Yucheng Old Trail Introduction
Yucheng Road Ancient Trail is one of the three major ancient trails in the west of Daxi River (the other two are the Zhaiming Temple Ancient Trail and the Panlongxi Ancient Trail). The name "Yucheng" suggests that royalty once visited this area. Constructed in 1788, this ancient trail served as a route for local residents to trade with Hsinchu and Longtan. In 1923, funds were raised by local gentry to upgrade it to the stone-paved path seen today, located at the entrance of the ancient trail behind the rear gate of National Defense University’s Chung Cheng Ling, where a Yucheng Road monument was erected, listing the names of donors. Yucheng Road Ancient Trail is also known as the "No. 9 Qixia Ancient Trail," named after the ninth culvert of the Taoyuan Canal located here. The Taoyuan Canal was constructed from 1916 to 1928, designed by engineers such as Zhang Lingji and Bai Shicheng. Due to the high difficulty of the project, as many as 55 workers lost their lives. The "Stupa for the Blessed" along the trail bears the names of those who perished and recounts the history of the canal's excavation. Beside the stupa, visitors can see the water diversion tunnel of the Taoyuan Canal, with a rush of water visible below, evoking admiration for the workers who contributed to this major hydraulic project in northern Taiwan. In front of the stupa, there is an informational signboard with text and images about the canal’s inception, construction process, and project overview. In addition to its historical significance, Yucheng Road Ancient Trail is also a famous Tung flower trail in Taoyuan. Every year in April and May, the "May Snow" falls upon the stone-paved road, adding a touch of romance. The incline of the ancient trail is relatively gentle, with pavilions along the way for visitors to take a rest, allowing hikers to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery where the blue sky, lush forests, and gentle Tung flowers harmoniously blend together.
