Introduction of Shuiguan Road
The trail is located between Tian Mu roundabout and Private Chinese Culture University and the road is convenient. By walking from Tian Mu roundabout of Sec. 7, Zhongshan N. Rd., along the sign, to the top, we can see the modeling of tap with the height as human beings’. Along the trail with more than two kilometers, large aqueducts appear at the first section and there is a pond in between. After passing the pond, before the side road of Private Chinese Culture University, we can take a rest in the pavilion to watch the landscape at the bottom of the mountain. From Huagang to Tian Mu area, there are at least three historic trails. The first is “Ban Ling water ditch trail” along north bank of Southern Sulfur creek. The rear section has been developed as Ban Ling industrial road; the second is “Cuifeng Trail” and from Huagang to Southern Sulfur creek, along southern bank, it is connected with Hou Dong industrial road; the third is “Shuiguan Road” which was established in the period of the Japanese colonization. It is between “the third water purification station” of upstream of Southern Sulfur creek and San Jiao Pu power station at the rear of Zhongshan N. Rd.. Since Shuiguan Road Trail is the most popular, most of people call Shuiguan Road as “Tianmu trail”. However, in terms of history, Cuifeng Trail is more ancient. Before the Japanese occupation period, it is the historic trail between Huagang and Tian Mu. Entrance of Tianmu trail is near San Jiao Pu power station of Lane. 232, Section. 7, Zhongshan N. Road. From the entrance, we should hike up 1300 levels of stone steps, along with the large black aqueducts. Since we cannot enter the third water purification station, we continue to walk along Shuiguan Road Trail to Tian Mu.
References:
Taipei City Hiking Website
Unit of management
The trail is located between Tian Mu roundabout and Private Chinese Culture University and the road is convenient. By walking from Tian Mu roundabout of Sec. 7, Zhongshan N. Rd., along the sign, to the top, we can see the modeling of tap with the height as human beings’. Along the trail with more than two kilometers, large aqueducts appear at the first section and there is a pond in between. After passing the pond, before the side road of Private Chinese Culture University, we can take a rest in the pavilion to watch the landscape at the bottom of the mountain. From Huagang to Tian Mu area, there are at least three historic trails. The first is “Ban Ling water ditch trail” along north bank of Southern Sulfur creek. The rear section has been developed as Ban Ling industrial road; the second is “Cuifeng Trail” and from Huagang to Southern Sulfur creek, along southern bank, it is connected with Hou Dong industrial road; the third is “Shuiguan Road” which was established in the period of the Japanese colonization. It is between “the third water purification station” of upstream of Southern Sulfur creek and San Jiao Pu power station at the rear of Zhongshan N. Rd.. Since Shuiguan Road Trail is the most popular, most of people call Shuiguan Road as “Tianmu trail”. However, in terms of history, Cuifeng Trail is more ancient. Before the Japanese occupation period, it is the historic trail between Huagang and Tian Mu. Entrance of Tianmu trail is near San Jiao Pu power station of Lane. 232, Section. 7, Zhongshan N. Road. From the entrance, we should hike up 1300 levels of stone steps, along with the large black aqueducts. Since we cannot enter the third water purification station, we continue to walk along Shuiguan Road Trail to Tian Mu.
References:
Taipei City Hiking Website
Aqueduct Festival
Tsaoshan Ecological and Cultural Alliance is the initial group of Aqueduct Festival and it is originated from water source campaign in March 2001. In order to avoid packaging and selling of water in Tian Mu by Taipei Water Department, a group of mothers in the community launched the self-saving and environmental movement. In May 2001, they cooperated with Mountain Spring Self-help Association, Sulfur Creek Self-help Association, National Women’s League, Peitou Ecology and Humanity Studio and volunteer groups of schools to found “Tsaoshan Ecological and Cultural Alliance”. In November 2002, they promoted “Tsaoshan water system” designated as historical interest of Taipei City. On March 22, 2003, international fresh water year held the first Tienmu Aqueduct Festival. On April 1, 2004, “Tsaoshan water system” was announced as historical interest No. 111 of Taipei City. From the finish of construction in March 1932 to the present, Tsaoshan Aquaduct has been 79 years old. Although water yield decreases significantly, nowadays, it still supplies the water in some areas of Tian Mu. Tsaoshan Ecological and Cultural Alliance and people in the communities of Tian Mu have promoted Tsaoshan water system as historical interest of the city. Tienmu Aqueduct Festival is held annually before or after March 22, “World Water Day” designated by UN to remind people of the importance to protect water resources.
