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■ The Fuba Ridge Hike Road is temporarily closed. >> Details in the link (https://recreation.forest.gov.tw/forest/RA?typ_id=0200005) Time, as the saying goes, is a sculptor's knife. Standing among the ancient trees of Lalashan National Forest Recreation Area and gazing upward at the millennia-old epic landscape, the exquisite craftsmanship of this metaphorical blade undoubtedly delivers an awe-inspiring experience. Located at the border of Taoyuan Fuxing District and New Taipei Wulai District, Lalashan's ancient tree zone ranges in elevation from 1500 to 2130 meters, housing 24 giant trees with ages between 500 and 1495 years. It is another renowned ancient tree preservation area in Taiwan that matches the fame of Ali Mountain. Travelers following the circular trail in the area can closely view all the giant trees in one go. With the exception of Tree No. 9 being a Taiwan flat cedar, the rest are Taiwan red cypresses. Walking approximately 700 meters from the Lalashan Visitor Center Parking Lot along a gravel road, travelers will encounter Tree No. 1. This 1400-year-old giant tree stands about 41 meters tall with a girth of 9.8 meters, requiring five adults to encircle it. Its imposing form vividly displays the markings of time's flowing. After the initial sight of this primitive forest's welcoming gift, the journey promises even more surprises. Proceeding further, travelers pass Tree No. 2 and Tree No. 3 in succession. The roots of these trees, emerging vigorously on the steep slopes, reveal a wild beauty of strength. A resting platform is found near Tree No. 4, where the sound of murmuring streams by a cedar bridge and birdsong soothe fatigue. After resting, turning right up the stairs allows sequential visits to each numbered tree; turning left leads gradually toward Tree No. 22. Continuing rightward to the end, travelers reach Tree No. 5, the oldest at 1495 years old with a naturally formed tree hollow at its base. Standing before this centuries-old tree, humans feel remarkably small, and a sense of reverence inevitably arises. The shaded canopy gently filters sunlight here, making the area refreshingly cool despite its location in the mountains. Continuing forward reaches Tree No. 9, a rare "Mother and Child" shaped Taiwan flat cedar. The original tree, the "mother tree," is now dead; the "child tree" continues to grow on this primeval land, representing a generational succession now bearing a 440-year history. From this point onward, the trail begins to descend. Near the Dakuan Pavilion, Tree No. 18 is a merged pair of thousand-year-old sacred trees, reaching a girth of 20.8 meters as the largest giant tree in the area. In addition to the rich forest biodiversity, the Lalashan Nature Reserve boasts 60 kinds of local bird species and unique animals such as Formosan serow, mountain goat, and Swinhoe’s frog. While hiking, spot these unique species—adding fun to your journey.