Yinghan Ridge Introduction
Yinghan Ridge, with an elevation of 616 meters, is the highest peak of Guanyin Mountain. Located on the left bank of the Tamsui River, it spans across three administrative districts: Wugu, Bali, and Linkou. The mountain is named for its shape, which resembles a reclining statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva. There are also several ancient temples within the mountain dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva. Yinghan Ridge is a conical volcano belonging to the Datun Volcano Group. The maritime moisture brought by monsoons transforms into clouds and mist on Yinghan Ridge, creating a stunning sea of clouds, famously known for its beauty as "The Mist Over the Ridge," and is recognized as one of the eight scenic spots in northern Tamsui during the Qing Dynasty. The Yinghan Ridge hiking trail, formerly known as the Guanyin Ancient Road, is named after the "Tough Guy Spirit" trained here by the military police school in the 1960s. The slope of Yinghan Ridge reaches 14.87% and is classified as a steeper secondary incline. The one-way distance is approximately 1563 meters, predominantly featuring stone steps, and takes about 60 minutes of slow walking to reach the top, making it a training-level trail. At the summit of Yinghan Ridge stands an archway, with a phrase carved on the upward-facing side that reads, "To walk, seek out the difficult path; to carry a burden, choose a heavy load." The downward-facing side bears the couplet, "Come to learn to be a tough guy, depart to become a tough guy," which inspires hikers in both mind and physical strength. The first observation platform at the Tamsui River estuary offers a panoramic view of the Greater Taipei area. Upon reaching the observation deck on Yinghan Ridge, one can overlook the entire Greater Taipei, including a distant view of Bali, the confluence of the Tamsui River and the ocean, the Tamsui historical sites, the Datun Volcano Group, Guandu Bridge, Taipei 101, the New Taipei Bridge, and the scenic Eighteen Peaks surrounding Guanyin Mountain, encompassing mountains, sea, river, and city. Guanyin Mountain also serves as an important migration stop for eagles and falcons, attracting many bird enthusiasts to witness the majestic raptors arriving from afar.
