Nantou’s Wangyou Forest [忘憂森林] lies a stone’s throw from the popular Sitou Forest Recreational Area [溪頭自然教育園區]. To get there, simply follow Route 151 to Lugu→Sitou, keep a look out for the 12 animal zodiac signs, once you’ve past the pig zodiac it’s not too far till you get to a steep and narrow road leading up to a parking lot and the restaurant Wangyou Forest Cafe. You can park on the main road and walk up, which probably takes about 40 minutes, or you can call the restaurant and the owner will pick you up [tel:0916990520].
Most of the dishes at the restaurant cost between $300-$350NT, which is expected given its location. No one in our group seemed really wowed by the food, but the air and the view [first picture in the post] are great.
I left my wife and her friends behind for a moment to take a walk around one of the area’s tea farms, the picture above are baskets used to collect tea leaves. At times mists would come and go hindering visibility:
The Wangyou Forest is only about a 5-10 minute walk from the restaurant. Despite the short walk it’s still really important to dress appropriately because most of the way is a dirt trail covered with roots, mosses, and the occasional fallen tree or large rock that needs to be manuevered over.
The area is a large pine forest, but one section has gone through a transformation.
The 921 Earthquake caused a small section of the forest to become a marshland. The pine trees that were living in this section died because they could not survive with their roots soaked so long underwater. The result, is breathtaking:
I found a stunning aerial photo by Chi Po-lin [齊柏林] available on his blog.
After sometime in the forest we made our way back to the car along the narrow road:
We saw plenty of these on our trip, they are for moving goods and people to and from the farms. I was tempted to ask for a ride on one but chickened out at the last minute:
That really was breathtaking! I wish I was actually there. Something to think about the next time I have money and can plan a trip to Taiwan. Those pine trees are very breathtaking…. remind me of a scene in Mononoke-hime.
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Spamwarrior – I don’t even think my pictures do this place justice, it was so peaceful. We only saw half a dozen people walk through while we were there. The trail continues to a waterfall, but we arrived too late to walk that far. I could have easily spent all day there.
I have a few more pics of the trip here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toddalperovitz/sets/72157618261566914/
Todd, that looks like a relaxing place. i’ve ridden one of those cog trains and they are a hoot! next time you should do it! great photos, as usual!
Wow – some amazing pictures here. I am sure you had a wonderful day. And it looks like the weather was very nice.
MJ – Thanks, I really wish I had ridden it. One of my flickr contacts said the area is really beautiful in the winter.
Nathan – It’s a great place to visit, I couldn’t have asked for a better day.
Excellent photographs Todd. Looks like a great place to visit.
Thanks Craig! I’m sure you’d have a lovely time photographing the area if and when you decide to visit.
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Another breathtaking place indeed! 🙂 Nice shots! 🙂
Thanks Jepiner! Hoping to head back up there one of these days.