The Baxian Mountain National Forest Recreation Area was once one of the three major forests in Taiwan. According to historical records, the mountain was discovered in 1911 and named ‘Baxian Mountain’ due to its elevation of approximately 2,410 meters, which phonetically resembles ‘Baxian’. The history of forestry exploitation in Baxian Mountain began in 1917, and today, the wood mill has been transformed into the Baxian Mountain National Forest Recreation Area. Surrounded by mountains, the summit offers a panoramic view of the continuous mountain ranges such as Yushan, Nenggao Mountain, and Qilai Mountain. The lush forest and abundant birdlife create a rich atmosphere of negative ions and phytoncide from the combination of water vapor and plants, which is beneficial to human health. It is an ideal place for those living in the city to come and enjoy a ‘lung cleansing’ forest breath. Within the park, the Shiwenxi and Jiabaoxi rivers converge, with waters originating from the deep forest mountains. The rivers are filled with rocks of various sizes and rapids, creating a unique landscape, and are acclaimed as ‘Two of Taiwan’s Famous Springs’. Baxian Mountain’s beautiful scenery is captivating, making it an excellent destination for hiking, forest bathing, bird watching, and vacationing. In addition to the charming natural landscapes, the tourist attractions within the recreation area are also very rich. The park has specially planned three forest bathing trails. The ‘Mengzong Bamboo Forest – Shrine and Elementary School Ruins’ trail leads to the Taiwan Eight Scenic Spots Selection Monument, the shrine ruins, and the Jinghai Temple, where the prosperity of the past can still be seen. Along the way, there is a vast and deep bamboo forest and giant camphor trees. The entrance to Baxian Mountain is also located here. The other two trails, ‘Shiwenxi Riverside – Upstream’ and ‘Downhill Steps – Dam Area’, follow the river, providing a refreshing water-friendly trail, especially suitable for summer visits. The park is open all year round from 07:00 to 17:00.
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