aeeble

The Imperial Road Ancient Trail is one of the three famous ancient paths in the western part of Dasi, Xinzhuang (the other two are Shaiming Temple Ancient Trail and Panlongqi Ancient Trail). From the term "Imperial," it is evident that there was once a visit by nobility. This trail built in 1788 originally served as a path for locals to travel to Hsinchu and Longtan for trade. In 1923, after the Crown Prince visited Taiwan, local gentry raised funds to construct the stone-paved road we see today. A memorial stele at the trail entrance near Zhongzheng Cliffs, behind the National Defense University, lists the names of donors. The Imperial Road Ancient Trail is also known as the "Nine Number Cliff Ancient Trail," named for its proximity to the ninth culvert of the Taoyuan Aqueduct. The Taoyuan Aqueduct, constructed between 1916 and 1928, was designed by multiple engineers, including Zhang Lingji and Shiro Hamabe. During its construction, 55 workers lost their lives due to the difficulties of the project. On the ancient trail, the "Offering Tower" bears the names of these casualties and records the historical progress of the aqueduct's development. Beside the tower lies the aqueduct's water conveyance tunnel, where an intense flow of water can be seen below, evoking deep admiration for those who contributed to this monumental project in northern Taiwan. A signage board near the tower provides concise illustrations and an overview of the aqueduct's construction: its origin, the process, and overall engineering details. In addition to historical remnants, the Imperial Road Ancient Trail is a celebrated Chinese Paulownia (Koeliya) flower trail in Taoyuan. Every April and May, when the May snow of Paulownia blossoms decorates the stone path, the trail gains a romantic ambiance. The trail's gentle slope includes rest pavilions, allowing visitors to pause and enjoy the natural scenery: a serene azure sky, lush green forests, and graceful Paulownia flowers harmonizing together as they hike.