Neihu Bishan Trail is a hiking route in Taipei's Neihu District that begins at Bishan Rock Temple (Kaishanshengwang Temple), said to have been founded during the Qing dynasty's Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns over 200 years ago; its forecourt commands sweeping views of the Taipei Basin and the Tamsui River, and the trail connects to the Dalunwei Mountain ridge system.
Bishan Rock Temple (Kaishanshengwang Temple) is traditionally said to have been founded during the Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns of the Qing dynasty, giving it over 200 years of history. It is dedicated to Chen Yuanguang, deified as Kaishanshengwang, with generals Li Boyao and Ma Ren as attendant deities. The temple forecourt overlooks the Tamsui River and the Taipei Basin, and the nearby Baishihu Suspension Bridge is 116 meters long. The exact elevation of Dalunwei Mountain could not be confirmed from official sources and is not stated.
Highlights of the Neihu Bishan Trail
Bishan Rock Temple has a long history and is dedicated to Kaishanshengwang. It draws a steady stream of worshippers and features classic southern Fujianese temple architecture. The temple forecourt sits at a moderate elevation, offering open views without needing to reach the summit — reason enough for some visitors to linger here. A parking lot beside the temple means a relatively higher proportion of local residents arrive by car, and the site sees fewer outside tourists than other popular suburban hills.
The trail begins behind the temple, passes along a shaded ridge path, and leads to Dalunwei Mountain (about 473 meters above sea level) and the Daluntou Mountain system. The trail surface alternates between earthen paths and wooden boardwalks; some sections become slippery after rain, so hiking shoes with good grip are recommended. For the night-view route, note that forest paths are poorly lit after sunset — bring a torch for safety.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time
- By car, follow Neihu Road or Bishan Road up the hill; there is a parking lot beside the temple. For bus routes, check the Taipei City Bus real-time information system — services are sparse.
- The trail is open year-round. For temple opening hours, confirm with the temple directly. For night hiking, bring lighting and do not go alone.
Nearby Connections
- The trail can be extended to connect with the Daluntou Mountain Forest Trail or Bishan Campsite for a half-day hiking itinerary.
- After descending, you can head to the Neihu Science Park area or Dahu Park, or pair the day with the Jilong River cycling path.
Source: Trail and temple information provided in context. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Bishan Rock Temple built?
It is traditionally said to have been founded during the Qing dynasty's Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns, over 200 years ago.
What can you see from the temple forecourt?
Sweeping views of the Tamsui River and the Taipei Basin, making it a well-known viewpoint in Neihu.
Where does the trail behind the temple lead?
It connects to the Dalunwei Mountain ridge and the Daluntou Mountain trail system, one of Neihu's suburban hiking routes.
Sources
- 碧山巖開漳聖王廟 - 維基百科 — 建廟年代與主祀神明
- 臺北市內湖區公所-休閒景點-碧山巖 — 廟埕視野與周邊地景