WindLoch: A-Lang-Yi Historical Trail - from Taidung to Pindung

This trail is an old road from the south Pindung to Taidung on the east side of Taiwan island, however, it was bombed by Japanese army during WWII, because they were afraid American soldier would use it to invade the east side of Taiwan. Before Japanese control, the road was call "A-Lang-Yi" in Qing dynasty, which was the main link to let people move to the east part of Taiwan along the coastal line.

At present, the government wants to complete a circle link around Taiwan island along the coastal line on this part, but the environmentalists stand up to against this action, because they regard the coastal space around this part is not enough to build the road and the construction will damage the habitation of Green Turtles. By and by the plan was held on, but it produces a new recreation area - Guan-Yi-Bi natural reserve - people can come here to learn a great history and nature knowledge.

Be attention ---
A-Lang-Yi Trail is only open for the people who apply the entries through Pindung county system in advance.
Website link (in language Chinese only): http://175.99.86.233/syuhai/index.php?page=apply

Distance: 4 kms
Time: 4~6 hours
Water bottle: at least 3 bottles (750cc)
Better month to go: End of Oct. to the middle of April
Health condition: Good (no heart problem or high blood problem)
Trail guide: no more 20 persons a local guide is requested by the government (Guide fee: NT$3000)

Nantien Beach Pebbles

The trail introduction is from the north point Nantien village to the south of Syuhai village. Highly recommend to stay here one night and enjoy the high quality Syuhai hot spring.

The trail guide will meet you at Nantien before Trail check-in point, better to have the best sun protection preparation, because in the morning time the sun is getting from the pacific ocean and all the way to Syuhai will be baked under the sunlight.

On the top to look back the beach walk

At Nantien the beach pebbles are bigger, some are as big as a female foot, so the hiker shall be very careful to walk on it, otherwise, it's very easy to hurt the ankle joint in the beginning journey.

At the end of the pebble walk the hikers have to climb up Guan-Yi Hill (more than 200 meters high) with a very steep slope at 70~75 degree. However, along the slope trail there are many different rare plants to see if you have that mood to watch around your surroundings.

It is said the sea close to this coastal line is deeper than 5 meters, and the ocean wave is very strong and dangerous, so the hikers are not allowed to get close to sea. If the typhoon (a very big and strong wind) hit Taiwan, the trail will be shut down, not only because of the strong ocean waves but the fragile geological features of this area.

Fortunately, our applying date Jan. 13, 2019 was cloudy weather though the sea color was grey and the vision was poor, we had a very wonderful trail experience, not sweat like a dog during our climbing journey.

In the middle of the hill there was a rest area surrounded by a group of trees, some of which close to the hill edge all lost their leaves, and their trucks turned out the twisted appearances.

Under the shades, we all needed to eat/drink something to increase our energy and face the down slope trail to walk to Syuhai, our destination.

Trees grew at the edge of the hill at the rest area.

Down the hill slope the beach pebbles are smaller, but big falling rocks are scattering around the sea cliff that enrich the coastal variety.

Falling rocks are scattering at the end of the hill slope.

Sea Cliff, Pebbles and Sea Erosion Terrain

There are a lot of plastic trashes at the beach, which are carried here by the sea current, and most of them are not produced here but foreign trashes from other countries. Looking at those garbage, one will know how important we shall decrease the plastic usage at our daily life.