Dagangshan Scenic Area Introduction
Dakeng Mountain spans across Gangshan, Yanchao, Alian, and Tianliao districts, covering a vast area with an elevation of up to 312 meters. Its advantageous high terrain was once a closed military stronghold, requiring permission to enter. Today, the Dakeng Mountain Scenic Area is not only dotted with ancient temples and famous towers but also a popular spot for hiking trails, with mysterious limestone formations worth exploring. The area is lush with greenery, featuring an original ecological landscape, and is composed of coral reef limestone, along with its unique stepped fault structure, creating diverse and charming natural scenery. During the Qing Dynasty, it was recognized as one of the "Eight Views of Fengshan" under the name "Gangshan Tree Color." The park is expansive, generally divided into three areas: Ruiyi Park in the front mountains, the religious area, and the natural ecology area, with various paths connecting them for public walking and relaxation. The front mountain is filled with ancient temples and famous towers, with a steady flow of worshippers. The back mountain, meanwhile, boasts rare and precious geological wonders of limestone, such as the One Line Sky of Panlong Gorge and Stone Mother Milk, attracting many visitors to marvel at them. Ruiyi Park, adjacent to the entrance of the Alian area, features a large children's playground and green lawns for family fun. The centenary banyan trees and treehouses are the most captivating sights, and the park's plaza is suitable for large events, particularly the annual "Dakeng Longan Honey Cultural Festival," which is the most popular among residents. The religious area, due to the serene mountain views, has numerous temples and monasteries scattered throughout, earning Dakeng Mountain the title of "Taiwan's Buddha Mountain." Notably, Chaofeng Temple, with a history of over 200 years, is recognized as the most famous among the Eight Views of Kaohsiung for its "Chaofeng Evening Bell." Visiting the tranquil temples or ancient towers and enjoying the fragrant mountain air in the solemn atmosphere of morning and evening bells offers a spiritually cleansing journey. Tianling Cave is a natural limestone formation that emerges from the seabed. According to legend, a general named Yan hid there to escape pursuing enemies during the Qing Dynasty, originally named "Yan Cave." In 1987, the Taipei Songshan Ling Tian Temple was designated as the founding place and renamed it "Tianling Cave." The cave is naturally formed in a gourd shape, with entrances on the east and west. It enshrines deities such as the Earth God, Guan Yu, and Jigong. The cave can only accommodate one person at a time; it is short in length and soon reaches the other end, which leads to a different space. At the exit, a gazebo allows for a commanding view of Gangshan. Dakeng Mountain Peak (next to the Triangle Park) is also known as Dagan Mountain, standing at 312 meters, listed as one of Taiwan's Small Hundred Summits (No. 74), and is among the ten most famous mountains of the former Kaohsiung County. It is located at the watershed between the Erjen River and the Agongdian River, with a third-class triangulation point No. 499 established, but the benchmark is located within a military camp, making it inaccessible to the public. The official triangulation point for Dakeng Mountain is replaced by the "Provincial Government Grid Supplement Point" at "Gangshan Ying Mountain," beside which stands a concrete pillar. The Dakeng Mountain Natural Ecology Area spans 80 hectares, with several winding shaded paths connecting variously shaped beautiful pavilions and platforms for visitors to rest and enjoy the scenery. The upright green bamboos, acacia trees, Cassia trees, cherry blossom paths, and golden trumpet trees bloom according to the seasons, allowing visitors to admire the ecological beauty of Dakeng Mountain. The ecological pond dotted with lotus flowers is the best spot for observing birds and aquatic life. Along the way in the Dakeng Mountain Nature Reserve, abundant natural ecology and cultural landscapes create picturesque scenery, resembling a utopia. The view of the mountain at night, with lights twinkling like stars below, offers a different charm. Stone Mother Milk and One Line Sky are located in the back mountain of Dakeng Mountain, accessible from the direction of Chaoyuan Temple in the Tianliao District. The back mountain sees fewer tourists and more original natural greenery. Dakeng Mountain is characterized by coral reef limestone formations, with many cave grooves along the path, adding a mystical aura to the primitive forest. The limestone cliffs of the area, shaped by rock fusion over millennia, exhibit patterns resembling flowing waterfalls, creating a fantastic landscape. The limestone deposits behind the Water Lotus Cave have formed stalactites over a long time, with unique characteristics known locally as Stone Mother Milk, constantly dripping with water. Walking along the mountain path beside Stone Mother Milk, one can face a canyon towering two to three meters high, evoking a sense of nature's grandeur. According to legend, during the Ming Dynasty, Dakeng Mountain suddenly emitted a "mountain sound," and the ridge cracked from south to north, forming a long mountain gully about a hundred meters long. As one looks up inside, they can see the sky form a single line, thus named "One Line Sky." One Line Sky is located in the limestone geological structural gully, where the walls are filled with corrosion formations. The appearance may seem fluid, but they are in fact the shapes of rocks, making this a great place to observe nature's geological wonders. Panlong Gorge One Line Sky in the back mountain of Dakeng Mountain, stretches 285 meters long, with no current record of its depth. It is said to have been discovered by a local association surveying the terrain a few years ago, alongside Stone Mother Milk and One Line Sky as unique geological formations caused by limestone geology. Walking within the gorge makes one feel particularly small, surrounded by steep cliffs. Looking up offers a sense of the gorge's magnificence, earning its name "Panlong Gorge One Line Sky" due to the Moraceae Panlong tree covering the top of the rock, appearing like vines reaching upwards. Although the dense canopy at the top of the gorge obscures much sunlight, the lush greenery adds vitality to the otherwise dark canyon. This hidden spot is not easy to find; visitors can enter through the small forest path behind the "Xinliang Pavilion" in the ecological park, with temporary signs along the way. It takes about 30 minutes to reach, but this route is not a well-planned hiking trail. Those wishing to explore should pay attention to their safety and consider being accompanied by someone familiar with the mountain paths. Please note that there are many mosquitoes in this area, so be sure to take mosquito prevention measures beforehand.
