By Bamboo Chen
If you are planning on visiting a beautiful place near Taipei, Wangyou Valley (望幽谷/忘憂谷) will be an excellent sight to head for. A lot of the tourists going to Keelung likes to go nowhere else but the Miaokou Night Market (廟口夜市), Keelung Harbor, or E-Square, the newly opened shopping mall. However, there are many sightseeing spots near the mountains or by the sea in the landscape-boasting city. One of many spots is the Wangyou Valley, which is likely to be the most popular.
Wangyou Valley has most scenic trails in northern Taiwan. The Chinese name “Wangyou” has two meanings: one is that this is a valley with a magical view which endows the viewer with a peaceful mood; the other means that it is a relaxing place where the visitor can leave all worries behind.
From the moment you enter the valley, a V-shaped green valley comes in sight along with the blue coastline. Walking on the trail, visitors will see giant stones with grass on top, the sea in various shades of blue, and the nearby Keelung Islet (基隆嶼). Below the hills are some spectacular landforms on the seashore caused by sea and wind erosions. There people linger to enjoy the view or to have fun with water. There is no questioning about why some people call this place a fairy land. It is true that oftentimes visitors are so overwhelmed by the wonderful sea views and the soothing sea breezes around this place that all mundane worries seem petty and trifling.
It takes about one hour to hike through the Wangyou Valley Trail, but most people spend a longer time stopping from time to time for its scenery and pictures. For a pleasant visit without missing out too much, here are a couple of suggestions for people who are interested in Wangyou Valley. Since there are no trees or bushes to give shade on the windy hills, it is best to avoid visiting Wangyou Valley at noon during summer when the scorching sun can hurt you. Besides, in case of getting sunstroke, it is important to rest and hydrate yourself between long walks.
Wangyou Valley is located in Badouzi Coastal Park in Keelung. Both trains and buses run regularly from Taipei City to facilitate your visit. After passing the National Museum of Marine Science & Technology (國立海洋科技博物館), you need to allow no more than 15 minutes to reach the trailhead which is on the small cliff of the ridge. Wangyou Valley is definitely a perfect option for a short visit on the weekends.
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