Laojie (Old Street) Creek and Xinjie (New Street) Creek flow through the metropolitan area of the southern Taoyuan. After the river restoration for Laojie Creek and Xinjie Creek, the two distinctive trails, Laojie Creek Trail and Xinjie Creek Trail, are established. The two trails not only enrich the dimensions of tourism, but also bring changes to the urban manner of leisure. For example, the public is able to relax in the lush greenery of the hydrophilic trails while amidst in the busy, metropolitan district. The dazzling lighting show at night, the surrounding Xinshi Park, the River-Ecology Education Center and other related facilities, have become the new leisure landmarks in the southern Taoyuan.
Originating from Longtan, Laojie Creek runs northward through Pingzhen, Zhongli, Dayuan regions, and is named after Zhongli Laojie which it passes through on the way. Laojie Creek is therefore an important river in Zhongli City.
The starting point of Laojie River Trail is in the Bazizun Riverbank Park in Pingzhen District, while the end point is at Laojie River Bridge on Huanbei Road, making it easily accessible. Departing from Sanchong Bridge in Pingzhen, you will be able to connect to Bajiaotang (Octagonal Pond), Bogong Temple, Zhongli Jiushe, Pingzhen Xinshi Park, and River Education Center. The stroll along the creek trail caters to both sight-seeing and leisure purposes, and thus energizes the walkers on the trail.
The Xinjie Creek, also the target of river restoration, flows through Zhongli and Pingzhen downtown and parallels with Laojie Creek as the two major rivers in Zhongli District. Xinjie Creek has a 3 km long hydrophilic riverbank with lush greenery. Along both sides of the Creek, 1.5 km riverbank trails will be built for local residents to have a place to stroll and exercise.
The trail starts from Fude Bridge, goes southward, and then is divided into Zhongfu Segment and Xizhou Segment. Zhongfu Segment is specially noted for its green landscape. When you walk along the riverbank, you can see the distinctive riverbank ecology. Along the trail, you will pass the lush greenery Zhongli Art Center, which has various artistic sculptures and exercise facilities for the public to appreciate and to use. The cherry blossom trail at the riverbank is also a place worthy of a visit.
After coming to Yanping Road and then turning into Xizhou Street, you now enter into Xizhou Segment of Xinjie Creek Trail. Situated between Xinjie Bridge on Puyi Road and Fude Bridge on Zhongshan Road, this segment is approximately 1 km and there is wooden planked trail for visitors to walk upon along the way. You can also visit Ren Hai Temple and Shenji Pavilion to partake in a fruitful cultural tour.
