Shiba'er Torii Trail

Following County Road 122, spot the brown sign of the Wufeng Township People's Representative Assembly, then turn onto the fork in the road and head up to reach the administrative center of Wufeng Township. This is "Da'ai Village," the busiest settlement in the entire township. The area around the Township Office belongs to Neighborhoods 1-4 and is also known as the "Shiba'er Community." "Shiba'er" is the old name for Wufeng Township. A fascinating anecdote circulates among locals: a couple had nine sets of twins consecutively, totaling eighteen sons, hence the name "Shiba'er" (eighteen sons). However, "Shiba'er" is actually a transliteration of the Atayal word "Spazy" (pronounced "sī-bā-jì"), which refers to five mountain peaks and traditionally also signifies a place of worship. Next to the Township Office stands a striking red torii gate and a torii trail built along the slope. This is the entrance and approach path (sando) to the "Shiba'er Shrine" from the Japanese colonial period. The Shiba'er Shrine was completed in 1927, primarily dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, Emperor Meiji, and Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa. However, after years of war and destruction, the original shrine buildings, such as the main hall (shaden) and stone lanterns, once located behind Wufeng Elementary School, no longer exist, leaving only the torii gate and the remnants of the approach path. The trail, having undergone repair and maintenance, is now serene, tranquil, and imbued with a Zen-like atmosphere. The torii gate, in particular, is a popular spot for many visitors to take commemorative photos. Ascending the steps, on the right is a platform which originally served as a place to draw water and wash hands before worship. The trail has over three hundred steps, leading to the Wufeng Elementary School playground. Upon reaching this height, you can rest in the school grounds. The magnificent mountain scenery unfolds before your eyes, enough to make you forget all worldly worries.