Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area

The captivating essence of Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area lies in its autumn crimson maples, summer starlit nights, twilight sea of clouds, Reeves's muntjacs and Swinhoe's pheasants traversing forest trails, and the Xueshan Sacred Tree—the only accessible giant red cypress in Greater Taichung. This area, once the Daxueshan Logging Farm established in 1958, brought prosperity to Dongshi and Fengyuan. Today, this mountain town, just an hour from Dongshi, has transformed into a forest recreation area, continuing to offer nature's bounty to the people of central Taiwan. With an elevation exceeding 2,000 meters, the climate is cool and refreshing. Presently, only the Xiaoshenmu Trail and Muma Trail areas preserve primeval giant cypress forests, making them among the most beautiful sights in the park. Nestled in the deepest part of the recreation area, the 50-meter-tall Xueshan Sacred Tree was once Taiwan's 11th largest giant tree! Wildlife is Daxueshan's greatest treasure: Reeves's muntjacs, Formosan serows, and white-faced flying squirrels animate the night, while during the day, Swinhoe's pheasants, Mikado pheasants, and Steere's liocichlas, among other mountain birds, joyfully hop and flutter. While taking a refreshing forest bath stroll, it's quite easy to have an unexpected encounter with these 'little celebrities'!