Fuxing District · Nature & Scenery

Dongyanshan Nature Education Center

Fuxing District · Nature & Scenery

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.

Lalashan National Forest Recreation Area

Fuxing District · Nature & Scenery

Lalashan National Forest Recreation Area is located around Shangbaling in the northern section of the Cross-Island Highway in Fuxing District, Taoyuan City. The Atayal Shangbaling community’s name, “Balung,” means “cypress” or “a large fallen tree,” while “Lala” is a transliteration of the Atayal word “R’ra,” which can mean “beautiful,” “admirable,” or “to gaze upon / keep watch.” One interpretation is that this was a place where local people watched for game and defended against enemies; another is that people came here and were filled with admiration and delight. Both meanings reflect the area’s rich cypress and ecological resources. Cypress forests in the world are found only in North America, Japan, and Taiwan’s cloud belt, making Lalashan’s cypress forest especially precious. The area lies in a mist forest zone and is classified as a primary mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest. Its well-preserved natural environment over thousands of years has produced a rare grove of giant cypress trees. It is also an important habitat for wildlife such as the Taiwan blue magpie, yellow-throated fulvetta, and Taiwan serow, making it one of the most representative forest ecosystems in the mid-elevation mountains of northern Taiwan, with rich natural and cultural features.

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.