Zhushan, Nantou | "A Visit to the Yuanbiao Stone Stele: Using the Stele as a Benchmark, Measuring the Universe; Using the Land as Roots, Continuing the Culture"

"Yuanbiao" means "benchmark," and it served as a crucial marker for measuring land and planning streets in ancient times. The Zhushan Yuanbiao Stone Stele, erected here, serves not only as the starting point for local surveying but also as a testament to Zhushan's cultural history. The stone is heavy, and the inscriptions, though faded, remain legible, as if whispering to future generations the beginnings of Zhushan's development.

Up close, one senses a simple power, unlike the solemnity of temple statues. It lacks the fervor of incense, yet it carries the pulse of local history; it's not situated in an ancient mountain temple, yet it bears witness to the passage of everyday life.

Standing for a long moment, a gentle reverence wells up in my heart. This stele is more than just a surveying mark; it symbolizes the connection between the people of Zhushan and the land. It is precisely because of this starting point that neighborhoods and settlements have expanded, and culture and faith have been nurtured.

Leaving the site of the Yuanbiao Stone Stele and looking back, it still stands quietly, interwoven with the sounds of Zhushan's city life, creating a scene of "history and modernity coexisting."

A square marker not only measures the land, but also the memories and hearts of generations.

Post by 諸文武 | Aug 31, 2025