The much-anticipated refurbished Qingtiangang Central Footpath will be re-opened tomorrow. In order to provide the general public with comprehensive and secure services, the Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters （hereinafter referred to as “the Headquarters”） has implemented projects of accessible facilities improvement, Qingtiangang Visitor Center renovation, and Central Footpath safety protection facilities improvement. We ask for your cooperation with on-site management measures so that you can enjoy the the breeze on the grassland and the special sight of water buffaloes. The Central Footpath and the Recreational Grass Fields will be re-opened at separate times The trail fence established during the improvement of safety facilities at the Central Footpath is approximately 530 m in length, with vertical bars at 130 cm each and 3 horizontal bars. It was carefully designed by professional teams based on the deliberations between the Headquarters and relevant experts and academics. It is both beautiful in appearance and durable in terms of materials, and can prevent the buffaloes from passing through or leaping over. On August 31, the segment of the first 250 m to the First Sightseeing Spot will be reopened first; the entire footpath will be opened following the project completion at the end of September. In the second phase of the construction project, the trail fences of the First Recreational Grass Field and Second Recreational Grass Field will be constructed. The two grass fields will be used for water buffaloes’ grazing and for visitors’ recreational activities respectively and in rotation. A tour guide to Qingtiangang When you arrive at Qingtiangang, you may visit the Visitor Center first for information about the history and recreation information of Qingtiangang. Outside the Center, the deck can be accessed with wheelchairs or prams through the wheelchair ramp. The deck features a lawn, an observation deck, and a pavilion. You may also access the newly constructed observation deck at the grassland entrance for a sight of Qingtiangang Grassland. Continue on the Central Footpath to access the Grassland. If you are lucky, you may see buffaloes strolling and grazing at a close distance. Please turn back when reaching the First Sightseeing Spot. Below are the information regarding the closed areas and detour suggestions: Qingtiangang Visitor Center → Japanese Road → Jinbaoli Trail （Fish Road Historical Trail） Qingtiangang Visitor Center → Japanese Road → Jinbaoli Trail （upward） → city gates → Mt. Ding – Shitiling Trail The intersection between Juansi Waterfall Trail and Lengcing Trails （heading towards Qingtiangang Visitor Center） → Qingtiangang Heading northeast, refer to the signs set up along Neishuangxi Historical Trail, Majiao Historical Trail, Neiliao Historical Trail and other trails to connect to Mt. Ding – Shitiling Trail → city gates → Jinbaoli Trail → Japanese Road → Qingtiangang Important notices to Qingtiangang visitors Do not cross the fences into the habitats of wild water buffaloes on the grassland. Do not enter the construction sites. Keep your distance from the buffaloes; do not touch or tease the them. When taking photographs, do not approach them or use flashes. Please keep your dog or other pets on leash to prevent them from alarming or disturbing the buffaloes. Fences or barbed wires, along with warning signs （including route maps）, have been set up at closed areas and connection points to the existing footpaths. Do not trespass. 3 sets of buffalo shelter poles are established on the Shitiling lawns of Mt. Ding – Shitiling Trail. Please use the poles as shelters if chased by buffaloes. Follow-up construction projects The segments, including that of city gates from Qingtiangang to Jinbaoli Trail within the Mt. Ding – Shitiling Trail, and Lengcing Trails on the grassland end, are currently closed. Fences and other facilities will be constructed in the third phase in these areas, which will become a circular route when the construction is completed. The route will connect Lengcing Trail from the Qingtiangang Central Footpath towards Juansi Waterfall Trail and then back to Qingtiangang. As the original Qingtiangang Circular Trail is located within the habitat of the buffaloes, all of its segments excepting the fenced Central Footpath are currently closed.
