Wuling (mountain pass)
{{short description|Mountain Pass in Ren'ai, Taiwan}}
{{Infobox mountain pass
| name = Wuling
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| photo = Wuling side angle.jpg
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| photo_alt = Sign on the observation deck
| photo_caption = Sign on the observation deck
| map = Taiwan
| map_alt = Location in Taiwan
| map_caption = Location in Taiwan
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| elevation_m = 3275
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| traversed = File:TW PHW14a.svg Provincial Highway 14A
| grade_avg =
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| location = Ren'ai, Nantou, Taiwan
| range = Central Mountain Range
| coordinates = {{coord|24.137212|N|121.275711|E|type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
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Wuling ({{zh|c=武嶺|p=Wǔlǐng}}, el 3275 m), formerly known as {{nihongo|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.{{cite web |title=武嶺(台灣公路最高點) |url=https://www.cingjing.com.tw/trip/trip.asp?tno=54 |website=清境旅遊資訊網 |accessdate=28 September 2019 |language=zh-tw}}{{cite web |title=武嶺 |url=https://www.taroko.gov.tw/zh-tw/Tourism/AttractionDetail?id=6 |website=Taroko National Park |accessdate=28 September 2019 |language=zh-tw}}
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.{{cite web |author1=楊南郡 |title=《太魯閣國家公園合歡古道西段調查與步道規劃報告》 |url=http://www.taroko.gov.tw/TarokoPortal/Files/Report/554358101634_A.pdf |website=Taroko National Park |accessdate=28 September 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223234929/http://www.taroko.gov.tw/TarokoPortal/Files/Report/554358101634_A.pdf |archivedate=23 December 2007 |language=zh-tw}}
After the change of governance to the Kuomintang, 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:{{cite news |last1=吳敏正 |title=三進武嶺怎麼騎？ |url=https://www.cycling-update.info/cycling-travel/taiwan-ride/2116-2016-11-16-05-46-43 |accessdate=30 September 2019 |agency=Cycling Update |date=16 November 2016 |language=zh-tw}}
- From the east (85 km, 3,215 m 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 m elevation): Beginning in Puli, Nantou, the route follows Highway 14 and 14A through Qingjing Farm.
- From the north (62 km, 2,300 m 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 following 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."{{cite news |last1=Fretz |first1=Caley |title=Travel: Taiwan KOM Challenge |url=https://www.velonews.com/2017/10/news/travel-taiwan-kom-challenge_450759 |accessdate=28 September 2019 |date=28 October 2017}}{{cite news |title=Nibali ends season with victory at Taiwan KOM Challenge - Gallery |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/nibali-ends-season-with-victory-at-taiwan-kom-challenge-gallery/ |accessdate=28 September 2019 |agency=Cycling News |date=20 October 2017}}
Wuling is also a popular stargazing and bird-watching location. Common birds include the Taiwan rosefinch, white-whiskered laughingthrush, and collared bush robin.
Gallery
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| File:合歡山主峰俯視 - panoramio.jpg
| alt1=View of Wuling from the peak of Hehuanshan
| View of Wuling from the peak of Hehuanshan
| File:Taiwan Central Cross Island Highway 35.jpg
| alt2=View of Wuling from Mt. Shimen to the north
| View of Wuling from Mt. Shimen to the north
| File:Camp in the Mountains of Taroko War 1914.jpg
| alt3=A Japanese camp near Wuling during the Truku War
| A Japanese camp near Wuling during the Truku War
| File:546, Taiwan, 南投縣仁愛鄉合作村 - panoramio (3).jpg
| alt4=Rock formation at Wuling
| Rock formation at Wuling
}}