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Ponglai Stream Fish Protection Trail

2025-09-09
886-37-824570
苗栗縣南庄鄉蓬萊溪自然生態園區
Ponglai Stream is located in the southwest of Nanzhuang, and it is the upstream of Zhonggang Stream. Due to its remote location in the mountains, the stream is surrounded by steep peaks and lush forests, creating a natural and serene environment. The sound of the wind and the forest, the singing of the stream and the fish, all blend together to create a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere, making one feel carefree and relaxed. Looking at the clear stream in front of you, with fish swimming in groups, it's hard to believe that this place was once devoid of fish. The beautiful scenery we see today is a result of the efforts of the people of Nanzhuang. A group of local enthusiasts, concerned about the destruction of the stream's ecosystem, formed the "Ponglai Stream Fish Protection Patrol Team" to patrol the stream, remind and guide tourists, and reduce the pressure on the stream's ecosystem. The Miaoli County government also announced in 2001 that the middle and upper reaches of Ponglai Stream in Nanzhuang Township would be protected, prohibiting any fishing or angling activities in the protected area. This was the first stream in Miaoli County to implement fish protection measures. As a result of the residents' efforts, Ponglai Village has achieved significant results in fish protection. In 2002, it won the "Excellent Natural Landscape Award" at the "Charming Township Award" presented by the Ministry of the Interior. Today, the stream water is crystal clear, and you can see groups of fish swimming in the water from the shore. The "kǔ huā" (a type of fish) and stone fish (fish宾) shine with a silver glow in the water, creating a beautiful and mesmerizing scene. Occasionally, you can see fish jumping out of the water as they swim upstream. The Fish Protection Trail is 2.4 kilometers long and takes about an hour and a half to complete. However, we recommend taking your time, stopping to explore, and observing the fish, insects, and plants along the way. You may even catch a glimpse of small animals hiding behind trees or rocks. The natural ecosystem is full of wonders, and you never know what surprises you might discover. In Ponglai Stream, you can find the "water sprite" - the Taiwanese flat-headed fish, also known as "kǔ huā". Due to its unique eating habits, it has evolved a survival mechanism, flipping its body to escape danger, revealing its silver-white belly shining in the water, earning it the nickname "firefly in the water". The Taiwanese barbel steed prefers cold water and is a strong swimmer, often found in the upper and middle reaches of rivers and streams. Its distinctive feature is a blue-black longitudinal band on its body, extending from the gill cover to the end of the tail. The Taiwanese stone fish is a native species, found in fast-flowing, clear waters, and deep pools. It feeds at night and is omnivorous. The young fish have seven black horizontal stripes on their bodies, which fade as they mature. Along the way, you can see various plants, such as the stone calamus, a perennial evergreen herb that grows in low-altitude stream environments, with a unique fragrance and medicinal properties. The large-flowered night-blooming jasmine is a constant green shrub, with white flowers that bloom at night, emitting a strong fragrance to attract nocturnal insects for pollination. The Taiwanese nest fern is a subtropical broadleaf forest indicator plant, often found growing on tree trunks or rocks. The dragon's blood is a constant green vine shrub, with a unique shape and cautionary tale behind its name.
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