Shui Sha Lian Historic Trail

Erping Ice Cream Shop is part of the cafeteria of Taiwan Power Company Mingtan Power Plant in Shuili Township, Nantou County. When taking the Shuishalian Historic Trail from the Shuili to the Chonggui, you will pass the Taipower Erping Ice Cream Shop. The ice products sold there are of high quality, at affordable prices, and are very popular among tourists. From there you can also overlook the urban area of ​​Shuili, which is a well-known scenic spot in Shuili. In 1987, in view of the abundant natural water resources of Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan Power Company used Sun Moon Lake as the upper dam, and built another dam in the lower pool about 4 kilometers downstream of Daguan No. 2. The drop of about 380 meters between the two pools is used for pumped hydropower generation. The completed power plant is called "Mingtan Power Plant" and was completed in 1995. The capacity at the time of completion dominates Asia, the fourth largest and one of the few pumped storage power plants in the world.

Daguan Ice Cream Shop is part of the cafeteria of Taiwan Power Company Daguan Power Plant in Shuili Township, Nantou County. When taking the Shuishalian Historic Trail from the Shuili to the Chonggui, you will pass the Taipower Erping Ice Cream Shop and Daguan Ice Cream Shop. The two shops are not far apart, and also sell high-quality and affordable ice products, which are very popular among tourists. The Daguan Power Plant was built during the Japanese occupation period. It was called "Menpaitan Power Generator Station" then and was later renamed "Sun Moon Lake No. 1 Power Station". In 1945, after the end of World War II, the Nationalist government came to Taiwan, and Sun Yunying, the then director of Taipower Electric Power Division, with the assistance of Japanese technicians, restored the power supply of Sun Moon Lake No. 1 Power Station on October 30, 1946. In October 1946, the Sun Moon Lake No. 1 Power Plant was named "Daguan Power Plant" by Chiang Kai-shek.

This is a residential house in Chonggui. Chonggui is located in the Chonggui Basin in the southwest of Wudeng Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County. At the beginning of the Han people's reclamation, in order to prevent the indigenous peoples from invading, the residents set up a gun platform, hence the name Chonggui (the gun cabinet). At the end of the Qing Dynasty, it was called "Chongguizhuang", and during the Japanese occupation period, it was first renamed "Chongguizhuang" or "Chonggui Dazi". After the war, Chonggui Dazhi and the lower part of Toushe Dazhi merged into Wudeng Village, which was under the jurisdiction of Yuchi Township, Xingao District, Taichung County. In October 1950, Nantou County was established, and Wudeng Village was changed to be under the jurisdiction of Yuchi Township, Nantou County. Wudeng Village includes Toushe and the No. 2 Basin of Chonggui. Most of the residents make a living from farming. At present, they grow loofahs, betel nuts, vegetables, and other crops. Most of the irrigation water comes from streams or springs.

Looking at Shuishe Harbor from Hanbi Peninsula, Shuishe Harbor is one of the four harbors in Sun Moon Lake, and it is also the starting point for tourists to take a boat tour of the lake. Shuishe is located on the north side of Sun Moon Lake. It is the transportation center of Sun Moon Lake, as well as the hub for hotels and shops. Shuishe was originally an old Thao community, located on the northwest bank of Sun Moon Lake. Because the community was built in the middle of the lake or on the waterside of the lake, the Han people called it Shuishe or Shuilishe. In the early days of the Japanese occupation, the Shuishe of the indigenous community had become a Han village, and most of the people migrated to the Nan’anshiyinshe, calling themselves Tarimukan-she. In the 9th year of the Showa Period (1934), the Japanese built the Sun Moon Lake hydropower project, and the Thao people were forced to move out of their original home and moved to Tan’nan Village, Xinyi Township. The old village that was originally by the lakeside has been submerged in the lake.

Before Sun Moon Lake was constructed with hydroelectric fortifications, Beidan was originally 600 meters away from the edge of the lake. After the water level of Sun Moon Lake rose, it became close to the lakeshore. Beidan is the largest settlement in Shuishe Village. It is distributed along the Taiwan Provincial Highway 21. There is a small pier in Beidan, which is one of the two piers in Sun Moon Lake that can carry out water activities. The other is the Panshi pier next to Ita Thao pier. The Longfeng Temple is dedicated to the God of the North Pole, the Virgin of Heaven, and the Patriarch of Shame. It is the most spectacular temple on the west side of Sun Moon Lake. Different from other temples with painted door gods, it also uses three-dimensional reliefs in the shape of dragons and phoenixes, which is quite distinctive. The Yuelao Temple on the left side of Longfeng Temple was originally located on Lalu Island. After it was destroyed by the earthquake, it was moved to the side of Longfeng Temple and is a popular attraction.

