Siyuan Ya Kou Introduction
Siyuan Gap is located at the junction of Taichung City and Yilan County, within the boundaries of Datong Township in Yilan County. It has an elevation of 1,948 meters and is the lowest saddle point where the southern branch of Nanhu Mountain and the Taoshan branch intersect. It serves as a watershed between Lanyang River and Dajia River, as well as a boundary between two different climates. The old name was Biyanan, which comes from the Atayal language meaning "the place where ancestors once visited," and was phonetically referred to as "Biyanan" by the Japanese. Later, the government changed the name to "Siyuan," which means "to remember the source of drinking water," while "Gap" refers to the depression where two mountains connect. The forest here mainly consists of warm temperate forest, with red cypress and Taiwan cedar in the upper part, while other species such as fragrant cypress, black-heart pine, red alder, and dawn redwood can be found in other areas, fostering a variety of wildlife and insects. Siyuan Gap 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 in autumn and winter, leaves change color and fall. If conditions for moisture are sufficient, there is also a chance of snowfall, presenting a breathtaking landscape reminiscent of northern countries.
