aeeble

The Dacukeng Ancient Trail was once the main route connecting Houtong to Dacukeng and Jiufen. Dacukeng was a mining settlement with nearly a century of gold-mining history. In its heyday, while Jiufen was nicknamed “Little Shanghai,” Dacukeng was called “Little America.” At its peak, three thousand people lived here, and Houdong Elementary School established the Dashan Branch to serve local children. Today, the prosperity has faded; both the school and the settlement are relics of the past. After several restorations, the trail is now surfaced mainly with granite steps. From Houtong Station, you can pass the Houtong Shrine, the old Houtong Elementary School, the Jinzipai Ancient Trailhead, and the Shengfukeng Mine to enter the Dacukeng Ancient Trail. Alternatively, start from Jiufen’s Qinxian Junior High School or drive to the trailhead at kilometer 19 on Highway 102, cross the bridge known as “Sky Ladder,” and reach the settlement ruins directly—very convenient. Along the way, you can visit the hometown of renowned writer-director Wu Nien-jen and filming locations for movies such as “A Borrowed Life” and “Dust in the Wind,” while taking in the mountain-and-sea vistas of the mining towns of Houtong, Jiufen, and Jinguashi. If you still have energy, link up with the Jinzipai Ancient Trail, return via the Xiaocukeng or Dacukeng Hillside Ancient Trails, or descend from the Shumei Viewing Platform along the Diaoshan Ancient Trail to Mudan Station. The combinations are endless—whether for hiking, nostalgic mining-town tours, silver-grass viewing on the hills, or simply wandering historic trails, every step offers boundless reflection and reward.