Yucheng Old Trail Introduction
The Yu Cheng Road Ancient Trail is one of the three major ancient trails in the western region of the Daxi River (the other two are the Zhaiming Temple Ancient Trail and the Panlong Cape Ancient Trail). The term "Yu Cheng" suggests that there were royal visits in the past; this ancient trail, built in 1788, was originally a path for local residents to travel to Hsinchu and Longtan for trade. In 1923, following a visit from the Crown Prince to Taiwan, local gentry raised funds to renovate it into the stone path we see today. The entrance to the ancient trail is located at the back gate of National Defense University’s Chung Cheng Ridge, where a monument to Yu Cheng Road has been established, listing the names of the donors. The Yu Cheng Road Ancient Trail is also known as the "No. 9 Cape Ancient Trail," which derives its name from the ninth culvert of the Taoyuan Irrigation Canal located here. The Taoyuan Irrigation Canal was constructed between 1916 and 1928, designed by engineers including Zhang Ling-ji and Bai Shi-cheng. The construction faced significant challenges, resulting in the loss of 55 workers, and the “Memorial Stupa” along the ancient trail commemorates the list of the fallen and the excavation process. Beside the stupa, visitors can see the water diversion tunnel of the Taoyuan Irrigation Canal, where the rushing water below elicits deep admiration for those who participated in this largest water conservancy project in northern Taiwan. In front of the stupa, there is an informational board about the Taoyuan Irrigation Canal, detailing its origins, construction phases, and project overview. In addition to its historical significance, the Yu Cheng Road Ancient Trail is also a famous Tung Blossom Trail in Taoyuan. Every year in April and May, the blooming flowers, often referred to as "May Snow," fall onto the stone path, adding a touch of romance. The trail has a gentle slope and features pavilions along the way for visitors to rest, allowing them to hike while enjoying the natural beauty of the blue sky, lush trees, and delicate Tung blossoms.
