Xiucai Mountain Trail Introduction
For travelers who are not usually close to the mountains, the Xiucai Mountain Trail, which is less than 400 meters above sea level, offers a gentle and easy path that allows visitors to leisurely enjoy the pleasure of reaching great heights. The origin of the Xiucai Trail: a generous land donation continues the historical glory. The name Xiucai Village in Yangmei came from three scholars during the Qing Dynasty, and the establishment of the Xiucai Mountain Trail was made possible by the enthusiastic land donations from several Huang family landlords, making this trail a beautiful place for the public to enjoy nature and connect with the land. Along the trail, various artistic installations with local characteristics are set up, such as teapots, top scholar pastries, and scholar dolls, perfectly blending culture and scenery. Tea plantation terraces and bamboo forest secrets: immerse in natural surprises. The most stunning aspect of the Xiucai Trail is the breathtaking scenery created by the intertwining tea plantation terraces and bamboo forest. Entering the tea plantation section along Lane 769 of Xiucai Road, one is greeted by layers of neatly arranged tea plantation terraces. As the journey approaches the end of the tea plantation section, a quiet bamboo forest appears, with slender bamboo swaying in the wind, and sunlight streaming through the gaps, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Overlooking the city’s beautiful scenery and experiencing the imperial examination culture, a further five-minute walk leads to the Twilight Pavilion. This is an excellent resting point along the trail, where travelers can take a break and gaze over the cityscape of Yangmei, enjoying the beautiful light and shadow of the city. In front of the Twilight Pavilion, there is also an explanatory plaque introducing the ancient imperial examination system, allowing travelers to understand the hardships of the scholar examinations and the cultural heritage behind it. Rich ecology: delightful encounters with conservation birds. Along the Xiucai Trail, up to 50 species of birds can be observed, and if lucky, visitors might even encounter Taiwan's protected birds—the Grey-faced Buzzard and the Japanese Paradise Flycatcher. As travelers quietly walk through this serene mountain forest, the symphony of birdsong fills their ears, and every step is full of exploration and surprises, making it an ecological paradise not to be missed by birdwatching enthusiasts. Nearby attractions: Pitang Park and the Dawn Cypress Secret. If you’re still in the mood for more, consider heading to the Xiucai Mountain 5B Pitang Park, where you can stroll along the lake shore and enjoy the tranquility of the water and mountain scenery. In less than 20 minutes by car, you can reach the Dawn Cypress Secret, where the towering Dawn Cypress trees turn red in winter, creating a dreamlike landscape that is a must-visit spot for photography enthusiasts.
