Zhongli Old Street River Trail, Xinxia River Trail Introduction
The construction schedule for the Old Street Bridge is expected to last until December 31, 2029. A duet of urban greenery: the Old Street River and the New Street River, laying a quietly flowing path for daily life. As you stroll along the Old Street River and the New Street River, you'll discover that the city's scenery can be softly poetic. These two rivers symbolize the vibrant greenery of the Greater Taoyuan area, quietly intertwining the rhythms of nature and culture in everyday life. Old Street River: A path that invites you to reconnect with nature. Originating from Longtan, the Old Street River flows north through Pingzhen, Zhongli, and Dayuan, gaining its name from passing through Zhongli Old Street, making it an important river for Zhongli City. The Old Street River Trail is approximately 5.2 kilometers long, starting from Ba Zi Zhen Riverside Park in Pingzhen and extending to Huanbei Road in Zhongli, linking New Era Park, Riverside Park, River Education Center, and the historically significant Xin Guang Fu De Temple. It is not just a greenbelt in the city but resembles a peaceful passage in life. Here, white egrets and scaly-breasted munias occasionally soar low, surrounded by lush greenery along the banks. Each step allows you a brief escape from the busyness of reality, returning to a pure rhythm. No wonder the Old Street River Trail attracted over 10.53 million visitors in 2024, becoming the fifth most popular tourist recreation site in Taiwan. Along the riverside, greenery intertwines with environmental education and historical memories. From the local beliefs at the Xin Guang Fu De Temple to the urban regeneration at the Old Street River Memorial Square, each step feels like turning the pages of a gentle and serene city walking diary. Along the way, you might catch a glimpse of the tassel trees swaying gently in the wind and children playing on the slides, while the Xingnan Weir quietly keeps the rhythm of the river, steadily irrigating the 40 hectares of farmland in Zhongli and maintaining the ecological balance of this watershed. New Street River: In its flow, it conceals the city's past and present. If the Old Street River is like an elder narrating stories, the New Street River is akin to a quietly pulsating vein in the city. The New Street River flows throughout Longtan, Pingzhen, Zhongli, and finally out to the Dayuan District, with a main channel of approximately 29 kilometers, and its downstream mouth is the famous Dapingding Birdwatching Area. The New Street River Trail stretches nearly 8 kilometers, starting from the Shuizui Bridge on Dazhen Road in Zhongli and ending at the Mantingfang Bridge on Longgang Road Section 3. Along the way, you'll pass by cultural landmarks such as Renhai Temple, New Street Elementary School, and Zhongli Art Park, making this route not just a hiking path but also a riverside corridor through time and culture. In spring, the blooming mountain cherry blossoms along the sides cover the entire trail in a gentle pink filter; with a casual glance, you might just pass by a white egret or a yellow wagtail. As you walk on these two trails, you'll understand that healing can actually be very simple. Like the Old Street River and the New Street River, they are neither noisy nor spectacular, yet in a fleeting moment, they help you regain the ability to connect with yourself.
