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As it name implies, this is a 180 degree road turn however there are 2 trails from this location (see below)
Meiyuan Zhucun trail
| Walk along the Meiyuan Zhucun trail from Huitouwan (km 168 of the Central Cross-Island Highway) and go about 3 km past Jiumei Suspension Bridge, walk down the track at the right side of the trail, and you will reach Meiyuan. The altitude of Meiyuan is about 1100m. Meiyuan was formed by the Taosai River and has a three-level terrace. It was the the Polihengan settlement of the Taroko tribe. Now it grows vegetables, pears and peaches. Continuing forward from Meiyuan and passing the Taosai bridge you will reach the Zhucun (Bamboo Village). The altitude of Zhucun rise from 1050m to around 1400m. It is a 7-level river terrace. In spring, the peach and plum flowers bloom and their fruits matures in June and July. The fruit grows everywhere and tastes delicious. |
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蓮花池步道 (Lotus Pond Trail )
「蓮花池」是太魯閣國家公園中唯一的天然高山湖泊，位於海拔1180公尺，面積約0.97公頃。
Lotus Pond is the only natural high elevation mountain lake in the Taroko National Park. It is located at 1180 meter above sea level and covers 0.97 hectare.
300多年前，太魯閣族獵人追逐野獸到蓮花池這個世外桃源，於是在此定居，形成山中部落，取名「蘇瓦沙魯」(Soeasaru)。日據時代，部落族人被強令遷村下山，便逐漸荒廢。
More than 300 year ago, Taroko tribe hunters found the Lotus Pond while hunting. They settled here and named it Soesaru. The settlement was deserted after tribe was forced to move out of mountain area during the Japanese occupation period (1895-1945).
一直到民國49年，中橫公路通車後，退輔會安排築路榮民在此生活，以種植蔬果維生。近年來，老榮民們年老搬離，蓮花池逐漸恢復自然狀態。
After Central Island Cross Highway's completion (1960), the Veteran Agency settled veterans who constructed the highway at Lotus Pond. They grew vegetables and fruits to make a living. Recently, aged veterans have moved away and Lotus Pond has returned its nature state.
蓮花池步道全程長3.6公里， 入口在中橫公路距離天祥約5公里處的「迴頭彎」，從迴頭彎到蓮花池高度落差高達五百公尺。由迴頭彎沿步道前行1.4公里處有一座「九梅吊橋」，過吊橋後即連接蓮花池步道。由此開始，步道一路呈之字型陡直上行，在約 2.1 公里的距離中上升海拔400公尺後，便可到達蓮花池。從迴頭彎到蓮花池步行約需2小時。
The Lotus Pond Trail is 3.6 kilometers long. The entrance is located at Huitouwan (Turnaround Point) which is at 163.5 marker of the highway and 5 kilometers away from Tianxiang (168.5K). The elevation changes by 500 meters from Huitouwan to Lotus Pond. The first stop is Jiumei Suspension Bridge, located 1.4 kilometers away from the entrance. After crossing the bridge, the trail rises 400 meters over 2.1 kilometers before reaching Lotus Pond. It takes approximately 2 hours from Huitouwan to Lotus
