The three popular suburban mountains in Nei Hu are Zhongyong Mountain, Liyu Mountain, and Yuanjue Peak, also known as Nei Hu's Three Peaks.
Their elevations are 325 meters, 223 meters, and 290 meters respectively. Zhongyong Mountain is the largest branch of the Wuzhi Mountains, and its shape forms a typical sharp peak, so it's also called Da Jian Shan (Big Peak). The Liyu Mountain's shape is high on the head and low on the tail, resembling a carp, hence it's also called Xiao Jiankeng Mountain. Yuanjue Peak is smaller in scale, and it gets its name because of the Yuanjue Chan Temple located on its midsection.
Zhongyong Mountain and Liyu Mountain's Mountain Trail
The starting point of the Zhongyong Mountain and Liyu Mountain's Mountain Trail is next to the Nei Hu Da Hu Mountain Villa Station. Along the trail, you can pass through several famous temples such as Bi Shan Yan, Jinlong Temple, and Yuanjue Chan Temple. The beautiful Yuanjue Waterfall is also located along the trail. From the elevated position of the trail, you can have a panoramic view of the Taipei cityscape, with an excellent view and scenery. As you slowly walk up the trail, you can hear the sound of the water flowing from the Dagou Stream. Following the wooden corridor along the Dagou Stream, the stream valley and the forest create a nice contrast, making the walk very refreshing and pleasant. The further you go, the denser the forest becomes, with dense green shade covering the sky, and flowers along the way. Occasionally, you can also hear the songs of colorful birds, which is very exciting. The end of the trail is the Jinlong Chan Temple located on the third section of Nei Hu Road, and under the escort of the 18 Arhats on the roadside, this mountain trail journey will come to an end.
Zhongyong Mountain
The highest point of Zhongyong Mountain has a bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek. If you go up from the direction of Jinlong Temple, the trail is full of steep stone steps, like climbing the "Hero's Slope," which is a more difficult way to climb.
Standing on the top of Zhongyong Mountain, you can see almost half of the Taipei city area, which also proves that Zhongyong Mountain was once one of the eight old scenic spots of Nei Hu.
Liyu Mountain
Liyu Mountain is located to the southeast of Zhongyong Mountain. The two mountains are connected, and there is a fourth-class triangulation point. The entire mountain range is high on the head and low on the tail, which resembles a carp, so it's called Liyu Mountain. Some people also call it Xiao Kangjian Mountain. If you look from the slopes on both sides, you can see the steep mountain slopes and dense forests extending down to the mountain's midsection, which is very beautiful.
The childhood fun in the wilderness
How long has it been since you were close to a stream? The ancients said that the benevolent love the mountains, and the wise love the water. After passing by the Yeh Ancestral Temple, which is backed by Liyu Mountain, you can walk a short distance to enjoy both the mountains and the water.
As you slowly walk up the trail, you will definitely hear the sound of the flowing stream. Follow the wooden corridor hidden in the forest to enjoy the rare tranquility of the Yuanjue Stream. The journey from the bus stop to the trailhead is not too long, but it is somewhat of a distance. Before going up the mountain, take a short break at the riverside platform, and the cool stream water will bring a refreshing feeling. The elegant small bridge, the cascading waterfall, and the green mountain scenery in the distance create a very pleasant atmosphere. Being there feels particularly refreshing and comfortable.
On weekends and holidays, this place becomes a water playground for families. You can catch fish, catch shrimp, or play in the stream. The children's joyful laughter is obvious, and the adults nearby seem to return to their carefree childhood. With this childlike joy, as you walk up the Liyu Mountain trail, you will often see small fish-shaped tiles on the trail. Around the pavilion on the summit, the ground is decorated with blue and white small fish, as well as small ceramic tiles shaped like plum blossoms, and even the clearly marked "Liyu Mountain" characters on the stone steps look like crayon drawings, as if you have entered a children's fairy tale world.
Along the trail, there are various "Little Kingdom" landscape sculptures created by hikers, which are quite unique, not only surprising but also featuring various landmarks from north to south of Taiwan, such as the Taipei Station, Shimen Reservoir, and the Gulinbei Lighthouse, as well as famous spots like the Nikko Kegon Waterfall in Japan and the Great Wall of China. Although small in size, they are very realistic.
The feast of the forest is endless
There is a bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek at the highest point of Zhongyong Mountain, so climbing Zhongyong Mountain in the past was like a pilgrimage. If you go up from the direction of Jinlong Chan Temple, you will pass through many stone steps, which will make you feel like climbing the "Hero's Slope."
When you arrive at the Yeh Ancestral Temple, which is the largest ancestral temple of the Yeh family in Taiwan, tall cypress trees stand on both sides of the road, giving it a slightly sacred atmosphere, similar to visiting a Japanese shrine. Two Japanese-style stone lanterns next to the road add to this atmosphere. The Yeh Ancestral Temple is backed by Liyu Mountain, and from this angle, the peak behind looks like a pyramid.
The trail is lined with dense forests and shaded greenery, so even on a hot summer day, you don't have to worry about sun exposure. In the early summer, acid vines covered with pink flowers climb on the trees, as if they are wearing a delicate veil. You can see butterflies flying around the trail, and if you pay attention, you may also see groups of Taiwan blue magpies flying by. The sound of the colorful bird's call is often heard, which has a colorful feathered appearance.
Near the small park at the summit of Zhongyong Mountain, the view is excellent. You can see the Da Hu Lake and the White Egret Mountain close by, and the hills in the area of Xizhi in the distance. Looking to the north on the other side, you can see the DaLun Tou and DaLun Wei Mountains, and from the distance, you can see the Four Beasts Mountains near the eastern part of Taipei, almost covering all the nearby mountains and rivers of Taipei. No wonder Zhongyong Mountain was once one of the eight old scenic spots of Nei Hu.
The Bi Shan Yan located on the midsection of the mountain is also a popular spot for viewing the scenery. Standing on the platform in front of the temple, you can see the entire Taipei basin surrounded by mountains. Close by, you can see Liyu Mountain, the terraced fields at the foot of the mountain, and the entire view of Jinlong Temple. In the distance, you can see the winding Keelung River and the Tamsui River, as well as the skyscrapers in the Xinyi District. The mountains and rivers complement each other beautifully. If the sky is clear, you can see the Jiulong Mountain in Jiu Fen and the Tea Pot Mountain in Jinwan Stone from the east, the Lin Kou Plateau from the west, and the northern mountain ranges from the south.
When you go down the mountain, the 18 Arhats on the roadside, which are as tall as people, have various postures. The inscriptions near the pavilion also have a profound Zen meaning, which may bring you insight. Therefore, this journey is truly "full of harvests."