Daxueshan is located in the most remote area of Taichung City, at Heping District. It takes about two hours' drive from downtown. You will be able to drive up the mountains (2,600m altitude), and chance upon plum blossoms, maples, sakura, and cypress of various shades. National parks in Taiwan are free to entry, but recreation areas do require entrance fee, and visitors have to pay TWD200 to get into Daxueshan. You could take a break from driving and enjoy sound of nature. Not just that, camping is also allowed.
From 1,000 to 3,000 altitude, you can expect a change in temperature as you go higher up into the mountains. In summer, from warm to cool, and cool to cold during winter. Be surrounded by clouds along the forest drive and indulging views of bright blue sky at each interval. By 2,000m, you will find yourself above the sea of clouds.
As Daxueshan is not as popular as Alishan, lesser tourists are expected and that there is only one restaurant and a coffee shop in the tourist center. Don’t forget to prepare some snacks and dine in nature.
49K Tianchi, Xushan Giant Tree, and 48K Viewing Deck are the highlights of the forest recreation area. 49K Tianchi is easily accessible by car and a short distance walk of 100 meters. If it’s your lucky day, you could catch the white-whiskered laughingthrush that only appears in high mountains. To visit the 1,400 years old Xunshan Giant Tree which stands at a height of 49 meters, take the trail next to Tianchi Parking lot. Round-trip walk takes about 90 minutes.
Last but not least, walk 15 minutes after you have parked your car for the most fascinating spot: the 48K Viewing Deck for a 270 degrees spectacular view overlooking Hehuan North Peak, Chunyang Chienshan, and Taiwan’s highest mountain, Yushan. On good weather, one can’t miss out the sea of clouds. The entire area looks as though it is filled with cotton candies, and a floating island. During sunset, photographers will camp around the area and capture the beauty. Although the view area is fairly large, it is advisable to arrive earlier if you would like photos of the sunset. Several trees positioned west has blocked the best view, hence the best position is to occupy a space between two tripods’ distance among the pool of tripods from the professional photographers.
