Emperor Temple Hiking Trail Introduction
The Huangdi Dian Hiking Trail is located in the Shiding District of New Taipei City and is a ridge that extends northward from the Xueshan mountain range. Its most famous feature is the rock ridge trail between the East Peak and the West Peak, named after the Tianwang Temple located below the ridge, which is also known as the Huangdi Dian (Emperor's Palace). The term "Huangdi Dian Mountain" generally refers to the entire narrow rock ridge from East Peak to West Peak. The ridge top is so narrow that it resembles a knife-cut and is only wide enough for one person to pass through. On one side, there is a nearly vertical cliff, while on the other side is a slope that is parallel to the ground level. Most people tend to slow down while walking, with some even crawling, hence the mountain community describes it as "ants crossing the threshold." Some of the more hazardous sections are equipped with chains, ropes, and iron railings for safety, yet it still provides an exciting and thrilling experience, making it a very popular hiking route. The geology of the mountainous area is in its youthful phase, featuring special landscapes such as cliffs and deep gorges. Among them, the Yongding Shiba Peak, which directly points towards Shiding, has a linear distance of 4 kilometers, making it a rare rock climbing site. The East Peak is 593 meters high, the West Peak is 560 meters, and Tianwang Peak (Middle Peak) is 562 meters. Tianwang Peak is positioned right in the center of this ridge, with a yellow flag at the top bearing the words "Tianwang Temple." Although the mountains in this area are not very high, the northern views are excellent; on clear days, one can see Sifenziwei Mountain to the north and, farther to the northwest, the Qixing Mountain and Huangaijiao Mountain.
