Dagangshan Scenic Area Introduction
Dagangshan covers the areas of Gangshan, Yanchao, Alian, and Tianliao, with a vast territory and an elevation of 312 meters. Its advantageous high terrain once served as a closed military stronghold, requiring application for entry in the past. Now, the Dagangshan Scenic Area, dotted with ancient temples and famous pagodas, has become a popular hiking destination, featuring mysterious limestone topography worth exploring. The area is densely forested, showcasing primitive ecological landscapes. The geology consists of coral reef limestone, along with its unique stepped fault structure, creating diverse and charming natural scenery. During the Qing Dynasty, it was referred to as "Gangshan Tree Color," recognized as one of the Eight Sceneries of Fengshan. The park is expansive, generally divided into three zones: the Ruyi Park in the front mountain, a religious area, and a natural ecology zone, with various trails connecting the three for public walking and resting. The front mountain is filled with ancient temples and pagodas, frequented by many devotees, while the rear mountain boasts precious and rare limestone geological wonders, such as the Longpan Gorge's "One Line Sky" and "Stone Mother's Milk," attracting numerous visitors who are awestruck by their beauty. Ruyi Park, adjacent to the entrance of Alian District, features a large children's playground and green lawns for family fun. The hundred-year-old banyan tree and treehouse are must-see attractions. The square in the park is suitable for large events, most notably the annual "Dagangshan Longan Honey Cultural Festival," which is highly popular among locals. The religious area, due to its tranquil mountain scenery, is filled with temples and monasteries, earning Dagangshan the nickname "Buddhist Mountain of Taiwan." Notably, the Chaofeng Temple, over 200 years old, is renowned for its "Chaofeng Evening Bell," listed among the Eight Sceneries of Kaohsiung. Visiting the serene temples or ancient pagodas, you can enjoy the fresh mountain air amidst the solemn atmosphere of morning drums and evening bells, providing a refreshing spiritual journey. Tianling Cave is a natural limestone formation emerging from the sea floor. According to legend, during the Qing Dynasty, a general surnamed Yan hid here to evade pursuers, originally naming it "Yan General's Cave." In 1987, it was designated as a base by the Taipei Songshan Lingtian Temple and renamed "Tianling Cave." This cave is gourd-shaped, naturally formed from limestone, with entrances on both the east and west. It hosts deities such as the God of Fortunes, Guandi, and Jikong, though the cave is narrow, only allowing one person to enter at a time. The cave is relatively short and leads to another section where a pavilion offers a panoramic view of the Gangshan area. Dagangshan Triangle Point, located next to Triangle Park, is also known as Dagang Mountain, with an elevation of 312 meters, classified as one of Taiwan's minor mountains (No. 74) and ranks among the ten famous mountains of former Kaohsiung County. Situated on the watershed between the Erjen River and the Ageongdian River, it features a third-class triangulation point, No. 499, with its base located within a military camp, inaccessible to the public. Instead, "Gangshan Ying Mountain" serves as the official triangulation point, marked by a concrete pillar next to the base. The Dagangshan Natural Ecology Area spans 80 hectares and is connected by winding, shaded trails, featuring uniquely designed pavilions and platforms for visitors to rest and enjoy the scenery. Tall green bamboos, acacia trees, and other seasonal flora line the paths, allowing visitors to admire the ecological beauty of Dagangshan. The ecological pond studded with lotus flowers is perfect for birdwatching and observing aquatic life. Along the trails of the Dagangshan Natural Ecology Park, one can encounter rich natural ecology and cultural landscapes, resembling a paradise. At night, distant views of twinkling lights below offer a different charm. "Stone Mother's Milk" and "One Line Sky" are located in the rear mountains of Dagangshan, accessible via the Chaoyuan Temple in Tianliao District. The rear mountain is less frequented by tourists and more abundant in primitive greenery. Dagangshan's coral reef limestone topography reveals numerous caves and channels along the trails, adding mystique to the original forest. The limestone walls, shaped by erosion over thousands of years, resemble flowing waterfalls, creating a fantastical landscape. The limestone deposits behind the pond have formed stalactites over ages, a unique sight continuously dripping known locally as "Stone Mother's Milk." Walking along the path next to Stone Mother's Milk, visitors encounter a canyon standing two to three meters high that seems to split the earth, illustrating the grandeur of nature. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, Dagangshan suddenly produced a "mountain sound," causing the ridge to crack from south to north, forming a nearly hundred-meter-long ravine, which is named "One Line Sky" due to the view of the sky that resembles a single line when looking up from within. This area, with its limestone geological fault structure, showcases unique karst formations, making it an excellent spot for nature enthusiasts to observe geological wonders. The Longpan Gorge's "One Line Sky," located in the rear mountains of Dagangshan, stretches 285 meters, with its depth currently undocumented. It is said to have been discovered a few years ago during a local association's exploration of the rear mountain's terrain and shares similarities with "Stone Mother's Milk" and "One Line Sky" in its limestone geology. Walking through the gorge, one feels particularly small, surrounded by steep cliffs, and looking up allows one to appreciate the gorge's magnificence. The name "Longpan Gorge's One Line Sky" comes from the mulberry-like Longpan wood that grows on the rock tops. Although most sunlight is obscured by the dense canopy, the greenery adds vitality to the dim gorge. This location is somewhat hidden and not easy to find; you can enter through the forest trail behind the "Cool Heart Pavilion" in the ecology park. Temporary signage indicates scenic stops along the way, and it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach, but this route is not a well-planned hiking trail. Visitors seeking this secluded spot should be cautious and may want to be guided by someone familiar with the mountain paths. *Please note that this area has many mosquitoes; take necessary precautions against them before visiting.*
