2013 New Taipei City Mountain Climbing Tourism Festival – Foraging Wild Ginger Flowers in the Mountains for Culinary Delights

Tourism Center / Taipei Report

As the sweltering summer heat arrives, what kind of exercise allows you to stay healthy and beautiful with ease? The 2013 New Taipei City Mountain Climbing Tourism Festival this year (Year 102 in the Republic of China calendar) presents a brand-new concept: “Culinary Source Trekking Adventure.” Four specially selected mountain trails located in regions abundant with summer seasonal produce have been chosen. Visitors are invited to enjoy the breathtaking mountain and coastal scenery of Northern Taiwan while savoring fresh, local flavors. You can stroll through the Guanyin Mountain treetops and enjoy fresh green bamboo shoots, explore the tea plantation landscapes of Pinglin and Shenkeng on hiking trails, or hike up the Shuangxi Ridge Summit Sunrise Trail to gaze at the northern coastline while also sampling the fragrant delights of wild ginger flower-infused dishes.


▲ New Taipei City Tourism Bureau launches the 2013 Mountain Climbing Tourism Festival, featuring the first wave of 4 carefully selected “Culinary Source Trails” for an early summer experience. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Bureau)

New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Hsu Chih-chien stated that the best way to travel in summer is to immerse oneself in the mountains and forests. New Taipei City boasts vast, stunning mountain landscapes, making it a perfect destination—especially for a small culinary trekking journey that connects nearby attractions along the trails, explores locally abundant seasonal ingredients, and savors seasonal delicacies, promoting both physical and dietary wellness. The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau’s 2013 Mountain Climbing Tourism Festival aims to present the full charm of Northern Taiwan in different seasons. The first wave features 4 carefully selected “Culinary Source Trails” for an exclusive early summer experience. As you walk amidst green mountains, clear waters, and the vastness of nature, you can also connect with the earth’s rhythm and explore the origins of various ingredients.

The “Four Summer Launch Culinary Source Trails” include: In Wugu District, the “Guanyin Mountain Treetop Trail,” where you can stroll through the mountain canopy, enjoy the gentle mountain breeze, and taste or purchase the freshest local green bamboo shoots; in Pinglin District, “Lion’s Comb Tail Mountain,” where you can explore lush mountain ranges and tea plantation scenery; in Shuangxi District, the “Ridge Summit Sunrise Trail,” which offers views of fishing boats dotting the northern coastline, layered mountain ranges, and misty clouds, while also allowing you to savor the delicate fragrance of wild ginger flower cuisine; and in Shenkeng District, the “Paotzu Trail,” an ancient path connecting the Shenkeng Paotzu area with Muzha Cao’ersi, dotted along the way with tea plantations and green bamboo groves.

The New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau will host two free guided tours of mountain hiking trails in June—one on June 15 at Lion’s Comb Tail Mountain in Pinglin District, and another on June 22 at the Guanyin Mountain Treetop Trail.