Jiaming Lake Introduction
Jiaming Lake, a high mountain lake located on the eastern side of Xiangyang Mountain along the Southern Cross-Island Highway, is approximately 7 kilometers in a straight line and is acclaimed as the "lost sapphire of the emperor" and the "tears of an angel." Surrounded by lush green forest vegetation, the clear lake surface reflects the azure sky, making it a tranquil paradise reminiscent of a fairyland. Situated above Xiangyang, Jiaming Lake is the second highest alpine lake in Taiwan, surpassed only by the Emerald Pond of Xueshan. The lake is oval-shaped, approximately 120 meters long, 80 meters wide, and about 6 meters deep, with an elevation of around 3,310 meters. Before heading to Jiaming Lake, one must go to the Xiangyang National Forest Recreation Area's Xiangyang Police Station to obtain climbing permits to ensure safety. After exiting the Xiangyang Forest Recreation Area, the trail leads past the Jiaming Lake trailhead, Xiangyang Mountain Hut, Heishui Pond, Yushan Juniper, Xiangyang Cliff, Xiangyang Mountain, the intersection of Jiaming Lake, the Xiangyang trig point, Yushan azalea, Sancha Mountain, Xiangyang fork, Sancha Mountain, Jiaming Lake fork, Sancha Mountain trig point, Sancha Mountain, Jiaming Lake, and the fork of Xin Kang Mountain, finally arriving at Jiaming Lake. This hiking trip takes about three days, with accommodations available at Xiangyang Mountain Hut, Jiaming Lake Mountain Hut, and the Jiaming Lake camping site. Along the way, as the altitude rises, the coniferous and broadleaf mixed forest transitions to coniferous forest, then to alpine grassland, with a starry sky at night, creating stunning scenery. The vast grassland makes Jiaming Lake appear like a dazzling blue sapphire set against the endless green velvet, radiant and captivating. The forests and grasslands near Jiaming Lake are also habitats for Formosan sika deer, and if you're lucky, you might even have the opportunity to encounter and frolic with them. Despite the arduous journey and the physical exertion required, the breathtaking beauty of the landscapes is hard to resist.
