Baling Ancient Trail Ecological Park Introduction
The "Balung Ancient Path" was originally a tribal passage built by the Atayal people in the Revitalization Mountain area. Unlike the ancient paths that traverse the mountains, it ascends directly along the ridgeline. Although it has been abandoned over time due to the construction of highways, it has given rise to a rich ecological landscape filled with various flora and fauna. Venturing deeper into the forest reveals dense, pristine broadleaf forests, featuring plants such as the Cinnamomum camphora, Balung stone bamboo, blood vine, and giant ferns, all showcasing the beauty of nature. Today, the Taoyuan City Government has preserved the ancient path ruins and has reconnected the section of the path from the Balung Bridge to the Lala Mountain Service Center. Along this route, walkways and rope bridges have been established, providing a miniature representation of the terrain in the area's Butterfly Pavilion, Beetle Pavilion, Broadleaf Forest Pavilion, and Geological Pavilion. This initiative combines the local indigenous culture with the long-silent Balung Ancient Path, reopening it as the "Balung Ancient Path Eco-Park," where visitors can experience a journey rich in both nature and culture. Despite being called an "ancient path," the "Balung Ancient Path" primarily features newly constructed boardwalks, extending a total length of 1.28 kilometers. The serene path integrates the local natural landscape, with the most unique attraction being the "Ecological Exploration Rope Bridge" suspended high among the trees. Walking along this single-person-wide forest suspension bridge allows for close-up observation of the canopy's ecology and an exhilarating experience of feeling the wind beneath one's feet. Between the rope bridges, visitors can glance down at the blood vines weaving through the forest like wandering dragons, feeling the thrill of the wilderness and observing nature from different perspectives. Due to the richness of forest resources around Lala Mountain, four pavilions have been planned within the eco-park: the Butterfly Pavilion, Beetle Pavilion, Broadleaf Forest Pavilion, and Geological Pavilion. The bright exhibit halls showcase a variety of specimen types and ecological explanations. The Butterfly Pavilion can be reached by a five-minute walk from the visitor center, displaying the most representative butterflies and insect specimens of the Northern Cross-Island Highway, including a model of Taiwan’s largest butterfly, the Papilio blumei. The best time for butterfly watching at Lala Mountain is from March to May each year. The Beetle Pavilion, which has been refurbished from an unused gazebo, is perfect for family visits, offering a comprehensive view of the beetle world at Lala Mountain. Additionally, there is the Broadleaf Forest Pavilion, which introduces the original forest landscape of Lala Mountain, and an explanation hall showcasing unique geological features, allowing visitors to understand and cherish the ecological resources of Lala Mountain. After passing through the pavilions, a descending walk along the path leads to an observation platform where visitors can take in the expansive views of both the new Balung Bridge and the old Balung Bridge, as well as the magnificent scenery of the Dahan River below. For those wishing to experience the beauty of the bridge up close, the "Flying Squirrel Corridor" provides a passage down to the Balung Bridge, where visitors can appreciate this new landmark of the Balung area from a close distance.
