Qingtiankeng Series - Pingding Ancient Waterway Trail Introduction
Pingding is an old name of Shilin's Pingteng Village, where there are two ancient irrigation channels named after Pingding: the Pingding Ancient Channel and the Pingding New Channel. Both channels are over 150 years old and serve three functions: irrigation, drinking water, and water transport, which are still relied upon by the residents of Pingteng Village for their daily water needs. The Pingding Ancient Channel Trail starts at Alley 95 on Pingjing Street in Pingteng Village, with moss-covered slopes along the way. The first stop is the Qingfeng Pavilion, where a printing station is set up, and the entrance to the ancient channel is nearby. At the waterway entrance, a large red sign bearing the words "Pingding Ancient Channel" can be seen, along with a brief history of the channel's excavation. The trail runs parallel to the irrigation channel and eventually leads to the stone cave at the end of the water channel, where the diverse aquatic ecology and environment captivate mountain hikers with its charming scenery. The ecological landscape of the Pingding Ancient Channel Trail ranges from about 300 to 500 meters above sea level, located in Shilin District's Pingteng Village, where the terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south, with the Nei Shuangxi and Nei Liao Creek flowing through. The mountainous hills and streams nurture a rich plant ecology, featuring abundant species such as taro, red nanmu, Macaranga, wind vine, and bamboo. Aquatic life includes a variety of insects and reptiles, allowing hikers to enjoy a journey filled with surprises while exploring the trail. Ertou Mountain stands at an elevation of 523 meters, located between Qigu Mountain and Zhugao Mountain, also known as "Wuwei Mountain." The terrain is gently sloping, with the summit covered in tall grass and trees, presenting a serene view. From Pingteng Village, it resembles a small mound, with a flat and rounded peak. Whenever the mountain mist rolls in, a mystical scene can be seen. Hikers can take bus 18 to get off at Jiaokeng Station or Jiaokeng Bridge Station, then head north along Alley 181 of Section 3 of Shanqu Road, near the trailhead beside No. 15, Alley 20, Lane 371. Have you ever strolled through the outer Shuangxi to enjoy a day in nature? Today, let's follow the creek valley upstream to Nei Shuangxi. It is said that the water here is crystal clear, accompanied by a hundred-year-old ancient channel, excitingly inviting anticipation of a hidden paradise. Walking into the uphill path lined with bamboo groves, the green moss blankets the stone steps and the old trees along the road while quaint green streetlights occasionally appear, creating a serene green tunnel reminiscent of a time vortex, possibly leading us back to the "Pingding" of a century ago. The old name for Pingteng Village is "Pingding," thus the two ancient channels bear the name Pingding: the "Pingding Ancient Channel" and the "Pingding New Channel," both of which have been around for over 150 years. The ancient channels serve three functions: transport, irrigation, and drinking water, which continue to be relied upon by residents. Turning left at the intersection, following the downhill path, you will arrive at the moss-covered, historically rich Taobac Bridge, with the ancient channel not far away. Feeling inquisitive, one might first explore the creek for some fun, as the path ahead is smooth and easy to walk on, followed by a brief rest at the small bridge's pavilion before proceeding. The first sight is the most abundant water channel, the Dengfeng Channel. Although it was established the latest, it collects water from nearby streams and creeks, as well as from the nearby mines, resulting in a supply that is inexhaustible. Next is the somewhat "senior" new channel, and the last section of the trail runs alongside the irrigation channel, finally reaching the stone cave at the end of the waterway, where the large red sign stating "Pingding Ancient Channel" can be seen. Water and ecology are full of surprises along the journey to explore the ancient channel, with an abundance of rich ecosystems. The dense canopy combined with abundant aquatic environments not only supports various aquatic animals like creek shrimp, creek crabs, small fish, and groups of tadpoles but also nurtures a colorful array of insects and reptiles in the thick forests. The largest dragonfly in Taiwan, the Giant Hawker, is rarely seen in flatlands but is commonly found around the irrigation channels. Other species include the pine dragonfly, frost white dragonfly, and beautiful damselflies, which are active around the ancient channel. The flutter of butterflies is also a common sight, with the snake-eyed butterfly usually lingering in shaded areas, while the swallowtail and fritillary butterflies prefer sunny spots. As you walk along the trail, keep an eye out for adorable golden bugs, walking sticks, or even stag beetles. On clear days, look up to possibly catch a glimpse of the Crested Serpent Eagle or the Formosan Blue Magpie flying by. Additionally, several protected species, such as the Black-crowned Night Heron, Taipei Tree Frog, Brown Tree Frog, Green Bamboo Lizard, various dragonflies, and fireflies, choose to inhabit this area. Many nocturnal animals are not visible during the day, but careful observation may reveal many interesting findings, such as the pavilion beside Taobac Bridge where the stone table is littered with dark brown droppings, mixed with the remains of beetles, mantises, and cicadas—a rare spectacle attributed to the Formosan leaf-nosed bat, indicating a group of them often hangs upside down resting on the roof at night. So when you visit the Ancient Channel Trail, be sure to keep your eyes wide open to marvel at the numerous delightful surprises along the irrigation channel!
