Dalan Suspension Bridge (Wai'an Ancient Road) Introduction
The Wai'an Ancient Road, part of the Danshan Ancient Road South section, is located between Shuangxi Kou and Shidzong Old Street in the Shiding District of New Taipei City. During the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, Governor Yang Yanli opened the Danshan Ancient Road to facilitate travel between Taipei and Yilan. This path begins in the warm area of the Keelung River and runs east along the riverbank trails, crossing the Sandiao Ridge and the Caoling Mountain area, reaching the Lanyang area near Dali and Toucheng, covering over 200 kilometers in total. With the economic development of Taiwan, especially during the Guangxu period, the opening of the Tamsui Port as a trading port boosted foreign trade in Northern Taiwan. The vast mountain areas between Tamsui and Lanyang were scattered with various settlements due to tea cultivation and trade, leading to frequent travels by tea merchants. To shorten the distance and save travel time between Tamsui and Lanyang, the Danshan Ancient Road continuously moved southward. Currently, the Shiding section is part of the southern segment of the Danshan Ancient Road and served as a key route for the early exports of Dajing and Wenshan Paochong tea from Shiding. After the completion of the North-Yi Expressway, this section has been renovated, stretching about two kilometers from the bottom of Shiding West Street to the Danshan Suspension Bridge in Shuangxi Kou. Along the ancient road, there are two resting places; one is located in the middle of the journey, featuring a pavilion where visitors can admire the beautiful mountain scenery. Further along, there is a resting area underneath the North-Yi Expressway, equipped with wooden benches and tables where visitors can enjoy their own tea or snacks. After resting, following the pathways beneath the North-Yi Expressway will lead to the Wai'an Industrial Road, continuing forward connects to the second segment of the trail. The ancient road is shaded by the North-Yi Expressway, reducing the heat from direct sunlight. Continuing upward leads to a viewing platform, where visitors can look down onto the Danshan Suspension Bridge and Shuangxi Kou from two stories high. Descending the stairs leads to the Danshan Suspension Bridge, offering a view of the Shiding Creek Valley, and crossing the bridge marks the endpoint of the Danshan Ancient Road Shiding section.
