Dongyan Mountain National Forest Recreation Area Introduction
Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area is located in the Fuxing District of Taoyuan City, at the end of the Xueshan Mountain Range. From Amuping in Taoyuan, the mountain resembles a reclining girl gazing east with large eyes, making the name "Dongyanshan" widely known. The entire recreation area covers nearly one thousand hectares, with over three hundred hectares of magnificent cypress forest. The highest point in the area is "Dongyanshan," at an elevation of 1,212 meters, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, as well as distant sights of Taoyuan, Sanxia, and the Tamsui River. It is also a great spot for viewing the night scenery of Taoyuan. The "Cypress Forest" and "Sea of Clouds" are the main features of Dongyanshan. Because its elevation is around one thousand meters, it was formerly a site for artificial afforestation, resulting in a cypress forest that has become the most important landscape in the park, stretching for hundreds of hectares with dense greenery. The good forest coverage has also enriched the amphibian ecosystem, making Dongyanshan an excellent place for family interaction and ecological education. The terrain in the area is varied, and in the afternoons, clouds and mist often gather, creating a breathtaking scene in the mountains. At this moment, Dongyanshan is at its most beautiful, and if one is lucky, they might even see a rainbow landing on the girl’s eye. Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area features a 16-kilometer forest bathing trail, which mainly includes the "Self-Guided Trail" that leads to the main peak of Dongyanshan at an elevation of 1,212 meters; the "Intellectual Trail" themed on forestry culture and logging displays; the "Parent-Child Peak Trail" resembling a mother with her child located at the end of the forest path; and the "Fossil Trail," featuring fossils dating back approximately 30 million years. Each trail offers different ecological landscapes and forest sceneries, allowing visitors to experience Dongyanshan from various angles. The best way to enjoy Dongyanshan is by walking along the self-guided park trail, which, including branches, is about 4 kilometers long. If walking toward the triangular point at the summit of Dongyanshan, it’s about 1.6 kilometers. Visitors can follow the guide booklet provided by the Forestry Bureau or navigate using signs. The trail includes several interpretive stations with rich illustrations, and ascending the timbered path takes about 60 minutes to reach the summit, with abundant plant and animal ecology along the way, allowing one to indulge in the pleasures of nature's scenery and phytoncide SPA. Arriving at the highest point of 1,212 meters offers a different charm, with surrounding peaks creating a sense of peace; one can even view the Greater Taipei Basin on a clear day. Fog occasionally drifts by at the observation platform, intertwining with the green mountains to create stunning scenery. The Intellectual Trail, located behind the restaurant, is densely forested with occasional streams and showcases forestry culture and machinery, making it particularly appealing as it allows visitors to experience both the natural phytoncide and the baptism of historical culture.
