Daan Suspension Bridge (Wai'an Ancient Trail) Introduction
The southern section of the Dahan Ancient Road, known as the Wailiao Ancient Road, is located between Shuangxi Kou and Shihding Old Street in the Shihding District, New Taipei City. During the Qing Dynasty in the Jiaqing period, Governor Yang Yanli opened the Dahan Ancient Road to facilitate travel between Taipei and Yilan. This road stretches over 200 kilometers from the Wanwan area of the Keelung River, along a path by the riverside, crossing the Sandiao Ridge and Caoling Mountain area, eventually reaching the Lanyang area near Dali and Toucheng. With Taiwan's economic development, particularly during the Guangxu period when Tamsui Port was opened as a trading port, the prosperity of foreign trade in northern Taiwan was driven. The vast mountains between Tamsui and Lanyang are dotted with various settlements due to the cultivation and trade of tea, prompting tea merchants to travel back and forth. To shorten the distance between Tamsui and Lanyang and save travel time, the Dahan Ancient Road has been continuously extended southward. Currently, the Shihding segment belongs to the southern section of the Dahan Ancient Road and served as the main route for exporting Dajing and Wenshan Paochong tea from Shihding in the past. After the completion of the North-Yilan Expressway, this section was renovated, stretching about two kilometers from the end of Shihding West Street to the Dahan Suspension Bridge at Shuangxi Kou. Along the ancient road, there are two rest areas. One is located in the middle of the trek, featuring a pavilion where visitors can enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. Further down the path, there is a resting platform beneath the North-Yilan Expressway, equipped with wooden benches and tables for visitors to enjoy their prepared tea or food. After a break, following the trail down from the North-Yilan Expressway, you will reach the Wailiao Industrial Road, continuing forward leads to the second segment of the trail. The ancient road is shaded by the North-Yilan Expressway, reducing the heat from direct sunlight. Walking upwards will take you to a viewing platform, where you can overlook the Dahan Suspension Bridge and Shuangxi Kou from a two-story high viewpoint. Descending the stairs leads to the Dahan Suspension Bridge, where you can overlook the Shihding River Valley, and crossing the suspension bridge marks the end of the Shihding section of the Dahan Ancient Road.
