Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area

Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area is traversed by the Fuyuan Stream and features an extensive network of mountain trails. Deep within the area, visitors can find Longyin Suspension Bridge, Fuyuan Suspension Bridge, and Longyin Waterfall, creating a remarkably tranquil and scenic environment. The area offers a combination of birdwatching, butterfly watching, forest bathing, and hot springs, providing visitors with a diverse range of recreational experiences. Located about an hour's drive from Hualien City, Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area is also known as "Butterfly Valley." The area's vicinity was historically the eastern terminus of the Qing Dynasty's "Guanmen Ancient Trail." Today, it features extensive plantations of 40-year-old camphor trees, creating a beautiful and pleasant environment. The pristine forest is home to characteristic low-altitude species such as Formosan crape myrtle and Glochidion rubrum, with abundant epiphytic plants adding to an "Avatar forest" aesthetic. Nestled in the foothills of the Central Mountain Range, the park boasts abundant avian resources, making it a renowned birdwatching haven in Hualien. Key species include the Hualien County bird, the Black Paradise Flycatcher, along with the Taiwan Barbet, Yellow-bellied Blue Robin, Taiwan Blue Magpie, Grey-throated Minivet, and the Crested Serpent Eagle, which can often be seen circling overhead. Furthermore, the period from spring to summer (March to August) is prime for butterfly watching, and its rich butterfly diversity has truly earned it the moniker "Butterfly Valley." The park's moist and pristine environment also fosters a wide array of firefly species, with the black-winged firefly (March-June) and the Taiwan mountain window firefly (October-December) making appearances in succession. In recent years, it has emerged as a popular destination for locals to enjoy firefly viewing.