Canguangliao Historic Trail Introduction
Can Guangliao Mountain is located next to the famous Jinguashi Scenic Area, with an elevation of 739 meters, making it the highest peak in the Keelung Volcano Group. The lush Miscanthus is a characteristic of this mountainous region; every autumn, the mountains are covered with silver flowers that shine brilliantly in the sunlight. It is said that this is the origin of the name "Can Guangliao." The summit of Can Guangliao Mountain has no cover, and there are no taller mountains surrounding it, offering a panoramic view that can reach nearly 100 kilometers. On a clear day, one can overlook Taipei City on one side and the Sandiao Cape Lighthouse along the Northeast Coast on the other. After Yilan was placed under the jurisdiction of the Taihoku Prefecture in 1812, the Can Guangliao Ancient Trail became an important official road due to the increasingly frequent correspondence between Taipei and Yilan. The government also established a military base along the ancient road, indirectly promoting the development of the Can Guangliao area. The prosperity during the late Qing Dynasty's tea trade and the mining activities during the Japanese occupation further enhanced its growth. Today, despite the changes in people and the decline of its former splendor, remnants of the ancient road still bear witness to its glorious past.
