Nangang Mountain Range_Hushan Nature Trail Introduction
Tiger Mountain is one of the hills within the Shihsuan Mountain Citizen Forest Area, connecting to the Nangang Mountain Range to form a barrier on the southeast side of Taipei City. At an elevation of 140 meters, it features a geological structure of marine strata in a one-sided mountain shape, with a higher western side and a lower eastern side, offering wide vistas. At the top, there is a sundial that can be used for sun-based timekeeping. The trail is made of overlapping block sandstone and shale. With the passage of the Hushan Creek flowing through it, the mountain stream ecological environment is also an ideal spot for a diverse range of life, including fireflies, little green frogs, and ferns. After the creek banks were reinforced and improved for soil and water conservation, the Hushan Creek area has become a prime spot for observing wetland ecology, with explanatory signs and trail markers installed along the path, making it a great place for hiking and appreciating nature. The Shihsuan Mountain Citizen Forest, which includes Tiger, Leopard, Lion, and Elephant mountains, underwent renovations to be renamed. The mountainous area is rich in biodiversity and bird species, providing a wonderful spot for the public to enjoy leisurely outdoor times in lush green surroundings. The Hushan Creek ecological tour has been specially managed by the city's Bureau of Industry Development to improve the water source and downstream areas, transforming it into a rich aquatic ecological landscape. Visitors can appreciate various aquatic organisms and plants such as fireflies and tree frogs while enjoying their hiking experience. Hushan 120 is a park named for its elevation and characterized by sweeping views and an old armory as a landmark. The park is lushly landscaped, with pavilions for shade from the sun and rain, making it a perfect spot for hikers to stop and admire the scenery or chat. The Shihsuan Plaza has been designed with a pathway made of environmentally friendly materials, featuring a rest area and pavilion. The plaza is prominently designed using stone pillars depicting the four beasts: Tiger, Leopard, Lion, and Elephant, providing a striking view in a serene and elegant environment, suitable for walking, leisure, and group activities. For city dwellers, taking a bus from the MRT to "Fude Elementary School" and walking briefly into Fude Street Lane 251 leads to the indication for the mountain trail. Upon turning left up the sloped road, the scenic vistas immediately unfold, with an array of street food, vendors, and cafes available. If you want to grab a snack to enjoy on the way, you can find delicious braised dishes and vegetarian snacks at the nearby Cihui Hall. The prominent sign of "Shihsuan Mountain Citizen Forest" stands at the trailhead, ensuring you won’t get lost even if nearby vendors catch your eye. Ascending gradually along the creek, surrounded by lush trees, brings a lightness to your steps, accompanied by the soothing sound of trickling water, sweeping away the hustle and worries of the city. The Hushan Trail located on the eastern side of Shihsuan Mountain offers an even broader perspective upon reaching the Fuxing Garden, providing a view over the Taipei Basin, including sights of the eastern city area and the adjacent Leopard Mountain. Looking west from here, Fengtian Temple is built at the tiger's head location, with undulating ridge lines behind that evoke the image of a tiger preparing to leap. Despite Hushan's relatively modest height (just 140 meters), due to its proximity to the Xinyi Planning District, the iconic Taipei 101 Building appears almost inseparable along the trail, with numerous scenic viewpoints and rest pavilions along the way. On the road from Hushan Peak toward Fengtian Temple, you’ll find many pavilions densely spaced. Approaching the summit of Hushan, the first sight is a pavilion with a green column and white top, followed by an observation platform at the mountain peak. Standing on the platform, you can clearly see the single-sided mountain terrain, with the breeze sweeping in, enhancing the expansive scenery. As you continue along, getting to the summit involves a steep slope that requires careful descent. This sudden drop offers a small surprise and challenge during the hike up Hushan. Once back on solid ground and regaining your breath, there’s a pavilion ahead to rest in. Upon reaching Hushan 120, the fresh breeze directs your view toward the Xinyi Planning District, with the straight and towering silhouette of Taipei 101 distinctly visible, while to the right are Songshan and Nangang districts, with distant mountains like Wujishan and Qixingshan in sight, and even the rare urban eagles soaring in the sky. With a diverse and engaging landscape, this trail features a wide variety of plant species, with explanatory signs along the way to guide you through a self-led ecological journey. The initial segment of the trail runs alongside the Hushan Creek, where the mountain stream environment nurtures abundant natural resources. The valley's terrain and humidity are ideal for moisture-loving, shade-tolerant plants like taro, and it is also a favorite environment for ferns, with roughly 70 different species found here alone. Hushan Creek itself was originally a natural wilderness creek, but in earlier years, coal mining debris created risks of collapse. Poor soil and water conservation exacerbated sedimentation and erosion, but remediation efforts by the city government have restored its original ecology and improved conservation measures. In the waterfront scenic area, facilities like stone bridges, water play platforms, water pumps, and hydrophilic parks have been built to accommodate the terrain. This has also preserved remnants of mining debris as an educational example for ecology, with explanatory signs near the entrance illustrating how trapezoidal waterfall structures can balance ecological preservation and soil and water conservation. The Hushan Creek Trail is lined with stone steps and features delicate wrought-iron railing along the creek, harmonizing with the beautiful stream scenery. Currently, the waters of Hushan Creek and the surrounding forests are full of vitality, and from April onwards, you can even observe fireflies. The native terrestrial fireflies, such as the black-winged and red-breasted fireflies, thrive alongside cultivated species of water-dwelling yellow-edged fireflies, which have successfully reproduced into the ninth generation. Whether for family fun or group outings, firefly watching at night is a delight, allowing you to enjoy the glow of fireflies searching for mates without having to venture far from the urban center—a captivating experience offered by the Hushan mountain trail.
