Tamsui and Shiding Ancient Trails Trio
Shiding District is the geographical center of New Taipei City, the main catchment area of Feicui Dam, and an essential path along the southern route of Tamsui Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails. Many approachable trails around Shiding Old Street are suitable for families to wander together. From the Tamsui-Kavalan Suspension Bridge, you can walk along the Waian Historic Trail, Wutuxi Trail, and Sifenzi Historic Trail, bathing in the green mountain trails. Then, go to the bee farm and tea garden on the Beiyi Highway to learn about the ecology of bees, taste tea, and feel the infinite vitality of the real estate industry.The Dipteris Conjugatas standing at the end of the Tamsui Suspension Bridge marks this place as an important scenic spot of the Tamsui Historic Trail. The red bridge of the Tamsui-Kavalan Suspension Bridge spans the Shiding River, and the pavilion and stone slabs simulate the scene of the transport wharf in the past. After crossing the suspension bridge, enter the Waian Historic Trail, go under the tall National Freeway 5 viaduct, and head to Shiding Old Street.The southern route of Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails is known as the "Tea Road." In the mid-19th century, after Taiwan opened its ports, tea became an essential international export commodity for Taiwan. The vast mountainous area between Taipei and Yilan became a significant tea production center, and the settlements in the valleys became trading bases for tea merchants. People transported Baozhong tea from the Shiding and Pinglin areas to Muzha, Jingmei, and Bangka along the southern route of Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails and Jingmei River waterway transportation network. After being processed and packaged in Dadaocheng, the merchants shipped the tea out of Tamsui to the world.The endpoint of the Waian Historic Trail: Shiding Old Street is the earliest developed area in Shiding. It is divided into two streets, east and west, by the Wanshou Bridge, built with stone bridge piers. The century-old tofu shop, the unique hanging-leg building (diaojialou), and the skyless street on the old street are all classic attractions in Shiding. Passing by the Shiding Elementary School, which is more than 120 years old, reflects a flourishing population of Shiding during the coal mining period in the early years.After passing through Shiding Elementary School, connect to the Wutuxi Trail built along the left bank of the Wutuxi. The trail is roughly parallel to Dingge Road, with a total length of about two kilometers and gentle undulations. Bamboo forests lined the path along the way, accompanied by Formosa Acacia, tung flowers, ficus variegata blume, nest ferns, and lagerstroemia subcostata of Shansu and Han. Besides, fishing protection policies allow rivers to retain various fish species, with clear and transparent water quality and a rich and diverse ecosystem.The Sifenzi Historic Trail is a mountain trail connecting Sifenzi and Yueshan Lake. Along the trail, you can see many historical sites, such as a stone bridge, stone houses, a Tudi Gong temple, tea plantations, terraced fields, and bamboo gardens. The picturesque scenery of Shiding has attracted many people who love mountain life to build their homes here. After walking the three major mountain trails in Shiding, arrive at the Mamami Honey, about a 5-minute drive from Shiding Old Street. Under the guidance of the beekeeper, you put on professional bee-proof clothes and enter the home of honey. In the garden where hundreds of bees are flying, observe the ecology of bees up close and deeply understand the importance of bees to the world's ecosystem.The Bei Yi Highway is a 58-kilometer highway connecting Taipei and Yilan. The highway transportation function of the Bei Yi Highway replaced the traditional traffic route – Tamsui- Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails, and has formed many new settlements. The latest traffic route brought traffic and people and allowed many industries to move to the side of the highway. Wang Lai Tea, which focuses on tea cultivation, is among the best. In the tea house full of unique award plaques, enjoy the excellent tea brewed by the tea garden owner and quietly appreciate the beautiful tea garden scenery.
