In Muzha, this is the gateway to the 1000 steps up to Zhinan Temple. It's close to the back end of the National Chengchi University campus.
Up the stairway. It's a long climb, but there are some interesting things to see along the way.
At one point we came across a farmer who grows his own fruit and vegetables which he sells to passers by. He was sold out when we saw him, but he was kind enough to let us take a look around the grounds of his farm. And on his farm he had a house: a traditional old sanheyuan. It was beautiful, but sadly in a state of disrepair. And members of his family are in a dispute as to what to do with it.
Tis the season for silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis).
After almost reaching Zhinan Temple, we took a side trail that takes hikers down into a valley where Zhinan Elementary School is. Next to the school is the trailhead for the Tea Pickers Trail. I've been up the tea pickers trail several times, but this is the first time I ever saw actual tea pickers there. What a pleasant surprise!
We came across this moth larva: Parasa pastoralis. Check out the rich purple color of the stripe on its back, and the interesting patterns! And look at the defensive clusters of spines.
The trail takes us all the way to Maokong. The Maokong Gondola is out of commission because of a landslide caused by a hurricane. So there were a lot fewer people up there than before. Anyway, we went to our favorite restaurant there: Xiaomuwu (Little Cabin).
Like many places in Maoking, it offers a wonderful view of Taipei:
Here's Kate, about to dig into a nice hot pot:
Here's Kate's roommate, Hsiu-Fen, who joined us on the hike.
My favorite dish at this restaurant: Spaghetti carbonara.
A betel palm (Areca catechu)
Sign says: Toad meat - for skin ailments and acne
On the way back down, we went to Zhanghan Temple.
And old lady there was diligently going through her prayer rituals.
Then we hiked down the trail behind the temple, which took us back to National Chengchi University. Then we went back into Taipei. And later we had dinner at our favorite noodle shop in Liaoning Street Night Market. Good noodles! And some sake!
A great hike with great company!
