Tirugondar

TW1714, originally uploaded by Doug Nienhuis.

This picture was taken from the top of Keelung Mountain in Jioufen/Jinguashi. There is a trail of stone steps leading all the way to the top. It isn’t a terribly difficult climb, but it was harder than I expected and the next day my calf muscles were tight and sore.

The next morning, I rode my scooter along a road into this coastal area. I came across a small parking lot with the beginning of a trail. I started walking and found a whole network of beautiful trails criss-crossing all over the place.

Jioufen 5, originally uploaded by Doug Nienhuis.

You come across scenes like this all over Jioufen as you explore the little lanes and alleys.

TW1684, originally uploaded by Doug Nienhuis.

I’ve always found mountains fascinating. They look entirely different depending on the angle. From the coast, this is what Keelung Mountain looks like. When you are in Jioufen, the mountain looks entirely different. You couldn’t even guess that it was the same mountain.

On the left is (I believe) a part of the abandoned smelter known as 13 Levels. I first saw this massive bulding complex on a bike ride along the coast highway. I had no idea what it was. It had a foreboding quality that put me in mind of a prison or military installation. I had no idea at that time that it was actually an old smelter from the gold rush days.