aeeble

Shuimeiping Ancient Trail sits beside the 19 km marker (between 18.7–18.8 km) on Provincial Highway 102, an expansive parking lot roughly 502 m above sea level at the highway’s highest stretch. Measured from the ridgeline that separates Jiufen and Jinguashi, you need to drive another 3,500 m. Originally widened and rebuilt for military purposes, Highway 102 is now one of the finest vantage points for the “Shui-Jin-Jiu” scenery. The broad, open view takes in Mute Teapot Mountain, Banping Mountain, Keelung Mountain, Shuinandong, Jinguashi, Jiufen, the Xiaojinguashi outcrop, Xiaocukeng Mountain and Dacukeng Mountain—an impeccable panorama. To the east rise the Benshan Range; to the south, the Mudan Range. From here the Xiaojinguashi outcrop looks just like a little hippo’s head, irresistibly cute. This angle also frames the entire Keelung Mountain, its majestic silhouette awe-inspiring. Several key trails converge here. South of Shuimeiping lies the entrance to the Diaoshan Ancient Trail (a former military road—watch for dense silvergrass). It links to the trail’s halfway point, Fude Temple. Eastward, the Caoshan Industrial Road leads to the Golden Shrine Trail or the old mining area of Shumei. Head south and you’re on the Diaoshan Ancient Trail; southeast connects to Sandiao Bridge (Zhengguang No. 3) over the Mudan River; southwest follows the Mudan ridge back to Highway 102. Continue 300 m along Highway 102 and you’ll reach the termini of the Xiaocukeng and Dacukeng Trails. The first fork, signposted, leads to the Xiaojinguashi outcrop—where the gold rush began—letting you stand atop the “Golden Mountain.” Another branch goes to Qin-xian Junior High. The second fork starts the Dacukeng Trail, passing the Shengfukeng coal mine—one of the very few still operating in Taiwan.