Shilin Forest Farm Introduction
Shihfen Forest is located beneath the Alishan Mountain Range, situated on Tongtou Mountain in Zhongpu Township, Chiayi County. This secret forest in Chiayi County covers an area of over 30 hectares and belongs to a suburban natural ecological area, with an elevation ranging from 300 meters to over 600 meters. The entire area is characterized by subtropical broadleaf forest, ascending lushly along the banks of Shihong Creek. The ecological resources within the park are diverse and abundant, with common plants including a variety of ground cover plants, ferns, Water Lily, Taiwan Rattan, Paulownia, Madagascar Palisandre, Camphor, and Banyan trees. It is also home to conservation-status birds like the Black Eagle, Purple Thrush, and Rainbow Pitta, which can often be observed along the hiking trails. Another distinctive feature of the park is that landmarks are marked by stone sculptures; for every 500 meters of elevation gained, there is a stone sculpture that also indicates the ecological distribution of the area. The forest belt belongs to the subtropical broadleaf forest. The rich ecological resources offer biodiversity, including ground cover plants, ferns, Taiwan Rattan, Taiwan Tree Fern, various flowering plants such as Taiwanese Azalea, Dragon Boat Flower, and Touch-Me-Not. Bird species found here include eagles, Taiwan Blue Magpie, Tree Sparrow, Japanese White-eye, Black-naped Blue Robin, Red-vented Bulbul, and Rainbow Pitta. The hiking trails are bedecked with natural wooden paths, and the diverse forest scenery is complemented by interpretive signs along the way, allowing visitors to learn about nature. As you walk down the trail, you will encounter continuous surprises, and with a mindful eye, you will certainly gain a lot.
