Ying Han Ridge Introduction
Yinghan Ridge, with an elevation of 616 meters, is the highest peak of Guanyin Mountain, dominating the left bank of the Tamsui River and spanning three administrative districts: Wugu, Bali, and Linkou. Named for its resemblance to a reclining Guanyin Bodhisattva, the mountain also features several ancient temples dedicated to Guanyin. Guanyin Mountain is a conical volcano within the Datun Volcano Group, where the marine moisture brought by the monsoon transforms into cloud and mist, creating a spectacular sea of clouds known for its beauty, earning it the title "Misty Ridge". It is one of the eight scenic spots in the northern Tamsui area during the Qing Dynasty. The Yinghan Ridge Trail, formerly known as the Guanyin Ancient Trail, is named after the "hard man spirit" from the training conducted by the Military Police School here in the 1960s. The gradient of Yinghan Ridge reaches 14.87%, classifying it as a steep secondary trail. The one-way distance is approximately 1,563 meters, mostly comprising stone steps. A leisurely walk takes about 60 minutes to reach the peak of Yinghan Ridge, making it a trail suitable for physical training. At the top of Yinghan Ridge stands an archway, with an inscription on the uphill side stating, "Find the hard road to walk; choose the heavy load to carry," while the downhill side bears the couplet, "Come to learn to be a hard man; leave to become a hard man," motivating climbers mentally and physically. From the Yinghan Ridge viewing platform, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Greater Taipei, including the Bali Taipei Port, the confluence of the Tamsui River and the sea, the historical sites of Tamsui, the Datun Volcano Group, the Guandu Bridge, Taipei 101, the New Taipei Bridge, and the beautiful Eighteen Peaks surrounding Guanyin Mountain. Moreover, Guanyin Mountain serves as an important migration stop for eagles and hawks, attracting many bird-watching enthusiasts keen to observe the majestic raptors that come from afar.
