Yucheng Old Trail Introduction
Yucheng Road Ancient Trail is one of the three major ancient trails in the west region of Daxi River (the other two are Zaimei Temple Ancient Trail and Panlongxi Ancient Trail). The term "Yucheng" suggests that there was once a visit by royalty. This ancient trail, built in 1788, was originally a route for local residents to travel to Hsinchu and Longtan for trade. In 1923, due to the visit by the Crown Prince, local gentry raised funds to renovate it into the stone-paved path seen today. The entrance of the ancient trail is located at the back gate of the National Defense University, with a Yucheng Road memorial monument that lists the names of donors. Yucheng Road Ancient Trail is also known as "Jiuhauqi Ancient Trail," originating from the ninth culvert of the Taoyuan Canal located here. The Taoyuan Canal was built from 1916 to 1928 and designed by engineers including Zhang Lingji and Baishi Chengfu. Due to the high difficulty of the project, as many as 55 workers lost their lives. The "Memorial Tower" along the ancient trail records the list of those who perished and details the excavation process. Next to the tower, one can see the water diversion tunnel of the Taoyuan Canal, and looking down reveals rushing waters, further deepening appreciation for those who participated in this major hydraulic engineering project in northern Taiwan. In front of the tower, there is an information board introducing the origins, construction process, and project overview of the Taoyuan Canal. In addition to historical relics, Yucheng Road Ancient Trail is also a famous Tung Tree Flower Trail in Taoyuan. Every April and May, the "May Snow" falls on the stone-paved path, adding a touch of romance. The trail has a gentle slope, with pavilions along the way for visitors to rest, allowing for a pleasant hike while enjoying the integration of the blue sky, lush greenery, and the delicate beauty of Tung flowers.