Datun Mountain Range - Battleship Rock Qingshan Trail Introduction
Jun-Jian Rock is located in the mountainous area directly north of the Shihpai Veterans General Hospital, with an elevation of 185.6 meters. The hiking trail is about 3 kilometers long, with a total distance of approximately 5.7 kilometers, and takes around 2 hours and 7 minutes to walk. It is a well-known peak in the Datun Mountain Range. The huge rock that protrudes from the ridge stands amidst layers of mountains, resembling a naval vessel at first glance, hence the name Jun-Jian Rock. During the Japanese colonial period, it was known collectively with Qilai Mountain, Danfeng Mountain, and Wujian Lian Mountain as the Wujian Lian Peaks. The rocky area at the peak is an ideal climbing practice site and a popular hiking route. The Jun-Jian Rock hiking trail offers views of precious old trees and natural landscapes along the way. The vista from the summit is expansive, and the Academia Sinica has established a benchmark for crustal movement at the peak for recording and research purposes. From the top, a view to the right offers panoramic views of the ridgeline from Shilin to Beitou, while looking left provides a view of the serene and modern Wellington Community. Danfeng Mountain has an elevation of 210 meters and features a relatively flat terrain with a tranquil environment, similar to Jun-Jian Rock. The sandstone topography leads to thinner soil layers and lower moisture retention, resulting in a drier environment with a higher risk of fire. Wujian Lian Mountain, with an elevation of 282 meters, was also part of the Wujian Lian Peaks during the Japanese colonial era, along with Qilai Mountain, Danfeng Mountain, and Jun-Jian Rock. At the summit of Wujian Lian Mountain, there is a wooden marker, and the base stone No. 2363 provides distant views of Jun-Jian Rock, Qilai Mountain, Beitou, and Shilin. From Wujian Lian Mountain, one can access Huangxi Mountain, and further down the path leading to the source road, it connects to the Phoenix Valley Recreational Area. Accessible and scenic, Jun-Jian Rock has long been a popular leisure spot for holidays, as the hike is short and easy. Nearby Danfeng Rock is marked by prominent red characters on the rock wall, making it particularly eye-catching from Beitou looking up the mountain, inviting curiosity. The trail to Jun-Jian Rock is not long, and the coexistence of stone steps built for visitors with the sandstone indigenous culture offers a unique experience. The sturdy, rugged boulders flanking the sides provide a stable backdrop for the path, creating a comfortable and secure hike. Along the way, a newly constructed scenic pavilion harmonizes with the surrounding rocks, appearing particularly spacious. Pausing here, the contrast with the crowded scenery of Beitou below makes the Wellington Community built along the slope appear especially serene, with its white walls and red tiles standing out against the mountains. Continuing up the steps past the pavilion, the view progressively opens up. Jun-Jian Rock is now in clear sight, and looking back along the trail reveals expansive vistas, presenting scenes of the Guandu Plain wetlands and the winding Keelung River flowing into the Tamsui River. Still yearning for more, Jun-Jian Rock stands before us, framed by the natural backdrops of Huagang and the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University nestled in the mountains. Embracing the breeze, the eagerness to reach Jun-Jian Rock is palpable, relishing the moment and admiring the beautiful surroundings. The 360-degree panoramic view captures the entire Taipei Basin and surrounding mountainous landscapes; in addition to nearby urban sights in Shilin, Beitou, Shihpai, and Tianmu, one can also enjoy the splendid views of Guandu Plain, Guanyin Mountain, the Datun Mountain Range, Shamao Mountain, and Wuzhi Mountain. Standing atop the rock, it feels like climbing on a "mountain Titanic,” with refreshing winds sweeping in waves and an endless, broad perspective. After fully indulging, descending to the large flat rock surface near the summit, one can gaze around at the smooth, pristine rock surface, reminiscent of a clean and refreshing coastline, prompting the urge to remove shoes and feel the cool, polished boulders beneath bare feet. Up close, Jun-Jian Rock resembles the weathered sandstones of the Northeast Coast, indicating a geological connection, as this area was originally a coastal region. The abundant white sandstone found everywhere serves as irrefutable evidence. In fact, the geological formation of Jun-Jian Rock originates from the Mu Mountain Formation deposited over 20 million years ago, which became white sand grains after prolonged erosion by seawater. With the passage of time and cementation, thick layers of hard sandstone were formed, ultimately uplifted due to orogenic movements. Jun-Jian Rock, not taller than 200 meters, boasts a diverse range of low-altitude indicator plants like ferns, as well as some species originally found in mid- to high-altitude areas. This is due to its location at the entrance of the Northeast Monsoon, where the ridge line experiences wind pressure and lower temperatures, resulting in a significant ecological shift downward. Along the ridgeline, common coastal plants such as myrtle and wild mulberry can be found. Danfeng Mountain, while not as steep as Jun-Jian Rock, shares similar natural environments. The common plants found at Jun-Jian Rock, such as bulrush, wild mulberry, and fine-leaved breadfruit, are also present in a more expansive range here. However, because of past wildfires, most areas along the path are cordoned off with ropes, indicating the “protection zone” where entry is prohibited. Similar to Jun-Jian Rock, the sandstone terrain here leads to thinner soil and lower moisture retention, resulting in a drier environment with a greater risk of fires. The volatile oil content in pine trees further elevates the risk in this area. The Ryukyu pine is a dominant group in Danfeng Mountain, and the open ridgelines and slopes often feature solitary pine trees or small clusters. Walking on the gentle path can sometimes offer a whiff of the subtle fragrance of pine. As the path nears its end, three pavilions appear densely along the route, some even standing right in the middle of the path, giving off a bit of a “guest becoming the host” vibe. With various designs resembling flat topped mushrooms or traditional garden styles, visitors have choices to make before concluding their journey.
