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Dagan Mountain spans across Gangshan, Yanchao, A-lien, and Tiaoliao Districts, covering an extensive area with an elevation of up to 312 meters. Its commanding topographical advantage once made it a secluded military stronghold requiring special permission for entry. Today, the Dagan Mountain Scenic Area is renowned for ancient temples and pagodas, popular hiking trails, and enigmatic limestone landforms worth exploring. The area is densely forested, featuring pristine ecosystems and geological formations of coral reef limestone, with distinctive step-like fault structures creating diverse, enchanting natural scenery. Since the Qing Dynasty, it has been celebrated as one of the "Eight Scenic Views of Fengshan," known as "Dagan Mountain's Verdant Canopy." The park is broadly divided into three regions: front mountain's Ruishi Park, religious zone, and natural ecology area, interconnected by various trails for visitors to enjoy walks and rest. The front mountain section brims with historic temples and pagodas, attracting countless devotees. The rear mountain area boasts rare limestone wonders such as Panlong Canyon Sky-Opening, and other surreal landscapes like the Breast-Shaped Stalactites and Sky-Opening, drawing many who marvel at nature's artistry. Ruishi Park, located at the entrance near A-lien, features large children's play areas and green lawns for family leisure. A prominent four-generation ancient banyan tree with a treehouse growing beside it is the park's most captivating sight. The park's central square accommodates major events, especially the annual "Dagan Mountain Longan Honey Cultural Festival," a favorite among locals. The religious district, dotted with serene temples due to the mountain's ethereal atmosphere, is known as the "Taiwanese Buddhist Mountain." The over-200-year-old Chao-Feng Temple is particularly famous for being one of the "Eight Scenic Views of Kaohsiung"—the "Chao-Feng Evening Bell." Visiting quiet temples or historical pagodas amidst the solemn echoes of temple bells and gongs offers a spiritually cleansing journey. **Heavenly Spirit Cave (Tianlingdong)** This naturally formed limestone cave, shaped like a gourd, features two entrances. Originally called "Yan General Cave" after General Yan, whose hiding here is part of local folklore, it was later renamed "Heavenly Spirit Cave" in 1987 when it became the foundation site of the Taipei Songshan Lingtiang Palace. The cave, narrow enough for one person to pass, gradually widens, leading to another realm at the other end. A pavilion stands at the exit, offering a vantage point to overlook the Gangshan area. **Dagan Mountain Triangulation Point** Known also as the "Triangle Park," Dagan Mountain reaches an altitude of 312 meters, marking it as number 74 on Taiwan's List of Minor Hundred Peaks and among the Top 10 Famous Mountains of the former Kaohsiung County. Located on the watershed between the Erren Creek and Gongdian Creek, the first-order triangulation point 499 is situated inside a military base, inaccessible to civilians. Instead, the "Provincial Government Survey Supplementary Point" at "Gangshan Training Hill" serves as the official triangulation point. Beside this benchmark is a cement column. **Dagan Mountain Natural Ecology Area** Spanning 8 hectares, the ecology park features winding shaded trails, attractive pavilions, and platforms for rest and scenic viewing. Alongside the trails, stately bamboo groves, acacia forests, and golden rain trees bloom seasonally, while the ecological ponds filled with lotus blossoms serve as ideal spots for birdwatching and aquatic research. The entire natural ecology area, with its abundant biodiversity and cultural landscapes, presents an idyllic, painted paradise. A breathtaking view of scattered lights resembling stars under the night sky adds another dimension of beauty. **Breast-Shaped Stalactites & Sky-Opening** Located in the rear mountain section accessible from Tiaoliao's Chao-Yuan Temple, the area is less crowded and retains an untouched natural charm. The limestone terrain of Dagan Mountain features numerous caves and gullies along the trails, enhancing the forest with mysterious allure. Erosion over millennia has sculpted the rocky walls into dynamic textures resembling cascading waterfalls. Behind the Biwater Cave, mineral-laden limestone deposits form stalactites that drip continuously, a phenomenon locally known as the Breast-Shaped Stalactites. Walking along the trail beside these formations leads to a dramatic 2- to 3-meter high canyon, evoking a grand, mythic sense of creation. Legend says the area spontaneously emitted a deep sound during the Ming Dynasty, causing the ridge to crack from south to north, forming a 100-meter-long valley. Gazing upward from within reveals the sky as a sliver, hence named "Sky-Opening." Situated within a limestone geological fracture zone, the valley's erosion features create fluid-looking rock formations—perfect for observing nature's geological mastery at close quarters. **Panlong Canyon Sky-Opening** This 285-meter-long Sky-Opening, found in the rear mountain's Panlong Canyon, remains undocumented in depth. Discovered recently by a local association during mountain exploration, it’s a special canyon sculpted by limestone geology and geological forces. While walking through the narrow, towering walls, people feel infinitesimally small amid the imposing cliffs. Its name originates from fig wood (Ficus) growing profusely on the rock, resembling the dragon's coiled pattern. Though sunlight is filtered by thick foliage overhead, the vibrant greenery infuses life into the otherwise dim setting. This hidden location is difficult to find. Starting from the "Heartful Pavilion" (Xinliangting) at the ecology park, visitors follow a temporary marked trail for about 30 minutes, though the route is not officially maintained for hiking. Daring adventurers should proceed cautiously and prefer going with those familiar with the mountainous terrain. ※ **Warning:** Insects are particularly numerous in this area. Visitors should take necessary precautions against mosquitoes.