aeeble

Wuling National Forest Recreation Area is located at the border of Taichung City's Heping District and Yilan County's Datong Township, with an elevation of 1,800 to 3,884 meters and an area of 3,760 hectares. It is part of the Snow Mountain mountain range and is situated in the densely forested area north of Wuling Farm. The park's vast terrain, significant elevation differences, and unique landforms such as cliffs, steep slopes, and cirques are home to abundant natural resources, including pristine forests, diverse wildlife habitats, and distinct seasonal landscapes that attract visitors year-round to experience the charm of nature. Surrounded by mountains, Wuling's forests are mostly located on sunny slopes, creating a dry forest environment dominated by Chinese Black Pine, a species adapted to arid conditions. The well-preserved ecological environment supports a variety of mammals such as Sika Deer, Serow, and Formosan Black Bear. In the high-elevation forests, where human activity is scarce, traces of these animals are often seen. Walking through the forest, one can hear the calls of birds like the White-throated Laughingthrush and the Formosan Whistling Thrush, and spot the dance of the Golden Swallowtail butterfly, creating a breathtaking experience. The Jiaxi Creek, a tributary of the Dajia River, is home to the Cherry Salmon, a valuable species that, due to geological changes, has become a land-locked fish and is considered a living fossil from the Ice Age. The Wuling Suspension Bridge, spanning Jiaxi Creek, is 15 meters long and has a weight limit of 2 tons. Visitors can use binoculars from the bridge to spot the Cherry Salmon. Continuing onward leads to the Taoshan Trail, a 4.5-kilometer concrete path that ascends 450 meters in a zigzag pattern along the mountain slope. The trail is surrounded by lush artificial forests, and near a waterfall, there is an observation deck. On the cliff face, one can see the Chinese characters "烟聲" (smoke sound) inscribed by Zhao Hengdi, a former national policy advisor. The trail ends at Taoshan Waterfall, also known as the "Smoke Sound Waterfall," with a drop of about 50 meters. This section is a famous birdwatching route, with a serene environment, lush greenery, and the sounds of wild birds flying and calling. The area offers four-season high-mountain scenery, making it an excellent spot for hiking, cherry blossom snow viewing, and waterfall and birdwatching tours. During the summer, with its abundant water flow, the waterfall cascades like white silk, creating a majestic roar that echoes through the valleys, leaving visitors in awe. The misty atmosphere and water temperature consistently below 13°C provide a refreshing respite from Taiwan's sweltering heat, invigorating both body and mind.