Badaxuwashan Introduction
Beidawu Mountain is located at the border of Pingtung County and Taitung County, belonging to the southernmost main ridge of the Central Mountain Range, with an elevation of approximately 3,090 meters. It offers a simultaneous view of the Taiwan Strait, Bashi Channel, and the Pacific Ocean, making it the only peak exceeding 3,000 meters in southern Taiwan. It is often referred to as the "Barrier of Southern Taiwan" and the "Mother of Pingtung." In the traditional beliefs of the Rukai and Paiwan tribes, Beidawu Mountain is considered a sacred mountain as it is believed to be the dwelling place of ancestral spirits. Beidawu Mountain features majestic and towering mountain shapes with steep cliffs, classified as a geomorphic formation. It is listed as one of Taiwan's five major mountains. Due to its primal natural environment, it provides a great habitat for various plant resources and wildlife. In terms of vegetation, the area transitions from tropical broadleaf forests to coniferous forests near the ridge line, representing Taiwan's largest remaining "primitive forest zone." The birdwatching opportunities along Beidawu Mountain are also abundant. Common birds seen between Jiaping Highway and Xintaiwu include the Little Forked-tailed Swift, Eye-browed Thrush, Taiwan Thrush, Black-breasted Blue Flycatcher, Red-vented Bulbul, Formosan Blue Magpie, and the Taiwan Whistling Thrush. From Xintaiwu Village to the trailhead, birds such as the Red Junglefowl, Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, White-eared Sibia, Bamboo Partridge, Crested Goshawk, eagles, and the Japanese Sparrowhawk can be spotted. For birdwatching, one can reach the summit of Beidawu Mountain via the trail from the trailhead, passing the Huigu Mountain Lodge at an elevation of 2,200 meters, where species like the Crested Serpent Eagle, Taiwan Blue Magpie, Azure-winged Magpie, and the Taiwan Red-robed Sunbird are frequently encountered. In addition to its rich biodiversity, the most captivating view of Beidawu Mountain is the tranquil sea of clouds, which, under the morning sunlight and evening glow, resembles a fairyland on earth, so beautiful it leaves one speechless. Beidawu Mountain is also the only high mountain that allows a view of the Taiwan Strait, Bashi Channel, and the Pacific Ocean simultaneously, earning it the title of "Grand View of Mountain and Sea."
