Dagangshan Scenic Area Introduction
Dagang Mountain spans four districts: Gangshan, Yanchao, Alian, and Tianliao, covering a vast area with an elevation of 312 meters. Its commanding terrain was once a closed military stronghold, requiring permits for entry. Today, the Dagang Mountain Scenic Area is not only dotted with ancient temples and famous pagodas but is also a popular hiking destination with mysterious limestone formations worth exploring. The area is lush with greenery, featuring original ecological landscapes. The geology consists of coral reef limestone, and its unique terraced fault structures create diverse and enchanting natural scenery, which was recognized as one of the "Eight Scenic Views of Fengshan" during the Qing Dynasty, referred to as "Gangshan Tree Color." The park covers a large area and is mainly divided into three sections: the Ru Yi Park in the front mountain, the religious zone, and the natural ecology zone, interconnected by various trails for public hiking and relaxation. The front mountain is filled with ancient temples and pagodas teeming with worshippers, while the back mountain hosts rare and precious limestone geological wonders like the Panlong Canyon and Yixiantian, attracting many visitors to marvel at the sights. Ru Yi Park, located at the entrance of the Alian district, features a large children's play area and grassy fields for family fun. Notable attractions include a century-old banyan tree and a treehouse, while the central plaza is suitable for large events, with the annual "Dagang Mountain Longan Honey Cultural Festival" being particularly popular among locals. The religious area, due to its tranquil mountain scenery, is home to various monasteries across the mountains, earning the title "Buddhist Mountain of Taiwan," with Chaofeng Temple, which has a history of over 200 years, recognized as one of the "Eight Scenic Views of Kaohsiung" for its "Chaofeng Evening Bell." Visiting serene monasteries or ancient pagodas in the solemn atmosphere of morning bells and evening drums provides a cleansing religious journey for the mind and body. Tianling Cave is a natural limestone formation that emerges from the seabed. Legend has it that a general surnamed Yan hid there during the Qing Dynasty to evade pursuers, originally named "Yan Zong Cave." In 1987, the Taipei Songshan Lingtian Temple was designated as the founding site and renamed it "Tianling Cave." This cave is naturally shaped like a gourd, with entrances on both the east and west sides. Inside, deities such as the fortune god, Guan Yu, and Ji Gong are worshipped. The cave is narrow, only allowing one person to enter at a time, and its length is short, quickly leading to the other end, which features a gazebo with a great view overlooking the Gangshan area. The Dagang Mountain Triangulation Point (beside the Triangulation Park), also known as Dagangshan, stands at 312 meters and is one of Taiwan's minor peaks (No. 74). It is also one of the top ten famous mountains in the former Kaohsiung County and lies at the watershed of the Erlin River and the Agongdian River. A third-order triangulation point No. 499 is established there, though its base is located within a military camp, restricting public access. Therefore, the official triangulation point of Dagang Mountain has been replaced by the "Provincial Government Geographical Supplement Point" at "Gangshan Camp," next to which there is also a concrete pillar. The Dagang Mountain Natural Ecology Zone covers 80 hectares and features several winding trails lined with beautiful gazebos and platforms for visitor rest and scenery appreciation. Towering green bamboos, acacia trees, Leucaena, cherry blossom paths, and golden shower trees bloom according to the seasons along the trails, providing ample opportunities to enjoy the ecological beauty of Dagang Mountain. The ecology pond dotted with lotus flowers is an excellent spot for observing birds and aquatic creatures. Along the Dagang Mountain Natural Ecology Park, one can see rich natural ecology and cultural landscapes, creating a picturesque scenery akin to a paradise. At night, the view downward resembles a starry sky lit by myriad lights, presenting a different charm. Yixiantian and Shimu Ru (stone mother's milk) are located on the back mountain of Dagang Mountain, accessible from the direction of Chaoyuan Temple in Tianliao. The back mountain has fewer tourists and more natural greenery. Dagang Mountain's terrain consists of coral reef limestone, with numerous caves and grooves along the trails that add a mystique to the primordial forest. For thousands of years, the limestone walls of the mountain have undergone metamorphosis, with patterns resembling flowing waterfalls, creating a fantastical scenery. The limestone deposits behind the water cave have formed stalactites over long ages, with the constant dripping water creating a unique landscape known locally as Shimu Ru. Walking along the mountain path next to Shimu Ru, one encounters a gorge that rises two to three meters and resembles a grand natural landscape. It is said that during the Ming Dynasty, Dagang Mountain suddenly "roared," causing the ridge to crack from south to north, forming a long mountain gully of about one hundred meters. Looking upwards inside reveals the sky forming a line, hence the name "Yixiantian." This place features a geological structure of limestone fault gully, with erosive features visible everywhere on the mountain walls, seemingly flowing yet actually rocky formations, making it an excellent hiking destination to observe the wonders of nature. Panlong Canyon Yixiantian is located in Panlong Canyon on the back mountain of Dagang Mountain, extending 285 meters in length, with no current records of its depth. It was revealed a few years ago as a mysterious site during terrain surveys conducted by a local association, belonging to the same special canyon formations created by limestone geology and geological processes as Shimu Ru and Yixiantian. Walking through this canyon makes one feel particularly small, surrounded by steep cliffs, and looking up allows one to appreciate the grandeur of the gorge. The name "Panlong Canyon Yixiantian" comes from the mulberry-leaved Panlong tree that grows atop the rock, extending like a vine upwards. Although the dense canopy at the canyon's top blocks most sunlight, the lush greenery adds vitality to the shadowy gorge. This secluded spot is not easy to find; it can be accessed via a forest path behind the "Xinyueli" in the ecological park, with temporary signs indicating points of interest along the way, taking about 30 minutes to reach. However, this route is not a well-planned hiking path, so visitors wanting to explore should ensure their safety and preferably be guided by someone familiar with the mountain trails. *This area has a high mosquito population; please take mosquito repellent measures in advance.*
