Xianshan Hiking Trail Introduction
Xianshan is located on the eastern side of Shitan Township, Miaoli County, with an elevation of 967 meters. Its fame surpasses that of the main peak of the Bagualishi Mountain Range, Bagualishi Mountain. Originally named Hongmaoguan Mountain due to its proximity to Penglai Village in Nanzhuang Township (formerly known as Hongmaoguan), Xianshan is just as renowned in Miaoli as Shitou Mountain. Many residents of Miaoli have visited Xianshan, which is situated in Xindian Village, Shitan Township, Miaoli County. The journey to Xianshan begins at the red archway of Lingdong Palace at the foot of the mountain. The mountain path from the archway to Lingdong Palace halfway up the mountain is six kilometers long. Xianshan stands tall above the flat land, giving the impression of a pillar reaching the sky. The winding road leads up, flanked by lush green grass, while the clouds hover above, creating a sensation of "the mountain existing in the ethereal void." Xianshan is famous for its sweet and refreshing mountain spring water, which has a rather legendary story. Over sixty years ago, someone drank the spring water from Xianshan and discovered its healing properties. The wet mud produced in the area was also effective for treating wounds, leading people to believe that miraculous occurrences took place on the mountain, thus naming it Xianshan. Currently, the area sees a substantial number of visitors on weekends, with bustling incense offerings, people collecting spring water, seeking divine guidance, or hiking, creating a steady stream of activity. Special Landscapes and Ecological Environment: Xianshan Cave Gate: There are currently two well-maintained stone step paths leading to Xie Ling Palace. However, the true ancient trail ascends alongside the left stone step path via a stone slab path. Climbing along the ancient path, one reaches a small platform in the middle, where only a few people can stand. Behind is a towering rock wall, seeming to mark the end of the road; yet, by climbing a few more steps along the rocky wall, one can find a narrow opening on the left side that only allows one person to pass through, which is the Xianshan Cave Gate. Everyone must bow their heads and contract their stomachs to go through the cave, adding a fun element to the journey. Xianshan Summit: The summit of Xianshan offers a panoramic view. To the east lies the Jiali Mountain Range, with peaks connecting in layers of green hills; to the west is the parallel Bajiaogeng Mountain Range, gazing towards the Shitan Valley in the distance. On clear days, one can overlook the rolling hills of Miaoli and Zhunan, which fade into the vast mist of the Taiwan Strait. Plant Resources: From Lingdong Palace at an altitude of 710 meters to the Xianshan triangulation point at 967 meters, except for the native plants that have been cut down between Lingdong Palace and Xie Ling Palace, most traverse through original broadleaf forests, creating a complex plant environment all around. Near Lingdong Palace, there are numerous trees such as fragrant nanmu, big-leafed hands, and camphor trees, mixed with red nanmu, Chinese tallow trees, and duck foot trees. As the altitude increases, the variety of trees also grows; in addition to the occurrences of black-dotted cherries, mountain pepper, and Russian persimmons along the route, near the mountain top, one can find Taiwanese mistletoe, cloud leaves, large orange trees, round-fruited golden camphor, conical-fruited oaks, and holly trees. Close to the triangulation point, there are many small-leaf red nanmu. The trails are diverse in plant life and contain many rare species such as Taiwanese mistletoe and cloud leaves, which hold significant ecological meaning. (Plant resource information provided by Mr. Chen Yunzhao, Associate Researcher at Miaoli Agricultural Research Station)
