Xianshan Hiking Trail Introduction
Xianshan is located on the east side of Shitan Township in Miaoli County, with an elevation of 967 meters, and is far more famous than the main peak of the Bagua Li Mountain Range - Bagua Li Mountain. Originally named Hongmaoguan Mountain, Xianshan got its name because it is near Penglai Village in Nanzhuang Township (formerly known as Hongmaoguan). The fame of Xianshan in Miaoli is not inferior to that of Shitou Mountain, and many Miaoli residents have visited Xianshan located in Xindian Village, Shitan Township, Miaoli County. The journey to Xianshan begins at the red archway of Lingdong Temple at the foot of the mountain. The mountain path from the archway to Lingdong Temple halfway up the mountain is a total of six kilometers. The imposing mountain of Xianshan stands tall above the flat land, resembling a pillar reaching for the sky, with winding roads leading upward, flanked by lush green grass, and clouds floating above, creating a sense of "the mountain is in the midst of ethereal void." Xianshan is renowned for its sweet and cool spring water, which has a rather legendary story. Over sixty years ago, someone drank the spring water from Xianshan and discovered its healing properties, while the wet mud produced in the area also had therapeutic effects when applied to wounds, leading to the belief that divine manifestations were present on the mountain, hence the name Xianshan. Currently, the place is bustling with people on holidays, with many going up the mountain to collect spring water, seek divine assistance, or engage in hiking. Special Landscape and Ecological Environment: Xian Dongmen: There are currently two well-maintained stone step paths to reach Xieling Temple; however, the true ancient path ascends via a stone slab path beside the left-sided stone steps. Climbing the ancient path to a small platform in the middle section, standing on this platform, which barely fits a few people, with a towering rock wall behind, seems to reach the end of the road; yet after climbing a few steps along the rocky stone wall, one can see a narrow opening on the left, which is the Xian Dongmen. Everyone has to lower their heads and contract their bellies to pass through the cave, which is quite amusing. Xianshan Summit: The summit of Xianshan offers a broad view; to the east are the peaks of Jialishan, interlaced with layers of green hills; to the west are the parallel Bajiaogeng Mountain Range, overlooking the Shitan Valley from afar. On clear days, one can gaze far into the undulating hills of Miaoli and Zhunan, stretching into the boundless waves of the Taiwan Strait. Plant Resources: From Lingdong Temple at an elevation of 710 meters to the Xianshan triangulation point at an elevation of 967 meters, except for the majority of native plants between Lingdong Temple and Xieling Temple that have been cut down, it traverses mainly through the primary broadleaf forest, making the surrounding plant life quite complex. Near Lingdong Temple, there are many fragrant nanmu, large-leaved nanmu, and camphor trees, interspersed with native nanmu, Chinese parasol trees, and duck-foot trees. As the elevation increases, the variety of tree species becomes even greater, with the presence of cherry blossoms, mountain pepper, and O's persimmon along the path. Near the summit, one can find Taiwanese horse-grass, cloud-leaved trees, Daming oranges, round-fruited golden oak, sharp-fruited oak, and holly; closer to the triangulation point, there are many small-leaved red nanmu. The trail features diverse plant life, including many rare species such as Taiwanese horse-grass and cloud-leaved trees, which holds significant ecological meaning. (Plant resource data provided by Mr. Chen Yunzhao, Associate Researcher at the Miaoli Agricultural Research and Extension Station.)
