The attention to detail in explaining the plants in the medicinal garden serves as a metaphor for the park itself. It is clear that the park authorities are eager for visitors to get an education as well as enjoy themselves.
There are three different directions visitors can go, all of which lead back to the same starting point, the visitor center. The guides working at the park recommend starting the hike along the 1.8km Forest Trail, located directly behind the center. With gentle slopes and lush woods, it is an ideal way to begin an exploration of the mountain. The guides also recommend that bird lovers bring their binoculars or telescopes as this trail is ideal for bird watching. The path only goes halfway up the mountain but intersects with another more physically challenging trail.
This is the Brave Man's Slope Trail, a 320m long wooden staircase that shoots up vertically and is a great way to test endurance. Close to the summit is a 100-year-old banyan tree and rest area surrounding it provides incredible views of the mountains and hot spring resorts below. This trail leads to the 500m summit where there is a pavilion and rest area.
The Banyan Shaded Trail is 2.1km long and is the best way to travel down the mountain. With few artificial facilities, the trail winds through natural forest where camphor, bamboo and white banyan trees grow side by side. In the early morning, Taiwan macaques can be seen jumping through the beards of the banyan trees or frolicking on the forest floor.
The trail breaks off at the bottom with one path leading to a pristine waterfall that can only be seen and not accessed. For those who want to get their feet wet, a section of the Scenic Trail wanders through a garden along the banks of the Chihpen River, where there is a massage footway and places where visitors can dip their feet in the cool water.
Rooms at the Royal Hotel Chihpen start at NT$6,800 and include parking. The hotel has a limousine service from the airport that can be booked with the room. Call (02) 2523-8877 in Taipei or the hotel directly at (089) 510666. For further details about the hotel check out www.hotel-royal-chihpen.com.tw. There are also two restaurants and a cafe on the premises. Entrance to the park is NT$100 and there are concessions for children, the elderly and groups. Guides are offered free on a first come, first serve basis and can be reserved by calling the recreation section at (08) 934-5493. Check out http://taitung.forest.gov.tw for more information.
RSS