Shilin Xishan Ancient Canal – Taipei’s Hidden Trail for Wellness Travel

By MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Editorial Team, HowToTrip

The Banling Settlement, located in Lane 71, Section 3, Zhishan Road, Xishan Li, Shilin District, once boasted vast terraced rice fields thanks to the clear water and abundant flow of the Banling Canal. However, as the canal fell into disrepair over time, the pastoral scenery vanished. Starting in 2012, after discussions between the Taipei City Department of Civil Engineering and local farmers, restoration work on the century-old canal began, bringing flowing water back to the abandoned terraces.

Following the footsteps of local elders, begin your journey from the “Xishan Century-Old Canal” sign at the entrance of Lane 21, No. 71, Section 3, Zhishan Road. Passing through the red-brick houses of the settlement, you’ll discover a small washing square used by farmers. In addition to the laundry basins once used by local women, nearby farmers in the old days would come here to rinse off the mud after a day’s work, cleaning up before walking home.

Notably, an old whetstone used by farmers has been preserved here. Although better sharpening tools are available today, local farmers still use this smooth stone after busy farming seasons. The polished surface reflects the hard work of generations. Community elders also point to a tall Poto tree nearby, explaining that its fruit was once a favorite toy for rural children — they could play with it using handmade bamboo air pumps for an entire afternoon.