White Horse Pavilion

White Horse Pavilion is located on the summit of Dakeng Mountain, east of Zengwen Reservoir, in Dapu Township, Chiayi County, approximately 750 meters above sea level. It is on the route from Chiayi County to Tainan City. The climb starts from the 307 km mark of Provincial Highway 3 and takes about 1 hour on foot. During the late Qing dynasty, a constable surnamed Ye led soldiers to suppress bandits in the Dakeng mountainous area and tragically died in the line of duty. The white horse he rode thereafter lingered in the mountains and refused to leave. Every morning at dawn, the white horse would wail mournfully on the mountaintop, a sound vaguely audible to the villagers below. Later, in memory of the white horse's spiritual nature and loyalty, a White Horse Pavilion was specially built on the mountaintop for villagers and tourists to hike and enjoy the view. White Horse Pavilion is the best viewpoint for a panoramic view of Dapu. However, the path is winding and covered with gravel. Some sections of the path have an incline of over 45 degrees, combined with loose gravel, making it quite perilous. Due to its elevated position, White Horse Pavilion offers an excellent panoramic view, not only providing a full view of Zengwen Reservoir and Dapu Village but also offering an unobstructed view of the distant Dadong Mountain range. At sunrise, golden light dances and shimmers brightly, while at sunset, the crimson glow reflects on the lake, and light mists embrace the verdant mountains, creating a truly captivating scene. White Horse Pavilion offers a hiking trail suitable for all ages. You can ascend from the Dapu Village water treatment plant along the industrial road. The round trip to the summit takes about 2 hours. Standing in the White Horse Pavilion, you can read the story of the loyal white horse on the wall and also enjoy the full panoramic view of Zengwen Reservoir. It is a challenging hiking trail and the best place for hiking, trekking, and sightseeing in the Dapu Scenic Area.