Tsaoling (Caoling) Historic Trail

Tsaoling (Caoling) Trail was built in 1807 to facilitate local transportation. It was part of the Danlan Trail, which was built in Ching Dynasty as the earliest route connecting the town of Tamshui (Danshui) in the west coast and the east coast. Today, what remains of the trail stretches from Gongliao Township in Taipei County to Dali Township in Ilan (Yilan) County, ten kilometers in length.

Tsaoling (Caoling) Historic Trail was made of sandstone, one of the most readily found building materials in northern Taiwan. The trail was worn down due to years of lack of maintenance. However, it was rebuilt in recent years and has become a beautiful and educational track.

It takes about three to four hours to complete the whole trail. Along the way are dense green bushes and crisp brooks. A number of historical relics can be found along the trail, including several pavilions, bridges, temples and inscribed stones. The temples are devoted to gods of the land so that they would protect travelers. It was also said the inscriptions were meant to subdue the mountain demons.