Having gone through the bustling times of forestry, Basianshan (Eight Deities Mountain) National Forest Recreation Area today is a paradise for mountain birds, along with its short trails featuring diverse landscapes for a light excursion. One may visit the beautiful Shihwun Creek, cherry blossom forest, Tung-oil trees, and bamboo forest here, and ascend to the highest peak of the Seven Mountains of Guguan: Basianshan, at an elevation of 2166 meters.
“Basianshan” is originally a Japanese name. For Basianshan is as tall as 8,000 shaku (eight thousand Japanese feet), it was thus given an assonant name “Basian” in Chinese. Starting from 1915 to 1963, Basianshan enjoyed a glorious time of forestry for 48 years, leaving a neatly-arranged forest plantation as well as ruins of tramway heads, Shinto Shrine, and elementary school facilities throughout the mountain to tell the stories of forestry back in time. As for the once operational forest railway, it was completely demolished after the logging business was shut down. What is left for memory are the vintage photographs in the Recreation Area.
In addition to being a great place for touring historical sites, it is also a paradise for mountain birds. There is a rich ecology of birds; the Green-backed Tit and Varied Tit are two celebrities commonly spotted here. Not far from Taichung City, Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area is a premium choice for the whole family, young and old, to go on a single-day trip or to stay overnight to enjoy a night embraced by mountains and forests!