Hiking through Taiwan’s colonial past
The Batongguan Traversing Trail was part of the Japanese effort to control Taiwan’s Aboriginal population. Now, it makes for a beautiful, fascinating, and sometimes dangerous cross-island walk
By Tyler Cottenie / Contributing reporter
The Batongguan Traversing Trail (八通關越道路) was built during the Japanese era in order to provide a transportation link between the East and West, and a means to control the Aboriginal population in the mountains. Construction began in 1919 and the entire 125-kilometer project was completed just a year and a half later. It was used until 1944, when the financial strain of the war effort forced its abandonment.