Blending forest ambiance with the reuse of old buildings – Alishan Ecological Education Hall opens

▲ “Alishan Ecological Education Hall” inauguration. (Photo / Provided by Forestry Bureau)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The “Alishan Ecological Education Hall” in Alishan National Forest Recreation Area held its opening event on the 27th in a way that integrates nature and low-carbon practices, officially opening to visitors. The area around Zhapingshan Park in Alishan has gained a new recreational attraction and a venue for nature conservation and environmental education, following the “Cherry Blossom Path” and the “Poetry Trail.”

The entrance design of the “Alishan Ecological Education Hall” draws inspiration from the undulating Taroko Mountain Range, incorporating the symbol of the Lady’s Slipper Orchid. Through the interplay of stone materials, it creates an image of continuous mountain ranges. The entrance design for the Zhushan Sunrise Trail takes the imagery of the rising sun as its main theme and provides a QR code-based guided tour service.

The entrance of the ecological education hall specially features the development trajectory of Alishan and terracotta panels to present major events in Alishan from 1896 to the present, as well as 27 early researchers in Alishan, including Kuo Fu-lo, Torii Ryūzō, Mori Ushinosuke, and Kano Tadao. In particular, considering the needs of people with disabilities, the facility includes accessible parking spaces, pathways, toilets, service desks, indoor lift chairs, outdoor lifting platforms, and emergency call bells — a complete set of accessible facilities. As a result, it has received dual recognition: the Ministry of the Interior’s “2014 Friendly Architecture – Friendly Recreational Site” award and the Council of Agriculture’s “2014 Excellent Agricultural Construction Project – Excellence Award.”

▲ Viewing specimens such as the Formosan black bear at the “Alishan Ecological Education Hall.” (Photo / Provided by Forestry Bureau)

Liao Yiguang, Director of the Chiayi Forest District Office under the Forestry Bureau, stated that since 2012, Alishan Forest Recreation Area has welcomed over 2 million visitors annually, and this year has set a new record by surpassing 2.72 million visitors. The planning and design of the Alishan Ecological Education Hall integrate concepts such as forest ambiance, the reuse of old buildings, human history, environmental friendliness, and ecological education. It showcases Alishan’s human history, plants and animals named after Alishan, and introduces the Alishan Protected Area, creating a brand-new recreational attraction while promoting the Forestry Bureau’s achievements in ecological conservation. It has become a base for nature conservation and an environmental education site in the Alishan region.