Sanmin Bat Cave Introduction
Bat Cave is located in the valley of Sanmin Village's northern area, featuring a naturally formed giant cave, noted for its beauty due to the waterfall cascading from the cave's entrance, earnestly known as the Water Curtain Cave. The rugged and primitive terrain of Bat Cave, situated next to the valley, has attracted large numbers of bats to roost here, hence the name "Bat Cave." Today, the cave's floor is covered in red soil, formed from the accumulated droppings of bats, evoking the image of thousands of bats that once inhabited the cave and adding a mysterious atmosphere. The entrance to the trail leading to Bat Cave is at the end of the Taoyuan 114 Line, and the trail stretches about 600 meters with a gentle gradient and paved with stones, allowing visitors to reach Bat Cave in approximately 20 minutes. As you proceed along the trail, it's shaded by lush trees, creating a cool and pleasant walking experience; along the way, you can appreciate the rich natural ecology. If you feel tired, you can rest on the wooden benches placed along the path. The ground is embellished with a mosaic of bat totems that will surely bring a smile to your face. After walking about 444 meters along the trail, you'll arrive at an observation platform shaped like a spiral staircase, where the curved stairs lead you to admire the distant green hills, sweeping away worries. Following the path behind the pavilion next to the observation platform leads to a stepped trail where you can enjoy the natural landscape of Sanmin River's flowing waters. The ruggedly primitive Bat Cave lies hidden within, featuring a pond in front and both a large and a small waterfall, approximately 50 feet high; if it's not a dry season, you can see the waterfall's spray and hear its roaring sound, which is quite spectacular. Stepping onto the wooden platform, the waterfall cascades down into a deep pool about 10 meters in diameter, with a cool and pleasant environment, making it ideal for summer visits. The entrance of Bat Cave is semi-circular, nestled amid the cliffs by the river, standing about 20 meters high, approximately 50 meters wide, and around 20 meters deep. Entering the cave sideways, the interior is uniquely designed in a crescent shape resembling a theater, spacious enough to accommodate a thousand people, making it a remarkably rare natural giant cave that gives a sense of another world. Although the bats have since migrated elsewhere, the mysterious and profound cave scenery continues to attract numerous visitors eager to explore this extraordinary sight.
