Ride an iron horse through streams and mountains to explore ancient canals—strolling through mountain forest secrets is wonderfully healing

By / Scenic Spots Home compiled report
 
In late winter and early spring, when spring thunder rumbles, the Pingding and Jingshan neighborhoods in Shilin have always been popular spots for locals to admire cherry blossoms. Every blooming season draws crowds of admirers. This year, the cherry blossoms bloomed in January. Travelers who missed them needn't feel disappointed, as this area isn’t just about cherry blossoms—it also hides a mountain forest cycling secret.

The route along Shanjiao Road connecting to Section 3, Lane 71 of Shanjiao Road, Pingjing Street, and Jingshan Road toward Lengshuikeng has become a highly popular cycling path in recent years. About 2.3 kilometers up from Lane 71 of Section 3, Shanjiao Road, there’s the Xishan Iron Horse Station, tailor-made for cyclists. With its expansive platform offering sweeping views of the mountain scenery in the Greater Taipei area, it’s an ideal spot for photos and check-ins.

The areas around Pingjing Street and Jingshan Road are popular routes for cyclists. At Lane 131 of Jingshan Road, Jingde Ancient Canal has been artistically enhanced by the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, which gave the old canal’s surface a makeover and integrated local features into a conceptual wall.

The conceptual wall, created using ceramic tile mosaic and stone-rendering techniques, depicts flowing water and blue magpies, telling the story of indigo dye—from collecting the dye plant Daye to crafting beautiful patterns—and symbolizing the heritage and evolution of the craft. It’s a newly emerging scenic spot perfect for travelers to snap photos and enjoy.

Travelers taking photos at the Iron Horse Station and Jingde Ancient Canal, located along the roadside, should mind their safety. Also, as there are very few parking spaces along the mountain roads, it is recommended to use public transportation whenever possible.