A military trail is set to see the light of day again. Three Armstrong breech-loading cannons from the Qing Dynasty were transported up Shoushan from the Shaochuantou Customs along the ancient trail at Hiking Street Lane 60. Now, the Kaohsiung City Urban Development Bureau plans to restore this historical scene through its “Revitalizing Coastal Culture and Tourism” initiative, examining environmental changes across different eras and restoring features such as cyclopean stone walls, ancient trails, machine gun bunkers, and air-raid shelters. Completion and public opening are expected by the end of this year.
The bureau also shared historical insights: Taiwan’s first governor, Liu Ming-chuan, built the Dapingding Fort on Shoushan in 1886 to strengthen the defenses of Takao Port. In 1889, he purchased 31 Armstrong breech-loading cannons from Britain, three of which were manually hauled up the stone stairway of Hiking Street Lane 60 and installed on the mountain.
During the Japanese colonial period, residents of Hamasen would hike this trail to enjoy the scenery, and even Japan’s Crown Prince Hirohito once walked the path to take in the beautiful views of the harbor. In 1928, he initiated the development of “The Heart of Takao,” today’s Shoushan Memorial Park. The trail then became known as the “Prospect Path,” serving as a vantage point overlooking the harbor and shifting from its original military transport use to a recreational function.
This historic trail, currently part of National Sun Yat-sen University’s property, has been fenced off from the public for over five years — a great pity. After researching environmental changes from the Qing Dynasty, Japanese colonial period, and post-war eras, the bureau is now undertaking restoration work on the historical site. In addition to restoring features such as cyclopean stone walls, ancient trails, machine gun bunkers, and air-raid shelters, efforts are also being made to tidy up natural landscapes like sedge wetlands and mountain spring waterways. This will create a new destination in Hamasen that combines historical interpretation with natural leisure.
Director Lee Yi-te noted that according to U.S. aerial survey photos taken in 1944, the area of National Sun Yat-sen University’s dormitory complex and the platform below Hiking Street Lane 60 served as port authority residences during World War II, with military relics such as air-raid shelters and machine gun bunkers still present today. The city government is collaborating with National Sun Yat-sen University to include the restoration of the trail and its surrounding areas in the “Revitalizing Coastal Culture and Tourism” plan, hoping to allow citizens to rediscover hidden urban memories tucked away along this historic path.
(China Times)