The Sun Moon Lake Teacher’s Hostel on the Hanbi Peninsula used to be the Sun Moon Lake Forest School during the Japanese occupation. After the completion of the Sun Moon Lake hydropower project, Taichung State chose to set up the Sun Moon Lake Forest School on the shore of Sun Moon Lake. Construction began on September 8, 1934, and was completed on January 10, 1935. The campus facilities include four dormitories, lecture halls, canteens, bathrooms, and kitchens. The total area is 873 square meters and can accommodate 140 people, making it the largest among the forest schools in Taiwan. During the period of the imperialization movement, the Sun Moon Lake Forest School often held national spiritual and cultural seminars. After World War II, the Yuchi National School was established in June 1949 at the original site of the Sun Moon Lake Forest School, and in 1952 it became the Mingtan National School. In 1960, Mingtan National School moved to the current site of Mingtan Elementary School, and the original site was later converted into the Sun Moon Lake Teacher’s Hostel.

Xuanzang Temple was founded in 1965 at No. 261, Zhongzheng Road, Riyue Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County. Xuanzang Temple is built along the mountain with two-level foundations.  The lower level is close to the road near the lake. There is a relief sculpture of the "Master Xuanzang's Procession in the Western Regions", and three steles that inscribe "Friendship between Japan and Chinese Buddhism", "Biography of Master Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty", "Monument of Goodwill and Exchanges between Japan and Chinese Buddhism”. During the Second World War, the Japanese obtained the spiritual bone of Master Xuanzang in Nanjing, and then brought it back to Japan and enshrined it in the Ci'en Temple in Saitama County, Japan. It was brought to Xuanguan Temple in 1956 after multiple negotiations with Japan. When the Xuanzang Temple was built in 1965, the relics of Master Xuanzang were enshrined in the temple for people to look up to.

Xuanguang Temple is only more than ten meters away from Sun Moon Lake. There is a pier under the temple. Tourists can take a boat to the pier and then walk up the steps to visit the temple. During the Second World War, the Japanese obtained the spiritual bones of Master Xuanzang in Nanjing, brought them back to Japan, and enshrined them in the Ci'en Temple in Saitama County, Japan. It was brought to Xuanguan Temple next to Sun Moon Lake in 1956 after multiple negotiations with Japan. When the Xuanzang Temple was built in 1965, the spiritual bones of Master Xuanzang were transferred to Xuanzang Temple. Although the spiritual bones have been transferred to Xuanzang Temple, but due to the convenient waterway transportation, Xuanguang Temple has become a must-visit attraction for tourists visiting Sun Moon Lake. The golden body of Master Xuanzang is enshrined in the temple, with the plaque of "National Master" hanging above it.

Ita Thao is located in Riyue Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County. During the Japanese occupation period, it was called Buji or Huafanshe. After Taiwan's recovery, it was renamed Dehuashe. After the Thao became Taiwan's tenth officially recognized indigenous group in 2001, the word "Dehua", (short for "Dehuafan"), which implied full of authority and colonial superiority, was unfit and was renamed Ita Thao. However, the local Dehua Police Station and Dehua Elementary School still use the old names. After years of hard work by the Thao people, the Dehua Police Station was renamed Ita Thao Police Station on October 3, 2018, and the Dehua Elementary School was also renamed Ita Thao Elementary School on August 1, 2019.

Dongguang Elementary School was founded in April of the 11th year of Taisho (1922), and it was named Yuchi Public School. It was a branch of another school and only has one school grade. In April 1941, it became an independent Dongguang Elementary School. In September 1959, the school implemented class separation. In 1968, the nine-year state education was implemented, and its name was changed to Dongguang National Elementary School. Due to changes in the social structure, large population exodus, and the impact of birth control policies, the number of students gradually decreased. During the 921-earthquake, Dongguang Elementary School was severely damaged. With the assistance of the Tzu Chi Cultural and Educational Foundation, it adopted the reconstruction project. The inauguration ceremony of the new school building was completed on November 24, 2001.

