New way to explore Shei-Pa National Park—come see the salamander!

Written/Compiled & Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network

Taiwan’s first salamander ecology center in Shei-Pa National Park officially opened on April 21, becoming a new attraction for travelers. Here, visitors can catch a glimpse of the ancient salamander, a survivor from the Ice Age, and learn about its habitat and conservation efforts. In response, the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters and the Chinese Green Lifestyle Leisure Development Association jointly organized the “Guanyin~Cool with Fish Cypress, Eco Adventure Tour,” which is divided into 4 sessions with a limit of 20 participants per session. Registration is now open. The tour will include visits to the salamander ecology center, forest trails, and the former residence of Zhang Xueliang. Visitors can stroll through the cool, refreshing mountain forests in the summer heat while experiencing the beauty of nature and culture.

The eco-tour sessions are scheduled for June 2–3 (Sat–Sun), June 21–22 (Thu–Fri), July 7–8 (Sat–Sun), and August 18–19 (Sat–Sun). Each session has a limit of 20 people, with a starting price of NT$4,100 per person. The June 2 session is already fully booked. The tour includes visiting the Guanwu Salamander Ecology Center, walking along the Cloudy Forest Trail, enjoying a phytoncide journey on the Hinoki Giant Tree Forest Bathing Trail, exploring the Qingquan Tribe to learn about Zhang Xueliang, and viewing the former residence of Sanmao. Participants will also visit a stained glass art church.

Salamanders are nocturnal amphibians found in mountainous areas above 1,300 meters in central and northern Taiwan. Along with the national treasure fish, the Formosan landlocked salmon, they are Ice Age relict species. In 2008, they were listed as endangered protected species by the Council of Agriculture. At the Salamander Ecology Center, visitors can learn about the salamander’s life cycle and its interaction with the environment through photos and videos. The ecological displays of the Guanwu salamander connect to broader issues such as global warming, habitat destruction, and ultimately, global environmental changes that affect human survival.

The “Guanwu” recreational area of Shei-Pa National Park sits at an altitude of about 2,000 meters, named for the constant cloud cover. The park enjoys cool weather, with majestic mountain views, beautiful waterfalls, rich flora and fauna, and three forest trails ideal for forest bathing. The most famous is the Hinoki Giant Tree Trail. For registration, call 02-2500-7227.

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