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The Lishan Bridge Mouth Mountain Path is located in the southern part of Nangang Park. This area used to be a water source for irrigation, with three historic old ponds (Hou Mountain Pond, Dongxin Pond, and Sanshong Pond) of the Nangang region situated here. Nowadays, these ancient ponds no longer supply water, but have become popular sites for fishing, sightseeing, strolling along the lake, and cycling. The front section of the trail is the Beixin Temple Path, while the latter part is the historic and rustic Lishan Bridge Mouth Path.


Serpent Forest

This path has a history spanning over a century. It used to be a shortcut for villagers to carry rice, tea, and travel between Sanchuan (Xikou) and Sifengci (Section 4 of Academia Road). Walking along the forest path or deep mountain trails, one can see rare Serpentine Palm trees and golden brown fallen leaves, and experience the quiet natural harmony due to the low foot traffic in this area.

Unlike other mountain trails in the Nangang range, Lishan Bridge Mouth Path still retains a stretch of dirt trail. On sunny weekends, the trail offers a nostalgic fragrance of earthy soil, but rain makes the path muddy and slick, requiring extra caution when walking.
Beixingung Path
Beixingung

This section of the trail consists of gentle stone steps that are easy to walk. The path is shaded by trees and flanked by fields, offering a relaxed walking experience. The standout "Stay Healthy!" and "Houshanbi Residents Care for You!" slogans along the way make the hikers feel extra thoughtful and warm.

The beginning of the trail showcases the bustling city skyline of the Xinyi commercial district and housing developments, while after crossing a small saddle pass, the scenery becomes the tranquil rural landscape with changing clouds and gentle winds.

Eternity Home: A Century-old House

This century-old antique house, built along the Lishan Bridge Mouth Path, has been renovated several times. The front façade retains the plaque inscribed with “Eternity Home” and walls with a rich historical aura. This ancient house, once crossed by ancestral generations of travelers, quietly tells the stories of bygone years.

Exploring the Old Path

With the dense population in Taipei, people increasingly long for serene spaces. If thinking about the quiet charm of rural countryside, one could consider visiting the Lishan Bridge Mouth Path.

Walking from the MRT station to the mountain trailhead, pass by Nangang Park, and it's worth taking a detour to visit the historic Houshanbi Site. This U-shaped lake area with adjacent Xinzhhuang Embankment (known as Dongxin Slope) and Sanzhongpu Embankment forms the three largest ancient ponds in Nangang District, originally used for irrigation during the agricultural period. Today, these ancient ponds have been given new life as recreational spots for fishing, sightseeing, and trails for leisure walks and mountain biking.
Lishan Bridge Trail Signpost

After exploring the Houshanbi Site, the heart feels purified, and the body feels more relaxed. Ascend gently along the stone steps of the trailhead, shaded by trees and accompanied by fresh breeze, the walk remains comfortable throughout. In particular, the bold “Stay Healthy!” panels along the trail occasionally offer health tips or encouraging words such as “Houshanbi Residents Care for You,” as if the local residents are lining up at the roadside to warmly welcome and cheer on hikers.

The second half of the trail beyond the saddle becomes steeper. However, with the gentle sunlight and sense of companionship, even quickened breaths soon calm. Reaching a shelter marked with the inscription “Dalingshan Bungalow,” stop to rest and overlook the view. Soon, the sight of Fongshu Saddle appears. Scanning the surroundings, the “Nostalgia at Saddle” signage explains the origin of the Saddle Trail, introducing the upcoming historic journey ahead.

Forest Footpaths Evoke Reflections of the Past

Compared to the earlier Beixingung Path, the latter section lacks convenient stone steps but offers unique charm. The rustic forest trail, though slippery after rain, allows a profound connection with the land that solid stone steps can't replicate. Despite occasional caution needed while stepping on loose gravel, the direct interaction with the earth remains unmatched.

This old trail is believed to be more than a century old. It used to serve as a shortcut for villagers carrying rice and tea between Sanchuan, known as Xikou, and Sifeng Keng, now called the fourth section of Academia Road. In the past, residents of the Nangang valley would cross the saddle to head from remote mountain villages to urban front areas for shopping. The Lishan Bridge Mouth trail, located in the rear mountain, indeed showcases the distinct landscapes in front of and behind the mountains.

Beixingung Path

At the midsection near Beixingung Temple, the mirrored pool "Jiulongtan" offers a panoramic view of the bustling city of Songshan and the City Government. Approaching the saddle crest, the distant scenery reveals the dense urban sprawl of the Taipei Basin. Just by passing a small hill, one feels as if walking through a time tunnel into a different era.

Time-Drifted Forest Paths, a World Apart

Upon entering the valley, the sight opens with fields, ponds, gourd trellises, rice paddies, and gentle streams; it feels like stepping into an enchanting paradise removed from the modern world. Further ahead, the initial impression of timelessness deepens.

Walking along the forest path feels like traversing a hidden ancient route, evoking the imagery of a wandering knight. From scattered leaves on the ground, one senses the area's infrequent pedestrian movement. The quiet air allows a peaceful connection with nature's rhythm. Venturing into the side trail to "Eternity Home," overgrown weeds around the estate further testify to its abandonment by human presence.

One side of "Eternity Home" has been renovated and is not visibly apparent as an ancient house from the main path. However, the stone bench beside the trail and the secluded old building bear witness to the trail's rich history. At the exit of the trail, the view again opens to rural idyll—garden plots, farmland, and sparsely scattered farmers. The bus stop stands right before the local land god shrine, leaving one wondering when the bus will come, as if one has truly been transported to a rural village from the past.