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2010-06-27 | 鳳崎落日登山步道 (Feng qi luo ri hiking trail)
This weekend we once again found ourselves with no particular plan and surprisingly good weather - the forecast had predicted rain for two days -, so we tried to find a short hiking trail in the same area as our dinner and shopping plans.
We quickly found something on what by now is one of our favorite hiking blogs. The family who writes it has been to so many places in Hsinchu County that you can always find a good suggestion or directions to a hard-to-find trail.
So, we settled for a rather short but nice little hiking trail near 新豐 (Xin feng), just north of 竹北 (Zhu bei), called 鳳崎落日登山步道 (Feng qi luo ri hiking trail). It's only about 3.3 kilometers one way but that coincided well with our habit of getting up (too) late.
The GPSies map ...
... and our photos. Have fun!
The entrance to the 鳳崎落日登山步道 (Feng qi luo ri mountain hiking trail). Given that the highest point of the trail is at about 135 meters above sea level the "mountain" part may be a little exaggerated, so don't expect any mountains or even snow. :-)
Near the entrance there's an old M48A3 Patton gun tank of the type that was used in the Vietnam war. It's not entirely obvious why it is where it is but it's still interesting.
![Near the entrance there's an old [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M48_Patton#M48A3 M48A3 Patton] gun tank of the type that was used in the Vietnam war. It's not entirely obvious why it is where it is but it's still interesting.](/gallery/data/feng-qi-luo-ri-bu-dao/images/700/20100626-153045_MR8666_Z750.jpg)
鳳崎落日登山步道 (Feng qi luo ri hiking trail) has recently been (re?)built, so it's very nice to walk. Almost a little too easy ...
When the forest lightens up not only can you see Hsinchu's coast and the beautiful ocean ...
... but also a life-sized Tyrannosaurus from the 小叮噹科學遊樂區 (Little Ding-dong Science Park), a small theme park right next to it.
![... but also a life-sized Tyrannosaurus from the [http://www.ding-dong.com.tw/ 小叮噹科學遊樂區 (Little Ding-dong Science Park)], a small theme park right next to it.](/gallery/data/feng-qi-luo-ri-bu-dao/images/700/20100626-153805_MR8674_Z750.jpg)
Apart from a theme park the trail passes an army tank exercise area and what looks like the remains of a landfill where some people are still treasure hunting.
The trail eventually leads to ...
... a little recreational area for children of all ages to play.
Army bunkers can be seen all along the way ...
... as well as caterpillars and other animals.
The 鳳崎落日登山步道 (Feng qi luo ri hiking trail) eventually leads to an open area that has a little shop/café and - cover your ears - a karaoke place where people perform who have been banned from more urban karaoke bars and are now torturing wildlife and nature loving hikers.
Apart from the karaoke background it would be the perfect place to watch a sunset.
Said little shop has prices that can easily compete with your around-the-corner convenience store.
For a short while the 鳳崎落日登山步道 (Feng qi luo ri hiking trail) becomes a little more natural, just the way we like it.
At the end of the trail you'll see the 蓮花寺 (Lotus temple).
I always enjoy the warning signs. I've been to 3000+ meter mountains that apparently had fewer dangers. :-) My favorites are the ones about the killer bees and the cliff!
A nicely done 3D map of the whole hiking trail. You can even see the tank from the trail head at the lower right!
A 觀音 (Guan yin) statue in front of the 蓮花寺 (Lotus temple).
The view of West Hsinchu and Zhu bei taken from ...
... one of the panorama platforms along the trail.
