Baojia Ancient Trail Introduction
Visiting ancient trails has always been a great way to understand local history. The Baojia Ancient Trail, with a history of two hundred years, reveals through its name that it was developed during the Qing Dynasty. Formerly known as the "Porter Trail," this path was a vital route for porters traveling between Hsinchu's Xinpu and Taoyuan's Daxi before the area had external roads, primarily transporting agricultural products such as persimmons, citrus fruits, tea leaves, and camellia oil. Originally stretching 20 kilometers, the trail had fallen into disrepair for many years. In 2014, residents of Yongning Village took six months to hand-repair 750 meters of the Baojia Ancient Trail using traditional methods passed down from their ancestors. The round pebbles used for the path were sourced locally from Laokeng Creek, with residents specifically using large stones in the center and smaller stones on the sides to stabilize the path, maintaining a slope of less than 5%, thereby recreating the historical transportation scene and hoping to preserve local memories. The ancient trail, built using Hakka traditional techniques, although more time-consuming and labor-intensive than cement, offers greater permeability, minimizing disruption to the native species' habitats and achieving soil and water conservation, showcasing the local residents' love for the land. Starting from the colorful mural wall at the entrance on Lao Zhuang Road, travelers can find facilities along the way such as guiding maps, tea-serving pavilions, interpretation pavilions, and decorative stone sculptures, allowing them to experience Hakka cultural heritage. The flat trail is suitable for family outings, providing visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the lush greenery of tea gardens and camellia oil trees, uplifting their spirits. With the arrival of the May tung blossom season, the trail attracts many flower watchers hoping to catch a glimpse of the stunning sight of flowers in full bloom. The rest pavilion at the higher points of the trail offers an excellent view, allowing visitors to overlook the Yangsheng Golf Course and enjoy the pure white romance of the mountains and forests.
