Chihu Forest Recreation Area

Chihu Forest Recreation Area

Chihu Forest Recreation Area is a forested leisure destination located in Wenlan Village, Xiulin Township, Hualien County, Taiwan. It gets its name from its position south of Liyu Lake in Shoufeng Township. In the early days, this area served as a logging and timber collection site for the Chihu Papaya Forest Management Zone, but it was transformed into a forest recreation area following the logging ban policy of the 1980s. The recreation area features elevated terrain, and visitors standing near the “Forestry Memorial Monument” can enjoy panoramic views of the scenic beauty of Liyu Lake and Liyu Mountain.

The Chihu Forest Recreation Area houses a Forestry Exhibition Hall and a Logging Equipment Display Hall. Outdoors, large-scale machinery and equipment used during the early timber production era are preserved, including steam locomotives, steam skidders, cableway braking systems, and electric hoists. These not only offer visitors a highly educational recreational experience, but also provide deep insight into the hardships of early logging work. Additionally, as the logging ban has been in place for over 20 years, the forest has gradually returned to its former state, with natural ecology being restored. Visitors can enjoy the fresh air in this well-preserved natural classroom.

Chinan National Forest Recreation Area

Must-visit reason: One of Hualien’s most famous outdoor tourist destinations