Northern Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Introduction
The Northern Coast and Yehliu Geopark National Scenic Area was established on February 20, 2001. It integrates three provincial scenic areas: the Northern Coast, Yehliu, and Guanyin Mountain, with a management office established on July 22, 2002. The area covers the "Northern Coast Region," which belongs to four administrative districts in New Taipei City: Sanzhi, Shimen, Jinshan, and Wanli, as well as the "Guanyin Mountain Region" that includes two administrative districts: Wugu and Bali. The area is rich in tourist resources, with the Northern Coast Highway featuring picturesque scenery, and numerous attractions and recreational facilities along the way. Famous scenic spots such as Baisha Bay, Linshan Cape, Fugui Cape Park, Shimen Cave, Jinshan, Yehliu, and Emerald Bay are distributed in a belt-like manner. It also boasts diverse artistic and cultural resources like the Li Tianlu Puppet Museum and the Ju Ming Museum. Yehliu Geopark is known worldwide for its Queen's Head and Fairy Shoe, the intricate shapes created by nature, as well as the unique monolithic mountains formed by the collision of the Eurasian and Philippine plates. The wave-cut platforms serve as a haven for intertidal zones and seasonal migratory birds. Guanyin Mountain's stunning and magnificent views can be appreciated from the summit of Hard Man Ridge, where the winding Tamsui River persistently flows into the sea, and the vibrant landscape of the Taipei Basin is fully visible. Along the pathway, stunning scenery showcases the viewpoint features of Guanyin Mountain, and six hiking trails have been specially planned, which can be divided into Fulong Mountain, Niugang Ridge, Hard Man Ridge, Jian Mountain, Fenggui Dou Lake, and Niuliaopu Hiking Trails. Among them, Hard Man Ridge is the highest point of Guanyin Mountain, reaching an altitude of about 616 meters. The main trail accesses the summit from the nearby Lingyun Zen Temple, while the secondary trail (Fenggui Dou Lake Trail) connects from behind the Guanyin Mountain Visitor Center. Although the secondary trail is shorter, it is steeper and poses a challenge for those with physical stamina. Upon reaching Hard Man Ridge, the panoramic view opens up. Each trail has its own features, complete with wooden boardwalks and guiding markers, aiming to showcase the beauty of Guanyin Mountain as visitors stroll through. Watching the boats shuttle back and forth at the Fisherman's Wharf across the way and the sea of lights from countless homes, one realizes that the nights at Guanyin Mountain can be just as beautiful! Reference: Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Northern Coast and Guanyin Mountain National Scenic Area Administration.
