Jiantanshan Trail

This guide to Jiantanshan Trail in Taipei follows the legend of Koxinga, said to have battled serpents in a storm on the Keelung River below and lost his sword to the water, giving Sword Pool its name. You'll hear about a discrepancy in the records that undermines the legend's timeline, and the rival story of a wandering monk that grew up to explain it. Climb past old military guard posts to the Laodifang lookout, where the view opens over Songshan Airport and Taipei 101.