Taipei Travel

Gengliao Historic Trail is one of the five historic trails that links Nangang to Shengkeng and Shiding. It is well-preserved and still in use. This trail is not only a shortcut to Shanzhuku and Tukuqiu, but it also leads to some ancient relics. Today, the trail is paved with granite, and despite its renovation, it still has a touch of archaic ambiance.

Starting point of Gengliao Historic Trail
The ancient “Pan’s Family House” is the only house in Nangang that still possesses bullet holes from war, and is still inhabited. Eight generations of the Pan family have lived here, meaning that the house is at least 160 years old, as old as the trail!
On the way to Laoliao Historic Trail, the Shihui Mine Tunnel is a remnant of our forefathers’ exploration. The remnant of Wei Jingshi Residence recalls the origin of the once prosperous tea industry here, despite the current sadness reflected by its remaining walls. Other places such as Tujiao House, Zheng’s family graveyard and the mere 30cm tall Land Deity Temple are all evidence of the ancient history of this trail.

Rediscovering the Home of Tea
The history of tea development can be traced back two hundred years. During the rule of Emperor Qianlong, this place was an important production center of camphor and tea. Wang Shuijing and Wei Jingshi researched and developed the Wenshan-style Paochong tea and Nangang-style Paochong tea, respectively. Together, they ushered in the golden era of Nangang tea, and its fame spread far and wide.

Laoliao Historic Trail was a tea road that tea merchants and villagers took 110 years ago.The name “Laoliao” was derived later based on the homonymy of the sounds. Gengliao Historic Rail, on the other hand, was used by night watchers (gengfu) in the Qing Dynasty on patrol, and during the Japanese occupation era, the trail served as a transport channel for tea between Shengkeng and Nangang.