Da Niu Qi Trail. The Raknus Selu Trail is part of the National Greenway System. Raknus is derived from the Saisiyat and Atayal names for camphor trees, and Selu is Hakka for 'small path'. The Raknus Selu Trail is part of the National Greenway System. Raknus is derived from the Saisiyat and Atayal names for camphor trees, and Selu is Hakka for 'small path'. It connects Hakka settlements along Provincial Highway 3, linking existing ancient trails across four counties and cities from Longtan in Taoyuan to Hsinchu, Miaoli, and Dongshi in Taichung, with a main line of approximately 230 kilometers. The Da Niu Qi Trail is one section of this route, located in Siliao, Dongshan Village, Guanxi Township, Hsinchu County. In the past, this was a major transportation route for agricultural products and daily necessities, relying on ox carts for transport. When ox carts encountered steep slopes, people had to use whips to urge the oxen to climb the steep hillsides. Thus, it was called 'Da Niu Qi' (Whip the Ox Slope), where 'Qi' signifies steepness and ruggedness. The trail entrance is visible from approximately 2.4k along County Highway 28 (opposite Yaoshi Fo Zen Temple), marked by an archway with a bamboo plaque reading 'Da Niu Qi Hiking Trail'. Beyond the archway, a pavilion is also provided as a resting spot for hikers on their descent. Continuing along the upward cement brick steps, you will see lush green bamboo and occasionally encounter trees with intertwined buttress roots. During the tung blossom season in April and May, you can also see tung blossoms in full bloom, offering diverse scenery. Continue along the ancient trail.
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