“Chihshang mealbox” is a household name that needs no introduction. Chihshang is geographically located in between Hualien and Taitung. In winter, the cauliflower fields, stretching from Fuli in the north to Kwanshan in the south, looks like a seamless piece of golden silk. A wondrous sight to behold for many visitors.

　　Hakka migrated to Chihshang mostly from Taoyuang, Hsinchu, and Miaoli after 1902’s. The Japanese established “Taitung Hakka Exploration Association” and allowed Taiwanese to begin exploring the east. In view of the increasing pressure from population growth and land scarcity, Hakka tribe first entered the eastern coast for settlement. And when Hualien—Taitung railway began to operate in 1926, Fukienese started to come in, mostly working in the business, thus resulting in a good mix of Hakka and Fukienese. The rest of the population is made up of aboriginal minority as Ahmei, mainlander veteran, and population of Pingpu ethnicity who moved in from Hengchun Peninsula from lot earlier days.

　　Situated between the Central and the coastal ranges, Chihshang is situated at the south of the Hualien-Taitung Vertical Valley and shares common borders in the north with Long Chuen Creek, Nan Chau Creek, Da Po Pond, and Da Po Creek which converge to Hsiao Ku Run Creek heading north. At its southern edge is Shin Wu Lu Creek (later part of which is Pei Nan Big Creek) which originates from the main ridge of Kwanshan of the Southern Horizontal Ridge.

　　As being converged into Wan An Creed, Fu Sing Creek, and Ni Shuwei Creek tributaries, they have formed the primary rivers and streams running through the entire village. All of these rivers and streams have later developed fan-like alluvial plain for Hsin Wu Lu Creek, Long Chuen, Da Po Creek, Chin Yuan Creek, Wan An Creek, and Fu Sing Creek, namely the so-called “Chihshang Plain.” The plain looks extraordinarily open wide in between of the two ridges, and it is exactly this spot of area that produce the excellent and well-known rice crop.

　　Another prominent landmark of Chihshang is the Da Po Pond, which is a fault lake formed from rainfall, proximal creek water, and spring water. Aborigines settled in the neighborhood since time immemorial. The place was thus named as “New Settlement Garden” in Ching Dynasty, and renamed as Chihshang during Japanese occupation.

　　The vast lake is teeming with marine life and birds. However, subsequent mindless development led to the reduction of the water body, and permanently damage the natural wetland. Though the lake is no longer as beautiful as it used to be, the re-construction of Da Po Pond into a sightseeing spot has the additional purpose of reviving the wetland. It is hope that this rare fault lake can be well preserved for future generations to come.

　　Chihshang, during spring and summer, reveals network-like radiating beautiful patchwork with Hsin Wu Lu Creek as its primary riverbed, either viewed from the middle of the Central Ridge or coastal mountain-line, and there are prosperous and affluent sight of lush vegetation either sides. Though it is foggy and grey during winter time, there are as many visitors to Chihshang as there are in summer. The golden splendor of the cauliflower has become another attraction for Chihshang. The magnificent blanket of golden cauliflower fields at harvest can be seen from either side of the No. 9 provincial highway has drawn large number of visitors annually.

　　Tourists to Chihshang often include the following spots in their itinerary: silk worm vacation center, Tu Garden, Jade and Toad Gardens. Furthermore, with the well-publicized bicycle ride, one can casually wander along the country roads, or promenade in the greenery field or flower sea, viewing the high ridge and tough cliff on the two sides.

　　No. 9 provincial highway is the major south-north throughway which links up Fuli and Yuli in the north, and Kwanshan and Luja vertical valley and other scenic spots in the south. To the west heading on No. 20 Taiwanese highway or No. 20 (A) provincial highway, it will link to the southern vertical highway. To the south, it connects to the No. 197 county highway to Taitung, which meanders along the coastline at mid-mountain level. The ride offers the views of southern tip of the vertical valley and Pei Nan Big Creek. Since the traffic is light, the route is suitable for cyclists who wants to take in views of the tough landscape of Kwanshan and Lichi.