Tien Hsiang, a small basin in a valley of eastern Taiwan, is one of the major stations of the Central East-West Cross-Island Highway. Forty-five kilometers away from Hualien and twenty kilometers from Taroko Gorge, Tien Hsiang originally was called "Taibito," the name of a branch of the Taiya tribe. Since the Highway was built, it has had another name--Tien Hsiang, in memory of Wen Tien-hsiang. He was a loyal official of the Sung dynasty (960-1279 A. D.). Wen Tien-hsiang's statue stands on the eastern hill, beneath it are four characters written by the late President Chiang Kai-shek.
On the hill in front of Tien Hsiang, stand a temple and a seven-story pagoda. Nearby are the ancient-style Pagoda of Mencius' Mother, the P'u-tu Suspension Bridge and the Chih-hui Iron Bridge. All those scenic spots add to the pictorial beauty. Through the valley of the Liwu Rive eastward, one can reach the Taroko Gorge. Along this 20-km valley are many other beautiful places, such as pagodas, Loving Mother Bridge, One-Line Fall, Nine-Bend Hole, the Guest Valley, the Bay of Turning Back, the Swallow Hole and the Chin-heng Bridge. From the Swallow Hole eastward through many stone holes, one can see the famous "Taroko Evergreen." Standing on the cement bridge, one gets a clear view of the Amida Rock, the Evergreen Shrine and the Gorge.
To the east of Tien Hsiang is Tz'u En, another major station of the Highway, where a Youth Hostel is located. With an elevation of 1995 meters (about 6485 feet), Tz'u En is 45 meters higher than Lishan in the western section of the Highway. Between Tz'u En and Tien Hsiang is Hsi Pao, with an elevation of 917 meters. The slope turns smooth here, so the Vocational Assistance Commission for Retired Servicemen set up a farm. Near the station is a pagoda called Huo-jan (meaning "open and clear"). Near Tien Hsiang, springs pour out of the earth. Hotels invite visitors to take a rest. In general, the most beautiful scenic spots of the cross-island highway, except Lishan, are almost all located in the section between Tien Hsiang and Taroko Gorge.
Bird's eye view of Tien Hsiang
The Paguda of Loving Mother
The scenery of Tien Hsiang
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