Up the Tea Mountains of Nangang

It always amazes me how Taipei is surrounded by soooo much wonderful places and history.... you can go an hour outside the city, any direction and you are sure to end up somewhere nice and historical. Nangang County is one such place -- and only about 30 minutes outside Taipei City.

Nangang, literally "Southern Port", refers to it's location in the Keelung River. Now known, as the home to the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall, this area used to be more well know for being Taiwan's Tea Farming/Producing Capital.
So last Friday, with the sun not shining too brightly, we decided to TREK up the mountains and go for a little run -- take in th scenery and fresh air. It was such an amazing experience as the view of the mountains, and of the city from the mountains were just breathtaking. Touring the old homes that have managed to survive through the years was an added bonus. We also got to visit the "Nangang Tea Processing Demonstration Center" where you can take in nice views of Keelung River and explore the recreational sites of the area, such as the old sweet osmanthus tree forest, tourist tea plantations, old coal mines, Guangming Temple, the Luku Incident Memorial Tablet at Xizhi, the old residence of the Yu Family, etc.

All of these just 30 minutes outside the hustle and bustle of Taipei City!!!

MORE PHOTOS HERE