Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area Introduction
※Note: Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area has been closed since the Morakot disaster, and currently only the Xiangyang Trail, Xiangcong Trail, Songjing Trail, and Songtao Trail connecting 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 of the Ministry of the Interior in advance, and also apply for a same-day round-trip permit (or accommodation approval) from the Taitung Forest District Office. For more information, please visit the official website of the recreation area. The park is located in an important habitat for wildlife in Guanshan, where you may encounter rare species such as the Formosan Reeve's Muntjac and the Blue Pheasant. Additionally, the park is home to Formosan black bears, so visitors must securely store food and kitchen waste and carry all trash down the mountain to practice Leave No Trace principles. Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area is situated at the junction of Kaohsiung and Taitung, approximately 2.5 hours from Qishe in Kaohsiung and 1.5 hours from Guanshan in Taitung. At an elevation of 2,320 meters, the area belongs to a foggy forest climate, as the rising air currents in the Xinwulu River area carry moisture, forming a misty and humid environment where sea of clouds is easily accessible. The first sight upon entering Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area is the visitor service center, which features a display room, multimedia room, and lounge, providing ecological explanations of the local flora and fauna, introductions to forest trails, and insights into the Bunun culture. The lounge offers visitors a place to enjoy the view of the sea of clouds and mountain scenery. Currently, due to ongoing construction, it is temporarily closed. The recreation area has four forest trails: Xiangyang Trail, Xiangcong Trail, Songjing Trail, and Songtao Trail, allowing visitors to enjoy the fragrant greenery of the mountains and the grandeur of the high valleys. From November to January, during cold fronts, the Xiangyang and Xiangcong trails are covered with vibrant red leaves. From March to May, the Songjing Trail features blooming Dendrobium orchids along the path, swaying in the breeze and filling the area with their fragrance. There is a viewing platform on the Songtao Trail, which offers the best vantage point to view Daguanshan. At the intersection of the Songjing, Xiangcong, and Songtao trails, there are remains of the Xiangyang garrison built during Japanese rule. Additionally, the Songtao Trail leads to the entrance of Jiaming Lake. Besides its magnificent scenery, what attracts visitors the most is the rich ecological environment. The vegetation in the forest recreation area primarily consists of Taiwan Two-Leaf Pine, Red Cypress Forest, and Formosan Alder, as well as rich fern species. A variety of wildlife resides here, including mammals such as the Formosan Serow, Formosan Macaque, White-Faced Flying Squirrel, Muntjac, and Striped Squirrel. Reptiles include the Bamboo Viper, Red-Tailed Green Boo, Flower Snake, Snake-headed Pitviper, and others; if you encounter them, please do not disturb them. Butterflies are naturally abundant in the valley, with common species including the Blue Admiral, Common Crow, Red-Spot Butterfly and more, whose graceful flight is breathtaking. The melodious mountain birds are also a highlight, mainly found near Yaku and Xiangyang. Bird species between Yaku and Guanshan include Golden-Winged Warbler, Crested Bush Robin, and others, while nearby Xiangyang, one can find Golden-Winged Warbler, White-Eared Bush Robin, and many species of finches like the coal tit and the red-headed tit. Rarely seen species such as the Formosan Reeve's Muntjac and Blue Pheasant can also be encountered early in the morning before human activity begins. ※Currently, the Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area is closed. For detailed information, please contact the Xiangyang Forest Recreation Area or visit the official website.
