Datun Mountain Range - Junjian Rock Qingshan Trail Introduction
Junjian 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 approximately 3 kilometers long, with a total distance of about 5.7 kilometers, taking around 2 hours and 7 minutes to complete. It is a well-known peak in the Datun Mountain Range. The prominent rock formation resembles a naval vessel, hence its name, Junjian Rock. During the Japanese colonial period, it was collectively referred to as the Wujian Mountain Range along with Kili Mountain, Danfeng Mountain, and Wujian Mountain. The rocky peak is an ideal spot for rock climbing practice and is also a popular hiking route. The Junjian Rock hiking trail allows visitors to appreciate precious old trees and natural landscapes along the way. The views from the top are expansive, with the Academia Sinica establishing a benchmark for crustal movement at the summit for research purposes. Looking right from the top, one can enjoy the ridge and landscape stretching from Shilin to Beitou, while looking left offers a view of the tranquil and modern Wellington Villa community, creating a picturesque scene. Danfeng Mountain, with an elevation of 210 meters, has a relatively flat terrain and a serene environment, akin to Junjian Rock. The sandstone terrain results in a thinner soil layer and lower moisture retention, leading to a drier environment and a higher likelihood of fire occurrences. Wujian Mountain, reaching an elevation of 282 meters, was historically known as part of the Wujian Mountain Range along with Kili Mountain, Danfeng Mountain, and Junjian Rock during the Japanese era. The summit features a wooden marker, and from the base stone (NO: 2363), one can enjoy distant views of Junjian Rock, Kili Mountain, Beitou, and Shilin areas. The Wujian Mountain trail leads to Huangxi Mountain, and descending along the spring source road will take you to the Phoenix Valley Recreation Area. The trail to Junjian Rock has become a popular leisure spot on weekends, being short and easy to hike. Nearby, the striking red characters of “Danfeng” carved on the cliff face are highly noticeable when viewed from Beitou, drawing much curiosity. The hiking trail to Junjian Rock is brief, as the stone steps coexist with local indigenous sandstone, offering a unique flavor. The hard, rugged rocks securely flank the path, seemingly supporting the trail, making the journey both comfortable and stable. Along the way, a newly constructed gazebo perhaps echoes the grandeur of the surrounding rocks, appearing particularly spacious. Stopping here, compared to the crowded scenery of Beitou below, the tranquil Wellington Villa built along the hillside seems especially serene, with its white walls and red tiles standing out against the mountain backdrop. Continuing up the steps past the gazebo, the views gradually become more open. Junjian Rock is not far off, and looking back along the way reveals expansive scenery, with the Guandu Plain wetlands and the winding Keelung River flowing into the Tamsui River coming into view. Still longing for more, Junjian Rock stands before you, with Huagang of Yangmingshan and the culturally rich National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University creating a natural backdrop. With the joy of the breeze, you eagerly ascend Junjian Rock, thoroughly enjoying the fresh air and admiring the beautiful surroundings. The 360-degree panoramic view captures the Taipei Basin and the surrounding mountainous landscape, showcasing the urban scenery of Shilin, Beitou, Shihpai, and Tianmu, as well as the breathtaking mountain views of Guandu Plain, Guanyin Mountain, Datun Mountain Range, Shamao Mountain, and Wuzhi Mountain, truly magnificent. Standing atop the rock, it indeed feels like reaching the "Titanic of the Mountain," with strong winds greeting you continuously and an endless expansive view. After plenty of enjoyment, you descend to the expansive rocky area near the summit, looking around at the smooth white rock surface, reminiscent of a clean and refreshing coastline, making you want to take off your shoes and feel the smooth boulders under your bare feet. Up close, Junjian Rock shares a striking resemblance to the weathered sandstone of the Northeast Coast. This connection is not merely imaginative, as this area was originally a coastal region. The white sandstone found everywhere is the best testimony to this. Junjian Rock’s geology comprises wood mountain layers deposited over 20 million years ago, transformed into white sand grains through long-term erosion by seawater. With the accumulation of time and cementation, hardened sandstone layers were formed, eventually pushed upwards through tectonic forces. The natural allure of Junjian Rock, standing at less than 200 meters, features numerous low-elevation indicator plants like ferns, as well as some species originally found in mid- to high-altitude regions. This is due to the location within the entrance of the Northeastern monsoon, where the ridge line experiences wind pressure, resulting in cooler temperatures and a significant decrease in plant ecological zones. Common plants found along the ridge line include those typically seen by the coast, such as Myrtaceae and Cassia. While Danfeng Mountain is not as steep as Junjian Rock, it shares a similar natural environment. The typical flora found in Junjian Rock, such as broom bushes, Cassia, and narrow-leafed breadfruit, are also abundant here, sometimes even more widespread. However, perhaps due to past wildfire incidents, much of the path is bordered by rope indicating a "protected area" prohibiting entry. Similar to the sandstone terrain of Junjian Rock, the thinner soil layer makes water retention difficult, resulting in a drier environment with a higher fire occurrence risk. Additionally, pine trees, which contain oils, are prone to catching fire, further increasing the caution level in this area. The Ryukyu pine is the dominant species on Danfeng Mountain, with solitary or clustered pine trees frequently visible along the open ridge and hillside. Walking on the gentle path, one can sometimes catch the delightful scent of pine resin. Towards the end of the trail, there are three gazebos densely situated along the way, some even standing directly in the middle of the path, giving off a somewhat "overstepping" feeling. The flat-topped, mushroom-shaped, and traditionally garden-styled gazebos vary in design, offering a choice for visitors as a delightful conclusion to the journey.
