Baijilindong Trail Introduction
Before the construction of the Bajie Tunnel, the route from Daxi to Jiao Ban Mountain and Ba Ling in the Fuxing Mountain area was primarily via the Bajie Trail (formerly known as the Shiguishe Ancient Path), which served as an important transportation artery from the Qing Dynasty to the Japanese occupation period. With the opening of the Bajie Tunnel light railway in the 33rd year of the Republic of China, the Bajie Forest Path ceased to play a central role in transportation. Starting from the 38th year of the Republic of China, Cihu was designated as a military control zone, which cast a mysterious veil over the Bajie Trail for nearly half a century, preventing the area’s natural ecology from being developed and destroyed. Visiting the Bajie Trail offers not only a baptism of history and culture but also the experience of its rich natural scenery. From spring to autumn, one can search for black-winged fireflies and mountain window fireflies, enjoying the tranquility of the mountains at dusk with the twinkling fireflies; in winter, there are opportunities to meet common bird species such as the buffy fish owl, bamboo chicken, Taiwan blue magpie, and grey-throated babbler, providing endless surprises. Along the path, there is a variety of plants, with the most famous being the tung blossom, which falls like snow along the winding forest path in May, adding a romantic touch. Additionally, visitors can see azaleas, mountain palms, kidney ferns, pencil cedars, and Eucalyptus deglupta, while black swallowtails, owl butterflies, bamboo red butterflies, and purple admiral butterflies flit through the area. The entire 2.8-kilometer Bajie Forest Path is a wide asphalt surface designated only for walking, lacking the steep slopes typical of ancient paths, making it an age-friendly entry-level trail suitable for family outings. Enjoying the primal forest bath along the way, the phytoncides and negative ions awaken the body and mind, allowing for ultimate relaxation. With a view overlooking the entire Daxi landscape and savoring the boundless scenery, the visit is definitely worthwhile. The Bajie Forest Path also links to other unique attractions like the Dajia Old Path and Xizhou Park.
