The Hanbi Trail area used to be called "Hand Net Land," as the terrain reminded people of the hand nets used by the ancestors for fishing. Beautiful views are provided by the verdant mountains, winding lake shores and azure blue water of Sun Moon Lake.
The Hanbi Trail winds for about 2km through the forest and around Hanbi Mountain, rising gently to about 800 meters above sea level. Along the trail, the Hanbi Building sits at an elevation of 793 meters. This was formerly a Chiang Kai-shek holiday residence, at which time access was restricted. It takes about an hour to walk the trail. When President Chiang would visit, he would stroll here and sometimes take a boat from the pier below to the Ci'en Pagoda. The pier and a sentry station can still be seen.
The slope of the Hanbi Trail is gentle, and its steps are built with red bricks. This provides a simple and elegant ambiance within the green forest. The walkway is framed by lush trees, which are home to birds such as Taiwan Barbets, Rufous-capped Babblers, and Gray-cheeked Fulvettas. The trail provides wonderful views of Sun Moon Lake, with its mirror-like surface reflecting the nearby misty mountains.