Bagua Mountain National Forest Recreation Area Introduction
The Baxianshan National Forest Recreation Area is located in the Heping District of Taichung City, with its main peak reaching an elevation of 2,366 meters, roughly 8,000 Taiwanese feet, hence its name "Baxian" (Eight Immortals). The area is lush with forest and boasts a refreshing climate, where the Shiwen Creek and Jiabao Creek converge, with water sourced from deep mountain forests. The water quality is clear, and the creek is dotted with rocks of various sizes, creating a serene atmosphere. Rich in natural ecological resources, it was once one of the three major timber areas in Taiwan, embodying a strong cultural and historical connection to forestry, making it an ideal destination for experiencing nature during holidays. The Baxianshan National Forest Recreation Area lies between 700 and 2,938 meters above sea level, encompassing both Baxianshan and Malun Mountains. Situated on the alluvial fan (Jiabao Terrace) at the confluence of Jiabao Creek and Shiwen Creek, the water from the two creeks is pure and plentiful. The gorge of the Shiwen Creek is magnificent, with beautiful scenery, and the creek features jagged rocks, presenting an irregular arrangement of pale and gray-green boulders that inspire a sense of serenity and escape from the mundane. The azure waters flow over the giant rocks, creating white surf, flanked by verdant forests that provide a pristine environment, instilling a feeling of detachment from the world. The current flora of the Baxianshan area includes two-needle pine, Taiwan white pine, Nanmu, cedar, and plants from the Fagaceae family. Two-needle pines are found in landslide areas and sunlit slopes, where they can easily become fire hazards due to their high resin content. Taiwan white pines are predominantly located on ridges, and the older specimens in Baxianshan indicate that this species has existed in the Shiwen Creek watershed for a substantial period. Landslide areas, after substrate stabilization, will eventually be occupied by pioneer species such as mountain hemp and other early colonizers. In fog-laden environments, numerous ferns thrive on large rocks due to the moisture-laden mist. Common species include the Hainan bone-setting fern, cup fern, cliff ginger fern, hairy stone fern, stone grass, and maple-leaf stone grass. Gradually, as pioneer species promote territorial expansion, members of the Lauraceae, Machilus, and Fagaceae families emerge, contributing to the formation of secondary forests that cover the landslide areas. Vines such as Chrysanthemum, blood vine, and yellow vine begin to occupy space among these younger trees. With an "abundant supply" of resources provided by plants, insects slowly adapt to this new forest, leading to the arrival of insect-eating birds, such as the Azure Tit, Rufous-bellied Tit, Gray-throated Minivet, Lesser Shortwing, Flamecrest, Taiwan White-eye, Green-backed Tits, and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Additionally, many endemic bird species migrate from higher altitudes in winter, making this gorge a vibrant hub of avian activity, with the Baxianshan National Forest Recreation Area being one of the best locations for ecological observation in central Taiwan. The geological composition of the recreation area mainly consists of fragile sandstone, schist, and hard rock. Due to the erosion and cutting caused by the Shiwen Creek, the slopes within the area are steep, resulting in minimal disturbances and particularly clean water quality, allowing for rich ecological resources. Each autumn, many red frogs that have grown in the forest floor gather in the Shiwen Creek to participate in their annual group weddings; once the tadpoles mature into young frogs, they trek back to the forest. The Shiwen Creek is also home to various crevice-dwelling birds, including kingfishers, lead-colored thrushes, Taiwan Whistling Thrushes, river crows, green herons, and Lesser Shortwings, making it nearly fully populated by species that prefer creek environments. The development of Baxianshan began among the precious cypress forests shrouded in mist. In 1911, the Japanese, noting that Baxianshan stood nearly 8,000 Japanese feet (7,998 feet, approx. 2,410 meters) high, initially planned to name it "Baqianshan" but later opted for the more refined "Baxianshan." However, the full-scale development did not commence until 1914, when the Japanese Government-General's Mining Bureau instructed the Alishan Workstation to conduct surveys, aiming to exploit timber resources such as cypress, fragrant fir, and douglas fir, planning a logging area totaling around 14,600 hectares, which included Baxianshan and Baigudashan. The following year, a Forestry Bureau was established under the Governor-General's office, and the management of Baxianshan timber operations shifted from Alishan Workstation to the Forestry Bureau. A forest railway from Fengyuan was laid into the Baxianshan area. During the peak logging period, many loggers lived here, establishing schools, guesthouses, offices, and shrines at Jiabao Terrace, creating a small community. Historically, Baxianshan Lumberyard was one of Taiwan's three major lumberyards, alongside Alishan and Taiping Mountain. After Taiwan's retrocession, it was renamed Baxianshan Lumberyard and continued forestry operations. Logging ceased in the 1980s, leading to the development of leisure tourism, with the establishment of the recreation area. The elementary school and shrine have since been lost to earthquakes and the passage of time, while the forest railway connecting Baxianshan to Fengyuan has gradually disappeared due to landslides and years of neglect, becoming a historical memory for local residents. Nature is in a constant state of succession; Taiwan regularly faces typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, a fate intertwined with the ecology's cycle, leading to Taiwan's biodiversity and richness. Careful observation in the Baxianshan National Forest Recreation Area unveils its mysteries, representing a profound gift bestowed by nature to the people of Taiwan. (This text is excerpted from the official website of Baxianshan National Forest Recreation Area.)
