Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area

Nestled upstream of the Dabaoxi River in Sanxia, on a tributary called Ruizi Stream, lies a beautiful little world of waterfalls, rich ecology, and vibrant autumn foliage: Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area. Approximately 40 minutes from Sanxia downtown, Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area, with an elevation ranging from 300 to 1700 meters, is humid and cool year-round. This environment fosters a rich fern ecosystem, even hosting the demanding 'Fan Fern'. In the past, there was small-scale logging here, and today, the neat artificial forests bear witness to that era. The area boasts a rich ecosystem of birds, amphibians, and butterflies. Rare species like the White-throated Laughingthrush and Chestnut-bellied Tit are among Manyueyuan's important bird species! Around December each year, the autumn maple leaves here are breathtakingly beautiful, earning it the reputation as 'Taiwan's most stunning low-altitude autumn foliage'. Manyueyuan Waterfall and Virgin Waterfall, located at the end of the hiking trail, are also two major scenic spots of the recreation area. Looking from Manyue Bridge, one can see a large rock wall over ten meters high obscuring the upper part of Manyueyuan Waterfall. The waterfall plunges directly down with magnificent force. Virgin Waterfall, in contrast, is gentler and more graceful. On sunny days, the light refracts and changes amidst the water, often revealing a dazzling, rainbow-like brilliance in the waterfall.