Datun Mountain Range - Zhongzheng Mountain Trail Introduction
Zhongzheng Mountain, originally known as Mitou Mountain, is also called Shibafen Mountain or Daganglin Mountain, and was later renamed Zhongzheng Mountain. There are over seven trailheads for Zhongzheng Mountain, which features an extensive network of interconnected trails that are mostly radial in layout. The mountain's summit is independent, offering first-class wide-angle views that are quite special. The Zhongzheng Mountain Trail, an access path to the mountain, starts steeply with stone steps leading directly to the peak. Hikers should prepare their physical strength and stamina, especially their cardiovascular endurance, while traversing this trail. Despite the energy expenditure on the uphill sections, hikers can enjoy the panoramic views of the Beitou district and Keelung River along the way, making this trail an appealing destination for many. Particularly at the summit's observation deck, the views are breathtaking, showcasing rarely seen close-ups of Qixing Mountain and Shamao Mountain, with clear layering of mountain ridges that is a rare and beautiful sight. The Zhongzheng Mountain Trail, which falls under the jurisdiction of Yangmingshan National Park, features unique ecological landscapes with clusters of butterflies fluttering about; studies have shown that there are hundreds of butterfly species here, with nearly a quarter of Taiwan's butterflies frequenting this area. Consequently, caterpillars can often be spotted on the ground or tree branches, which is both rare and fascinating. During flowering season, the saddle of Zhongzheng Mountain is often adorned with the golden blossoms of Acacia trees, along with azaleas and cherry blossoms that are also present. From the Beitou city area, one can see the trees trimmed in such a way that the characters for "Zhongzheng" become visible when viewed from afar, such as from Longfeng Valley. Zhongzheng Mountain is home to Fayu Temple and Daci Temple, and it was originally named Mitou Mountain, also known as Shibafen Mountain or Daganglin Mountain. The name was later changed to Zhongzheng Mountain in honor of former President Chiang Kai-Shek. The term "Zhongzheng" invokes a sense of reverence, and starting from the trailhead, the path generally leads steeply uphill with stone steps to Zhongzheng Mountain. Hikers should be mentally prepared for this ascent and walk upright with determination. For this reason, it's also a great place to challenge one's physical strength and stamina before high-altitude hikes. The uphill sections inevitably consume some energy, but those not accustomed to exercise can rest at the pavilions along the way, enjoying the views of Beitou city. Before reaching the summit, one can enjoy the scenery while walking, with good vantage points to overlook Beitou city and the Keelung River near the railings and in front of the old Dizang Wang Temple. With a little more effort to climb higher, hikers can comfortably rest on the benches at the observation deck. The summit isn't very spacious, but reaching the specially constructed observation deck is exhilarating and often draws gasps of admiration. Aside from the refreshing mountain breeze, the surrounding vistas extend endlessly, and one can enjoy close-up views of Qixing Mountain and Shamao Mountain that are usually only observed from a distance. The famous scenic spot "Longfeng Valley" lies at the foot of the mountain, and further away, the Keelung River winds toward the Tamsui River estuary, bordered by Guanyin Mountain, presenting a Layered and distinct landscape. On the return journey, hikers can appreciate the MRT Beitou station, the colorful Beitou incinerator tower, the expansive Guandu Plain, and Guanyin Mountain on the opposite bank of the Tamsui River from a closer perspective. If the trail doesn’t satiate your desire for scenery, it’s recommended to explore a combination of the bamboo forest paths and industrial roads during the last descent, merging road and trail walking for a more intimate encounter with the beautiful sights, enhancing the interest and variability of the trip. Despite most of the landscape along the trail being bamboo forests and agricultural areas, during the spring bloom, whether near the uphill Dizang Wang Temple or the downhill sections, the golden flowers of Acacia trees fall gracefully along the paths, resembling a carpet of soft petals spread out for mountain visitors. Even after the Yangmingshan flower season, the pure scenery of golden Acacia combined with green bamboo still presents its unique charm. Since Zhongzheng Mountain is part of Yangmingshan National Park, the sight of butterflies flitting about is not surprising. There are over 100 types of butterflies here, with a quarter of Taiwan’s butterfly species found nearby, so caterpillars can easily be seen both on the ground and in the air. Throughout the trail, one often observes caterpillars leisurely suspended in mid-air, which is quite interesting. Not only is there a vibrant presence of caterpillars here, but stopping to look closely, even the ants and reptiles on the ground appear especially robust. On clear days when the path opens up, one might catch a glimpse of the black-crowned night heron, black-throated bushtit, or a multicolored bird, and the sounds of birds chirping fill the air, ensuring that hikers never feel lonely during their ascent. In summer, the natural sounds of the trail comprise familiar cicada calls, along with the low, melodious chirping of crickets and other insects. As for the winter to early spring season, the Taipei tree frog comes to "night duty," emitting deep and low croaks as a primal call by the males expressing their mating desires, contributing to a different melody in the mountains.
