Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area - Baguashan Range Ecological Visitor Center

Central Taiwan boasts a pleasant climate, beautiful scenery, and abundant natural, cultural, and industrial resources, making it highly suitable for tourism development. To capitalize on this potential, the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications merged the three scenic areas of Lion's Head Mountain, Lishan, and Baguashan into the 'Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area'. This administrative region spans 18 townships and districts across five counties and cities: Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, and Nantou, covering a total area of approximately 77,521 hectares. The 'Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Administration' was established in March 2001 (Republic Era 90) to oversee tourism operations within its jurisdiction. This area is rich in diverse topography, including high mountains, lakes, canyons, hills, and waterfalls, creating stunning and unique landscapes. Coupled with abundant flora and fauna, such as various birds, fish, and insects, as well as seasonal flowers and mountain forest scenery, the region thrives with life. Culturally, the area showcases a diverse and inclusive cultural landscape, blending different ethnic groups such as Hakka, Minnan, Saisiyat, and Atayal. The surviving artifacts and traditional customs are precious assets awaiting preservation. Furthermore, the historic temples, renowned monasteries, and distinctive old houses constitute an important collection of historical buildings and a major tourist attraction in the area, well worth exploring and understanding in depth. Beyond the static scenic and cultural tours, the jurisdiction also offers dynamic 'Lohas' (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) experiences. Numerous interconnected hiking trails and cycling paths not only provide excellent opportunities for nature strolls and sightseeing but are also popular choices for hikers and cyclists. Especially during the hot summer, walking along the shaded trails offers a refreshing escape from the heat. In winter, it's the perfect time for hot spring baths; the high-quality hot springs and well-equipped spa resorts offer a warm indulgence during the cold season. Thanks to its excellent geographical location and suitable climate, this scenic area boasts superior soil and water quality, fostering the growth of delicious local agricultural specialties such as temperate fruits, high-mountain vegetables, tea leaves, and trout. The tea produced here is particularly renowned, with its aroma wafting from north to south, encompassing Oriental Beauty Tea from Lion's Head Mountain, high-mountain tea from Lishan, and Songboling Everlasting Tea from Baguashan. Additionally, indigenous cuisine and Hakka delicacies are local must-tries for visitors. The Baguashan Range Ecological Visitor Center is located near the Baguashan Great Buddha area and was inaugurated on March 17, 2001 (Republic Era 90). The visitor center primarily focuses on introducing the grey-faced buzzards that migrate northward through or temporarily roost in the Baguashan Range around the spring equinox each March, as well as the diverse flora and fauna of the Baguashan Range. It is the nation's first grey-faced buzzard themed museum, compiling extensive ecological records related to this species. Grey-faced buzzards are raptors, highly predatory, and sit at the top of the food chain. Annually, as spring arrives and the weather warms in the north, these buzzards begin their northward migration from the south to their breeding grounds around the time of the spring equinox and Qingming Festival. Along the way, they temporarily rest in areas like the Baguashan Scenic Area and Dadu Mountain, earning them names such as 'Southern Route Hawk,' 'Qingming Bird,' and 'Tomb-Sweeping Bird.' When winter approaches and the weather turns cold, the grey-faced buzzards start their southward migration to wintering grounds around October's National Day, passing through Manzhou Township in Kenting, hence their nicknames 'National Day Bird' and 'Manzhou Bird.' The center's exterior wall features a large steel sculpture of a grey-faced buzzard, an enlarged rendition of a paper relief created by local artist Mr. Wang Chen-wen. This instantly immerses visitors in the grey-faced buzzard theme before they even enter the 'Grey-faced Buzzard Theme Museum,' and it serves as a popular photo spot for visitors of all ages. The internal exhibition space on the 1st floor includes: a large eagle lantern display, introductions to hiking and cycling trails in the Baguashan Scenic Area, a raptor exhibit area, a mini-theater, an audio-visual room, and a local specialties exhibit. The 2nd-floor exhibition space features: the Grey-faced Buzzard Exhibition Room (with audio-visual display stands, realistic models, migration route explanations, interactive touch-screen quizzes and puzzles), a special exhibition on Grey-faced Buzzard ecology and culture, a geological exhibit area of the Baguashan Range, explanations of common plants in the Baguashan Scenic Area, a Formosan Macaque exhibit area, a 'Butterfly Sister Tells Stories' corner, a common insects exhibit, and an eco-tourism exhibit area. The visitor center also offers services such as tourism consultation, video viewing, guided tours by appointment for groups, and tourist information brochures, along with barrier-free facilities. You are welcome to visit with your family and friends to experience a local ecological journey.