Emperor Temple Hiking Trail Introduction
The Emperor Temple Hiking Trail is located in the Shiding District of New Taipei City, extending from the Xueshan mountain range to the north. It is most famous for the rocky ridge trail that lies between its East Peak and West Peak, named after the Tian Wang Temple situated below the ridge, with "Emperor Temple" being an alternate name for it. Generally, the Emperor Temple Mountain refers to the narrow rock ridge stretching from the East Peak to the West Peak. The ridge is so slim and narrow that it appears to be sliced by a knife, barely allowing passage for one person at a time. On one side is a near-vertical cliff, while the other side slopes parallel to the ground. Most hikers slow down while navigating this section, with some even opting to crawl, leading mountaineers to describe it as "ants crossing a threshold." Certain more perilous sections are equipped with chains, ropes, and iron railings for safety; nonetheless, it remains an exhilarating and thrilling hiking route, highly favored among outdoor enthusiasts. Due to the geology of the mountainous area being in its juvenile phase, it features special landscapes such as steep cliffs and deep ravines. Among them, the Yongding Shiba Point juts out towards Shiding, with a straight distance of 4 kilometers, making it a rare rock climbing site. The East Peak stands at an elevation of 593 meters, the West Peak at 560 meters, and the Tian Wang Peak (Middle Peak) at 562 meters, perfectly positioned at the center of this ridge, topped with a yellow flag inscribed with the three characters "Tian Wang Miao." Although the peaks in this area are not very high, they offer excellent northern views. On clear days, one can see Siufenziwei Mountain to the north and, further to the northwest, a distant view of Qixingshan and Huangzui Mountain.
