Nangang Mountain Range - Hushan Trail Introduction
Hushan is one of the shallow mountains in the Four Beasts Mountain Citizen Forest Area, connecting to the Nankang Mountain Range on the southeastern side of Taipei City, with an elevation of 140 meters. The geology belongs to marine sedimentary layers, featuring a one-sided mountain terrain that is higher in the west and lower in the east, with a wide view. At the top of the mountain, there is a sundial for timekeeping based on the sun's position. The trail is composed of interleaved blocks of sandstone and shale, and due to the presence of the Hushan Stream, the stream valley type ecological environment is also an ideal place for diverse ecosystems, including fireflies, tree frogs, and ferns. After reinforcement and improvement for soil and water conservation along the stream banks, the Hushan Stream has become a prime spot for appreciating wetland ecology. Informational signs and directional markers are set along the trail, making it a great place for hiking and ecological observation. The Four Beasts Mountain Citizen Forest's Four Beasts Mountain Trail has been renovated and named after the Four Beasts (Tiger, Leopard, Lion, and Elephant), consisting of four suburban mountains. The natural environment in the mountainous area is rich in flora and bird species, making it a popular spot for the public to enjoy leisurely outdoor time in the green forest. The Hushan Stream Ecological Tour has undergone special remediation by the city government’s Industrial Development Bureau, transforming it into a rich ecological landscape garden. Visitors can appreciate various aquatic animals and plants, such as fireflies and tree frogs, from the trees or streams, adding more pleasure to the hiking experience. The Hushan 120 Highland, named for its elevation and marked by an old military factory, is a highland park where the garden is well-kept with neat flowering plants and pavilions providing shade from the sun and rain. This area is a popular resting and socializing spot for hikers. The Four Beasts Square and the Four Beasts Monument area along the Hushan Trail features a section constructed with environmentally friendly materials, and there is a platform with a rest square and pavilion along the way. The square is decorated with carved stone columns representing the four beasts, making it a striking area ideal for walking, recreation, and group activities. For an enjoyable trip from the public transport system, take the bus from the MRT to "Fude Elementary School," and shortly after entering Lane 251 of Fude Street, the signs for the Citizen Mountain Trail will be ahead. Following the signs, turn left onto the uphill trail, where sights of street vendors, snacks, and coffee kiosks are plentiful. If you want to bring snacks along, delicious braised food and vegetarian snacks are available by the Cihuitang. The prominent sign of "Four Beasts Mountain Citizen Forest" stands at the trail entrance, making it hard to get lost even with some vendors around. Walking along the gently sloping stream, under the shade of the verdant trees, one cannot help but feel light-footed. The sound of the babbling stream accompanies you, washing away the worries of the city. Here, take the time to slow down and listen to the rare sounds of birds and insects amidst the urban chaos. The Hushan Trail, located on the eastern side of Four Beasts Mountain, opens up greater views upon reaching Fuxing Garden, where one can overlook the Taipei Basin, including views of Taipei's eastern districts and the adjacent Baoshan. Looking west from this point, the Fengtian Temple sits on the tiger's head position, with the ridgeline behind it undulating like waves, creating an impression that a tiger is ready to leap. Despite its relatively low elevation (just 140 meters), due to its proximity to the Xinyi Planning District, as you walk along the trail, Taipei 101 is almost "shadowing" you, with great views and plenty of scenic rest areas and pavilions along the way. On the trail towards Fengtian Temple from Hushan Peak, pavilions are densely situated. Approaching the top of Hushan, one first encounters a green column white-topped pavilion before arriving at the viewing platform at the peak. Standing on the platform and comparing the view to the informational signs, one can clearly see the one-sided mountain terrain, which is higher in the west and lower in the east. The mountain breeze flows freely, accompanied by the expansive scenery—truly a refreshing experience. Proceeding forward leads to the "summit attack," where a steep slope drops sharply down; caution is needed as it can be quite "perilous," and one must descend carefully using the ropes. This sudden drop is a small surprise and challenge along the journey. If after reaching the ground you still feel shaky, there is a pavilion ahead where you can rest and adjust your quickened breath. Continuing onwards, you will reach Hushan 120 Highland, where a refreshing breeze brings your gaze towards the Xinyi Planning District, with Taipei 101 standing tall and straight in front, and to the right, the districts of Songshan and Nankang. In the distance are mountainous areas like Wuzhishan and Qixingshan, where urban eagles can occasionally be seen soaring in the sky. Overlooking Taipei’s most bustling area is a hallmark of this trail. The road along the paths provides diverse and enjoyable views, with a variety of plant species. Informational signs are along the trail, making it easy to embark on a self-guided ecological journey as you ascend. The initial segment of the hiking trail runs along the Hushan Stream, where the stream valley environment nurtures a rich variety of natural resources. The valley's terrain and humidity are suitable for moisture-loving plants like taro, which prefer shady environments, and it is the favorite growth environment for ferns, with around 70 species of ferns found in Hushan alone. Originally a natural wild stream, Hushan Stream faced potential collapses due to the coal mining debris accumulated in the early years, along with worsening erosion problems due to poor soil and water conservation. However, after remediation by the city's construction agency, the original ecology has been restored, and soil and water conservation have improved. The waterfront landscape area, taking advantage of the topography, has been equipped with stone bridges, recreational water platforms, water pumps, and waterfront parks while preserving coal mining debris sites as an excellent ecological education model. An informational sign is placed near the entrance explaining how trapezoidal waterfalls can benefit both ecological conservation and soil preservation. Families can enjoy firefly watching along the stone-paved paths of Hushan Stream, where delicate railings beside the streams complement the scenery. Now, the waters and woods of Hushan Stream are full of vibrant life. From April to May, visitors can even observe fireflies. Apart from indigenous terrestrial fireflies such as the black-winged firefly and the red-breasted black-winged firefly, the aquatic larvae of released yellow-bordered fireflies have successfully bred up to the ninth generation. Nighttime firefly watching is enjoyable for family outings or trips with friends, and one need not travel far, as fireflies seeking partners can be found hidden within urban Taipei—making Hushan’s Citizen Mountain Trail endlessly charming.