The Shuishalian Historic Trail, which straddles Puli Township and Shuili Township of Nantou County, has an untestable date of construction. It starts from Shuili in the south and ends at Puli in the north with a total length of about 29 km. The trail is also known as the Tudigong Anling Trail because there is a Tudigong Temple on the ridge saddle.

Since the Qing period, the Shuishalian Historic Trail has been an important route for Han people to enter the Toushe Basin, Puli Basin, and Sun Moon Lake Shuishe. Due to migration and trade needs, the Han immigrants, Pingpu group and indigenous groups actively used this trail.

In the early days of the Japanese occupation period, the Shuishalian Historic Trail was regarded as an important barrier defense line, and set up policing stations.

Today, the only section left from the trail is from Shuili to Gungui via Erping.

Fu'an Temple is located in Shuili Township, Nantou County, behind the Daguan Ice Cream Shop. In addition to the residential house on Mingsheng Road, Fu’an Temple is also a starting point for walking the Shuishalian Historic Trail.

Shuishalian Historic Trail straddles across Puli Township and Shuili Township of Nantou County, with a total length of about 29 km. The trail is also known as the Tudigong Anling Historic Trail. The construction date is unknown but since the Qing period, the Shuishalian Historic Trail was an important route for the Han people to enter the Toushe Basin, Puli Basin, and Sun Moon Lake Shuishe. In the early days of Japanese rule, it was regarded as an important barrier defense line with policing stations.

The Tudigong Saddle is located on the section between Shuili and Benggui of the Shuishalian Historic Trail, about 640 meters above sea level. On the saddle there is an abandoned Tiangong Temple and behind it are remnants of earlier buildings.

Shuishalian Historic Trail straddles across Puli Township and Shuili Township of Nantou County, with a total length of about 29 km. The trail is also known as the Tudigong Anling Historic Trail. The construction date is unknown but since the Qing period, the Shuishalian Historic Trail was an important route for the Han people to enter the Toushe Basin, Puli Basin, and Sun Moon Lake Shuishe. In the early days of Japanese rule, it was regarded as an important barrier defense line with policing stations.

The Tudigong Temple ruins is located on the section between Shuili to Benggui of the Shuishalian Historic Trail, on the Tudigong Saddle at an altitude of about 640 meters. There are remnants of earlier buildings behind the temple ruins, and the original Tudigong statue has been moved to Futian Temple in Yuchi Township, Nantou County. 

Shuishalian Historic Trail straddles across Puli Township and Shuili Township of Nantou County, with a total length of about 29 km. The trail is also known as the Tudigong Anling Historic Trail. The construction date is unknown but since the Qing period, the Shuishalian Historic Trail was an important route for the Han people to enter the Toushe Basin, Puli Basin, and Sun Moon Lake Shuishe. In the early days of Japanese rule, it was regarded as an important barrier defense line with policing stations.

The trail entrance that starts from Benggui is located in Yuchi Township, Nantou County. There are signs indicating the Tudigong Saddle along the road. 

This Shuishalian Historic Trail, which spans across Puli Township in the north and Shuili Township in the south, is located in Nantou County and has a total length of about 29 km. The date of construction is unknown and today the only section left from the trail is from Shuili to Gungui via Erping. The trail is also known as the Tudigong Anling Trail because there is a Tudigong Temple on the ridge saddle.

Since the Qing period, the Shuishalian Historic Trail has been an important route for Han people to enter the Toushe Basin, Puli Basin, and Sun Moon Lake Shuishe. Due to migration and trade needs, the Han immigrants, Pingpu group and indigenous groups actively used this trail. In the early days of the Japanese occupation period, the Shuishalian Historic Trail was regarded as an important barrier defense line, and set up policing stations. 

The Monument of Sacrifices of the Sun Moon Lake Hydropower Station is located near the top of the Sun Moon Lake dam, on Provincial Highway 21 in Yuchi Township, Nantou County. It was established in 1934 to commemorate the Taiwanese laborers who died during the construction of the plant.

Specifically, the front of the stone monument is engraved with the words of the martyrdom monument, and on the back is the description of the reason for the monument. Both sides of the monument have the addresses, names and ages of the victims engraved on. Most of the victims are from the nearby Yuchi village and Puli Street, 13 people altogether.

