Zhongzhiguan Historic Trail is located between Zhongzhiguan and Tianchi on the Southern Cross-island Highway in the Taoyuan District of Kaohsiung City. It is one of the sections of the Guanshan Historic Trail that is relatively intact. During the Japanese occupation, the Governor-General in Taiwan decided to expand the passage between hamlets located along Xinwulu River and the Laonong River in order to regulate the indigenous peoples. At the same time, construction began at both ends of the Kaohsiung State and Lilong County, excavating towards the Central Mountain Range. The Guanshan Historic Trail was completed in 1931. Today, the Southern Cross-island Highway runs almost along the Guanshan Historic Trail. Among which, there is a 3.5-kilometer-long section of historic trail between Zhongzhiguan and Tianchi that is relatively intact and is called Zhongzhiguan Historic Trail.
Zhongzhiguan Historic Trail
The Zhongzhiguan Police Post is located in the Taoyuan District of Kaohsiung City. It is an extremely important stop on the Guanshan Historic Trail because it overlooks Yusuishe from there, and monitors the then Bunun chief, Lahu·Ali, who lived opposite Zhongzhiguan, on the upper reaches of the Lunong River. Lahu·Ali, who has fought continuously against the Japanese for 20 years, once visited the Zhongzhiguan Police Post twice and came to a peaceful settlement there. In fact, the Zhongzhiguan Police Post had a huge establishment, and the police department with the highest rank was stationed here for a long time.
Today, the historic trail section between Tianchi and Zhongzhiguan is made into hiking trails by the Yushan National Park. There are also tourist rest stops and information boards at the ruins of the Zhongzhiguan Police Post.
Yusuishan (mountain) and Yusuishe (hamlet) are located in the Taoyuan District of Kaohsiung City. It is at an altitude of 3,045 meters. Left behind it are the Yushan peaks, and the large river bed at the foot of the mountain is the Laonong River Valley. The right side of the valley is the former Yusuishe, which was the last base of Lahu·Ali, a Bunun anti-Japanese hero. During the Japanese occupation, the Governor-General in Taiwan decided to expand the passage between hamlets located along Xinwulu River and the Laonong River in order to regulate the indigenous peoples. The Guanshan Historic Trail was completed in 1931.
Today, there is a 3.5-kilometer-long section of historic trail between Zhongzhiguan and Tianchi that is relatively intact and is called Zhongzhiguan Historic Trail.
Tianchi, located in the Taoyuan District of Kaohsiung City, is about 2,280 meters above sea level. It is a natural mountain lake formed by faults, collapses, soil and the accumulation of rocks, rain and snow. The lake not only provides water for travelers but is also an important sustaining resource for wildlife. To get there, climb up the stone steps from the back of the Changqing Temple at the 135 km point of the Southern Cross-island Highway. Alternatively, start from Zhongzhiguan parking lot and walk along the Zhongzhiguan Historic Trail. In recent years, religious people have burned paper money and held release ceremonies here, leaving behind creatures and wastes that do not belong here, which greatly affects water quality and ecology.