The Caoling Historic Trail cuts across Sandiaojiao, starting at Yuanwangkeng, just inland from Fulung, and ending at Dali on the coast. It is the only remaining section (rebuilt by the Tourism Administration) of the old Qing dynasty trail that was constructed 130 years ago to provide the only land link down the Northeast Coast from Tamsui to Yilan. The present trail is approximately 10 kilometers long and offers a pleasant hike of two to three hours.
Two large boulders along the trail bear Qing dynasty inscriptions and are listed as municipal historic site. One of the inscriptions has four Chinese characters meaning "Bravely Suppress the Wild Mists" and the other bears the single character "Tiger" (the tiger is believed to control the winds). Both were ordered by the regional commander of imperial forces in Taiwan, and were meant to ward off the baleful influences of nature in this once-remote area.
To hike the Caoling Historic Trail, you can take the train from the Fulong or Gongliao station, and walk (about 40 minutes) from there to the head of the trail in Yuanwangkeng. From the other end of the trail, you can take the return train from the Dali station. If you are driving, you can consider leaving your car at Tiangong Temple in Dali and hiking the trail both ways.