Shei-Pa National Park Introduction

Shei-Pa National Park is located in the north-central part of Taiwan. It boasts towering mountains and magnificent scenery, with an elevation difference of over 3,000 meters, ranging from 760 meters in the Daan River valley to the main peak of Xueshan Mountain at 3,886 meters. The park is rich in natural resources. Bounded by the river valley ridge of the Xueshan mountain range, it extends from Luoyewei Mountain in the east to Dongxishui Mountain in the west, from Yuluowei Mountain in the south to Jingjie Mountain in the north, covering a total area of approximately 76,850 hectares. It encompasses the Guanwu Recreation Area (Wufeng Township and Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County), the Xuejian Recreation Area (Tai'an Township, Miaoli County), and the Wuling Recreation Area (Heping District, Taichung City). With Xueshan Mountain and Dabajian Mountain as its main axes, Shei-Pa National Park contains as many as 51 high mountains, classifying it as a mountain national park. Shei-Pa National Park Route Introduction

Shei-Pa National Park, established on July 1, 1981, is Taiwan's fifth national park. The park features a complex terrain of intersecting valleys, ever-changing scenery, significant temperature variations, and magnificent peaks and streams. Hiking routes include: | Xueshan Main Peak Route | 10.9 km one way from Xueshan, 5.1 km one way from Xueshan East Peak; Entry requires application. The Xueshan Main Peak Route, also known as the "Xueshan East Route," branches eastward from the main peak and is the shortest, easiest, and most convenient route to the main peak. | Xueshan West Ridge Route | 71.8 km one way; Entry requires application. The Xueshan West Ridge, also known as the "Xueshan Southwest Ridge," starts from the Xueshan trailhead, passing through Xueshan East Peak, the main peak, Cuichi, Daxueshan, and Zhongxueshan before connecting to Forest Road 230 to the Daxueshan National Forest Recreation Area. It is a long and branching ridge. | Wuling Four Peaks Route | Approximately 29 kilometers long, entry requires an application. The Wuling Four Peaks refer to the four Hundred Peaks—Pintian Mountain, Chiyou Mountain, Tao Mountain, and Karaya Mountain—that stretch for 10 kilometers along the northern edge of Wuling Farm. Located at the end of a valley north of Wuling Farm, it is part of the main ridge of the Xueshan Mountain Range extending northeastward, hence the name Wuling Four Peaks. | Zhijiayang Route | 23.4 kilometers long, entry requires an application. Zhijiayang Mountain, at an altitude of 3,345 meters, was originally the most convenient route for climbing Xueshan after the first ascent and measurement of the main peak during the Japanese era. However, after the easier-to-climb Xueshan East Route opened in 1970, fewer climbers use Zhijiayang to ascend Xueshan. | Xuejian Ridge| 52.9 kilometers long. Entry requires application. It branches westward from the main peak of Xueshan Mountain to the Cuichi Sancha Mountain, then extends southward, connecting eight peaks over 3000 meters in altitude: Xueshan Southwest Peak, Dajian Mountain, Jiannanjian Mountain, Youpoluo Mountain, Bufuqihan Mountain, Jiayang Mountain, and Xiaojian Mountain. While not the longest of the six ridges of Xueshan, it is less frequently chosen by hikers due to its undulating terrain, lack of mountain huts, limited water resources, and low trailhead elevation. | Sheng Ridge| Refers to the ridge line of the Xueshan mountain range, extending from Dabajian Mountain in the north to the Xueshan mountain range in the south, with peaks over 3100 meters. While the traditional Sheng Ridge only includes three of the 100 peaks (Dabajian Mountain, Xueshan North Peak, and Xueshan Main Peak), the other mountains not listed among them also possess unique shapes. Ecological resources of Shei-Pa National Park

Shei-Pa National Park boasts a rich and diverse array of flora, fauna, and cultural resources. Surveys have documented 1,467 species of vascular plants, including 79 rare species and 418 endemic species, such as the Taiwan privet, the impatiens, and the snow mountain green ephemeris. The animal population is even more abundant. In early species statistics for the six national parks, 32 mammal species were recorded, the highest number among all national parks. In the more than 25 years since its establishment, Shei-Pa National Park has recorded 62 mammal species belonging to 8 orders and 20 families. Besides increasingly rare animals such as the cherry-faced salmon, Formosan black bear, Mikado pheasant, blue-bellied pheasant, Taiwan salamander, and broad-tailed swallowtail butterfly, as well as precious species, there are also wild animals such as the Formosan macaque, the Reeves' muntjac, the Formosan serow, the Formosan wild boar, and the sambar deer. It is a natural outdoor classroom for in-depth tourism and educational experiences. Shei-Pa National Park – Recreation Area and Visitor Center

| Wenshui Visitor Center | Located in Dahu, Miaoli, although not within the Shei-Pa National Park area, the center features exhibition halls and audiovisual rooms that present the park's complete geological, topographical, flora, fauna, and cultural landscape resources in easy-to-understand language and vivid images. Visitors can quickly grasp the national park's overview here. Adjacent to the center is an octagonal two-story building next to the ecological lake, offering excellent views. It also provides light dining and sells national park publications, making it a great place to relax or learn about nature. | Guanwu Recreation Area | Located at the border of Wufeng Township, Hsinchu County and Tai'an Township, Miaoli County, this area serves as the entrance to Dabajian Mountain and is also the best place to learn about Guanwu information in Shei-Pa. Established in January 1990, the Guanwu Visitor Center features an audiovisual room and exhibition area. The exhibition room primarily introduces the natural resources and recreational information of the Guanwu area. Behind the Guanwu Visitor Center are observation decks, cloud and mist trails, Guanwu Mountain Villa, Zhenshan Trail, and Leshan Forest Trail, offering panoramic views of the towering Shengling Line landscape. Rhododendrons bloom in April and May, while birdwatching is best from April to June. | Wuling Recreation Area | Located in Heping District, Taichung City, it is the confluence of the Qijiawan River, Taoshan West River, Taoshan North River, and Gaoshan River, forming a river valley topography that is narrow in the south and wide in the north, as well as alluvial terrace topography. The Qijiawan River is an important habitat for the endangered "Taiwan Cherry Barbet Salmon." The Wuling Visitor Center features an audiovisual room, a Qijiawan River-themed ecological exhibition area, and an interpretive and information service platform. It also provides information on Wuling area attractions and hiking trails, and a reading and rest area with national park ecology books, serving as a place to relax. | Xuejian Recreation Area| Located in Tai'an Township, Miaoli County, this area was built by Shei-Pa National Park to provide a rest area for visitors and a base for guided tours. The Xuejian Visitor Center includes an exhibition area and an audiovisual room, along with guides who introduce Xuejian's rich natural resources.

Recreation information and cultural history.