Cangguangliao Old Trail Introduction
Canguangliao Mountain is adjacent to the famous JinGuaShi Scenic Area, with an elevation of 739 meters, making it the highest peak in the Keelung Volcano Group. The area is characterized by lush Miscanthus grass, which in autumn blankets the mountains with silver light under the sun, a sight believed to be the origin of the name "Canguangliao." The summit of Canguangliao Mountain is unobstructed, and there are no taller mountains nearby, providing a panoramic view that extends nearly 100 kilometers. On a clear day, one can overlook Taipei City on one side and the Sandiaojiao Lighthouse along the Northeast Coast on the other. After Yilan was incorporated into the jurisdiction of Taiwan Prefecture in 1812, the Canguangliao Ancient Trail became an important official road due to the increasing frequency of correspondence between Taipei and Yilan. The government established a military base along this ancient path, indirectly promoting the development of the Canguangliao area. The prosperity of the late Qing dynasty's tea trade and the gold mining during the Japanese colonial period significantly increased its wealth. Today, despite the changes and the decline of its former glory, remnants of the ancient path still witness its past splendor.
