Discover Taiwan’s Hidden Maple Wonderland – The Limited-Time Beauty of Red Leaves at “Daxueshan”

By MOOK Travel Life Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

 

Daxueshan Forest Recreation Area, located in Heping District, Taichung City, at an altitude between 2,000 and 2,996 meters, got its name “Daxueshan” (Great Snow Mountain) Forest Recreation Area because a patch of grassland here resembles the Daisetsuzan mountain range in Hokkaido, Japan. The area boasts abundant forest resources, and as the altitude increases from low to high, it showcases four types of forest zones—subtropical, warm temperate, temperate, and cold temperate—making it a prime example of Taiwan’s natural forests. In summer, it serves as a great escape from the heat, while autumn and winter offer opportunities to admire cherry blossoms and maple leaves, making for a refreshing forest adventure.

At Daxueshan, you can listen to the wind, watch the clouds, enjoy the scenery, take a forest bath, hear the chirping of insects and birds, admire cherry blossoms and maple leaves, explore the forest, discover the Snow Mountain Sacred Tree, Heavenly Lake, Little Snow Mountain Maze, climb to the observation deck for panoramic views, observe nocturnal wildlife, and if you’re lucky, even spot a Formosan serow wandering right by.

 

Additionally, the Xiaoxue Trail section, situated at an altitude of about 2,200 to 2,600 meters, features two distinctive forest types: Taiwan hemlock forests and warm temperate broadleaf forests. The upper part of the trail is home to Taiwan hemlock 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 that resemble a grassland at first glance. Scattered among this forest are a few Taiwan cypress trees and deadwood, hinting at past forest fires that once swept through the area. Amid the misty surroundings, the towering Taiwan hemlocks stand like an ink-wash landscape painting come to life. The area from Boat-Shaped Mountain Work Station to the nursery is the best spot to enjoy the sunset at Daxueshan. The spectacular hues of the evening sky blend with the mountain mist, creating a poetic and breathtaking scene that soothes the soul.

 

Moreover, 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 deeper 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 fantails that often hop around your feet. Also, it’s recommended to visit the observation deck in the morning, as the area often becomes enveloped in foggy landscapes in the afternoon. When this happens, the golden pheasants might even make a surprise appearance nearby.