Autumn Adventure in Snow Mountain National Park: Maple Viewing in Wuling & Forest Trip to Xuejian Tribe

By the editorial team of MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network

To promote ecological conservation efforts in national parks and deepen public understanding of its importance, Snow Mountain National Park has specially organized the “Xuejian Erben Song & Maruta Battery & Xiangbi Tribe Tour – May All Your Persimmons Be Sweet” and “Wuling: A Date with the Formosan Landlocked Salmon – Maple Viewing Eco Tour along Qijiawan Stream” activities, aiming to help the public gain a deeper appreciation of the importance of ecological conservation.

●“Xuejian Erben Song / Maruta Battery / Xiangbi Tribe Tour –May All Your Persimmons Be Sweet”
In November and October, the sweet persimmon season in Xuejian is about to begin. During this autumnal period, the mountain climate is stable and cool, making it an ideal time for highland travel. The Snow Mountain National Park Administration has launched the “Xuejian Erben Song? Maruta Battery? Xiangbi Tribe Tour” – a ‘May All Your Persimmons Be Sweet’ eco-tourism event, inviting the public to enjoy the beautiful mid-altitude mountain scenery. Visitors are also encouraged to explore the tribe, learn about the traditional culture and craftsmanship of the Atayal people in Xuejian, taste local specialty dishes, and sample locally grown sweet persimmons.

Xuejian Recreation Area is one of the three recreation areas in Snow Mountain National Park, located in Tai’an Township, Miaoli County. The park is surrounded by forests and boasts abundant flora and fauna resources.; the Simaling Forest Road offers limitless scenic beauty, with viewing platforms along the way where visitors can rest and admire the views. You can also visit the ruins of the Maruta Battery in Erben Song. The Erben Song Interpretation Station is the former site of the “Erben Song Police Substation,” which has been repurposed as a hub to learn about the cultural customs of the Atayal people in the southern three villages and the history of the Japanese colonial period. The tribe preserves ancient trails dating back to the Japanese occupation, as well as the Xiangbi Tribe, where visitors can hike and enjoy the scenery. The Snow Mountain Administration has set up the “Maruta Battery Cultural and Historical Memorial Hall” in Erben Song, displaying historical materials about the battery, the barrier guard line system during the Japanese occupation, and Atayal cultural artifacts. You can also visit indigenous tribes to learn about the traditional cultural characteristics of the Atayal and Saisiyat peoples.

●“Wuling: A Date with the Formosan Landlocked Salmon – Maple Viewing Eco Tour along Qijiawan Stream”
The Wuling maple viewing tour is coming up in November. Come to Wuling to see the layers of crimson leaves dotting the mountain ridges and observe the ecology of the Formosan landlocked salmon. The “Wuling: A Date with the Formosan Landlocked Salmon – Maple Viewing Eco Tour along Qijiawan Stream” activity takes place as the forested area of [Wuling] transforms from its usual lush green into a palette of golds and crimsons as various red-leaf plants change with the seasons in autumn. Autumn is also the breeding season for the Formosan landlocked salmon, which move from deep pools to shallower waters to pair and spawn. From the Wuling Suspension Bridge or the Fish Viewing Platform, you’ll have a great vantage point to observe the ecology of this national treasure fish. The itinerary includes taking you through Wuling for a forest bath, visiting the national treasure fish – the Formosan landlocked salmon, enjoying the maple scenery along Qijiawan Stream with guided interpretation about the habitat of the Formosan landlocked salmon, visiting the Formosan Landlocked Salmon Exhibition Hall, attending a music concert, and stargazing activities.