Giant Trees Trail The towering giant trees (神木) is one of the most representative symbols in Alishan
Giant Trees Trail The towering giant trees (神木) is one of the most representative symbols in Alishan. Abundant rainfall and perennial mist enveloping the mountains have made Alishan the homeland of red cypress trees. During different weathers and seasons, visitors may have different experience. On a sunny day, sun rays stream through the leaves of trees. As thick fog covering the forest, the trail looks mysterious. There are two “Giant Trees Boardwalks” through the giant forest, one begins from the front of the Thousand-Year-Old Cypress and the other one is from Xianglin Giant Tree (香林神木), or also called Giant Tree No.28. Xianglin Giant Tree is the most majestic tree in Alishan Forest Recreation Area. It’s a red cypress tree at approximately 2,000 years old, 43.5 meters in height, and 13.1 meters in circumference. Passing through the boardwalks, you will see 36 soaring red cypresses along, each over a thousand years old. On the other side of boardwalks, there is a giant tree lying on the group beside Alishan Shenmu Station (阿里山神木車站). This was the icon of Alishan. This is Alishan Sacred Tree (or also called Alishan Shenmu, 阿里山神木). In 1906, a Japanese technician discovered this giant tree. His measurements found that the tree was 55 meters in height, 23 meters in circumference, and 3,000 years old. The sacred tree is a red cypress which had been guarded by the Zou (鄒族) for generations. The tree was protected and revered as a sacred being. However, repeated earthquakes and storms year after year, the Alishan Shenmu burned to die in 1956 after a severe lighting strike. The Forestry Bureau decided to cut and lay the giant tree in 1998 due to its slant in 1997. A forest bathing trip involves visiting a forest for relaxation and recreation while breathing in volatile substances, called phytoncides, which are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds derived from trees. Alishan is the perfect place for forest bathing. Opening Hours:24hr Entrance Fee:Free (included in TWD200 ticket of Alishan Forest Recreation Area) Address:Alishan Forest Recreation Area, Alishan Township, Chiayi County 605, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Tel:N/A Official Web:http://www.ali-nsa.net/user/Main.aspx?Lang=2 -- source link
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