Shilin Forest Recreation Area Introduction
Shishilin Forest is located at the foothills of the Alishan Mountain Range, situated in Tongtou Mountain, Zhongpu Township, Chiayi County. This hidden forest in Chiayi County covers an area of over 30 hectares and is classified as a semi-local natural ecological area, with elevations ranging from 300 meters to over 600 meters. The entire area consists of subtropical broadleaf forest, flourishing along the banks of the Shilan Stream. The ecological resources within the park are diverse and abundant, with common plants including a variety of ground cover plants, ferns, sacred lotus, Taiwan acacia, Paulownia, mahogany, camphor trees, banyan trees, etc. Conservation species such as the crested serpent-eagle, purple thrush, and five-color bird can also be frequently observed along the hiking trails. Another major feature of the park is that landmarks are marked with stone sculptures, with a stone sculpture indicating the elevation every 500 meters, providing information about the ecological distribution of the area. The forest belt belongs to the subtropical broadleaf forest. The rich ecological resources and biodiversity include ground cover plants, ferns, Taiwan acacia, mangrove, mahogany, camphor trees, banyan trees, azaleas, torch ginger, and touch-me-not, among other plants; as well as birds such as eagles, Formosan blue magpies, tree magpies, the green-backed tit, black-naped blue robin, scarlet minivet, small fork-tailed drongo, and five-color birds. The hiking trail is paved with logs, featuring a variety of natural forest landscapes, and informational signs along the way provide visitors with insights into nature. Walking through the trails, you will encounter continuous surprises, which, if observed with care, will surely yield a great deal.
