Yangchou Forest Trail Introduction
Follow the footsteps of the shepherds of old and tread through the valleys of the Nan Kan River tributary. The scenes of sheep pens and grazing sheep are long gone, replaced by the figures of many hikers traversing the tranquil mountain trails. The Yangchou Keng Forest Trail stretches about 3.3 kilometers and is generally flat and easy to walk. Along the way, you'll find lush greenery and can even catch a distant view of the high-speed rail passing through tunnels. A visit here is definitely worthwhile! Heading up Yangchou Alley, next to the Chang Rong Fa Foundation Museum and the Chang Liu Art Museum, you will find the entrance adorned with a lovely stone sculpture of a goat after walking about 100 meters. The wide dirt and stone path is easy to navigate. After about 100 meters of walking, you will arrive at the first checkpoint of the trail—Haohan Slope, where 215 steps will challenge your cardiovascular endurance, burning calories quickly! If you prefer to conserve energy at the beginning, you can take the right fork; both routes lead to Qifeng Mountain. The health plaza at the top of Qifeng Mountain is equipped with swings and simple fitness facilities, allowing you to take a short rest here. Continuing on, with a gentle mountain breeze, walk another 200 meters along the flat dirt steps towards Bafeng Mountain. If you plan for a "lightweight" hike, the right fork going towards the Wu Family Shrine can lead you back to Zhongshan Road. Proceed towards Jian Mountain, where the towering high-voltage power tower marks the summit. On the way to Jiufeng Mountain, the right fork leads to the "Century-Old Longtou Guanyin Land Temple" nestled beneath a large banyan tree, while the left fork leads to the trailhead on Ren'ai Road, Section 3, Alley 560. After crossing Jiufeng Mountain and climbing the stone stairs to the observation deck, you will see the high-speed rail swiftly passing through tunnels, planes taking off and landing at Taoyuan International Airport, and the distant sight of ships navigating the Taiwan Strait—a spectacular view combining land, sea, and air! The highest point of the trail, at an elevation of 225 meters, is the Yangchou Mountain peak, which is the most popular spot for viewing the high-speed rail. The downhill path takes you past a beetle ecological area’s pavilion and a long pavilion, leading you to the end of the trail—the Liufu Road trailhead. The Yangchou Keng Forest Trail boasts rich ecological landscapes, with swallowtail butterflies, squirrels, and stag beetles fluttering among pencil cedar, tung trees, and acacia, showcasing the vibrant natural appearance of this green space near the city. During the summer, the "Yangchou Trail Beetle Season" is an annual ecological highlight that is not to be missed; numerous beetles emerge on the light tree, with their powerful horns serving as the best weapons for competition, as they fight for food and territory—a grand martial arts gathering that comes once in a while! It is recommended to follow the guides through the beetle rehabilitation area to gain a close understanding of the insects' growth environments and ecological characteristics, which will undoubtedly amaze you!
