Dagangshan Scenic Area Introduction
Dagangshan covers four districts: Gangshan, Yanchao, Alian, and Tianliao, with a vast area and a maximum elevation of 312 meters. Its advantageous elevated terrain was once a closed military stronghold, requiring permission to enter in the past. Today, the Dagangshan Scenic Area is not only dotted with ancient temples and famous pagodas but also popular for hiking trails, with its mysterious limestone terrain worth exploring. The area is densely forested, featuring primitive ecological landscapes with geology classified as coral reef limestone, along with its unique stepped fault structure that creates diverse and enchanting natural scenery. In the Qing Dynasty, it was recognized as "Gangshan Shuse" among the "Eight Views of Fengshan." The park is broadly divided into three areas: Ruyi Park in the front mountain, the religious area, and the natural ecological area, interconnected by various trails for public walking and resting. The front mountain is filled with ancient temples and pagodas, visited by countless worshippers, while the back mountain houses rare limestone geological wonders such as the Longpan Gorge's "One Line Sky" and the "Stone Mother's Milk" natural scenery, attracting many visitors to explore and be amazed. Ruyi Park, located at the entrance of the Alian district, features a large children's playground and grassy areas for family enjoyment. The centuries-old banyan tree and treehouse coexist as the most eye-catching sight, and the square in the park is suitable for large events, especially the annual "Dagangshan Longan Honey Cultural Festival," which is the most popular among the citizens. Due to the serene mountain views, the religious area is filled with quiet temples and monasteries, earning Dagangshan the nickname "Buddha Mountain of Taiwan," with the Chaofeng Temple, over 200 years old, being the most famous, known as one of the "Eight Views of Kaohsiung" for its "Chaofeng Evening Bell." Visiting the tranquil temples or ancient pagodas in the solemn atmosphere of morning bells and evening drums offers a refreshing spiritual journey for the body and mind. Tianling Cave is a natural limestone formation that emerges from the sea. It is said that during the Qing Dynasty, a general named Yan hid here to escape pursuers; hence it was originally named "Yan General Cave." In 1987, it was designated by the Taipei Songshan Lingtian Temple as a founding site, changing its name to "Tianling Cave." This cave is naturally formed in a gourd shape, with entrances on both the east and west, housing deities such as the God of Wealth, Guansheng Emperor, and Ji Gong. The cave is narrow enough for only one person to enter, ranging from small to large, and the length is brief, quickly reaching the other end, which features a pavilion at its exit, allowing a high vantage point overlooking the Gangshan area. The Dagangshan Triangulation Point (next to Triangle Park) is also known as Dagangshan and stands at 312 meters above sea level, making it one of Taiwan's minor 100 mountains (No. 74) and one of the top ten famous mountains in the former Kaohsiung County. It is located at the watershed between the Erjin River and the Agongdian River, featuring a third-class triangulation point No. 499. However, the benchmark is in a military camp and is inaccessible to the general public. Instead, the formal triangulation point of Dagangshan has been replaced by "Gangshan Ying Mountain" at the "Provincial Government Root Supplement Point," which is accompanied by another concrete column. The Dagangshan Natural Ecological Area spans 80 hectares, with winding forest paths linking various beautiful pavilions and platforms for resting and enjoying the scenery. Towering bamboo, acacia trees, jacarandas, cherry blossom paths, and golden trumpet trees bloom according to the seasons along the trails, allowing visitors to appreciate the ecological beauty of Dagangshan. The ecological pond dotted with lotus flowers is the best spot to observe birds and aquatic life. Along the trails of the Dagangshan Natural Ecological Area, one can see rich natural ecology and cultural landscapes resembling a paradise, with the night view of the lights below resembling countless stars, offering a different charm. Shimu Ru (Stone Mother's Milk) and One Line Sky are located in the back mountain of Dagangshan, accessible from the Chaoyuan Temple in the Tianliao District. The back mountain lacks large crowds of tourists and features the original natural greenery. Dagangshan's terrain consists of coral reef limestone, and along the trails, various caves and grooves can be seen, adding a mysterious atmosphere to the primitive forest. The limestone cliffs have been porous for centuries, with their textures resembling flowing waterfalls, creating a magical scenery. The limestone deposits behind the lotus cave have formed stalactites over a long period, and the constant dripping water creates a unique sight known locally as Stone Mother's Milk. Walking along the trail beside Stone Mother's Milk, one encounters a gorge towering two to three meters high, giving a sense of nature's grandeur. According to legend, during the Ming Dynasty, Dagangshan suddenly produced a "mountain roar," and the ridge cracked from south to north, forming a canyon about 100 meters long. Since looking inside reveals the sky forming a single line, it is named "One Line Sky." One Line Sky is situated in limestone geological fault valleys, where the walls exhibit erosional features, appearing flowing but actually solid rock, making it an excellent destination for observing the wonders of nature's geological artistry. Panlong Gorge One Line Sky is located in the back mountain of Dagangshan, stretching 285 meters, with no current records of its depth. It was discovered a few years ago by a local association during a survey of the terrain, and alongside Shimu Ru and One Line Sky, it is also formed by special geological activities of limestone. Standing in the gorge makes one feel particularly small, surrounded by steep cliffs. Looking up allows one to appreciate the grandeur of the gorges. The name "Panlong Gorge One Line Sky" comes from the mulberry-like Panlong tree growing on top of its rocks, resembling climbing vines extending upward. Though the dense canopy at the canyon's summit shields much of the sunlight, the lush greenery adds vitality to the dark gorge. This site is hidden and not easy to find; visitors can enter from the ecological park's "Cool Heart Pavilion" via a small forest path, with temporary signage along the way. The hike takes approximately 30 minutes to reach, but this trail is not fully developed for hiking, so those wishing to explore should take safety precautions and preferably be accompanied by someone familiar with the mountain paths. *Please note that this area has many mosquitoes, so please take mosquito protection measures in advance.
