The Xintian Hiking Trail is located on Juxing Mountain in Tanzih District, Taichung City. With a total length of 2.9 kilometers, the wooden boardwalk zigzags along the mountain terrain, and the one-way hike takes about 60 minutes. The trail is shaded by dense woods, featuring broadleaf trees such as acacia, melaleuca, and bamboo groves, allowing hikers to breathe in the forest’s phytoncides. In addition to several lookout points, an eagle-watching platform has been added, offering a bird’s-eye view of the streetscape of Fengyuan.
The trail features a circular uphill route, with the highest point at just 500 meters above sea level, making it suitable for family outings and leisurely walks. Many seniors and retirees come here together every day. Visitors say that being surrounded by various tree species and breathing in the phytoncides feels like a forest bath. There is a parking lot at the trail entrance, and on holidays, many small-scale farmers set up stalls to sell vegetables and fruits. The farmers say, “Business is even better than at the traditional market!”
The Xintian Hiking Trail has gained widespread fame. Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung, in his efforts to develop a hundred-kilometer network of hiking trails, also led a city government team to tackle this trail. He stated that the city government has comprehensively reviewed 47 hiking trails in Taichung, spanning approximately 95.2 kilometers, and has additionally developed 34.8 kilometers of new trails that combine scenic beauty, ecology, culture, and safety, hoping to attract tourists from across the country to come hiking in Taichung.
The Xintian Hiking Trail has been in use for 24 years. As you ascend the steps, you’ll find attractions such as the Rainbow Pavilion, viewing platforms, the Hexagonal Pavilion, the Eagle-Watching Platform, a wishing pool, and rest shelters. The city government allocated NT$10 million each in 2015 and 2016 to repair damaged sections of the trail.
The Taichung Tourism Bureau noted that Juxing Mountain, located near the highest point of the trail, has also been listed as one of Taiwan’s Little Hundred Peaks. It is one of the better-developed and long-established hiking trails in central Taiwan.