Alishan Sacred Tree Ruins Introduction
In 1914, the Alishan Forest Railway was fully completed, and the towering Alishan Sacred Tree became one of the most iconic sights of the railway. It harmoniously matched the little train weaving through the mountains, symbolizing Alishan and bringing international fame to the area. This magnificent red cypress tree, over three thousand years old, witnessed the history of Taiwan's forestry culture and nature. However, in 1953, the Sacred Tree was struck by lightning for the first time, severely damaging its trunk; on June 7, 1956, it was unfortunately struck again, igniting a fire inside the trunk, which ultimately led to its wilting and death. After decades of erosion from wind and rain, on the morning of July 1, 1997, heavy rainfall caused the soil to loosen and become overly saturated, leading to the collapse of one-third of the tree's trunk. To ensure the safety of people and vehicles, on the morning of June 29, 1998, after a prayer ritual, the Sacred Tree was felled, allowing it to return to nature, and a red cypress seedling was planted beside it, symbolizing the continuation of life. Today, the remains of the Sacred Tree have become one of the new Eight Scenic Wonders of Alishan. Though the Sacred Tree is no longer here, the spirit and historical memory it carried remain deeply rooted in people's hearts, continually attracting visitors to reminisce about the past and the magnificent nature of this land.
