It is said that in former times, the aborigines, tired of being cheated by people from the plains, would often go on raids into the plains area. The Jen Chih pass was regarded as an insurmountable barrier, hence its name, which means "plainsmen shall not pass."
後來平地人和山胞做生意，山胞經常吃虧上當，心中非常不滿，經常下山滋事報復。當時的官府，為防範發生事端，在眉溪附近設了一道「人止關」，意思是平地人到此止步。