Xitou Nature Education Area Introduction
At Xitou, this natural classroom, you can observe the bamboo sea, enjoy a forest bath, cleanse the dust of your soul, and fully experience the wonderful baptism of phytoncides! In the late Qing Dynasty, Xitou was originally a mountain village known as the "source of the stream." In 1970, it was designated as a forest recreation area. Located at the foot of Phoenix Mountain in Lugu Township, it is one of the seven experimental forests of the College of Agriculture and Forestry at National Taiwan University. It is a highly sought-after summer resort, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with fresh air that even tastes sweet! The park is filled with precious tree species such as Taiwania, cypress, hinoki, and ginkgo, featuring dense forests and a cool climate, making it suitable for various activities including forest bathing, bird watching, hiking, and educational observation. According to legend, there exists a "sacred tree" (Hinoki) within the park that is over three thousand years old, growing around a gigantic rock. Despite several hollow and decayed branches, the sacred tree stands tall and unwavering. Next to the forest path of the sacred tree is a grove of Taiwania, and a creatively designed forest canopy walkway allows for a close-up observation of the tree crown layer of the Taiwania forest from above! The Moso bamboo forest area, with its vast bamboo sea, presents a beautiful and tranquil landscape, perfect for a leisurely stroll. There is also a ginkgo forest, known colloquially as "Maidenhair Tree," with over one hundred trees, each over eighty years old, making it one of the largest ginkgo forests in Taiwan! Within the serene Moso bamboo forest stands a bamboo-decorated building known as the Bamboo Lodge. It was once the residence of Chiang Kai-shek, and the main entrance is currently locked and not open to the public. However, the elegant and comfortable architectural style is truly unforgettable!
