Jiaming Lake Introduction
Located on the southern cross-island highway, on the eastern side of Xiangyang Mountain, Jiamei Lake is a high mountain lake about 7 kilometers in a straight line. It is praised as the "blue sapphire lost by the Emperor in the world" and "the tears of angels." This oval-shaped lake is surrounded by lush green forests, with its clear surface reflecting the deep blue sky, creating a tranquil paradise-like scene. Jiamei Lake, located above Xiangyang, is the second highest high mountain lake in Taiwan, second only to the Emerald Lake on Xueshan. The lake is oval in shape, approximately 120 meters long, 80 meters wide, and 6 meters deep, with an elevation of about 3,310 meters. Before heading to Jiamei Lake, one must go to the Xiangyang Forest Recreation Area's Xiangyang Police Station to handle the mountain climbing procedures to ensure personal safety. After exiting the Xiangyang Forest Recreation Area, the route passes through the Jiamei Lake trailhead, Xiangyang Mountain Hut, Heishuitang, Yushan Cypress, Xiangyang Big Collapse Wall, Xiangyang Mountain, Jiamei Lake Junction, Xiangyang Mountain Triangle Mark, Yushan Rhododendron, Sancha Mountain, Xiangyang Mountain Fork, Sancha Mountain, Jiamei Lake Fork, Sancha Mountain Triangle Mark, Sancha Mountain, Jiamei Lake, and lastly, Xin Kang Mountain Fork, eventually reaching Jiamei Lake. This hiking trip takes about three days, and there are accommodations available at Xiangyang Mountain Hut, Jiamei Lake Mountain Hut, and the Jiamei Lake campsite. Along the way, as the altitude increases, the mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests transition to coniferous forests, and then to alpine meadows. The night sky is filled with stars, and the changing scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. The expansive meadows make Jiamei Lake resemble a brilliant blue sapphire set in endless green velvet, dazzling and captivating. The forests and meadows near Jiamei Lake are also home to water deer, and if you're lucky, you may have a chance to get close and playful with them. Despite the arduous journey and physical exertion, such mesmerizing scenery makes it hard to give up.
