Dongyuan Forest Recreation Area Introduction
Dongyuan Forest Recreation Area is a tranquil valley surrounded by lush forests. The forest trails within the park act as guides, always leading visitors to various sights worth pausing for. The picturesque Dongyuan Lake, the refreshing sea of wild ginger flowers, the serene and elegant rosewood forest, and the quaint stone cottages are all compelling reasons to linger and look back. The greenery of Dongyuan is abundant, with vast grasslands, towering trees, and sprawling rosewood forests. Standing among the varying heights of the rosewood trees, being surrounded by greenery naturally relaxes the mind, and the air feels refreshing with every breath. Thus, even without conversation, one can sense the emotions of the trees because the feeling of comfort is contagious. It seems that the seemingly calm and elegant rosewood trees are free to remain here. The fragrance of wild ginger flowers is rich and lovely, and they can be seen blooming throughout the valley without needing to search for their scent. The white petals are truly exquisite, particularly in this elegant and tranquil place, as if it were a given; the wild peonies also bloom vibrantly in purple, red, white, and pink. They create a lively spectacle, a group of flowers that can stir excitement amidst serenity. Dongyuan Lake carries a sorrowful nickname, known as "Crying Lake," but it is actually unrelated to any tragic legend; it comes from the sound in the mother tongue of the Paiwan people, meaning a gathering of water. Crying Lake is a peaceful and pleasant body of water, with green lotus leaves floating on the surface and purple lotus flowers blooming vibrantly. Occasionally, water birds come to leisurely swim, and the stone cottage rests by the lakeside, creating a beautiful world that requires no imagination. Near Crying Lake, there is a special floating grassland, one of the reasons being its legendary curse, as the Paiwan people regard this place as a sacred area; entry requires a ceremony or guidance from tribal elders. This is, of course, an old legend. Another reason for its uniqueness is that the grassland used to be marshland, and after being abandoned, it became overgrown with weeds, making the grassy surface less solid than the stone paths. It's certainly worth experiencing!
