By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
As the scorching summer arrives, what kind of exercise can help you stay healthy and in shape with ease? The 2013 New Taipei City Mountain Hiking Festival not only invites the public to escape into the cool mountains this “summer,” but also introduces a brand-new concept of “Food Source Travel with Hiking Fun.” New Taipei City is rich in seasonal produce such as green bamboo shoots, tea, and wild ginger flowers. This year, four hiking trails located in areas abundant with these summer ingredients have been carefully selected. Visitors are invited to enjoy the beautiful mountain and sea scenery of northern Taiwan while tasting fresh, local flavors. The trails include strolling through the Guanyin Mountain forest canopy and sampling fresh green bamboo shoots, exploring Pinglin and Shenkeng trails to admire tea plantation landscapes, or climbing the Shuangxi Lingtou Guanri Trail to gaze at the northern coastal seascape while trying dishes infused with the fragrant wild ginger flowers.
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The four summer “Food Source” trails launched by New Taipei City allow the public to enjoy local seasonal ingredients while hiking. (Photo provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
The so-called “Food Source” trails allow you to walk amidst green mountains, clear waters, and the vast sky, while also connecting with the earth’s rhythm and exploring the origins of various ingredients. The “Four Summer Premier Food Source Trails” are: in Wugu District, the “Guanyin Mountain Canopy Trail,” where you can stroll through the forest canopy of Guanyin Mountain, enjoy the gentle mountain breeze, and taste or purchase the freshest local green bamboo shoots; in Pinglin District, the “Shigongjiwei Mountain,” where you can explore lush green hills and tea plantation scenery; in Shuangxi District, the “Lingtou Guanri Trail,” where you can gaze at fishing boats dotting the northern coast, admire layered mountains and misty clouds, and savor the delicate fragrance of wild ginger flower dishes; and in Shenkeng District, the “Paozi Trail,” an ancient path between the Shenkeng Paozi area and Muzha Caotan, lined with tea plantations and green bamboo forests, creating a refreshing summer waltz.
New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Hsu Chih-chien stated that the best way to travel in summer is to head into the mountains. With its vast and stunning mountainous landscapes, especially when combined with a food source hiking trip—linking nearby attractions, exploring locally abundant seasonal ingredients, and savoring seasonal dishes—you can walk your way to health and eat your way to wellness too. Additionally, the New Taipei City Tourism Bureau will host two free guided tours of hiking trails in June: one on June 15 at Shigongjiwei Mountain in Pinglin District, and another on June 22 at the Guanyin Mountain Canopy Trail. For more information, visit the New Taipei City Tourism website: tour.ntpc.gov.tw.
● Extended Reading: Light Travel in New Taipei City – 20 Recommended One-Day Park Itineraries
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