Xianshan Hiking Trail Introduction
Xianshan, located on the eastern side of Shitan Township in Miaoli County, stands at an elevation of 967 meters and is more renowned than the main peak of the Bagualishan mountain range - Bagualishan. Originally named Hongmaoguan Mountain, it got its name because it is near Penglai Village in Nanzhuang Township (formerly known as Hongmaoguan). Xianshan is as famous in Miaoli as Shitou Mountain, and many residents of Miaoli have visited Xianshan, located in Xindian Village, Shitan Township. The journey begins at the red archway of Lingdong Temple at the foot of the mountain. The trail from the archway to Lingdong Temple halfway up the mountain is six kilometers long. Xianshan's towering mountain peaks rise above the flat land, resembling a pillar reaching the sky, with a winding road leading up, flanked by green grass along the way. The sea of clouds on the mountain gives the impression of "the mountain existing in ethereal confusion." Xianshan is renowned for its sweet and refreshing spring water, which has a legendary story. Over sixty years ago, someone who drank the spring water from Xianshan discovered its therapeutic effects. The wet clay produced in the area has also been found to be effective when applied to wounds, leading to the belief that divine miracles occur on the mountain, hence the name Xianshan. Currently, crowds gather on weekends, with many visitors ascending to collect the spring water, pray for divine help, or hike. Special features and ecological environment: Xian Dongmen: There are currently two well-maintained stone paths leading to Xieling Temple, but the true ancient path ascends along a stone slab path next to the left stone stairway. Climbing along the ancient path to a small platform midway, one finds a small space that accommodates only a few people, with a towering rock wall behind, seemingly at the end of the road. However, after climbing a few steps alongside the rock wall, a narrow opening can be seen on the left, which is Xian Dongmen. Each person must lower their head and tuck in their stomach to pass through the cave, making it an amusing experience. Xianshan Summit: The summit of Xianshan offers a broad view, with the eastern side featuring the Jialishan peaks, which are connected and cloaked in layers of green; the western side has the parallel Bajiaodeng Mountain range, with the Shitan Valley in the distance. On clear days, one can see the rolling hills in Miaoli and Zhunan, fading into the vast waters of the Taiwan Strait. Plant resources: From the Lingdong Temple at an elevation of 710 meters to the summit of Xianshan at 967 meters, except for the majority of indigenous plants removed between the Lingdong Temple and Xieling Temple, the path mostly traverses original broadleaf forest, which is complex in vegetation. Near Lingdong Temple, there are many fragrant nanmu, large-leaf trees, and camphor trees, mixed with native wood, Chinese tallow tree, and duck-foot wood. As the elevation increases, the variety of trees increases, with other species such as Prunus campanulata, mountain pepper, and Diospyros lotus appearing along the way. Near the summit, one can find species like Taiwan's Spathodea campanulata, Yunya leaves, Da Ming orange, round-fruit Quercus, conical acorn oaks, and holly trees, while the area near the triangulation point has more small-leaved red nanmu. The variety of plants along the trail is rich, including many rare species such as Taiwan's Spathodea campanulata and Yunya leaves, which hold significant ecological value. (Plant resource information provided by Mr. Chen Yunzao, associate researcher of the Miaoli Agricultural Improvement Station)
