Shumeiping Historic Trail Introduction
Shumeiping Ancient Trail is located beside the marker for County Road 102 at 19K (between 18.7K to 18.8K), featuring an open parking area at an altitude of approximately 502 meters, which is the highest point on County Road 102. From the junction of Jiufen and Jinguashi, it requires an additional advance of about 3,500 meters. In the past, County Road 102 was widened and renovated mainly for military purposes, and it has now become one of the best viewpoints for the public to appreciate the scenic beauty of Shui-Jin-Jiu. The expansive area provides a wide view that covers landmarks such as Wuer Teapot Mountain, Half Screen Mountain, Keelung Mountain, Shuinan Cave, Jinguashi, Jiufen, Little Jinguashi Outcrop, Little Cuokeng Mountain, and Big Cuokeng Mountain, with breathtaking scenery. To the east lies the Banshan Mountain Range, and to the south is the Mudan Mountain Range. From this angle, the Little Jinguashi Outcrop, resembling a hippopotamus, appears particularly adorable. This viewpoint offers a complete view of Keelung Mountain, with its majestic and grand shape that leaves people in awe. It is also a convergence point for some important trails. South of Shumeiping is the entrance to the Diaoshan Ancient Trail (the wartime road, with dense cogon grass to be cautious of), which leads to the relay point of Fude Temple on the Diaoshan Ancient Trail. To the east, one can connect to the Caoshan Industry Road leading to the Golden Shrine Trail, or turn towards the former mining area of Shumeiping. Heading south leads to the route of the Diaoshan Ancient Trail, which can connect to the Sandiao Bridge over the Mudan River (Zhengguang Sandiao), while heading southwest along the Mudan Mountain ridge will reconnect to County Road 102. If you continue along County Road 102 for about 300 meters from Shumeiping, you will successively see the endpoints of the Little Cuokeng Trail and the Big Cuokeng Trail. Another trail, the first fork, as indicated by the signage, leads to the Little Jinguashi Outcrop, allowing you to personally experience the origin of the gold rush from the earliest gold mines and embrace the feel of Jinguashi. There is also a path leading to Qinxian Junior High School. The second fork leads to the Big Cuokeng Trail, with a pass-through at the Shengfu Mine, which is currently the only operational coal mine in the country.
