Siyuan Ya Kou Introduction
Siyuan Saddle is located at the junction of Taichung City and Yilan County, within the territory of Datong Township, Yilan County, at an elevation of 1,948 meters. It is the lowest saddle point where the South Lake Mountain range meets the Taoshan range, serving as the watershed between the Lanyang River and the Dajia River, as well as the boundary between two climatic regions. Formerly known as Biyanan, the name derives from the Atayal language meaning "a place where ancestors have been." The Japanese phonetically referred to it as "Biyanan," but later the government renamed it "Siyuan," which means "to think of the source of drinking water." The term "saddle" refers to the depression connecting the two mountains. The area is predominantly covered by warm temperate forest, featuring red cypress and Taiwan hinoki in the upper region, along with other species such as fragrant nanmu, black-hearted stone, red alder, and Taiwan white pine, nurturing a rich array of wildlife and insects. Siyuan Saddle connects the Xueshan Mountain Range and the Central Mountain Range, resulting in distinct seasons and beautiful scenery. In spring and summer, flowers bloom abundantly, while autumn and winter bring vibrant foliage changes. If there is sufficient moisture, one may even witness the beauty of white snow, reminiscent of northern countries.
