Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area Introduction
The Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area has been closed since the Morakot typhoon disaster, and currently only the Xiangyang Trail, Xiangsong Trail, Songjing Trail, and Songtao Trail that connect to the Jiaming Lake National Trail are open. If you wish to proceed to the viewing platform, please apply for a mountain entry permit from the National Police Agency and a same-day return permit (or lodging approval) from the Taitung Forest District Office in advance. For more information, please visit the official website of the recreation area. The park is located in an important wildlife habitat in Guanshan, where it is possible to encounter rare species such as the Mikado Pheasant and Blue Pheasant. Additionally, Formosan Black Bears may be present, so visitors must secure their food and kitchen waste, and carry all trash down the mountain to maintain a no-trace environment. The Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area, situated at the border of Kaohsiung and Taitung, takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach from Jiasian, Kaohsiung, and about 1.5 hours from Guanshan, Taitung. At an elevation of 2,320 meters, the area features a cloud forest climate, where updrafts in the Xinwulu River region carry moisture, creating a misty and cool environment. The sea of clouds here is easily accessible. Upon entering the Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area, the first sight you encounter is the visitor service center, which includes an exhibition hall, multimedia room, and a lounge. It provides interpretations of the local flora and fauna, introductions to forest trails, and presentations on Bunun culture. The lounge offers a space for visitors to enjoy views of the sea of clouds and mountainous landscape. Currently, it is temporarily closed due to construction work. Four forest trails have been built within the recreation area: the Xiangyang Trail, Xiangsong Trail, Songjing Trail, and Songtao Trail, allowing visitors to enjoy the fragrance of the lush mountains and the majestic gorges. From November to January, during cold waves, the Xiangyang and Xiangsong Trails are adorned with vibrant red fallen leaves; from March to May, the Chenia cyperaceae along the Songjing Trail blooms, filling the trail with the fragrance of orchids as they sway in the breeze. On the Songtao Trail, there is a viewing platform that offers the best view of Daguanshan. At the intersection of Songjing, Xiangsong, and Songtao Trails, remnants of a guard station built during the Japanese colonial period can be found. Aside from its magnificent scenery, the rich ecological environment of Xiangyang is also highly attractive. The vegetation in the recreation area mainly consists of Taiwan Red Pine, Japanese Cypress, Formosan Alder, Taiwan Strawberry, and a variety of ferns. Many species of wildlife inhabit this area, including mammals like the Formosan Serow, Formosan Macaque, White-faced Flying Squirrel, Mountain Goat, and Striped Squirrel. Various snake species such as the Many-banded Krait, Red-tailed Green Rat Snake, Turtle-Back Flower Snake, Finless Snake, Umbrella Snake, Rice Paddy Tiger Snake, Mountain Sword Snake, Southern Snake, Thin-scaled Southern Snake, Red-spotted Snake, Flowering Snake, Stinky Black Snake, and Golden Tree Snake can also be found. If you unexpectedly encounter them, please do not disturb them. Butterflies are a common sight in the valley, with common species including the Double-ring Butterfly, Pale Purple Butterfly, Red-spotted Butterfly, Small Red-spotted Butterfly, Formosan Eyed Butterfly, Taiwan Little-Pecked Eyed Butterfly, Penglai Small Purple Butterfly, Glass Butterfly, Star-eyed Three-line Butterfly, Red Butterfly, Red-edged Yellow Small Gray Butterfly, Formosan Black Swallowtail, and Large Green Butterfly, whose graceful flying dances are breathtaking. The crisp and pleasant calls of the hills' birds are another highlight of the area. Bird species are mainly distributed around the Yagou and near Xiangyang; from Yagou to Guanshan, birds include the Golden-winged Blue Magpie, Crested Serin, and Mountain Songbird, while in winter, common birds include Ravens, Red-headed Mountain Tits, Coal Tits, Green-backed Mountain Tits, and Fire-crowned Tits. Throughout the year, sightings of the Grey-headed Flora Wagtail and Alishan Bulbul are possible. Near Xiangyang, birds include Golden-winged Blue Magpie, Eye-browed Thrush, White-eared Thrush, Crested Serin, Grey-headed Flora Wagtail, Scrub-Warbler, Mountain Red-headed, Striped Flora Wagtail, Green Flora Wagtail, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Raven, Formosan Crow, Red-headed Mountain Tits, Coal Tits, Green-backed Mountain Tits, Rose Finches, Black-faced Bunting, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Blue Bunting, Great Bunting, Crested Serpent-Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Owl, Lead-colored Water Redstart, Purple-backed Thrush, Little Tailorbird, White-browed Shortwing, Mountain Songbird, Brown-faced Liocichla, Rock Thrush, Jay, and Five-colored Birds, among others. You may also have a chance to encounter the rare Mikado Pheasant and Blue Pheasant early in the morning when there are no visitors around. Currently, the Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area is closed. For more details, please contact the Xiangyang Forest Recreation Area or visit the official website for inquiries.
