Banping Mountain Natural Park Introduction
Zuoying boasts beautiful mountains and waters, with the prominent Half屏山 (Half Pen Mountain) being a unique hill made of coral reef limestone rich in marine fossils. The entrance is divided into eastern and western sides. The western side features a distinct "Half Pen Mountain Trail" archway, with trails and pavilions, and has been well-known since the Qing Dynasty, alongside Lotus Pond, as a famous attraction in Kaohsiung, making it a great place for hiking and ecological observation. The eastern side was originally a cement mining area, which has now ceased operations, currently undergoing rehabilitation and maintenance work for soil and water conservation. The name and appearance of Half Pen Mountain have been affected by the past excessive mining. Since the halt of mining on July 10, 1998, more than 20,000 trees from approximately 340 different species have been planted.
