Taipei Travel

 East Taipei Route for Nature Hikes and Walks – LOHAS Season 
Beautiful Forest Scenery Close to the Urban Center
Article ＿ Du Yunru
Photos ＿ Shi Chuntai, Wu Jinshi

Xinyi District is a shoppers’ paradise. Yet in addition to its fashion boutiques and department stores, there is abundant natural scenery. All that is required to reach its scenic natural areas is a ride on the MRT or a YouBike. Next to this busy city district are hiking trails through hills that can be easily completed by people of average fitness. Near Taipei 101 is an old military dependents’ village, where there is a local market selling fresh farm produce. Not far from the neighborhood is an ecological park that is an outstanding nature classroom for both children and adults. After experiencing the hustle and bustle of urban life, change direction and find yourself on a wonderful nature journey.

▲ (Photo: Shi Chuntai )  

Xiangshan Hiking Trail –
Breathe in the Fresh Air Along a Green Forest Corridor
MRT Xiangshan Station is close to the Xiangshan (“Elephant Mountain”) Hiking Trail (象山親山步道). Due to the diverse terrain on Xiangshan, including exposed rock faces, crest line, slopes, valley, and gorge, it possesses rich flora. Just in terms of ferns, more than 70 species are to be found. This area also boasts the largest numbers of woolly ferns and brush pot trees in Taipei. In warm weather, it is best to hike early in the morning when the trail is shrouded in the dense shade of the vegetation, providing a cool break from the city heat.
According to the Geotechnical Engineering Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government ( 台北市政府工務局大地工程處), there is little variation in Xiangshan’s vegetation over the four seasons of the year. Therefore, there is opportunity all year round to come across such species as the Taipei tree frog, Latouche’s frog, and Muller’s barbet. In warm weather plant hoppers may appear, an important ecological- observation indicator. While hiking here, take the time to search for these natural treasures.

▲ Rambling the shaded Xiangshan Hiking Trail, the heat of the city seems far away. (Photo: Shi Chuntai) 

Tiger Mountain Hiking Trail–
Cool and Refreshing Fish Spotting
Xiangshan and Hushan belong to the same Sishou (四獸) mountain system, and their hiking trails are connected. Individuals in good physical shape can complete the Xiangshan Hiking Trail, then pass Jiuwu Peak (九五峰) to connect to Tiger Mountain pathways. Along this route is the Tiger Mountain Hiking Trail (虎山登山步道), which follows Hushan Creek’s (虎山溪) banks and is shaded on both sides by vegetation. Accompanied by the sounds of the gurgling water, this is a place of rich ecology.
In recent years, progress has been made in protecting the fish populations of Hushan Creek. Making use of the uneven river-terrace terrain, habitats have been created for numerous species of aquatic plants and animals. In the crystal-clear waters of this creek grouper and goby can be seen, as well as other native fish species. According to the Geotechnical Engineering Office, the nearby residents are very happy to see that the ecosystem is gradually being restored, and that this is becoming an ecological park. Slow down your pace and rest for a while in a pavilion, admiring the schools of fish or the egrets foraging for food, enjoying the small moments of urban LOHAS living.

▲ Zhongqiang Park is a precious tree frog preserve located within Taipei city limits. (Photo: Shi Chuntai) 

Zhongqiang Park – Observing Tree Frog Ecology
Zhongqiang Park (中強公園) is located at the foot of Xiangshan. Here, old trees provide shade, and the air is filled with the calls and songs of birds and the sweet fragrances of flowers in bloom. This park, rich in both plant and wildlife, is Taipei’s well-known tree frog reserve.
To allow the Taipei tree frog population to increase, giant upright elephant ear and wild ginger lily have been planted to create a precious wetland environment. Zhou Ziqin (周子欽), president of the Sanli Community Development Association ( 三犁社區發展協會), which has long worked to promote tree frog conservation, says that in winter Taipei tree frogs move down from Xiangshan to this park to lay eggs. In summer, the ornate narrow-mouthed toad, olive frog, Brauer’s tree frog, and other native species can be observed in the park’s wetland area. It is also possible to see Formosan blue magpies nesting in the trees, as well as the larvae of fireflies in the ecological pond.

▲ Walking along the banks of Hushan Creek listening to the sounds of the murmuring waters is very therapeutic. (Photo: Shi Chuntai) 

44 South Village Simple Market –
Experience Natural Flavors and Aromas
44 South Village (四四南村) is Taiwan’s first military dependents’ village cultural preservation site. The old, low houses and soaring height of the surrounding skyscrapers create a striking contrast, this site's most distinctive feature. Every Sunday from 1:00 to 7:00 pm the village becomes a great shopping destination, when the 44 South Village Simple Market (四四南村簡單市集) is held. This is a place to purchase local farm produce and cultural-creative products, and to enjoy live performances.

▲ The 44 South Village Simple Market is a place for residents to purchase local farm produce and cultural-creative products, as well as to enjoy live performances. (Photo: Shi Chuntai)

There are a variety of stalls at this market, including ones selling local farm products produced using natural farming methods, and beauty products comprised of natural ingredients. He Yiting (何奕廷) and his son, from Jinguang Garden (金洸園圃), note that, “In summer, people should eat more sweet potato leaves, squash, pumpkin, and other seasonal foods. In this way, they are not only eating fresh, natural, and organic foods, but healthy foods as well.”To provide more choices to the public, they are currently attempting to grow bananas organically, and hope to produce other organic fruits and vegetables.

Xiangshan Hiking Trail: From Exit 2 of MRT Xiangshan Station, walk approximately 16 minutes toward Zhongqiang Park. The entrance to the hiking trail is located along Alley 22, Lane 150, Section 5, Xinyi Road ( 信義路).
Tiger Mountain Hiking Trail: From Exit 2 of MRT Houshanpi Station, walk approximately 26 minutes toward Cihui Temple ( 慈惠堂), or ride a YouBike. The trail entrance is located along Lane 251, Fude Street ( 福德街).
Zhongqiang Park: From Exit 2 of MRT Xiangshan Station, walk approximately 12 minutes.
44 South Village Simple Market: From Exit 2 of MRT Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station, walk approximately 3 minutes.


▲ (Photo: Wu Jinshi ) 

Locally Produced Food Tastes Best: Farmers’ Table
The flagship products at Farmers’ Table (小農鍋物) are ingredients in their original state. This restaurant collaborates with small farms all around Taiwan that use natural methods of irrigation and cultivation. From the hotpot broth to the cooked foods, all ingredients are fresh and safe. The fruits and vegetables on offer are adjusted daily, based on the season and variations in supply.
General Manager Tang Cixiang (唐慈鄉) says that there are many in-season ingredients served in this restaurant that are rarely seen in other hotpot restaurants, such as tuberose, snake gourd, and purple yam. The refreshing broth, which possesses a natural sweetness, is used to cook slices of meat and vegetables. There is no need to use any dipping sauces – the fresh, delicate flavors tantalize the taste buds. Diners will be surprised that there is no feeling of heaviness after eating a hotpot meal here. On one side is a fresh food-sales area, where diners can purchase produce to take home. While enjoying the delicious flavors, they can experience the feeling of security from eating foods that have been brought directly from their production area to the dining table.

www.facebook.com/farmerstabletw
B2, 19, Songgao Rd.; B2, A4 Building, Shin Kong
Mitsukoshi Xinyi Place ( 松高路19 號B2；新光三越信義新天地A4 館B2)