Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area: Strolling through Butterfly Valley

For trail opening information, please refer to the "Latest News" section of the Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture. [Important Announcement] Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area will be closed for renovation starting February 5, 2025. Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area announced that its facilities suffered severe damage due to the April 3rd earthquake and Typhoon Khanun. To ensure visitor safety and allow nature to recuperate, the park will undergo comprehensive renovation. We look forward to welcoming you back when it's even better! The park is temporarily closed. Please do not trespass, as it may be dangerous! The park's trails vary in length, gradient, and scenery. Visitors can choose trails that suit their physical condition and preferences to deeply experience the original natural beauty and appreciate the diverse ecology of flora and fauna. Located in Ruisui Township, Hualien County, Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area boasts Taiwan's largest camphor tree forest and untouched broadleaf forests. Visitors can also enjoy the natural spectacle of fluttering butterflies, which is why the park is also famously known as "Butterfly Valley." The park was originally under the jurisdiction of the Hualien Forest District Office, Forestry Bureau, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan. In 2004, it was privatized, integrating its existing hiking trails, forest recreation areas, hot springs, and resorts. After re-planning and development, it has become a popular destination for hiking, sightseeing, and relaxation. Listen to the River Sing: Camphor Forest Bathing. The park is divided into three trails: the Main Trail, the Riverside Trail, and the Mountain Trail. Visitors can enter from the Riverside Trail entrance, be surrounded by the pristine, dense forest, take deep breaths, absorb the phytoncides emitted by the trees, and allow their mind and body to fully relax. Through gaps in the branches and leaves, one can see the Fuyuan Stream gurgling clearly below the trail. Its clean and transparent waters earned Fuyuan Stream the beautiful name "White River" during the Japanese colonial era. Following the stream upstream for about 40 minutes, you can reach the fork connecting to the Main Trail. But don't turn back yet; continue along the stream to see the Fuyuan Suspension Bridge. The bridge, made of wooden planks, is stable and safe to cross. Casually look around at the natural scenery, admiring the Fuyuan Stream's blue-green gemstone luster created by sunlight refraction, and the magnificent, translucent white colossal rocks scattered in the valley, contrasting with the emerald green mountains. The view before your eyes will make you marvel at the wonders of nature. The latter half of the Riverside Trail features the famous Longyin Waterfall, but due to landslides caused by a typhoon in 2016, it is currently undergoing restoration. It is estimated to take 1 to 2 years before it can be reopened for public viewing. Watch Butterflies Dance: Nature's Classroom. The Main Trail, located in the center of the park, allows for a leisurely stroll through the butterfly viewing area and butterfly specimen museum. This offers visitors a close-up observation of butterflies' habitats and beautiful forms, providing educational value and making it suitable for family outings. The Mountain Trail has steep slopes and is long, taking approximately 2 hours to complete. It is more challenging and usually less frequented. Trekking through the dense broadleaf forest, with sunlight filtering diagonally through the branches and leaves, offers a different experience compared to the Riverside Trail, which meanders along the stream. Walking slowly along the trails, the chirping of insects and singing of birds create nature's symphony. During your hike, you might occasionally spot small toads hopping in the bushes or various butterflies playfully fluttering about. The period from March to August each year is especially the most suitable season for butterfly viewing in the park. The park is rich in diverse species of animals, plants, and insects, serving as a mountain forest classroom for understanding natural ecology, and also a recreational spot for relaxation.