Tiaoyan Ancient Trail. Located in Jiuhu Village, Tongluo Township and Nanhe Village, Tongxiao Township, it was an official road built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty to connect Yuanli, Tongxiao, and Tongluo. It was named Tiaoyan Ancient Trail because sea salt produced in Tongxiao was transported to Tongluo. Located in Jiuhu Village, Tongluo Township and Nanhe Village, Tongxiao Township, it was an official road built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty to connect Yuanli, Tongxiao, and Tongluo. It was named Tiaoyan Ancient Trail because sea salt produced in Tongxiao was transported to Tongluo. When it rained, the yellow earth and rainwater mixed, making the slippery slopes difficult to walk on. In the fourth year of Tongzhi (1865), with donations and efforts from local philanthropists, cobblestone steps were laid. The trail, 1237 steps long, was called "Longgouqi" because it was as winding as a "winnowing hook". From Kanding downwards, it descends steeply for over a thousand meters. The surrounding mountains and forests are lush and ancient, evoking a sense of nostalgia. The Tiaoyan Ancient Trail is divided into upper and lower sections, from Nanhe Village, Tongxiao Township to Jiuhu Village, Tongluo Township. The entrance to the lower section is located at kilometer 4.5 of Provincial Highway 38 (Miaoli County) from Tongxiao Township to Tongluo Township, with a total length of about 300 meters. It exits at kilometer 5.5 of Provincial Highway 38, and after another 100 meters, it connects to the upper section of the Tiaoyan Ancient Trail, which is about 700 meters long. Additionally, there is a small path from the Flying Cow Ranch that leads to the entrance of the ancient trail. Since most of the trail winds through tung trees and acacia forests, and there is a section with a cluster of Banyan trees, the shade is dense. The entire ancient trail is only about 1 kilometer long, and the slope is relatively gentle, taking only about 30 minutes for a one-way trip, making it very suitable for everyone.
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