Baxianshan National Forest Recreation Area Introduction
Baishan Forest Recreation Area is located in the Heping District of Taichung City, with its main peak rising to an elevation of 2,366 meters, approximately 8,000 Taiwanese feet, hence the name "Baishan." The area is lush with greenery and features a refreshing climate, with the Shiwen River and Jiabao River converging within, their waters originating from the deep mountain forests, making them crystal clear and filled with rocks of various sizes, creating gentle streams throughout. The natural ecological resources are abundant, and it was once one of the three major forestry centers in Taiwan, showcasing rich forestry culture, making it the perfect place to experience nature on weekends! The Baishan Forest Recreation Area is situated within Taichung City's Heping District, at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,938 meters, also containing Baishan and Malun Mountain. The recreation area sits on an alluvial terrace (Jiabao Terrace) where the Jiabao River flows into the Shiwen River, with both rivers maintaining clean and ample water supply. The Shiwen River valley is majestic, with beautiful scenery, featuring oddly shaped rocks and irregularly arranged white and gray-green boulders, allowing visitors to leave the mundane behind. The blue waters of the river flow past the giant rocks, creating white splashes against the lush green forests on either bank, providing a pure and simple atmosphere that evokes a sense of seclusion from the world. Currently, the Baishan area is characterized by its representative flora, including two-needle pines, Taiwan white pines, Chamaecyparis, firs, and Fagaceae plants. Two-needle pines are found in landslide areas and sunny slopes that have been developed, as they contain a large amount of resin, making them prone to forest fires. Taiwan white pines are primarily located on ridges, and the older age of Taiwan white pines in the Baishan area indicates that they have existed in the Shiwen River basin for a significant period. Landslide areas gradually become occupied by pioneer species such as mountain hemp and some other plants, and in foggy conditions, large boulders become covered with many ferns: species like Asplenium antiquum, Blechnum orientale, and others thrive in the moist environment. Under the "pioneer species'" efforts, various species from the Lauraceae, Taiwanaceae, and Fagaceae families gradually join to form secondary forests, which begin to cover the landslide areas. Climbing plants such as Dendrobenthamia and Cissus also start to occupy spaces among these young trees. With a "self-sufficient" environment provided by the plants, insects slowly inhabit this new forest, attracting birds that feed on insects and fruits: such as Blue-Backed Tit, Red-Bellied Tit, Grey-Throated Flycatcher, Small Minivet, Crimson-Crowned Woodpecker, Lanyu Thrush, Green Thrush, and Little Woodpecker, forming mixed flocks. Additionally, many endemic birds migrate from high-altitude areas in winter, enhancing the vibrancy of the valley and making the Baishan Forest Recreation Area, located by the Shiwen River, one of the best spots for ecological observation in central Taiwan. The area's geology consists primarily of fragile sandstone, slate, and hard rock. Due to the erosion and cutting by Shiwen River, the mountains here are quite steep, resulting in limited interference, thereby maintaining particularly clean water quality, which contributes to a rich ecological resource. Every autumn, many frogs that grow in the forest floor gather in the Shiwen River for their annual group wedding. Once the tadpoles mature into juvenile frogs, they return through the mountains to the forest. In addition, various riverbank birds can be seen in the Shiwen River, such as kingfishers, lead-colored water thrushes, Taiwan whistling thrushes, river crows, green herons, and little wagtails, representing nearly all the species that prefer river habitats. The development of Baishan began with the precious cypress forests shrouded in mist. In 1911, due to its high elevation of nearly 8,000 Japanese feet (7,998 Japanese feet, about 2,410 meters), it was initially intended to be named "Baqianshan," but later renamed to the more elegant "Baishan." However, the overall development began in 1914 when the Japanese Governor's Office instructed the Alishan Office to conduct surveys for the purpose of developing the forest region to harvest cypress, cedar, and fir, with a planned logging area of approximately 14,600 hectares, including Baishan and Baigu Mountain. The following year, the Forestry Bureau was established under the Governor's Office, allowing the management of Baishan forestry to be separated from the Alishan Office. A forest railway was constructed from Fengyuan into the Baishan area. During the peak of logging, many loggers lived in this area, and schools, guesthouses, offices, and shrines were built in Jiabao Terrace, creating a small community. Historically, the Baishan Forest was one of Taiwan's three major forestry centers alongside Alishan and Taiping Mountain. After the restoration of Taiwan, it continued operations under the name Baishan Forest until logging ceased in the 1980s, at which point development towards recreational tourism began, leading to the establishment of the forest recreation area. The primary schools and shrines were lost to earthquakes and the passage of time, and the forest railway leading from Baishan to Fengyuan gradually disappeared due to landslides and years of neglect, becoming memories for the local residents. Nature continuously undergoes changes, facing the inevitability of typhoons and earthquakes that Taiwan experiences annually, contributing to the cycle of the ecological system and the richness of Taiwan's biodiversity. Observing closely in the Baishan Forest Recreation Area allows one to appreciate its intricacies, serving as a profound gift from nature to the people of Taiwan. (This article is selected from the Baishan Forest Recreation Area official website.)
