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Dongyanshan Nature Education Center

Taiwan · Taoyuan City · Fuxing District · Nature & Scenery

學生漫步於園區步道
照片提供|東眼山自然教育中心 · 資料來源:交通部觀光署(GODL)

Image source: Taiwan_Opendata; license credits as shown.

Overview

Amid the Japanese cedar forests on the western ridge of the Xueshan Range, the center creates dialogue between “people and people,” “people and the environment,” and “people and society” through authentic environmental learning. Dongyanshan Nature Education Center is located inside Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area, within the Shimen Reservoir watershed. The mountain’s profile resembles a person lying on their side, and the sunrise appears from the eye socket area, which is how it got its name. The forests here include both neat, beautiful plantations and rich, diverse natural forests, along with trace fossils left by shrimp and crabs about 30 million years ago and other marine sedimentary geological features.

Getting There

[By car] Route 1: Daxi Interchange → Provincial Highway 7 → Fuxing → Taoyuan County Road 119 → Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area; about 80 minutes by tour bus. [By car] Route 2: Sanying Interchange → Dapu → Provincial Highway 7B → Sanmin → Provincial Highway 7 → Fuxing → Taoyuan County Road 119 → Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area; about 90 minutes by tour bus. [By car] Route 3: Sanying Interchange → Dapu → Provincial Highway 7B → County Road 114 → County Road 113 → Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area; about 80 minutes. [County Road 113 is only open to passenger cars.] [Public transportation] Take a bus: from across from the Daxi District Office, take Taoyuan Free Shuttle Bus L807, “Dongyanshan Route 2,” and get off at the final stop, Dongyanshan Forest Recreation Area (about 2 hours). Departure from the Daxi District Office to Dongyanshan Forest Recreation Area: 06:30, 15:00; departure from Dongyanshan Forest Recreation Area to the Daxi District Office: 08:30, 17:00. For more transportation information, contact Dongyanshan Recreation Area at (03) 382-1506 or Taoyuan Bus at 0800-053808.

Highlights

Dongyanshan Nature Education Center is located inside Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area, in the upper reaches of the Shimen Reservoir watershed on the western ridge of the Xueshan Range. It is well suited for nature observation and environmental learning in a real forest setting. The area combines neatly arranged Japanese cedar plantations, low-elevation primeval broadleaf forest, and rich flora, fauna, and geological scenery, making it a place for both education and ecological experiences.

What to See

- Japanese cedar forest and plantation scenery: The park features orderly, beautiful Japanese cedar stands that show the character and beauty of forest plantations. - Low-elevation primeval broadleaf forest: The area also includes natural forest with diverse vegetation, ideal for observing forest ecology. - Trace fossil landscape: Trace fossils left by shrimp, crabs, and other organisms from more than 30 million years ago can be seen here, offering important scientific and educational value. - Marine sedimentary geological scenery: Along the route, visitors can observe multiple rock outcrops and landscapes related to marine sedimentation. - Scenic viewpoints: On clear days, views extend toward Greater Taipei and Taoyuan, with mountain scenery and cityscapes in the same frame.

Address

No. 600, Chengfu Road, Xiayun Village, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City 336 Phone: (03) 382-1533

Travel Tips

- Visit on a clear day or when visibility is good to improve your chances of enjoying distant views and ridge scenery. - The mountain environment is humid, so bring non-slip shoes, a light jacket, and rain gear, and be careful on wet trails. - If you want to arrange classes, outdoor teaching, or themed activities, it is best to book or inquire in advance. - Since the center is inside a forest recreation area, you can combine it with hiking, nature observation, and geological exploration. - Nearby parking, dining, and lodging make it suitable for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

Nearby Dining

Dining services are available nearby, making it convenient to eat after a visit or hike. If you are planning a mountain trip, nearby lodging can also be combined for a more complete itinerary.

FAQ

- Who is this place suitable for? : It is suitable for families, school groups, nature observers, and travelers who want to experience forest-based environmental learning. - What is there to see? : You can see Japanese cedar forests, natural broadleaf forests, trace fossils, and marine sedimentary geological landscapes. - Do I need a reservation? : For classes, outdoor teaching, or themed activities, it is recommended to inquire or reserve in advance according to your needs. - Is transportation convenient? : You can drive there, or take the free shuttle from Daxi to connect to Dongyanshan Forest Recreation Area.

Map

More Info

Nearby Attractions

Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area 1.2 km

Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area

Fuxing District · Nature & Scenery

Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area is about a one-hour drive from Daxi. In the past, it was a logging compartment managed by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (formerly the Forestry Bureau), and many forestry relics such as log hauling machines, cableways, and rail carts remain hidden along the educational trails. Today, visitors can stroll among mist-shrouded, neatly arranged Japanese cedar forests and climb to the summit of Dongyanshan, at an elevation of 1,212 meters, for views stretching from Taoyuan to Greater Taipei. A reforestation memorial stone stands beside Dongyanshan Forest Road, bearing witness to Taiwan’s forestry past. The area is rich in ecology, with about 43 species of mountain birds and many mammals; even the white-faced flying squirrel, usually found at medium and high elevations, can be seen here. In spring, people come to enjoy cherry blossoms; in summer, cicadas sing by day and frogs call loudly at night; and in autumn, Dongyanshan Forest Road takes on a deep seasonal melancholy. Most notably, many Taiwanese hares live here, so remember to watch your step while walking through the forest. Nearby, the fossil area along Dongyanshan Forest Road preserves fossils and landscapes that are millions of years old, along with trace fossils and sedimentary geology, making the leisurely walk to the Dongman Trail entrance especially pleasant. If you have the chance to visit Daxi, consider adding Dongyanshan National Forest Recreation Area to your itinerary for a refreshing forest getaway.

Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area 2.8 km

Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area

Sanxia District · Nature & Scenery

Located on a tributary called Nai-Zi Creek in the upper reaches of Dabao Creek in Sanxia, Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area is a beautiful little world of waterfalls, ecology, and autumn maple leaves. About 40 minutes from downtown Sanxia, the recreation area sits at an elevation of 300 to 1,700 meters and remains cool and humid year-round, creating a rich fern ecosystem that even includes the moisture-sensitive umbrella fern. The area once saw small-scale logging, and the neatly arranged planted forests today bear witness to that period. It is also home to abundant birds, amphibians, and butterflies, including notable species such as the White-throated Laughingthrush and the Rufous-capped Tit, making it an important birdwatching destination. Around December each year, the maple leaves turn brilliantly red, earning it a reputation as one of Taiwan’s most beautiful low-elevation maple-viewing spots. At the end of the hiking trail are Manyueyuan Waterfall and Virgin Waterfall, two of the area’s signature sights. From Manyue Bridge, the upper part of Manyueyuan Waterfall is hidden behind a towering rock face more than 10 meters high, and the water plunges straight down in a majestic display. Virgin Waterfall is gentler in character; on sunny days, light refracts through the spray, and a rainbow-like shimmer is often visible.