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Gengliao Ancient Trail is one of the five ancient trails that once connected Nangang to Shengjing and Shitian, and is the most well-preserved and still in use today. This trail is not only a convenient path to Shanzhuku and Tuku Mountain, but also a centuries-old road for visiting ancient house ruins. Today, the trail is paved with granite steps, but the narrow road conditions still show its original rugged and ancient characteristics. Some sections of the trail have not been paved, and the small white flowers of the Ri Ri Chun add a simple and ancient charm to the trail. Gao Liao Ancient Trail Tea Plantations near Gengliao The latter part of Gengliao Ancient Trail connects with Gao Liao Ancient Trail, which was once a tea mountain area with many tea houses. Because the trail was once an area for transporting and manufacturing camphor, it was originally called Nao Liao Ancient Trail. About 110 years ago, Nao Liao Ancient Trail became the most frequently used road for tea merchants and villagers, and later it was renamed Gao Liao, which is a homophone, and it has been used until today. The name Gengliao Ancient Trail came from the Qing Dynasty when this road was used as a path for night watchmen to patrol. Once a thriving path of the pioneers, this road has now lost its shine and become a path for people to seek the beauty of the mountains and enjoy the springtime. Chunxuan Farm Originally named the Nangang First Citizens' Farm, Chunxuan Farm has been transformed into an integrated farm that combines education and leisure. The farm has over 1,000 fragrant toon trees, golden needle flowers, and osmanthus trees. It also has tree houses and observation decks for people to enjoy the scenery. Wangao Mountain Located at the highest point of Tuku Mountain, this spot offers a panoramic view of the greater Taipei area. It once had a military fortress and defensive base function, and there are legends that an observation tower was set up here during the Qing Dynasty, staffed by armed night watchmen. The current high platform offers a better and wider view, truly deserving of the name Wangao Mountain. Pan's Ancestral House Along the Gengliao Trail, you can often see the bustling traffic of the National Highway No. 5. In addition, there are several centuries-old houses along the mountain slope, such as the 160-year-old "Pan's Ancestral House." It is a testament to the remnants of the pioneers' development. The exterior of the ancestral house still has gun holes from the days when it was used for defense. The descendants of the Pan family who have lived in this house have reached the eighth generation, making them witnesses to this history. Exploring the Ancient Charm in the Mountains Now, among the five trails connecting Nangang to Shengjing and Shitian, only Gengliao Ancient Trail is the most well-preserved and still in use. It is not only a convenient path to Shanzhuku or climbing Tuku Mountain, but it also contains many "ancient treasures." Even though the trail is now paved with granite steps, the narrow stone steps at the beginning can only fit one person, giving a sense of the old days. After climbing to the mountain slope and passing by the pavilion, there is a 70-year-old stone house called "Huang-Wang Residence," still retaining an old tea-making machine. As you approach the top of the hill, the wild grasses on both sides may make you think you have taken the wrong path, but soon you will step onto a gravel path that makes a rustling sound, with small flowers like Ri Ri Chun blooming on both sides. The short 300-meter path is easy to walk, and it is the most memorable part. Gengliao Trail Starting Point Next, there is an ancient house, "Pan's Gun-Hole House," which is the only one remaining in Nangang with gun holes and still inhabited. The descendants of the Pan family who have lived in the gun-hole house have reached eight generations, and according to this calculation, the house is at least 160 years old. Like the ancient trail, it is also "evergreen." On the way to Gao Liao Ancient Trail, there are lime mines, which are remnants of the pioneers' development. The ruins of Wei Jingshi's house, although showing some signs of aging with broken walls, are the starting point of the past prosperity of the tea mountain. The earth houses, Zheng's tomb garden, and the "mini" land god temple only 30 centimeters high along the trail all prove the long history of the ancient trail. Discovering the Tea Country Again The history of tea mountain development can be traced back to the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, more than two hundred years ago. At that time, this place was an important production area for camphor and tea exports in early Taiwan. The methods of "Wenshan-style Baozhong Tea" and "Nangang-style Baozhong Tea" developed by Wang Shuijin and Wei Jingshi together created the golden age of Nangang tea, and its fame spread far and wide, even reaching Southeast Asia. Today, some old tea houses in Thailand still use the name "Nangang" to attract customers. About 110 years ago, Gao Liao Ancient Trail was a bustling tea road for tea merchants and villagers. Going back further, it was once a trail for collecting camphor and making camphor, so its old name was naturally "Nao Liao Ancient Trail." "Gao Liao" was later named as a homophone. Gengliao Ancient Trail was named because it was used as a path for night watchmen to patrol during the Qing Dynasty. During the Japanese occupation, it became a transportation route for tea sellers to transport tea between Shengjing and Nangang. Now, it has lost its former glory and has become a trail for people to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and springtime. Gengliao Print Shop Now, after walking about five to six minutes on the narrow stone steps near the entrance of the trail, you can look to the right and see the North–Yi Expressway passing through the mountain foot. This highway passes under Tuku Mountain, Shanzhuku Peak, and Gengliao Ancient Trail, heading towards Shitian and Pinglin. Standing here, you can enjoy the traffic today from the old communication routes, which is quite interesting. On a clear day, while heading to Shanzhuku, standing on the stone steps and looking back, you can see the Yuanshan Hotel, Songshan Airport, Dazhi, Neihu Incinerator, and Guanyin Mountain, taking in the full view of the Taipei Basin. The more you climb up the mountain, the richer the scenery becomes, with the complete forest landscape and plant ecology right beside you. Before reaching the top of the mountain, there is a rare grove of bamboo trees, presenting a tropical rainforest landscape. The sound of the flowing stream in the mountain brook also washes away the tiredness from the steep slopes.