Shumeiping Ancient Trail Introduction
Shuimei Ping Ancient Trail is located next to the 102 County Road at the 19K marker (between 18.7K and 18.8K), featuring an open parking area at an altitude of approximately 502 meters, which is the highest point along the 102 County Road. If starting from the boundary of Jiufen and Jinguashi, one must proceed about 3,500 meters further. The 102 County Road was originally widened and reconstructed for military purposes, and it now serves as one of the best viewpoints for the stunning landscapes of the Shuinandong and Jiu Fen areas. The expansive area offers a magnificent view, encompassing landmarks such as Wuer Chaotou Mountain, Banping Mountain, Keelung Mountain, Shuinandong, Jinguashi, Jiufen, Xiaojinguashan, Xiaocuokeng Mountain, and Dacuokeng Mountain, with scenery that is simply breathtaking. To the east lies the Banshan Mountain Range and to the south is the Mudan Mountain Range. From this vantage point, the Xiaojinguashan has a particularly charming hippo-shaped profile. Here, one can see the grandeur and splendor of Keelung Mountain, evoking admiration. This location is also a junction of several important trails. To the south of Shuimei Ping is the entrance to the Diaoshan Ancient Trail (a military preparedness road, where one should be cautious of the dense cogongrass along the way), which leads to the mid-point Fude Temple on the Diaoshan Trail. Proceeding eastward connects to the Caoshan Industrial Road heading towards the Golden Shrine Trail or turns towards the former mining area of Shuimei. Heading south follows the Diaoshan Ancient Trail, with a route that leads southeast to the Sandiao Bridge over the Mudan River (Zhengguang Sanqiao), while the southwest direction follows the ridge of Mudan Mountain, reconnecting back to the 102 County Road. If you continue along the 102 County Road for about 300 meters, you will successively reach the endpoints of the Xiaocuokeng Trail and the Dacuokeng Trail; another trail diverges at the first fork, leading to Xiaojinguashan, allowing visitors to personally experience the origins of the gold rush and the sense of embracing Jinshan. There is also a trail that can lead to Qinxian Junior High School. The second fork leads to the Dacuokeng Trail, passing through the Shengfu Pit, which is currently the only operating coal mine in the country.
