Yangchou Forest Trail Introduction
Follow in the footsteps of the former shepherds as you tread through the valleys of the tributaries of the Nankan River. The scenes of sheep pens (in Hokkien known as "yangchou") and grazing are no longer visible, but numerous hikers can be seen traversing the quiet mountain trails. The Yangchou Keng Forest Trail is approximately 3.3 kilometers long and is mostly flat and easy to walk. Along the way, greenery abounds, and you can even spot the High-Speed Rail passing through tunnels—definitely worth the trip! Proceeding along Yangchou Lane next to the Chang Rong-fan Foundation Museum and the Chang Liu Art Museum for about 100 meters, you will find a charming mountain goat stone sculpture marking the trailhead. The spacious dirt and stone path is easy to walk on, and after about 100 meters, you will reach the first checkpoint of this trail—Haohan Slope, where 215 steps will challenge your cardiovascular endurance, rapidly burning calories! If you prefer not to tire yourself out too soon, you can take the right fork, as both routes lead to Qifen Mountain. At the health plaza atop Qifen Mountain, you will find swings and simple fitness equipment available for a brief rest. Then, with the gentle mountain breeze, continue on the flat dirt steps towards Bafen Mountain for another 200 meters. If you are planning a "lightweight" hike, the right path toward the Wu Family Shrine can take you back to Zhongshan Road. Continuing towards Jian Mountain, where high-voltage power towers stand, will lead you to the mountaintop. On the way to Jiufen Mountain, the right fork leads to the century-old Longtou Guanyin God Land Temple nestled under a big banyan tree, while the left path leads to the entrance of the mountain located on Ren'ai Road, Section 3, Alley 560. After passing Jiufen Mountain and ascending the stone steps to the viewpoint, you will witness the High-Speed Rail swiftly traversing the tunnel, planes taking off and landing at Taoyuan International Airport, and even ships sailing across the Taiwan Strait in the distance—a spectacular convergence of land, sea, and air views, truly a feast for the eyes! The trail's highest point at an elevation of 225 meters on Yangchou Mountain is the most popular spot for watching the High-Speed Rail. As you descend, you will pass by the beetle ecological area pavilion and a long-style pavilion until you arrive at the trail's endpoint—the Lioufu Road trailhead. The Yangchou Keng Forest Trail boasts rich ecological scenery; butterflies, squirrels, and stag beetles dart among the pen bamboo, tung trees, and acacia trees, allowing this green space near the city to showcase a vibrant natural landscape. The annual "Yangchou Trail Beetle Season" held every summer is an ecological highlight not to be missed; numerous beetles appear on the shiny lacquer trees, and their formidable horns serve as the best weapon for offense and defense in battles for food and territory, making this a fierce martial arts competition! It is definitely worth your while to follow a guide into the beetle breeding area to gain an intimate understanding of the insects' growth environments and ecological habits, which will surely amaze you!