References:
Tsaoshan Ecological and Cultural Alliance
Origin of Aqueduct Festival
Important facilities
I. System of water channel
1. Intake well of the first source, intake well of the third source and connection well. Intake well of the first source is located at 1 km of the south of Zhuzihu and near Yu Lung Ku of nowadays. The elevation is 541m. Intake well of the third source is located at the south of Shamao Mountain and the elevation is 303m. The distance of two sources is 4084m and the difference of height is 238m. They are converged at connection well with the elevation 302m. 2. As to the first and second sequence wells, since water gage or air bubbles increase, in aqueduct water delivery, aqueduct is damaged or current is blocked. Thus, related facilities to exhaust air and lower the pressure, such as exhaust valve, pressure reducing valve, manhole, siphon and sequence well should be installed. From intake well of the first source to connection well, there are two sequence wells. The first sequence well is located near Yu Lung Ku and the elevation is 538m. The distance from intake well of the first source is 610m. It is terminal point of piloting underdrain (ferroconcrete). After passing through this sequence well, it is connected with the high pressure steel pipe to the second sequence well. The second sequence well is located at the north of Shamao Mountain and the elevation is 450m. The distance from the first sequence well is 1899m and the elevation is 450m. It is installed mainly for decreasing the pressure. 3. Aeration chamber is installed above the connection well. As to the location of coordinates, the elevation is 305m. Water of intake well of the first source passes Cao Shan water bridge to this aeration, enters connection well and mixes with intake well of the third source and is sent to adjustment well. The original design aims to eliminate irony of intake well of the first source. However, the aeration chamber was halted after the war and it was reconstructed as dormitory. The original pond of aeration chamber was filled and leveled up. The internal loft space was divided into upper and lower levels. The first level was divided into three and the second included two rooms. The south was installed with corridor and new dormitory. According to field study, it reveals that the dormitory of the first level was first established and corridor was added. High windows of the south of aeration chamber were reconstructed as part of corridor. Structure of dormitory on the first floor is quarry rock and the roof is based on wooden framework covered by Japanese tiles. Interior design refers to Japanese family room. 4. Adjustment well is located near the road of Alley 81, Lane 25, Dong Shan road, south of Private Chinese Culture University. The elevation is 300m and distance from connection well is 1525m. It is above Sanjiaopu Power Station and it mainly adjust water supply needed for power. 5. Distributing reservoir is located at Yangming office of MRT Jiantan Station of nowadays. The elevation is 48m and effective volume is 9000 Cubic m and it can save water inrush volume of intake well of the first source and intake well of the third source for 8 and half hours (1928). 6. Piloting aqueduct and piloting canal. In this system, related piloting facilities can be classified into two types. One is piloting canal and the other is piloting aqueduct. In this system, high pressure steel pipe or cast-iron pipe are used.
II. Sanjiaopu Power Station
Tsaoshan water system delivers the first and third sources of Yangmingshan to Sanjiaopu Power Station through Shuiguan Road of Tianmu trail. When supplying tap water, it uses water level gap of about 200m for hydroelectric power. “San Jiao Pu” is the old name of Tian Mu area. Sanjiaopu Power Station is named since it is located at San Jiao Pu of Shilin Zhuang in Qixingjun at the time. Sanjiaopu Power Station was constructed on June 23, 1930 during the Japanese colonial period of Taiwan and finished on January 24, 1931. Originally, the power of Sanjiaopu Power Station was to be delivered to water source of Kwun Yam Shan water channel system (Museum of Drinking Water in Gongguanof nowadays) as the power to extract the water. Afterwards, for the concern of distance and significant power consumed, it became the supply as the power in Tian Mu area. At present, since water decreases in the source of Sanjiaopu Power Station and for the concern of cost, the electric power is no longer generated and it is transformed as tap water pump station of water distribution system of heights in Tian Mu area. Tsaoshan water system including Sanjiaopu Power Station has been listed as third-level historical interest by Taipei City Government on July 20, 2003. Sanjiaopu Power Station is located in Lane 232, Section 7, Zhongshan N. Rd. and on the left of entrance of Tianmu trail (Shuiguan Road Trail). It is the building of ferroconcrete. The square measure is about 110 square meter and floor space is 36.5 level ground. Appearance of the building of power station has been colored in color camouflage for the purpose of military. However, after the authority of Japan left Taiwan, it was painted in color. Nowadays, only the inscribed board hung on the building is in color camouflage. In the building, there are electricity and machine room, operation room, implement room, etc. Among others, turbo-hydraulic machine is based on Pelton wheel manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.. Generator is made by Hitachi, Ltd. Power generation is 500 KW and in the year, it could supply the power required in Tian Mu area. Currently, power devices such as turbo-hydraulic machine, distributor, collector and transformer are retained completely in the station. However, generator is moved to Museum of Drinking Water.
III. Yuanshan Water Shrine (Tsaoshan water system)
Foundation of the shrine was 7 years after the launching of water cistern (1938). In the year, the construction of water cistern was not successful and some people died at the post. Therefore, the employees of the company donated to found a water shrine in order to worship deities for the peace and safety and comfort the spirits. Name of “Yuanshan Water Shrine” is rectified as “Yuanshan live water source”. “Yuanshan water cistern” was constructed 70 years ago and it was the earliest water cistern in Taipei; “Yuanshan Water Shrine” has been lasted for more than 60 years and it has witnessed the development of tap water business in Taiwan. In the little shrine, except for “Shuexian Deity” which was worshipped at the time and no longer exists, stone lantern, stone lion and hand washing facility are still maintained. In modern time, Taipei Water Corporation was restored and it worshipped water god Da Yu. Little prayers’ hall was transformed as simple and open-air pavilion and Chinese temple without any statues of gods and inscriptions. It was abandoned and did not worship any deities. Foundation of the shrine was 7 years after the launching of water cistern (1938). In the year, the construction of water cistern was not successful and some people died at the post. Therefore, the employees of the company donated to found a water shrine in order to worship deities for the peace and safety and comfort the spirits. Name of “Yuanshan Water Shrine” is rectified as “Yuanshan live water source”. “Yuanshan water cistern” was constructed 70 years ago and it was the earliest water cistern in Taipei; “Yuanshan Water Shrine” has been lasted for more than 60 years and it has witnessed the development of tap water business in Taiwan. In the little shrine, except for “Shuexian Deity” which was worshipped at the time and no longer exists, stone lantern, stone lion and hand washing facility are still maintained. In modern time, Taipei Water Corporation was restored and it worshipped water god Da Yu. Little prayers’ hall was transformed as simple and open-air pavilion and Chinese temple without any statues of gods and inscriptions. It was abandoned and did not worship any deities.
References:
Sanjiaopu Power Station(wiki)
Tsaoshan water system(wiki)