Dalan Suspension Bridge (Wai'an Ancient Trail) Introduction
The Wain Ancient Trail, part of the Danlan Ancient Trail South, is located between Shuangxikou and Shiding Old Street in Shiding District, New Taipei City. During the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, Governor Yang Yanli opened the Danlan Ancient Trail to facilitate travel between Taipei and Yilan. The trail starts from the Wan'an area by the Keelung River, proceeding east along the riverside path, crossing the Sandiaoling and Caoling Mountain areas, and reaching the Lanyang region near Dali and Toucheng, spanning over 200 kilometers. With Taiwan's economic development, especially during the Guangxu period, the opening of Tamsui Harbor as a trading port boosted foreign trade in northern Taiwan. The vast mountainous area between Tamsui and Lanyang was dotted with various settlements due to tea cultivation and trade, prompting tea merchants to travel back and forth. This led to the continual southward relocation of the Danlan Ancient Trail to shorten the distance and save travel time. Currently, the Shiding section is considered the southern segment of the Danlan Ancient Trail, a vital route for the early export of Dajing and Wenshan Baozhong tea from Shiding. After the completion of the North-Yilan Highway, it was renovated, extending about two kilometers from the bottom of Shiding West Street to the Danlan Suspension Bridge at Shuangxikou. Along the ancient trail, there are two rest areas. One is located in the middle section of the trail, featuring a pavilion where visitors can enjoy beautiful mountain views. Further ahead, there is a resting platform beneath the North-Yilan Highway, equipped with wooden benches and tables, where visitors can enjoy their tea or snacks. After resting, one can follow the trail under the North-Yilan Highway, leading to the Wain Industrial Road, and proceed to the second segment of the trail. The canopy of the North-Yilan Highway above provides shade, reducing the intensity of sunlight. Continuing upwards, you reach a viewing platform, which allows you to overlook the Danlan Suspension Bridge and Shuangxikou from a two-story high viewpoint. Descending the stairs brings you to the Danlan Suspension Bridge, where you can gaze down into the Shiding Creek Valley, and crossing the bridge marks the end of the Shiding segment of the Danlan Ancient Trail.
