Yucheng Old Trail Introduction
The Yucheng Road Ancient Trail is one of the three major ancient trails in the west area of Daxi River (the other two are the Zhaiming Temple Ancient Trail and the Panlong Cape Ancient Trail). The term "Yucheng" suggests that there were royal visits in the past. This ancient trail, built in 1788, originally served as a route for local residents to travel between Hsinchu and Longtan for trade. In 1923, due to the visit of the Crown Prince, local gentry raised funds to reconstruct it into the stone-paved road we see today. The entrance of the ancient trail is located at the back gate of the National Defense Medical Center at Chung Cheng Mountain, where a monument commemorating Yucheng Road has been set up, featuring a list of donations. Yucheng Road Ancient Trail is also known as the "No. 9 Cape Ancient Trail," named after the ninth culvert of the Taoyuan Canal, which is located here. The Taoyuan Canal was built between 1916 and 1928, designed by several engineers, including Zhang Lingji and Bai Shicheng. At the time of construction, the project faced significant challenges, resulting in the deaths of 55 workers. The "memorial tower" along the ancient trail bears the names of those who perished and recounts the history of digging the canal. Next to the tower, visitors can see the water diversion tunnel of the Taoyuan Canal, and looking down, one can witness the rapid flow of water, further appreciating the contributions of those who participated in this major water conservancy project in northern Taiwan. In front of the tower stands an informative board detailing the history of the canal's construction. In addition to its historical significance, Yucheng Road Ancient Trail is also a famous Tung Blossom trail in Taoyuan. Every April and May, the "May Snow" falls on the stone-paved road, adding a touch of romantic sentiment. The slope of the ancient trail is relatively gentle, with pavilions along the way for visitors to rest, allowing them to hike while enjoying the natural beauty of the blue sky, lush woods, and delicate Tung blossoms.
