The Shi Guanyin Temple experience in Miaoli offers an inspiring view

Immediately below the temple, next to the parking lot, an inscribed stone marks the end of the restored Shi Guanyin Historic Trail that once connected the temple with the populated valley far below. It’s a fairly steep hike, but following the short, thirty-minute trail is a good opportunity to get a closer look at the surrounding countryside and its rich wildlife. Stone steps descend through mixed woodland for about 10 minutes, leading to a junction.

Keep right, and the path drops through woods crowded with long-tailed magpies to cross a young stream three times. Soon the surrounding forest opens up a little, and the surrounding rocky peaks tower impressively above. After crossing the stream one final time, the historic trail emerges onto a narrow lane at the foot of a steep, rocky cliff. It’s a long, hot walk uphill along this winding lane, which comes out some distance from the temple, so it’s best to retrace your steps up the restored trail.

It’s sweaty work in warm weather, but spare a thought for the faithful, young and old, healthy and sick, who, before the days of motorcars and roads, made the trek up these mountains to pray at Shi Guanyin Temple from settlements much further down the mountain.

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