The Zigui Forest Recreation Area has reopened for trial operations

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team (compiled and reported)

The Zigui Forest Recreation Area is located in Baoshan Village, Taoyuan District, Kaohsiung City. It was damaged by Typhoon Morakot in 2009, which caused internal damage to the park. It has been closed to visitors for seven years, and the Pingtung Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau plans to begin trial operations at the end of 2016.

During the Japanese colonial period, the Zigui National Forest Recreation Area was a practice forest for Kyoto University. It was later taken over by the Forestry Bureau as state-owned forest land and used for artificial afforestation. The main tree species planted included Japanese cedar, spruce, Taiwan fir, and Taiwan red cypress. After decades of growth, the lush and dense forests resemble sea waves when gently breezed, earning it the nickname “Forest Waves.”

This recreation area sits at an elevation between 1,550 meters and 1,804 meters above sea level, with an average annual temperature of about 18 to 21 degrees Celsius. The temperature difference between day and night is small, making for a cool and pleasant climate that serves as a summer retreat in southern Taiwan. The area features a beautiful mix of coniferous plantations and native broadleaf forests, offering tranquil and scenic surroundings. Hiking up to the 1,804-meter-high W??ǎ? slightly shorter ranch, Dajian, Xiaodajian, and other major high-mountain attractions, you can observe a rich variety of wildlife. It’s one of the best spots for experiencing nature, photography, and birdwatching, and is also known as the “Little Switzerland of Taiwan.”

【Info】

Zigui National Forest Recreation Area

Location: Beside Provincial Highway 27, 9km mark; 20km mark on Nenglin Forest Road

Address: No. 78, Section Zigui, Baoshan Village, Taoyuan District, Kaohsiung City