most suitable for cultivating Chin Shin Dah Pan tea trees, which are used for making Oriental Beauty.
This is a multi-functional compound leisure plantation where tourists can book for experiences in tea plucking and processing, and get to know the culture of the tea industry (tours and videos given at designated times), as well as enjoy teas.
Admission fee: NT$100 / person
※ Full amount discount on purchase of products on that day or exchange for value-exceeding products
※ Children under 120cm tall and the disabled are free of charge

－Jiang Ma Yuan－

Rich produce, fresh seasonal fruits

Located on the border between Dahu Township and Sanyi Township in Miaoli County, two leisure agricultural regions, i.e. Dahu Jiang Ma Yuan and Sanyi Shuang Tan, are connect from the west to the east by County Highway No.130. The agri-tourism area is approximate 239ha. It is part of the "Guandaoshan" mountains in Lilin Village, Dahu Township, Liaoli County, and the altitude is 500-800m.
During the Qing Dynasty, fresh gingers are commonly grown because of the special terrain, soil and climate conditions, as well as the hardship enduring character and the excellent techniques for and experience in ginger cultivation. As the quality and quantity were praised by the government and the people, the name "Jiang Ma Yuan" formed gradually and became an official name for the land.
There are a variety of agricultural products, and different produce are promoted throughout the year, such as strawberry, peaches and plums, top-grafted pears, sweet persimmon, tangerine, and makino bamboo. The most unique and representative "ginger" is offered all year round, so tourists can taste ginger products whenever they visit.

－Daxingshan Temple－

Numerous religious followers, surrounding green bamboos, quiet and beautiful environment

The full name is "Tongluo Jiuhuashan Daxingshan Temple", also referred to as the "Jiuhuashan Daxingshan Temple".
The temple was founded by Bhikkhuni Fu-Hui. The Three Jewels are enshrined and worshiped on the first floor; the second floor enshrines Buddhist images and relics, such as Shakyamuni Buddha, Western Trinity Buddha, image of the nameless Bhikkhuni, and sarira. The temple has not set up an offertory box.
The temple is known for its Great Compassion Dharani Water, and it forms ties with the followers by providing peace noodles, vegetarian foods and praised tea (the temple does not accept monetary donations, so followers would donate food products, such as noodles, rice noodles and mushrooms, and the masters would cook them into buckets of peace noodles).
Free admission, parking spaces available.
Provision of peace noodles:
－Weekday 　05:00AM-14:00PM
－Holiday 　 05:00AM-18:00PM
Praised tea and Dharani Water are provided all day round; the praised tea is limited to 3L per household.
Do not bring non-vegetarian food into the temple.

－Wenshui Old Street－

Traditional Hakka delicacies, artistic and cultural scenes

The region was formerly named "Xiangbihui (elephant trunk)" (because the landform was shaped like an elephant drinking water with its trunk). When the Hakka came here in the 1st year of Guangxu Emperor, Qing Dynasty (1875), they saw the creek was most filthy on rainy days, so the adopted the Hakka pronunciation and named the creek "Wenshui River", and the colonies nearby were referred to as "Wenshui".
Located on the path to Dahu on Miao Highway No. 6 and approximately 100-200m, the Wenshui Old Street is adjacent to Cingan Tofu Street. After west and east bound expressway of Provincial Highway 72 was activated, Wenshui Old Street was reconstructed through the "Overall Community Construction Project" and transformed into an artistic and cultural old street that provided traditional Hakka delicacies, traditional arts and featured events.
There are many historic houses and signs on the old street, and along with the restaurants of different styles and the strawberry gardens (every year from December to April of the following year is the harvesting period of Dahu strawberries), they form the distinct features of Wenshui Old Street.

