Zhaiming Temple Historic Trail Introduction
Zhaiming Temple, now one of the 30 city-designated historical monuments in Taoyuan, is accompanied by an ancient path that was built in 1923. This path is a vital route for devotees traveling to the temple and is currently one of the three major ancient paths in the Hexi area (the other two are Yucheng Road Ancient Path and Panlongqi Ancient Path). The stone materials of the slate path were sourced from the Dahan River and were carved and laid by craftsmen hired by Mr. Jiang Lianzhi (Dharma name: Puhai), the fourth-generation descendant of the temple's founder, Mr. Li A-Jia. Walking up the densely packed stone steps, one can imagine the pilgrims of the time who had to take a ferry to get there, kneeling as they approached Zhaiming Temple, evoking a deep sense of cultural immersion. At the junction of the Zhaiming Temple Ancient Path and Provincial Highway 64, a silent archway stands, inscribed with the words “Day and night the sound of the stream seeks the shore of the path, entwined footprints embrace the sage’s gate,” making the century-old years seem to pause here. The tranquil forest path, towering ancient trees, and the murmuring stream provide a refreshing experience. Although the famous scene of “Returning Sail at Kanjin,” once one of the Eight Sceneries of Daxi, can no longer be seen from above, one can still embrace a sense of nostalgia. Walking along this century-old path offers a unique perspective to reflect on Daxi’s magnificent past, making it an intriguing exploration of ancient charm.
