Yucheng Old Trail Introduction
The Yucheng Road Historic Trail is one of the three main ancient paths in the west region of the Daxi River (the other two are the Zhaiming Temple Trail and the Panlongqi Trail). The term "Yucheng" hints at a royal visit in the past; this trail, built in 1788, was originally a pathway for local residents to travel to the Hsinchu and Longtan markets. In 1923, due to the visit of the crown prince, local gentry raised funds to rebuild the trail into the stone-paved road seen today. The entrance to the trail is located at the back gate of the National Defense University’s Chung Cheng Mountain, where a monument commemorating Yucheng Road has been erected, listing the names of the donors. Yucheng Road is also known as the "No. 9 Qixi Historic Trail," named after the ninth culvert of the Taoyuan Canal that is located here. The Taoyuan Canal was constructed from 1916 to 1928, designed by multiple engineers including Zhang Lingji and Bai Shicheng. During its construction, the complexity of the project resulted in the deaths of 55 workers. The "Monument of Offering" along the path bears the list of those who lost their lives as well as the history of the canal's excavation. Nearby, one can see the water diversion tunnel of the Taoyuan Canal, with a view of the rushing water below, further eliciting admiration for the workers who participated in the largest hydraulic engineering project in northern Taiwan. In addition to its historical significance, the Yucheng Road Historic Trail is also a famous Tung Tree Blossom Trail in Taoyuan. Every April and May, the falling "May Snow" adds a touch of romance to the stone-paved road. The trail has a gentle slope and features pavilions for the public to take a rest, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery characterized by the blue sky, lush forests, and delicate tung flowers while hiking.
