Song of the Forest Introduction
"Song of the Forest" is situated at the intersection of Wenhua Road and the TRA (Taiwan Railway Administration) in Chiayi City, featuring towering sacred trees and the Alishan railway tracks as its main design motifs, creating a tranquil spiritual tower. Vertical wooden slats surround the theme, resembling the sacred trees of Alishan embracing the sky. The winding paths on the periphery mimic the winding tracks of the Alishan train as they meander through the mountains and pass through caves. The rattan-woven corridors present natural light and shadow changes, reminiscent of a forest train traversing through the scenery of Alishan. The base of the structure is composed of stacked stones, resembling the majestic presence of Alishan, embodying a sublime and magnificent image. The inspiration comes from the traditional Kuba shape of the Tsou tribe in Alishan and indigenous bamboo weaving. Utilizing materials such as wood, railway tracks, and stones provided by the Forest Bureau of the Council of Agriculture, it offers the public an experience of nature. The copper-woven golden dome allows sunlight to pour in golden rays, changing with the moonlight and starlight; the interior features beech and cypress wood flooring, rich in phytoncides. The penetrating and surrounding shape reveals more natural beauty. Through the transparent dome, the changes in the sky throughout the day and night are showcased, continually surprising visitors with the natural transformations in Alishan! When people enter, it feels like walking on clouds, experiencing the five senses of Alishan. The creator, Wang Wenzhi, was born in the Greater Alishan area, and with the familiar flavors of his hometown and his skill in bamboo weaving and natural materials, he shaped this modern masterpiece "Song of the Forest". It recreates the former glory of Chiayi as "The City of Wood," shaping an international landmark in the forest art park, allowing domestic and international visitors to sense the natural spirituality of the Alishan forest area even in the plains.
