Zhenxibao Giant Tree Cluster

Zhenxibao, located at an altitude of 1720 meters in Xiuluan Village, Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, above the Singuang Tribe, is home to approximately thirty households of Atayal indigenous people and is one of Taiwan's highest settlements. Despite its somewhat militaristic and masculine-sounding name, Zhenxibao is actually a transliteration from the Atayal language 'Jian Xibu,' meaning 'a land where the sun brightly illuminates the earth from awakening to deep sleep, where sunlight persists throughout the day until dusk, where days are warm and nights are cold, leading to the eradication of pests and diseases and excellent crop growth.' This tribe is one of a series of tribes established by indigenous people from Nantou who traversed mountains and valleys to reach Xiuluan, and Zhenxibao is the oldest among them. The Zhenxibao Forest is situated between Mount Kinaji and Mount Mawang, at an altitude of approximately 2000 meters. Facing the northeast monsoon, which carries humid moisture from the sea, it has nurtured a vast 'black forest.' This black forest, featuring species like Yoshino cedars, Taiwania, Red Cypress, and Hinoki Cypress, connects with Cilan in Yilan to form Taiwan's largest remaining cypress forest, covering an area of 50 square kilometers. Upon entering the giant tree area, towering Red Cypresses stand majestically along the path. Due to long-term exposure to a humid and undisturbed environment, the surfaces of these ancient giant trees are covered with moss and ferns. Continuing further to an altitude of approximately 2375 meters, there is a small 'Poison Dragon Lake,' which, situated within the primeval, deep forest, is often enveloped in clouds and mist, creating a mysterious atmosphere.