Dagangshan Scenic Area Introduction
Dagang Mountain spans across Gangshan, Yanchao, Alian, and Tianliao districts, covering a vast area with an elevation of 312 meters. Its elevated terrain served as a closed military stronghold in the past, requiring permission to enter. The current Dagang Mountain Scenic Area is not only dotted with ancient temples and famous pagodas but is also a popular hiking destination, featuring mysterious limestone formations worth exploring. The area is lush with dense forests, showcasing primitive ecological landscapes characterized by coral reef limestone and its unique stepped fault structure, forming a diverse and enchanting natural scenery. During the Qing Dynasty, it was celebrated as part of "Ganshan Tree Color" among the "Eight Sceneries of Fengshan." The park is extensive, roughly divided into the Ruiyi Park in the front mountain, a religious area, and a natural ecology zone, with various trails connecting the three areas for public hiking and relaxation. The front mountain is filled with ancient temples and pagodas, drawing numerous worshippers, while the rear mountain features precious and rare limestone geological wonders such as the Panlong Gorge's "Skyline" and "Stone Mother's Milk," which captivates many visitors. Ruiyi Park near the entrance of Alian District offers a large children's play area and green lawns for family enjoyment, with a century-old banyan tree and a treehouse that particularly attracts visitors. The park's square is suitable for large events, especially the annual "Dagang Mountain Longan Honey Cultural Festival," which is very popular among locals. The religious area, due to its exceptional mountain scenery, is dotted with monasteries, earning Dagang Mountain the nickname "Buddhist Mountain of Taiwan," particularly the historical Chaofeng Temple, known for its "Chaofeng Evening Bell," which has been around for over 200 years and is a highlight among Kaohsiung's eight sceneries. Visiting the serene temples or ancient pagodas amidst the solemn atmosphere of morning and evening bells provides a refreshing spiritual journey. Tianling Cave is a naturally formed limestone cave that emerges from the seabed. According to legend, a general named Yan hid here to escape pursuers during the Qing Dynasty, hence it was originally named "Yan General Cave." In 1987, it was selected by the Taipei Songshan Ling Temple to be a founding site and renamed "Tianling Cave." This cave is naturally shaped like a gourd, with east and west entrances. It enshrines deities such as the God of Wealth, Guanyin, and Jikong, and only allows one person to enter at a time; the cave is short in length and quickly leads to another end, which has a unique view that overlooks the Gangshan area from a nearby pavilion. Dagang Mountain's Triangulation Point (next to Triangular Park) is also referred to as Dagang Mountain, with an elevation of 312 meters, categorized as one of Taiwan's minor peaks (No. 74) and one of the top ten famous mountains in former Kaohsiung County. It is located at the watershed of the Erjen River and the Agongdian River, where a third-class triangulation point No. 499 is situated, but the benchmark is within a military camp and inaccessible to the public. Instead, the "Provincial Government's Topographic Supplement Point" has replaced Dagang Mountain's official triangulation point, with an additional concrete pillar beside the benchmark. The Dagang Mountain Natural Ecology Area spans 80 hectares and features numerous winding forest trails, complemented by various beautifully designed pavilions and platforms for visitors to rest and enjoy the scenery. Towering green bamboo, acacia trees, tree of heaven, cherry blossom paths, and golden trumpet trees bloom seasonally along the trails, allowing for an appreciation of Dagang Mountain's ecological beauty. The ecological pond, dotted with lotus flowers, is an excellent spot for observing birds and aquatic life. Rich natural ecology and cultural landscapes can be seen throughout the Dagang Mountain Natural Ecology Park, resembling a paradise. At night, the view of twinkling lights below resembles stars, presenting another exquisite scenery. Shimu Milk and the Skyline is located in the rear mountain of Dagang Mountain, accessible from the direction of Chaoyuan Temple in the Tianliao District. The rear mountain experiences fewer tourists and retains more of its pristine natural greenery. Dagang Mountain features a coral reef limestone terrain, and along the trails, there are several caves and grooves that add a hint of mystery to the original forest. The limestone walls of the mountains have been shaped through centuries of rock melting, and the textures resemble flowing waterfalls, creating a fantastical scene. The limestone sediment behind the Lotus Cave has formed stalactites over a long period, with a unique constant dripping phenomenon referred to locally as Shimu Milk. Walking along the mountain plank road beside Shimu Milk, one encounters a striking gorge soaring two to three meters high, offering a grand sense of nature's creation. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, Dagang Mountain suddenly emitted a "mountain echo," causing the ridge to crack from south to north, forming a mountain trench approximately 100 meters long. When looking up from within, the sky appears as a single line, thus named "Skyline." This area is characterized by limestone geological fault contours, where dissolution landforms adorn the mountain walls, resembling flowing shapes rather than solid rock—making it an excellent place to observe nature's geological wonders. The Panlong Gorge's Skyline, located in the rear mountain of Dagang Mountain, stretches 285 meters, with the gorge's depth currently undocumented. It is believed to have been discovered by a local association surveying the terrain a few years ago, forming a mysterious attraction that, along with Shimu Milk and the Skyline, showcases unique gorge wonders created by limestone geology and geological processes. Walking through the gorge makes one feel particularly small, surrounded by steep cliffs, and looking upward reveals the grandeur of the gorge. "Panlong Gorge Skyline" derives its name from the mulberry vine-like Panlong trees that grow atop the rocks, stretching upward like vines. Although the dense canopy at the gorge's top blocks much sunlight, the lush greenery adds vitality to the dark gorge. This hidden gem is not easy to find; visitors can enter from a small path at the back of the ecological park, "Xinliang Pavilion," with temporary signs along the way. It takes about 30 minutes to reach, but this route is not a well-planned hiking path. Those wishing to explore should pay attention to safety and preferably be accompanied by someone familiar with the trails. Note: There are many mosquitoes in this area, so please take preventive measures beforehand.
