Taiwan’s hidden maple viewing gem “Daxueshan” unveils its stunning autumn foliage for a limited time

By MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

 

Daxueshan Forest Recreation Area, located in Heping District, Taichung City, sits at an altitude between 2,000 and 2,996 meters. It earned the name “Daxueshan” (Great Snow Mountain) Forest Recreation Area because a stretch of grassland there resembles the Great Snow Mountain in Hokkaido, Japan. The area boasts abundant forest resources, with vegetation types changing from subtropical, warm temperate, temperate to cold temperate zones as altitude increases, making it a prime example of Taiwan’s pristine forests. In summer, it serves as a cool retreat, while autumn and winter bring opportunities to admire cherry blossoms and maple leaves, offering a refreshing forest escape.

At Daxueshan, you can listen to the wind, watch the clouds, enjoy the scenery, take a forest bath, hear birds chirping and insects buzzing, admire cherry blossoms and maple leaves, explore the Daxueshan Forest Recreation Area, discover the Snow Mountain Sacred Tree, Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), the Little Snow Mountain Maze, and take in panoramic views from the observation deck. At night, observe the local ecology, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a Formosan serow wandering by.

 

Additionally, the Xiaoxue Trail section, situated at an altitude of about 2,200 to 2,600 meters, features two types of forest landscapes: Tsuga forests and warm temperate broadleaf forests. The upper part of the trail is home to Tsuga forests, which are found only in central and southwestern China and Taiwan. The forest floor is dominated by Yushan bamboo, which has well-developed rhizomes and grows in dense patches, giving the appearance of a grassland at first glance. Scattered among the forest are a few Taiwan cypresses and dead trees, hinting at past forest fires. Amid the misty surroundings, the towering Tsuga trees create the scene of an ink-wash landscape painting right before your eyes. The area from Boat-shaped Mountain Work Station to the nursery is the best spot to enjoy the sunset at Daxueshan. The magnificent hues of the setting sun blend with the misty mountain scenery, creating a poetic and breathtaking view that soothes the soul.

 

Furthermore, the thousand-year-old Taiwan red cypress sacred tree marks a significant presence in the environment. With an estimated age of 1,400 years, it stands about 50 meters tall, with a diameter of 4 meters and a circumference of 13 meters. It was once ranked as the 11th largest giant tree in Taiwan. The existence of this ancient sacred tree further highlights the nobility of this forest. One can imagine that during the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese referred to these giant trees as “sacred trees” not only to praise their towering magnificence but also out of greater reverence for their resilient vitality.

 

While admiring the distant mountains and enjoying a forest bath, don’t forget to take a close look at the yellow-bellied warblers that often hop around at your feet. Also, it’s recommended to visit the observation deck in the morning, as the area becomes shrouded in foggy clouds in the afternoon, transforming into a misty world. At that time, the golden-winged laughingthrush may often appear nearby.