Dongyuan Forest Recreation Area Introduction
Dongyuan Forest Recreation Area is a tranquil valley surrounded by lush greenery. The trails within the park serve as guides, leading visitors to every spot worth pausing at. Scenic attractions like Dongyuan Lake, the pristine sea of wild ginger flowers, the serene mahogany forest, and the rustic stone cabins are reasons that make one linger and look back. The greenery of Dongyuan is abundant, with sprawling grasslands, towering trees, and vast mahogany forests. Standing amidst the varying heights of the mahogany trees, taking in the greenery can naturally soothe the spirit, allowing one to breathe freely and enjoy the air. Even without conversation, the mood of the forest can be felt, as the ease of emotion is contagious. The seemingly calm and elegant mahogany trees have remained unfettered here. The fragrant aroma wafting from the wild ginger flowers is unmistakable, and one need not seek out the scent to find them, as these wild ginger flowers bloom abundantly throughout the valley. The white petals stand out as truly extraordinary, especially in this elegant and quiet place. Wild peonies also bloom in vibrant colors—purple, red, white, and peach—creating a lively scene filled with flowers that bring life in the stillness. Dongyuan Lake has a sorrowful nickname, "Crying Lake," but it is not related to any tragic legend; rather, it is a homophone in the Paiwan language meaning a place where water collects. Crying Lake is a serene and pleasant body of water, with green lily pads floating on the surface and purple lotus flowers blooming vibrantly, occasionally visited by waterfowl. The stone cabins along the lakeside provide a picturesque view of a beautiful world without needing to imagine it. Nearby Crying Lake is a unique aquatic grassland, one of the reasons being an old curse legend. The Paiwan people have historically regarded this area as a forbidden place, requiring rituals or guidance from tribal elders for entry—though this is now just a past legend. Another reason for its uniqueness is that the grassland was once a swamp that became overgrown after being abandoned for cultivation, making the grassy surface less solid than a stone pathway; visitors can experience this special landscape!
