Dongyan Mountain National Forest Recreation Area Introduction
Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area is located in Fuxing District, Taoyuan City, at the end of the Xueshan Mountain Range. From Amuping in Taoyuan, the mountain resembles a reclining girl looking east with big eyes, which has led to the name "Dongyanshan." The entire recreation area covers nearly 1,000 hectares and boasts a stunning sea of Japanese cedar trees spanning over 300 hectares. The highest point in the area is Dongyanshan at an altitude of 1,212 meters, from which visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the distant sights of Taoyuan, Sanxia, and the Tamsui River. It is also a great spot for viewing the night scenery of Taoyuan. The biggest attractions of Dongyanshan are the "Japanese cedar forest" and the "sea of clouds." At an altitude of around 1,000 meters, this area was once artificially planted, making the cedar forest the most significant landscape in the park, extending for hundreds of hectares with dense and lush greenery. Due to the excellent forest coverage, the area is rich in amphibian ecology, making Dongyanshan an ideal place for family interaction and ecological education. The terrain in the mountainous area is varied, and in the afternoons, clouds and mist often collect and drift among the mountains, creating the most beautiful moments in Dongyanshan. If lucky, one might even see a rainbow falling upon the girl’s eyes. Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area features a 16-kilometer-long forest bathing trail network, including the "Self-guiding Trail," which allows climbing to the 1,212-meter summit of Dongyanshan; the "Intellectual Trail," focused on forestry culture and logging demonstrations; the "Parent-Child Peak Trail," which resembles a mother carrying a child; and the "Fossil Trail," which showcases fossilized footprints that are about thirty million years old. Each trail offers different ecological landscapes and forest views, allowing visitors to approach Dongyanshan from various perspectives. The essence of visiting Dongyanshan lies in walking along the self-guiding trail, which, including its branches, is about 4 kilometers long. If heading towards the summit triangulation point, it is approximately 1.6 kilometers. Along the way, visitors can follow the informational pamphlets provided by the Forestry Bureau or navigate using the signs. The trail has several informative signboards, and climbing the wooden steps takes about 60 minutes to reach the summit. The rich flora and fauna along the way immerse one in the beauty of nature and the enjoyment of phytoncide SPA. Upon reaching the trail's highest point at an altitude of 1,212 meters, the view from the observation platform is another scene altogether, surrounded by mountains, offering a refreshing atmosphere. On clear days, one can even see the Greater Taipei Basin in the distance. At the observation platform, clouds and mist occasionally drift by, creating stunning views interwoven with green mountains. The Intellectual Trail behind the restaurant features dense forestry, with small streams occasionally passing through, and showcases forestry culture and machinery, making it the most attractive aspect of the Intellectual Trail, allowing visitors to experience both the natural phytoncides and the baptism of historical culture.
