The farmland on Brown Road can't take the trampling anymore – Village Chief: Spare the crops, not just the birds

Reporter Chen Tzu-yin / Comprehensive report

The famed Brown Road in Chishang, Taitung, which gained popularity thanks to Takeshi Kaneshiro riding a bicycle and having tea, sees a constant influx of tourists every day, whether weekdays or holidays. While visitors enjoy themselves, taking photos and creating memories, local farmers are suffering greatly — so much so that crops in the area have been damaged. Recently, Chang Yung-fa Foundation Chairman Chang Kuo-wei personally apologized to residents over the issue.To remind tourists to respect local farmers and cherish the beautiful scenery, Hsinhsing Village Chief Hsu Chin-hsing initiated the creation of signage, calling on people to “Please Respect Farmers,” “Leave Sentiment, Not Poultry,” “Love Chishang with Your Heart,” and “Leave No Trash, Just Memories.” These aim to gently encourage visitors to show respect for local farmers.

  
▲ Signage created by the Hsinhsing Village Chief aims to gently persuade visitors to respect farmers and the beauty of Brown Road. (Photo provided by Hsu Chin-hsing)

Hsu Chin-hsing stated that the area has been receiving an overwhelming number of tourists, leading to frequent complaints from farmers, which has deeply worried him. Moreover, starting this coming (16th), shuttle buses will begin transporting tourists. Hsu hopes these gently worded signs will remind visitors to be mindful and respectful toward the farmers. The signs will also be posted on the low walls at the entrance of Brown Road, in locations that do not affect the scenery, serving as a gentle warning before people walk in.


▲ The expansive rice fields around Brown Road blend beautifully with the mountain backdrop. (Photo by reporter Hsu Wen-pin)

 
▲ The S-shaped Heaven’s Road and the tree where Takeshi Kaneshiro had tea have also become popular photo spots for visitors. (Photo by reporter Hsu Wen-pin)

During the peak summer travel season, Brown Road — designated as a Taitung “cultural asset” in late April — features vast farmland and straight roads that seem to stretch endlessly into the sky, winning the hearts of travelers alongside nearby Heaven’s Road and Fuzhen’s scenic beauty. However, due to its immense popularity, many visitors feel compelled to step into the rice paddies for that perfect “man in the painting” photo, inadvertently trampling on the fruits of farmers’ labor. Local organizations including the Taitung County Government Tourism Bureau, the Chishang Township Office, and Hsinhsing Village Chief have been working to preserve the environment and protect residents' livelihoods while promoting tourism. In addition to implementing traffic controls from today until August 31st — banning non-agricultural vehicles from entering Brown Road and Heaven’s Road — the village chief has also launched these signs, hoping visitors remember to help protect this breathtaking landscape.