－Dahu Wineland Resort, Strawberry Cultural Building－

The aroma of wine and strawberries are everywhere

Under the guidance and support of the Council of Agriculture and the Department of Nutritional Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, the place was transformed by the Council of Agriculture, the 921 Earthquake Reconstruction Committee, and the Miaoli County Government, hence the establishment of Dahu Wineland Resort in 2002.
The greatest feature of Dahu Wineland Resort is its strawberry wine. This is the first strawberry wine production site in Asia. Strawberry wine is currently made in Canada and the U.S. only, so Dahu Wineland Resort is the third and the first strawberry wine production site in the world and in Southeast Asia, respectively.
The Wine Brewery Center of the Resort adopts an open design by using a large amount of transparent glass windows so that tourists can see the brewing process and understand the Resort's strict control over sanitation and quality.
Strawberry Cultural Building was activated in 2004. It is the only building in Taiwan that employs the design by a well-known Japanese designer that adopts international standards. 1F: Display and sale of produce and specialties; 2F: screening room, gift shop, and DIY paper clay teaching; 3F: ecological exhibition area for strawberries; 4F: a restaurant providing cuisines made of local produce; and 5F: sky garden.

－Fayun Temple－

A simple and solemn Japanese style temple with a broad view

The full name is "Dahu Fayunchan Temple". It is one of the four earliest Bhuddist holy lands in Taiwan.
The temple was original built in 1912, and renovated in 1935 after being damaged in the central Taiwan earthquake. The newly built Fayun Temple was solemn and majestic; the Japanese style temple structure had the glamour of the great Tang Dynasty.
The main hall enshrines a white jade Buddha that is 9m tall and weighs 1000kg, which was donated by Master Hongzong of Singapore. Cherry and plum blossoms are planted in the yard. The jack tree, which symbolizes wisdom, planted beside the temple is always fruitful from September to December every year.
From the square in front of the main hall, you can see the valleys of Wenshui River, Shuiweiping, Wenshui Old Street, and Service Center of Shei-Pa National Park.
The 1.8km long Fayun Temple Trail starts from the Chenghuang Temple of Kaikuang Village and ends at Dahu Fayun Temple. It was an important traffic trail that the ancestors used to develop Shuiweiping, Dahu.

－Nanchuang Old Street－

Osmanthus Alley, filled with a nostalgic sense of Hakka

The old street is also referred to as the "Osmanthus Alley". Osmanthus is a representative plant in Nanchuang, and the sweet osmanthus syrup is a local specialty. Many stores on Nanchuang Street sell the osmanthus syrup with unique fragrance and natural ingredients. The syrup is used like fructose and honey.
Stores were set up on the blocks around the Nanchuang Township Office and based on Zhongzheng Road. Due to the reconstruction in the past few years, the Osmanthus Alley with its feeling of ancientness has gradually replaced Zhongzheng Road and become the Nanchuang Old Street familiar to external tourists.
Sites worth visiting include "Xishankeng" (also referred to as "Shuibientou") at the end of the old street, old Nanchuang post office (a century-old post office), Naimugi (stone stairs built during the Japanese occupation), Kangji Bridge, etc.

－Shitoushan－

Old trees, multiple temples, and serene atmosphere

Shitoushan is located at the border of Nanchuang Township, Miaoli County, and Emei Township, Hsinchu County. Though within the borders of Nanchuang and Emei Township, the land south of the Shitoushan watershed is under the jurisdiction of Nanchuang Township, Miaoli County, and that of the north of the watershed belongs to Emei Township, Hsinchu County. During the reign of Daoguang in Qing Dynasty, the prefect of Tamshui, Shen-Yi Li, named the place "Shitoushan" because it looked like a lion head.
As one of the top twelve scenic sites in Taiwan, it is a holy land for Buddhist followers. There are eleven temples in the mountain, which are mostly constructed in accordance with natural caves. With the scattered yet arranged spaces and the spiritual atmosphere, this is the most famous holy ground for spreading the teachings of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.
The main peak is a standard dolphin-ridged mountain at an altitude of 496m. Smokes and clouds come and go at the mountain tops like dragons; bamboos and plants grow randomly in between stones. Stone steps extend through the thick forest without the light of the sun, bringing coolness to the summer. Cliffs rise high for several rens from the mountain.
The Tourism Bureau, MOTC, initiated the project of "Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area" in 2011, which included Shitoushan, Lishan and Mt. Bagua. The total area is approximately 24,221ha. The main external road connections are Provincial Highway 3, County Highway No. 122, County Highway No. 124 and Primary County Highway No. 124.