aeeble

One of the southern routes of the Danlan Historic Trail, the Wai’an Ancient Trail lies between Shuangxikou and the old street of Shiding District in New Taipei City. In the Jiaqing era of the Qing dynasty, in order to open communications between Taipei and Yilan, prefect Yang Yanli cut the Danlan Historic Trail. Starting from the Nuannuan area along the Keelung River, it followed small riverside paths eastward, crossed the Sandiaoling and Caoling mountains, and reached the Dali and Toucheng region of the Lanyang plain—over 200 km in total. As Taiwan’s economy grew, especially after Tamsui Port was opened as a treaty port during the Guangxu period, the prosperity of foreign trade in northern Taiwan spurred the growth of settlements throughout the mountainous country between Danshui and Yilan. Tea growers and merchants travelling for the tea trade sought to shorten the route and save time, so the Danlan Trail gradually shifted southward. Today’s Shiding section belongs to the southern Danlan Trail; in early times it was the vital artery for shipping Shiding’s daqing (a blue dye plant) and Wenshan pouchong tea. After the completion of the Beiyi Expressway it was restored; from the western end of Shiding Old Street to the Danlan Suspension Bridge at Shuangxikou the path is about two kilometres long. Along the way are two rest areas. Mid-trail a pavilion lets visitors admire the mountain scenery. Farther on, beneath the Beiyi Expressway, a platform rest area furnished with wooden benches and tables invites hikers to enjoy their own tea or snacks. From here the trail under the expressway leads onto the Wai’an farm road; following it brings you to the second segment. Overhead the expressway shields walkers from the blazing sun. Climb to the observation deck: from its two-storey height you look down on the Danlan Suspension Bridge and Shuangxikou. Descend the steps to the bridge itself; looking over the Shiding valley, cross the span to reach the end of the Shiding section of the Danlan Historic Trail.