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 over 200 years, reveals through its name that it was developed during the Qing Dynasty. Previously known as the "Dahd Road," it served as a vital route for porters traveling between Hsinchu Xinpu and Taoyuan Daxi before the area had any external connecting roads, primarily transporting crops such as persimmons, citrus fruits, tea, and bitter tea oil. The original length of the ancient trail was 20 kilometers, but it had fallen into disrepair for many years. In 2014, residents of Yongning Village took half a year to restore 750 meters of the Baojia Ancient Trail using traditional methods passed down from their ancestors. The round river stones used for the path were locally sourced from Laokeng Stream, and residents specifically employed construction techniques such as laying large stones in the center and smaller stones on both sides to stabilize the path, maintaining a slope of less than 5%, thereby recreating the historical scene of transporting goods while hoping to preserve local memories. Although the ancient trail built using traditional Hakka techniques takes more time and effort compared to cement pouring, it has a higher permeability, does not harm the habitat of native species, and contributes to soil and water conservation, reflecting the local residents' love for the land. Starting from the colorful wall at the entrance on Laozhuang Road, facilities such as guidance maps, tea stalls, interpretation pavilions, and decorative stone sculptures are set up along the way to allow travelers to experience Hakka culture. The flat ancient path is quite suitable for family visits, allowing visitors to enjoy the lush greenery of tea gardens and bitter tea trees, which uplift their spirits. With the arrival of the May Paulownia flower season, it attracts numerous flower watchers eager to witness the beautiful scenery of the trees laden with blossoms. The resting pavilion at the height of the trail offers excellent views, allowing a distant gaze at the Yang Sheng Golf Course and a splendid panorama of the pure white romantic scenery among the mountains and forests.
