Xi Ding Leisure Trail Area Introduction
The Xiding Leisure Trail is located at the mid-level of Alishan, within the Alishan Highway area of 39 to 41 kilometers, about a 50-minute drive from Chiayi. The area is enveloped in mist year-round, with bamboo groves and cedar trees releasing abundant phytoncides. A health trail has been established for visitors to stroll among the clouds, washing away the dust of urban life. Notable trails include the Er Yanping Mountain Trail, Cypress Trail, Xianjing Waterfall, and Gongtian Trail. The name "Xiding" comes from its location nestled between two valleys, where the Dabang Indigenous people used to traverse a narrow path down into the fortress of Zhuoluo City. Historically, residents in Xiding primarily grew camphor trees and Fuzhou cypress, but as the Alishan Highway opened up, people from the plains gradually moved to Xiding to cultivate tea, orchids, sweet persimmons, and cold-weather vegetables. Previously, Xiding was part of traditional alpine agriculture, making it less developed for tourism; however, it remains an undeveloped natural virgin land. Its mountains, clouds, and rich natural scenery are well worth exploring. On the Er Yanping Mountain Trail, the scenery is pleasant, with views overlooking the Chianan Plain, Renyi Lake Reservoir, Lantan Reservoir, and Zengwen Reservoir. Visitors can gaze upon the main peak of Yushan and the northern and southern peaks, appreciating the winter frost and the vitality of sunrise. With no light pollution or air pollution, on clear nights, the starry sky above is breathtaking, contrasting with the lights of the Chianan Plain below, resembling shining diamonds. The region boasts beautiful natural phenomena like cloud waterfalls, seas of clouds, sunsets, evening glow, as well as iconic features like Elephant Mountain, Xianjing Waterfall, and steep cliffs—remarkable natural treasures hidden here by the heavens. The Xiding area lies at the convergence of warm-temperate and subtropical zones, situated within the Tropic of Cancer. As a result, it produces a variety of agricultural products, including Jinshuan tea, Qingxin oolong tea, sweet persimmons, and butterfly orchids, all important local products in Taiwan. The area also features several unique wild vegetables, such as Xian chives, Cai Xin, alpine peas, dragon beard vegetables, and ashitaba. When paired with traditional products like papaya cake, bitter tea oil noodles, tea jelly, tea wine, and Aiyu jelly, these become authentic local delicacies.
