Eighteen Arhats Mountain Scenic Area Introduction
Shih-Ya Luohan Mountain, located on Taiwan Route 27甲 in Liugui District, stands beside the Laonong River. It is made up of over 40 upright conical peaks, resembling the eighteen arhats standing by the roadside, creating a spectacular and unique landscape akin to the picturesque scenery of Guilin, which has earned it the nickname "Little Guilin of Taiwan." The best view of Shih-Ya Luohan Mountain can be admired by crossing the Laonong River to the east via Taiwan Route 28 from Xinwei Forest Park and then looking from Taiwan Route 27 on the eastern bank. The beauty of the mountains and waters, reflecting each other with the gentle flow of the Laonong River, is fully visible; it is recommended to capture this scene around 3 or 4 AM when the sky is not yet fully bright, with mist in the air illuminated by soft sunlight, the river surface shimmering, and occasionally accompanied by mountain mists, providing a constantly changing view. Due to its flame-like mountain shape, Shih-Ya Luohan Mountain is also known as "Liugui Flame Mountain," which, alongside Miaoli's Sanyi Flame Mountain and Nantou's Caotun Jiujiu Peak, is one of Taiwan's three major flame mountains. The geological structure mainly consists of Liugui conglomerate and features a unique terrain formed over millions of years, including steep cliffs, U-shaped valleys, gorges, and meandering rivers, visible through geological processes such as mountain building, erosion, and sedimentation, making it a natural geography classroom. To protect this unique landscape, a "Shih-Ya Luohan Mountain Nature Reserve" has been established, where the valleys of Hongshui Creek and Zhujiao Creek are densely wooded and feature crystal-clear streams, becoming one of the main spots for butterfly watching as many butterfly species inhabit and reproduce here. Additionally, it is said that Shih-Ya Luohan Mountain is the guardian deity of the wealth of Liugui residents, with the belief that as long as one works hard in Liugui, they can accumulate wealth.
