East
Siangyang
Introduction
Situated on the periphery along 147 to 158 kilometers of the Southern Cross-Island
Highway, Siangyang National Forest Recreation Area ranges from about 2300 to 2700 meters
above sea level and spans 362 hectares. It is the upper reach of the mountainous recreation
area of Xiwulu Creek. Beautiful scenery,and the cool-temperate climate with a mean annual
temperature of about 11.4 oC, make Siangyang the best summer vacation destination and is
the ideal choice for hiking in southern Taiwan.
The peak of Southern Cross-Island Highway, Daguanshan Tunnel, is the best place to
watch the sea of clouds, cloudy waterfalls, and mountain mist. From here to Siangyang, there
are beautiful mountains with mostly Taiwanese Red Pine and Taiwanese Hemlock growing
on the cliffs and steep slopes. Here, visitors can also sight the endless Central Mountain range
including, Daguan Mountain, Eagle Mouth Mountain, Tower Mountain, and Guanshanlin.
The Marvelous cliff on the east side of Eagle Mountain, the magnificent Daguan Mountain,
and dangerous ravine of Siangyan Mountain make up the most beautiful section along the
Southern Cross-Island Highway. Due to the high mountain snows in this area, Central
Mountain range is very picturesque.
Ecological Description
There are 278 varieties of vascular plants in 81 families in Siangyan, including the
Red Cypress, Taiwanese Red Pine, Alishan Oak ,Taiwanese Red Maples, Kawakami Maples,
Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium formosanum), and the Tumor-footed Fern. The forest of pine,
red cypress, and mixed coniferous broadleaf trees is gorgeous. The wood-paved cypress trail
is 680 meters and visitors can observe more than 30 Red Cypress and interesting species
under the trees such as the Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium formosanum), and Wild Cotton. The
Songtao, Songyan, Siangyan, and Songjin trails are 5830 meters long in total, and are lined
by Taiwanese Red Pine. It is very enjoyable to walk along the trails with pines scattered
throughout the trails and to be able to lightly touch them. Following the Songtao Trail, is the
approximately 12-kilometer Siangyangshan- Shanchashan- Jiaming Lake National Trail,
where visitors can fully experience the changes in the forest at high-altitude, such as Pine,
Hemlock, Fir forest, Flaky Juniper, Yushan Bamboo and alpine flowers along the way. Due to
the presence of the short Yushan Bamboo around Sancha Mountain and Jiaming Lake, the
view is vast and boundless with seemingly endless Central Mountain range peaks to the
distance. The charm of the blossoming mountains from April to September and the poeticism
of Jiaming Lake are truly alluring.
There are 27 species of mammals, including the Formosan Yellow-throated Marten
and Sambar. Sambar is most likely to spotted in the area from Siangyang to Jiaming Lake.
There are 39 varieties of birds, of which the most common are the Formosan Laughing
Thrush, Formosan Bowing, Taiwanese Firecrest , Coal Tit, Alishan Robin, and Nutcracker.
Lucky tourists may also see the rare birds, Mikado’s Pheasant, and Swinhoe's Pheasant.
Transportation
By Bus
From Taitung City, take the Lidao-bound Dingdong Bus or the Tianchih-bound Kuo-Kuang
Bus to the Siangyang stop and walk the rest of the way.
By Car
Route 1 :
Route 2:
Chulai (Taitung) → Provincial Hwy. 20 (Southern Cross-Island Highway ) →
Siangyang
National Hwy. 3 Guantian System → Expressway 84 → Yujing Jiasian
Provincial Hwy. 20 (Southern Cross-Island Highway) → Siangyang
Landscape
Kuaimu (Chinese Cypress) Forest Road
The 680-meter Kuaimu Forest Road is short, but steep and is recommended for those
in fairly good shape. It can be completed in about 60 minutes at a leisurely pace. The
beginning of the trail is marked by a towering thousand-year-old Red Cypress, and 15 other
century-old Red Cypress and an aged Taiwanese Red Pine await further along the trail. Since
this area is often enshrouded in mist and clouds, the moisture nurtures a large variety of ferns.
At the trail’s end is a viewing platform and a host of Oreorchis ohwii orchids.
Sea of Clouds
Rising 2,312 meters, Siangyang soars to the clouds, making it a popular destination
for viewing the sea-like cloud formations that swell and surge over the mountain ranges.
The mountain peaks jut through like small black islands into an expanse of white. The area
facing the Siangyang Cliff is the best location from which to experience this famous sight.