Qingtiangang System - Pingding Ancient Aqueduct Trail Introduction
Pingding is an old name for the Shilin District's Pingdeng Li. There are two ancient aqueducts in Pingdeng Li named after Pingding: the Pingding Ancient Aqueduct and the Pingding New Aqueduct. Both of these ancient aqueducts have been in operation for over 150 years, serving the purposes of irrigation, drinking water, and water transport, and they remain a crucial water source for the residents of Pingdeng Li. The Pingding Ancient Aqueduct Trail is a picturesque mountain path that begins at Alley 95 on Pingjing Street in Pingdeng Li, with moss-covered slopes leading you to the Qingfeng Pavilion, where you can find a printing station. The entrance to the ancient aqueduct is nearby, marked by bold red characters declaring "Pingding Ancient Aqueduct," alongside a brief history of its construction. The trail runs parallel to the aqueduct and eventually reaches the stone tunnel at the end of the waterway, where visitors can enjoy the rich aquatic life and beautiful environment. The ecological landscape along the Pingding Ancient Aqueduct Trail has an elevation of about 300 to 500 meters, situated in Shilin District, Pingdeng Li, with high terrain in the north and lower in the south, through which the Neishuangxi and Neiliao streams flow. The mountainous terrain and streams give birth to a rich variety of plant ecosystems, including the abundant presence of taro, red nanmu, soapberry, wind vine, and bamboo. The aquatic environment is home to diverse insects and reptiles, providing hikers with an enriching experience filled with discoveries along the trail. Ertou Mountain has an elevation of 523 meters and is located between Qigu Mountain and Zhugao Mountain, also known as "Wutou Mountain." Its gentle slopes are covered with tall grass and trees, creating a serene scenery. From Pingdeng Li, it appears as a series of small hills, with a flat and round peak. Whenever the mountain mist rises, a picturesque scene unfolds. Hikers can take the Small 18 bus and get off at either Jiaokeng Station or Jiaokeng Bridge Station, then follow Sheng Road Section 3, Alley 181 to the north, and reach the trailhead near No. 15, Alley 20, Lane 371. Have you ever visited the beautiful Neishuangxi stream and played in its waters? Today, you can follow the valley upstream to the Neishuangxi stream, known for its clear waters, accompanied by the century-old aqueduct, creating high expectations for another stunning hidden paradise. As you walk along the sloped path flanked by bamboo groves, the vibrant green moss blankets the stone steps and old trees, and the occasionally seen green lamps add a rustic charm. This tranquil green corridor feels like a time warp, perhaps leading us back a century to "Pingding." The old name of Pingdeng Li is "Pingding," hence both ancient aqueducts are named after it, one being "Pingding Ancient Aqueduct" and the other "Pingding New Aqueduct," both of which are over 150 years old. The ancient aqueducts serve the significant functions of transportation, irrigation, and drinking water, and they still provide essential water to the local residents. Turning left at the fork, follow the downhill path to reach the moss-covered, historic Peach Foot Bridge, located not far from the aqueduct. Feeling adventurous, you can start off by wading into the stream to enjoy the cool waters, knowing that the following paths are easy to navigate, so you can play for a while before resting at a pavilion by the bridge before proceeding. The first sight that greets you is the plentiful Dengfeng Aqueduct. Although it was the last to be established, it collects water from Neishuangxi and also from streams along the route and nearby mines, providing an inexhaustible supply. Next is the slightly older New Aqueduct. The last part of the trail runs along the aqueduct, leading you to the stone tunnel at the end of the waterway, where you will see the bold red characters proclaiming "Pingding Ancient Aqueduct." The journey exploring the ancient aqueduct is filled with ecological surprises. Lush forests combined with abundant aquatic environments host a variety of aquatic animals like shrimp, crabs, small fish, and groups of tadpoles. The dense forests nurture a vibrant diversity of insects and reptiles. The largest dragonfly in Taiwan, the black-faced meadowhawk, is rarely seen in flatlands but is often active near the aqueduct. Other species of dragonflies, like the dot-tailed white dragonfly, and beautiful damselflies are frequently seen around the ancient aqueduct. Butterflies fluttering around are also a common sight, with the common mime preferring dark spaces while the swallowtail and leopard butterflies favor sunny spots. As you walk the trail, keep an eye on the ground; you might bump into adorable scarab beetles, walking sticks, or even stag beetles. On clear days, look up to possibly spot an “eagles” or “Taiwan Blue Magpie” soaring by. Other conservation status animals, such as the black-crowned night heron, Taipei tree frog, brown tree frog, green bamboo snake, numerous types of dragonflies, and fireflies, have chosen this area as their habitat. Many nocturnal animals are elusive during the day, but with careful observation, you can notice many fascinating things, such as the pavilion by Peach Foot Bridge, where the stone table is littered with dark brown feces, along with remnants of beetles, mantises, and cicadas – a rare phenomenon attributed to the actions of the Taiwan leaf-nosed bat. These black droppings signify that a group of leaf-nosed bats often rests upside down on the roof at night. So when you visit the ancient aqueduct trail, be sure to keep your eyes wide open to appreciate the captivating beauty found everywhere along the aqueduct!