Shuishe Dam is located next to Sun Moon Lake in Yuchi Township, Nantou County. It mainly regulates the water volume between Sun Moon Lake and Ming Lake. When the water flows down to Ming Lake, Mingtan Power Plant can generate electricity. Outside peak time at night, the water gets pumped back to Sun Moon Lake again. Shuishe Dam has a plank path along the road, which is about 200 meters long, and is a favorite spot for local residents and foreign tourists.

Sun Moon Lake, in Yuchi Township of Nantou County, is surrounded by Shuishe Mountain, Buji Mountain, Yiji Mountain, Tantou Mountain, Songlun Mountain and Maolan Mountain. It was originally a natural lake, formerly known as Shuili Lake, Shuishe Lake, Longtan or Dragon Lake.

During the Japanese Occupation, in order to use Sun Moon Lake to generate electricity, the Government-General in Taiwan built Shushe Dam and Toushe Dam to increase the reservoir capacity, and then built a 15-kilometer underground channel from the Zhuoshui River channel closest to Sun Moon Lake to block sand and intercept stream water. The overall reservoir construction project was completed in 1934.

Today, the Sun Moon Lake Reservoir has the most complex hydroelectric power generation system in Taiwan, which is used daily through Taipower's pumped-storage power generation.

Lalu Island is located in Sun Moon Lake, Yuchi Township of Nantou County. The traditional Thao name is Lalu, but it was called Zhushan or Zhuzishan (literally meaning Pearl Mountain) during the Qing period, as it is shaped like a pearl. In the Japanese Occupation period the island was renamed Yudao or Nakanoshima (literally meaning round island or center island). Then, in the postwar period, the Nationalist Government changed the name to Guanghua Island in the sense of restoring China. Finally, it was officially renamed Lalu Island in year 2000 because this is the traditional area of ​​the Thao people.

The people believed that the highest ancestor spirit lived in the big tree on Lalu Island. Therefore, the island is no longer open to tourists. Tourists can admire the installations related to the Thao cultural display and historical development from the pontoon plank road on the water around the island.

The Arai Kokichiro Monument is located in Yuchi Township, Nantou County. It stands opposite the guard room at the entrance of the Yuchi Black Tea Laboratory, next to a pavilion and an information board on the life of Arai Kokichiro.

In the middle of the Japanese Occupation period, the Government-General in Taiwan set up this Black Tea Laboratory in Maolan Mountain, Sun Moon Lake. In 1941, Kokichiro became the branch director and continued working on the research and promotion of black tea through the Second World War despite the lack of funding and manpower.

In the post-war period, the Nationalist Government asked Arai Kokichiro to stay in office. In 1947, he died of illness in Taiwan. In order to commemorate his contribution to Taiwan black tea, this monument was built.

Ita Thao, located in Yuchi Township, Nantou County, was called Bu Ji or Huafanshe during the Japanese Occupation. In 1934, the Government-General in Taiwan began the construction of the Sun Moon Lake Hydropower Project. The Thao people were forced to move away from their original settlements. When the Sun Moon Lake Reservoir was completed, they began to actively develop tourism in the area. The Thao people’s traditional pestle song and dance performances became a selling point for attracting tourists. They also invested in canoes and sold handicrafts, which caused a rapid change in the economic life and social organization of the Thao people.

In the postwar period, the National Government changed its name to Dehuashe. It was not until 2000, when the Thao became the 10th officially recognized indigenous group in Taiwan, that it was renamed Ita Thao.

The Centennial Monument Pavilion of the establishment of Dongguangjian Village is located in front of the Dongguang Police Station in Yuchi Township, Nantou County. It was established in 1957 and records the establishment process of Dongguang Village, including reclamation, defense, and appeasement of the indigenes.

Xiangtianzhen is a section of an underground tunnel, located in Yuchi Township, Nantou County. It was built during the Japanese Occupation period by the Government-General in Taiwan when the Sun Moon Lake hydroelectric power project was constructed. The underground tunnel, which is about 15 kilometers long, was built to induce water from the blocked Zhuoshui River into the tunnel and then into Sun Moon Lake. This underground tunnel is called the Wujie Channel. However, a section of the tunnel is on the ground because when passing through the riverbed of Muzilan Creek, the riverbed is lower than the tunnel itself. Therefore, an elevated channel is adopted to pass the stream. Since this section is on the ground and open air, it is called Xiangtianzhen, meaning facing the sky.