Enjoy autumn hiking and discover new shops at Shizitou Mountain for herbal treasures. Many may not know that Shizitou Mountain, located at the border of Xindian and Sanxia districts, is not only one of Taiwan’s Minor Hundred Peaks, but also home to the endemic Xindian Swertia, a rare native plant nestled at the mountain’s base. Its petals feature concave nectar grooves that gather floral fluids to form deep purple nectar guides—an unusual and striking sight. On the 22nd, the New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau hosted the “New Taipei Flower & Farm Fun” guided ecological tour of the Xindian Swertia at Shizitou Mountain. Led by volunteer guides, participants explored the mountain’s rich natural ecology and cultural history, enjoying a beautiful and healthy weekend.
When autumn arrives, people often think of maple leaves and silver grass, but many beautiful flowers also bloom at this time. The flowering season of the Xindian Swertia is from October to November each year. Due to its small flower size and limited numbers, it takes careful searching to catch a glimpse. If you crouch down for a closer look, you’ll notice unique glands on the flowers of the Xindian Swertia that often attract ants and other insects to crawl around and feed, aiding in pollination at the same time. Because ants feeding on the nectar often blend in with the color of the nectar guides, unsuspecting observers from afar might mistake the color for part of the petal itself. The Xindian Swertia is a Taiwan endemic species. Although named after Xindian, its distribution isn’t limited to that area—back in the day, you could even spot its blooms in the northern mountainous regions. However, in recent years, due to careless weeding or human picking, it rarely gets the chance to flower and fruit. Visitors are reminded to cherish this beautiful ecosystem while admiring the flowers, so more people can appreciate and learn about it.
Currently, some sections of the entire trail at Shizitou Mountain are closed, but you can still safely stroll from the trailhead to Guanshiping, observing the vibrant insect and plant life on the forest floor, admiring the view of lions resting or shrouded in mist, and even continuing the climb to the triangulation station on the north side, approximately 857 meters above sea level. However, be aware that there are ladder-climbing sections after Guanshiping, so consider your physical condition and the weather before deciding whether to proceed.
The Agriculture Bureau stated that the “New Taipei Flower & Farm Fun” event offers in-depth guided tours to help participants gain a deeper understanding of the unique culture and ecology found across New Taipei. By promoting “light” mountain activities, it encourages people to walk through the mountains with respect for nature. Small actions like these are simple ways for humans to live in harmony with nature.
From February to October this year, 10 special floral and agricultural mini-trips have been held. The final route will take place on October 28 and 29 at Caoling Historic Trail, where participants can admire the sea of silver grass swaying amid the mysterious mist. Everyone is welcome to gather friends and sign up to join.
