Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area

Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area, about an hour's drive from Daxi, was once a logging site for the Taiwan Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (formerly the Taiwan Forestry Bureau). It retains many forestry relics such as log skidders, cableways, and trolleys, hidden along its interpretive trails. Today, visitors can wander through misty, neatly arrayed beautiful Japanese cedar forests, climbing steps to the 1,212-meter-high summit of Dongyanshan to enjoy panoramic views from Taoyuan to Greater Taipei. A reforestation monument stone stands beside the Dongyanshan Forest Road, bearing witness to the past of Taiwan's forestry industry. Dongyanshan boasts rich ecology, home to approximately 43 species of mountain birds and numerous mammals. Even the white-faced flying squirrel, typically found at mid-to-high altitudes, can be spotted here. Spring offers cherry blossom viewing, while summer days echo with cicadas and nights with the chorus of various frogs competing in loudness. In autumn, the Dongyanshan Forest Road is tinged with the melancholy hues of the season. What's particularly special is the presence of many Formosan hares; when strolling through the forest, don't forget to watch your step! Furthermore, the Fossil Area next to the Dongyanshan Forest Road features fossils and landscapes millions of years old. A leisurely stroll along this path, encountering trace fossils and sedimentary geology, leads to the entrance of the Dongman Trail, making for a very pleasant experience. If you have the chance to visit Daxi, consider adding Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area to your itinerary for a refreshing forest journey that cleanses the mind.