Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area Introduction
Due to the early progress of the public-private partnership for accommodation and dining services at the Xueshan National Forest Recreation Area, a brand new lunch banquet will be provided starting from June 4. Accommodation services in the first batch of 20 cabins will resume from July 21, while remaining accommodation spaces will gradually open from August to October upon completion of renovations. For more information, please visit the Taiwan Forestry and Nature Conservation Administration's "Taiwan Mountain Forest Exploration Network" or the Taichung Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Administration website. You can also contact the Xueshan Visitor Center at (04) 2587-7901. Taiwan has the world's largest area of high mountain giant tree forest, and the Xueshan Forest Recreation Area, located in the southwestern section of the Xueshan mountain range, boasts the most complete high mountain giant tree forest ecosystem, which includes forests of fir, cypress, and warm temperate broadleaf forests dominated by Fagaceae plants. Each ecological zone has representative giant trees preserved, making it the most finely varied recreational area overseen by the Forestry Bureau. The terrain is greatly undulating, with altitudes ranging from the highest Little Xueshan (2,997 meters) to the southwestern peaks of Anma Mountain, Boat-shaped Mountain, and Shalaishan extending down to approximately 1,000 meters in the Shalaixi valley. The Xiaoxue Trail section has an elevation between 2,200 and 2,600 meters, featuring characteristics of both fir and warm temperate broadleaf forests. The upper section of the trail is a fir forest, with the understory mainly consisting of well-developed Yushan arrow bamboo, which grows in patches that resemble grasslands at first glance. Occasionally, a few Taiwan cypress trees and dead wood can be found here, hinting at scars from past forest fires. Amidst the mist, the majestic fir giant trees stand tall, creating an ink-wash painting right before your eyes! The lower section of the trail, near the juncture of Boat-shaped Mountain work station and fir forest, is predominantly made up of Quercus morrisonensis and other Fagaceae plants. These Fagaceae plants are distributed at higher altitudes, in the warm temperate broadleaf forest zone between 1,800 and 2,500 meters, with the giant Quercus morrisonensis and the Karsia tree in front of the Xueshan cabin showcasing the once-magnificent broadleaf forest. These Fagaceae plants provide the primary food source for many wildlife species, such as squirrels and flying squirrels, and serve as habitats for many wild birds seeking food and shelter! The area from the Anma Mountain work station to the nursery is the best spot to enjoy the splendid sunset at Xueshan. The brilliant sunset accompanied by the cloud and misty mountain scenery creates a picturesque and soothing view. Walking into the Huanzhan Forest Bathing Trail, the Taiwan cypress and sporadic red cedar remain the most eye-catching protagonists in this cypress forest. In addition, trees such as Litchi, Alpinia oxyphylla, high mountain ginger, Wushe ginger, Quercus morrisonensis, and the tree-type rhododendron, found only in the eastern Himalayas and Taiwan, grow densely and occupy the second layer of the cypress forest, forming a mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest with the cypress. After entering October, the small membrane cover ferns on the cypress change into autumn attire, donning red and yellow garments to welcome this season filled with "autumn feelings," showcasing the misty and enchanting forest scenery. The fern species in the understory not only dominate in quantity but also boast a variety of types that flourish in their preferred moist environment. On the way to the observation deck, looking towards the Anma Mountain ridge on the other side of the Xueshan Forest Road, the straight, gray-white spruce stands prominently above the mountain, mingling with the dark green and robust firs. On the slopes, cypress, two-needle pine, and Chinese white pine are interspersed, while the arrow bamboo grass slope in the understory provides a striking contrast with its vivid colors, making it truly captivating! Upon reaching the observation deck, the panoramic 360° view is the best spot to see the western ridge of the central Xueshan mountain range. To the north, you can see Little Xueshan, to the east are Jiayang Mountain and Jianshan, with the Hehuan Mountain range in the backdrop, and turning south reveals Baigou Mountain and Baxian Mountain. Below, you can find the Dajia River and the now broken Central Cross-Island Highway. When visibility is high in the southwest, one can even clearly see Yushan, while to the northwest, Shalaishan, Yuanzui Mountain, and Boat-shaped Mountain are visible. While admiring the distant mountains, do not forget to keep an eye out for the golden-winged ground turtle hopping by your feet, as watching this adorable bird up close will surely leave you with unforgettable memories! It's also advised to visit the observation deck in the morning, as in the afternoon, it often turns into a misty world. During this time, if you wander along the Xueshan Forest Road, "be careful, the Chinese monal may be right beside you!" Beautiful encounters in the forest always appear unexpectedly; just be observant, and nature's feast is everywhere to behold! On the way from the Little Xueshan Lodge to Tianchi, this area of Taiwan white pine forest, which can be appreciated while walking, is remarkably easy to access. Generally, the seeds of pine trees come with a pair of wing-like membranes to aid in wind dispersal. However, the Taiwanese white pine, known as the "Taiwan native pine," lacks these wings and instead relies on its large seeds to attract animals like the crows and Formosan macaques for consumption, with the animals helping to disperse the seeds through their movements. Although this method sacrifices many seeds that get digested by animals, it often results in seeds being sown further afield, allowing them to take root! Upon reaching the Ruixue Pavilion at Tianchi, take a break; this pavilion, completed in December of 1967, bears a couplet written by Mr. Lin Wei-fang, the first director of the Forestry Research Institute: "Auspicious colors rise from the green hills; the sky is clear, and all sides have a feeling for appreciation. The snow mountains are adorned with green trees, flower fragrances, and birds singing; the challenges of these many areas make this visit truly rewarding." The lines depict the scenic view of Little Xueshan from Tianchi, adding the passage of time and historical testimony to this forest. A thousand-year-old divine tree stands here, marking the environmental coordinates. Data shows that this red cypress tree is about 1,400 years old, standing approximately 50 meters tall, with a diameter of 4 meters and a circumference of 13 meters, previously ranking as the 11th largest giant tree in Taiwan. A passage from "Zhuangzi: Wandering Beyond" comes to mind: "Now, you have a great tree, but you are troubled by its uselessness. Why not plant it in the land of nowhere, in the vast wilderness? Let it languidly grow beside it, leisurely beneath its shade; without fear of the axe, it shall be without harm. What is there to be troubled about?" The reason this divine tree has survived to this day may be inferred from its appearance, suggesting that its branching trunk and inferior shape have allowed it to preserve its life and avoid the fate of being felled.
