Taichung｜Taiwan’s endemic bird observation with forest culture in the 1960s｜2-Day Tour

Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area is located in a deep-mountain forested area in Taiwan’s Taichung City, about a two-hour drive from the urban center. The park has a rich forest ecology, with four forest zones: subtropical, warm, temperate, and cold. Each possesses its own unique arboreal ecology, providing a good habitat for wildlife. This is one of the best birdwatching areas in central Taiwan, with good chances of sighting Mikado Pheasant, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, and Taiwan Bamboo Partridge. The fauna ecology of the Dasyueshan forest nights is also rich, with appearances by Formosan Reeve’s Muntjacs, Formosan Serows, White-faced Flying Squirrels, and other denizens of the forest.


Dasyueshan was one of central Taiwan’s most important forest areas in days past. After logging operations ceased, the Forestry Bureau energetically engaged in cultural transformation and preservation efforts. What was the biggest lumber factory in East Asia in the 1960s was transformed into the Dongshih Forestry Culture Park, where precious historical relics and ecological resources from the forest products industry have been preserved.


－ About the Accommodation｜Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area
# Accommodation Type: " Log Cabin " or similar level of accommodation in Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area
# Room type: Website price is for a two persons room.
# Number of occupants: 2 adults (if two participants are not booked together, the travel agency will arrange room combinations).
# If you need a 3 or 4 persons room, additional fees will be charged (no adjoining-room combination policy)


－ About the costs｜Taiwan’s endemic bird observation with forest culture in the 1960s 2-Day Trip－
# Infants under 2 years old: only insurance and administrative service fees are charged.
# Children 2-6 years old: no extra bed, but meals, vehicle, activities, and insurance fees are charged.
# Children over 7 years old: full adult price.


－ Scenic Highlights －

▲ Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area
Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area boasts rich forest resources. The pristine forest is a great spring of phytoncides. Spanning low to high altitudes, it is home to four forest types, subtropical, warm, temperate, and cold – a quintessential band of Taiwan natural forest. Visiting the easy-touring trails in the park, you’ll be presented with such famed scenic spots as the Syueshan Giant Tree and the smaller Giant Tree. There will also be a high chance to encounter such avian denizens of the forest as the Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Taiwan Hill Partridge, and Taiwan Rosefinch.

▲ Syueshan Giant Tree
Along the Syueshan Giant Tree Trail, hikers pass through a mixed coniferous/ broadleaf forest featuring Taiwan Hemlock, Huashan Pine, and Taiwan Rhododendron. What strikes the visitor is the towering and majestic posture of the trees, and the luxuriant foliage of the Syueshan Giant Tree. Looking up at this great red cypress, which is around 1,400 years old, one cannot help but feel a sense of smallness and awe.

▲ Forest Bathing Trail
The natural forest here, composed of Taiwan Red False Cypress, Taiwan Cypress, Chinese Hemlock, and broadleaf trees, is characterized by its luxuriant original growth. The trail is primarily made of wood-plank walkways, sleeper stairs, and dirt paths, smooth and easy for walking. The vegetation structure of the forest interior is complex, and the birdlife is rich and diverse, with such residents as members of the Laughingthrush family, the Tit family, and the Grey-chinned Minivet. The middle and final part of the trail is one of the park’s few places offering predictable viewings of the Formosan Whistling Thrush, Little Forktail, Plumbeous Water Redstart, and other avian residents.

▲ Dongshih Forestry Culture Park
Dasyueshan was once an important central Taiwan logging center, which possessed the biggest 1960-era lumber factory in East Asia, and the first Taiwan logging center where mechanical felling was utilized. It was transformed into the Dongshih Forestry Culture Park. In keeping with the global eco-protection movement, this place has been crafted into a unique woodcarving eco-aesthetics park as well.

▲ Dongshi District
Dongshi District is the largest Hakka settlement in the central region. The majority of its residents are from the Hakka ethnic group, and Hakka life customs have been comprehensively preserved in this small town of simple, unsophisticated style.