Daxi Cihu Trail Introduction
With the passage of time, the Cihu Mausoleum has become the "Two-Chiang Cultural Park," a recreational site with international tourism competitiveness. When visiting Cihu in Daxi, don't miss the two lakeside trails next to the mausoleum. These trails run along the Caoling River and are named the "Toudiao Eco-Trail" and the "Cihu Trail." The Toudiao Eco-Trail, located next to the Daxi Mausoleum, stretches along the Caoling River, offering picturesque rural views; while the Cihu Trail leads onward, where visitors can admire the beautiful swans on Cihu Lake. The ceremonial guard change is a must-see performance that attracts everyone's attention. The entrance to the Toudiao Eco-Trail is right next to the Daxi Mausoleum, and the trail is approximately 1.2 kilometers long. Being adjacent to the Caoling River, it allows hikers to enjoy the scenic beauty of the stream, where elegant egrets occasionally fly by, amid simple ecological interpretation panels of the Caoling River and the soothing sound of babbling water along the way, creating a very therapeutic ambiance. Moreover, the trail is wide and flat, making it a great outdoor excursion spot for both adults and children, even during the hot summer months. Don't forget to gaze upon the only volcano in the Taoyuan area, and the only shield volcano on the main island of Taiwan—Caoling Mountain. Although the volcano no longer erupts, its lush green forests can still be admired; during the winter fallow season, you can also see a stunning sea of cosmos flowers that leaves a lasting impression. The Toudiao Trail takes about twenty minutes to walk one way, and then you can proceed to the "Cihu Trail," which starts at the Cihu Visitor Center. Visitors can first collect tourism information about Cihu and nearby attractions at the center, which also features various artifacts and film exhibits from the Two-Chiang era, making it worth a visit. Entering the Cihu Trail from the entrance next to the visitor center, although short, the trail allows you to appreciate Cihu's beauty from different angles. Along the way, trees and bamboo groves provide ample shade, barely letting the sunlight through, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the comfort of being surrounded by greenery. If you walk along the picturesque lakeshore of Cihu Lake, you'll eventually reach the trail's endpoint—the Cihu Mausoleum. This location, situated between the mountains and water, is renowned for being the final resting place of General Chiang. It is also guarded by military police, and the hourly ceremonial guard change becomes a focal point for visitors, with the impressive rifle drill attracting many tourists each day.
