By MOOK Travel Lifestyle Network Editorial Team
 

As spring returns and flowers bloom, the mountains are covered in fresh greenery — the perfect time to head outdoors. Hidden within the forested hills of Quanyuan Community in Beitou District is a little-known irrigation channel trail that even Google Maps can’t locate. Along the way, you can enjoy the early spring cherry blossoms, take in panoramic views of the Taipei Basin, and admire the view of Taiwan’s very own “Mount Fuji”!

The Beitou Quanyuan Community was historically known as “Shiba Fen” (Eighteen Shares). During the Qing Dynasty, early settlers cultivated this land, renting plots from the Pingpu indigenous people and dividing them into eighteen shares. They also built the “Shiba Wa Canal” and the “Shiba Guai Canal” to divert water from the Huangxi Stream for irrigating terraced fields. That’s why the community still has two century-old irrigation channels today.

Due to its proximity to downtown Taipei, visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring. In other seasons, strolling along the canal trails lets you take in the scenic terraced farmland. The trail is picturesque, accompanied by the gentle sound of flowing water, and features Shamao Mountain, whose bell-shaped peak resembles Mount Fuji. It’s become a popular weekend hiking destination. In early spring, you can escape the city, gaze at the Taipei Basin and Guandu Plain, and unwind from the stress of daily life.

If you’d like to visit, you can drive along Quanyuan Road, turn onto East F Road, and then connect to the Shiba Fen Industrial Road to reach the trail. To avoid parking issues, it’s recommended to take bus lines 小8, 小9, 小26, or 129, and get off at “Fengwei Station.” Turn right and you’ll arrive at the entrance. Alternatively, take bus lines 230 or 小25 to Longfeng Valley, then walk along the Shiba Fen Industrial Road to the Shiba Fen / Canal Trail. The trail is beautifully scenic and accompanied by murmuring irrigation waters — a truly worthwhile spot for history and nature lovers.
 

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