A great spot to view fireflies and sea of clouds — a new attraction on the bamboo forest hiking trail

By MOOK Travel Editor

New leisure trails have been added along Highway 18 to Alishan. Following the completion and opening of barrier-free facilities at Yuantan Nature Ecology Park, the Alishan Forest Recreation Area Administration completed in 2018 another recreational facility located in Gongxing Village, Fanlu Township, at the 49.5 km mark on Highway 18, connecting to Jiayi County Road 131 after 200 meters. The site offers visitors a brand-new hiking trail, opportunities to admire landscapes and sea of clouds, as well as ecological observation activities, and is expected to attract more tourists to the Gongxing and Longmei area.

The new recreational site features comprehensive service facilities, including a parking lot and activity square near the entrance for visitors’ convenience. The area has a hilly terrain with rich biodiversity, making it suitable for hiking and ecological observation. Two trails with distinct experiences have been established: a firefly-watching trail and a hiking trail, each offering unique features.

The firefly-watching trail has a gentle slope and winds through a bamboo and forest area. During the plum rain season, visitors can spot fireflies twinkling among the bamboos at night. A small frog pond has also been set up around the forest plaza along the trail.

The hiking trail, with a steeper slope, includes wooden boardwalks, timber-style paths, and connections to existing farm roads, leading hikers to the highest viewpoint. Rest shelters have been placed at appropriate spots along the route for short breaks. From the summit, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view. Two observation pavilions not only offer distant views of the Yushan mountain range but also serve as excellent spots to watch the sea of clouds.

On clear days, visitors can even see the Zengwen Reservoir to the south. With the future completion of the Gongxing Longmei Ecological Park, this area will become a new recreational destination along Highway 18 to Alishan.