Tengjhih National Forest Recreation Area
桃源區
· Nature & Scenery
Known for its poetic nickname “Forest Waves,” Tengjhih National Forest Recreation Area is one of the best places in southern Taiwan for forest bathing, summer escape, and ecological sightseeing. About a two-hour drive from Kaohsiung City, Pingtung City, and Tainan City, Tengjhih was once part of the Bunun people’s traditional living area. During the Japanese colonial period, Kyoto University established an experimental forest here, leaving behind rare Japanese cypress and large stands of Japanese cedar plantation, along with relics from the historic Liugui Defense Line. The park sits at an elevation of 1,500 to 1,804 meters and offers a cool, pleasant climate. In its mist forest zone, you can find large trees such as Taiwan incense cedar, Schima superba, and Castanopsis cuspidata, as well as the endemic Tengjhih begonia and many rare ferns. The area also supports rich wildlife, including uncommon insects such as Lucanus maculifemoratus, Actias ningpoana, and Formosana cicada. It is also one of the easiest places in Taiwan to spot the yellow tit, making it an especially rewarding destination for hiking and birdwatching.
