Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area Introduction
Due to the outsourcing of accommodation and dining services at the Xueshan National Forest Recreation Area, services will be suspended starting April 1, 2025, with partial service expected to resume in July 2025. During the service suspension, the Xueshan Visitor Center will sell snacks, beverages, and other simple foods to meet the basic dietary needs of visitors. Taiwan has the largest area of alpine giant timber forests in the world, and the Xueshan Forest Recreation Area, located on the southwestern ridge of the Xueshan mountain range, contains the most complete alpine giant timber forest community, including forests of firs, cypress, and warm temperate broadleaf forests dominated by Fagaceae plants. Each ecological zone has representative giant trees, making it the recreation area with the most detailed ecological variations under the management of the Forestry Bureau. The terrain varies greatly, with elevations ranging from the highest Xue Mountain (height of 2,997 meters) to the southwestern peaks of Anma Mountain, Shuanxing Mountain, and Shalaishan, extending to about 1,000 meters at the Shalaixia gorge. The Xiaoxue Trail segment has an elevation between 2,200 to 2,600 meters, featuring both fir forests and warm temperate broadleaf forests. The upper section of the trail is characterized by fir forests, with the understory dominated by the well-developed underground stems of Yushan arrow bamboo. The Yushan arrow bamboo grows in clusters, resembling a grassland at first glance. Occasionally, a few cypress and deadwood can be found in this forest, seemingly revealing traces of past forest fires. Amidst the mist, the towering fir giants create a stunning ink-wash landscape! The lower section of the trail, near the work station at Shuanxing Mountain, is bordered by forests primarily consisting of Quercus glandulifera and Quercus aliena from the Fagaceae family. Here, the Fagaceae plants are distributed at higher elevations, situated within the warm temperate broadleaf forest between 1,800 to 2,500 meters. The majestic Quercus glandulifera giants and the Kazak oak in front of the Xueshan Lodge hint at the magnificent broadleaf forest of the past. These Fagaceae plants provide essential food sources for many wildlife species, such as squirrels and white-faced flying squirrels, and serve as habitats for various wild birds! The area from the Anma Mountain work station to the nursery is the best spot for enjoying the breathtaking sunset at Xueshan. The splendid sunset accompanies the cloud-covered mountainous scenery, creating a picturesque scene that lifts the spirits. Entering the surrounding forest bath trail, the cypress and occasional red cypress are still the most eye-catching features of this cypress forest. In addition, trees like the Juniperus chinensis, white-flowered star anise, alpine ginger, and the only tree-like rhododendron species found in the eastern Himalayas and Taiwan grow densely in the second layer of the cypress forest, creating a mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest with the cypress. After October, as autumn arrives, the small membrane cover ferns on the cypress trees also change into their autumn attire, welcoming this “autumn mood” season with red and yellow garbs, showcasing the enchanting misty forest scenery. The understory ferns not only dominate in numbers; a careful count of species will reveal several types of ferns thriving in their preferred moist environment. On the way to the observation deck, looking towards the ridge of Anma Mountain across from the Xueshan forest road, the straight, grayish-white firs stand tall at high elevations, surrounded by dark green, sturdy firs. The slopes are adorned with cypress, two-leaf pines, and Huashan pines, complemented by the bamboo grass slopes below, creating a striking contrast of colors that make this mountain scene unforgettable! Upon reaching the observation deck, the 360-degree panoramic view is the best spot to observe the western ridge of the central Xueshan range. Looking north, one can see Xiaoxue Mountain; to the east, Jiayang Mountain and Jianshan are visible, with the Hehuan Mountain range in the background, while to the south lies Baigoudashan and Baxian Mountain. Below is the Dajia River and the winding Central Cross-Island Highway, while in the southwestern direction, one can clearly see Yushan when visibility is high, and further northwest are Shalaishan, Yanzui Mountain, and Shuanxing Mountain. While gazing at the distant mountains, don’t forget to admire the golden-winged white-browed sparrow fluttering at your feet, as observing this lovely bird up close will surely leave a deep impression! It's also advisable to choose morning hours for heading to the observation deck because, in the afternoon, it often becomes a misty world. During this time, as you wander along the Xueshan forest road, be cautious as the imperial pheasant may be near you! Beautiful encounters in the forest often appear unexpectedly, just be attentive, and a feast of nature is readily available! On the way from Xiaoxue Lodge to Tianchi, the Taiwans Pine Forest, which can be enjoyed while walking, is located on both sides of the trail, allowing for a rare and easy stroll through an exquisite pine landscape. Generally, the seeds of pine trees have a pair of wing-like membranes, which help disperse their seeds through the wind. However, the Taiwan Huashan pine, known as the "Taiwan nut pine," lacks these wings and instead attracts animals such as the Formosan Myna and the Taiwanese macaque with its large seeds, relying on animals to carry or drop the seeds for dispersion. Although this method may result in many seeds being digested by animals, the mobility of these animals often allows the seeds to be carried further away to take root! Upon arriving at Tianchi, take a break at the Ruixue Pavilion, which was completed in December 1967. Inside the pavilion is a couplet written by Mr. Lin Weifang, the first director of the Forestry Research Institute: "Auspicious colors rise from the verdant peaks, with clear skies and affectionate landscapes for appreciation; the snow mountain is adorned with fragrant flowers and birds, making it difficult for many to reach." The words depict the scenery of Tianchi overlooking Xiaoxue Mountain, adding a historical depth and temporal witness to the forest. A millennia-old sacred tree stands here, marking the coordinates of the environment. Data indicates that this red cypress is approximately 1,400 years old, about 50 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of 4 meters and a circumference of 13 meters, once ranked as the 11th largest tree in Taiwan. A passage from the text "Zhuangzi – Free and Easy Wandering" echoes in my mind: "Now you have a great tree, and you worry about its uselessness, why not plant it in the land of the nonexistent, on the vast moor, linger idly under it, and enjoy the leisure of resting without being attacked by axes? Things that are of no harm have no burden to bear, so where is the difficulty?” The reason why this sacred tree has survived to this day can be inferred from its appearance, likely due to its bifurcated trunk, which has saved it from being chopped down due to its poor tree shape.
