Wuling (mountain pass)

Wuling (Chinese: 武嶺; pinyin: Wǔlǐng, el 3275 m), formerly known as Sakuma Pass (佐久間峠, Sakuma-tōge), is a mountain pass located in Ren'ai, Nantou, Taiwan, transversing the Central Mountain Range near the peak of Hehuanshan within Taroko National Park. It is the highest paved road in elevation in Taiwan.[1][2]

Wuling
Sign on the observation deck
Elevation3,275 m (10,745 ft)
Traversed by Provincial Highway 14A
LocationRen'ai, Nantou, Taiwan
RangeCentral Mountain Range
Coordinates24°08′14″N 121°16′33″E
Location in Taiwan

History

Originally, a trail was built by the Atayal people at the same location. During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, the Governor-General of Taiwan, Sakuma Samata, ordered the construction of a road through the same trail as part of the Five years plan to governing aborigines to better transport supplies in the Truku War. The pass was named "Sakuma Pass" in the general's honor.[3]

After the change of governance to the Kuomingtang, the Nationalist government continued to work on the highway. Chiang Kai-shek visited the highway, renaming the site as "Wuling". Since the Central Cross-Island Highway is closed due to typhoon damage, Wuling became the only route in the area transversing the Central Mountain Range.

Recreation

Wuling is a popular destination for road cycling. The three possible routes include:[4]

  • From the east (85 km, 3,215 km elevation): Beginning in Taroko Gorge, the route follows Highway 8 to Dayuling, where the route turns south to the peak. Regarded as the toughest route of the three.
  • From the west (53 km, 2,800 km elevation): Beginning in Puli, Nantou, the route follows Highway 14 and 14A through Qingjing Farm.
  • From the north (62 km, 2,300 km elevation): Beginning in Wuling Farm, the route follows Highway 7A to Lishan, where it takes Provincial Highway 8 to Dayuling, then 14A to the peak.

Many races are held to ride to Wuling, most notably the Taiwan KOM Challenge, a non-UCI sanctioned race beginning in Qixingtan Beach and takes the eastern route. The 107 km race is regarded as an intense climb within the cycling community, with Grand Tour winner Vincenzo Nibali commenting: "I've never ridden such a long and hard climb before in my entire life."[5][6]

Wuling is also a popular stargazing and bird-watching location. Common birds include the Taiwan rosefinch, white-whiskered laughingthrush, and collared bush robin.[1]

  • View of Wuling from the peak of Hehuanshan
  • View of Wuling from Mt. Shimen to the north
  • A Japanese camp near Wuling during the Truku War
  • Rock formation at Wuling
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References
  1. "武嶺(台灣公路最高點)". 清境旅遊資訊網 (in Chinese). Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  2. "武嶺". Taroko National Park (in Chinese). Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  3. 楊南郡. "《太魯閣國家公園合歡古道西段調查與步道規劃報告》" (PDF). Taroko National Park (in Chinese). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2007. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  4. 吳敏正 (16 November 2016). "三進武嶺怎麼騎？" (in Chinese). Cycling Update. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  5. Fretz, Caley (28 October 2017). "Travel: Taiwan KOM Challenge". Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  6. "Nibali ends season with victory at Taiwan KOM Challenge - Gallery". Cycling News. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
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