This used to be the route to Kenting back in the day！ Pingtung Yongjing Community Ancient Trail Becomes New Eco-Tourism Experience

▲ Little Sharp Mountain is the final stop of this eco-tour experience.

Reported and photographed by You T-Ru / Pingtung

Situated in Yongjing Community, Manzhou Township, Pingtung, the southernmost village of the township, Yongjing is filled with exquisite rural life landscapes and has also established a comprehensive eco-development framework. Recently, the community has planned a new tour route called “Riding on the Back of a Cow.” Visitors can take a 3.5-hour hiking journey along ancient trails and eventually arrive at the foot of Little Sharp Mountain, where they’ll be struck by the sight of a stone cow standing majestically before them.


▲%The endpoint of the entire eco-tour route for local villagers. (Note: The original contains garbled characters, translated contextually.)


In recent years, eco-tourism on the Hengchun Peninsula has flourished, creating job opportunities and increasing income for local residents. Yongjing Community joined the eco-tourism movement last year (2016). Leveraging natural resources as the focus of tourism activities, it also incorporates environmental education and interpretation. “Riding on the Back of a Cow” is one of the itineraries still under planning by Yongjing Community. Visitors follow guides along old historic trails to reach the base of Little Sharp Mountain.

The reporter joined the “Riding on the Back of a Cow” tour on an early summer afternoon. The community guide was a local resident known as “Bai Toutou” (“White-Haired Old Man”). “In the past, villagers had to walk 10 kilometers from Yongjing to Kenting. Crossing the mountains was the fastest way,” Bai Toutou explained. The entire 3.5-hour route follows ancient paths once walked by locals, first crossing streams and then climbing over hills — a long and arduous journey.


▲%At the start of the hike, the sound of flowing water greets you, and you’ll need to cross the stream every so often. (Note: The original contains garbled characters, translated contextually.)



▲ Along the way, the community guide stops to explain the surrounding flora and local geography. If you’re lucky, you might even spot wild sika deer.

Hiking through the mountains and across streams is no small challenge. The journey begins along the water’s edge, with winding paths that often require walking over stones. After about an hour of walking, “We’re going to start heading up the mountain trail now,” Bai Toutou said, as he found a path through the low forest and thickets, leading the group forward. Everyone had to use their hands and feet, often holding onto tree trunks to avoid slipping.

After another hour of walking through the low brush, a vast expanse of grassland suddenly comes into view, offering wide-open scenery, and there stands Little Sharp Mountain — known locally as the “Stone Cow.” After two hours of hiking, the sweeping views are truly moving. Travelers can also take a short break here, enjoy some simple provisions provided by the guide, and soak in the liberating feeling of being immersed in nature.



%This is the final section of the ancient stone cow trail. (Note: The original contains garbled characters, translated contextually.)