The inscription is located 240 meters above the sea level, halfway to the hilltop. It is believed to be inscribed in the 6th Year of Emperor Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty (1867) by Liu Ming-deng, head of the Qing army stationing in Taiwan, who was on an inspection trip to Kamalan in the north. As he passed by this spot, strong mists arose and he could barely see the road ahead. He was reminded that the mists often made travelling businessmen fall into danger. Thus he wrote on the stone, “boldly quell the violent mists,” hoping to repress mountain evils. As an ancient poem explains, “boldly” does this inscription stand beside the Star of Mao, for it aims to “quell” the dragon of mists. “Violent” is the dragon which absorbs all the rain, but the dragon of “mists” shall eventually be swallowed by the tiger of winds. These four meaningful Chinese characters are so powerfully inscribed on the rock that it has been listed as a third-grade national historic site.
Tiger Inscription
The cursive Tiger Inscription stands imposingly about 4 meters away from the Caoling Mountain Pass, which at 300 meters above the sea level. Above this tiger character, it states, “winter, 6th Year of Emperor Tongzhi.” Below, it says, “Liu Ming-deng, Military Ambassador to Taiwan.” It is said that Liu was stopped by a sandstorm here during his inspection trip to Kamalan. Because it was believed at the time that “all clouds follow the Dragon, all winds follow the Tiger, and all saintly deeds shall be witnessed by all beings of the world,” Liu wrote “tiger” on the stone with a batch of wild silvergrass hoping to repress the mythological Tiger. It is listed as third-grade national historic sites along with the “Boldly Quell the Violent Mists” Stone Inscription. It can be seen from these precious historical objects that the early immigrants had truly paid hard effort to overcome fierce natural conditions for a new life here.
The Caoling Historic Trail is part of the Danlan Historic Trail between Dansui and Kamalan Prefectures built by early settlers of the Qing Dynasty. Today, it stretches across Caoling between Yuanwangkeng in Gongliao, New Taipei City and Dali in Toucheng, Yilan County. This 8.5km trail is thus called the Caoling Historic Trail.
Along the trails, plenty of native broad-leafed tree, cultivated coniferous trees, and subtropical “flying spider-monkey tree ferns” can be seen. Walk up the slope and you will see historical Diesima Bridge, Xianji Rock, a stone inscription that states “boldly quell the violent mists” by head of the Qing army in Taiwan, Liu Ming-deng, and the Tiger Inscription. After you have passed all of these spots, the hill-top scenic pavilion should not be far away. There is an antique Earth God and Goddess Temple made of stones near the pavilion and a board that marks the border between New Taipei City and Yilan County. Along the path are three more pavilions, information boards, a service area hosted by the Maintenance and Management Office under the Forestry Bureau, and public toilets. It takes 3 to 4 hours to complete one trip.
Along the trails, plenty of native broad-leafed tree, cultivated coniferous trees, and subtropical “flying spider-monkey tree ferns” can be seen. Walk up the slope and you will see historical Diesima Bridge, Xianji Rock, a stone inscription that states “boldly quell the violent mists” by head of the Qing army in Taiwan, Liu Ming-deng, and the Tiger Inscription. After you have passed all of these spots, the hill-top scenic pavilion should not be far away. There is an antique Earth God and Goddess Temple made of stones near the pavilion and a board that marks the border between New Taipei City and Yilan County. Along the path are three more pavilions, information boards, a service area hosted by the Maintenance and Management Office under the Forestry Bureau, and public toilets. It takes 3 to 4 hours to complete one trip.
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