by Huang Hui-rong
Eastern College, 
Kaohsiung County

Translation by Jay Lin 
National Sun Yat-sen University

Photo Credit: 
Prof. Chao Ming Cho
NOTE: Actual photos from text are not available

Not so long ago, plants and animals co-existed harmoniously with Mother Nature.  Blessed with an unlimited supply of fresh air, pure water, and radiant sunshine, a splendid array of species once adorned the landscape.  But rapid industrialization, and the ensuing population explosion, has changed all that.  Our natural resources have been depleted and we leave an incomplete legacy to our children. 

Trees are prime victims.  As economic development spread from cities to small towns in Taiwan, developers toppled forests and stripped the land of lush growth. At the height of development, environmental protection was considered a last priority and unchecked deforestation was standard.   Fortunately, this trend has changed.  Sustainable, managed economic growth has replaced the “growth at all cost” mentality.  People now recognize the importance of environmental preservation, especially the protection of old growth trees, and they have pressured the government to act accordingly.

In 1989, the National Department of Agriculture and Forestry promulgated a plan entitled, “The Ancient and Precious Trees Preservation Plan.”  This Department has allocated both funding and manpower to register and catalog ancient trees still remaining in the cities and countryside across Taiwan.  These "noble patriarchs", hundreds of years old, are witness to events that have shaped our communities and our lives.  Many village elders, who cherish strong ties and vivid childhood memories associated with these precious landmarks, are personally wounded when trees are lost.

Because flat land forests gave way to industrial expansion and road construction, most ancient trees today survive in the mountainous regions.  Many stand guard over old tribal areas.  Others were purposefully planted to commemorate a spirit of brotherhood with their Hakka and Han neighbors. 

In terms of classification, banyan trees (36 total) are the most numerous.  According to Chinese legend, the banyan is believed to have a soul so their lives were typically spared. The second most common are camphor trees (18 total); most are clustered at Dashe Elementary School.  Ancient trees in remote areas are not easily accessible for recording, and researchers are sure that others do exist. As techniques for documenting are further developed, these will be added to the list to compile a more complete picture of the sacred spirits resting in Kaohsiung. 

(the above translation is made from "Under the Shadow of Sacred Trees" by Huang Hui-rong and shares 55 "biographies" of old growth trees located in Kaohsiung.  Detailed maps to viewing locations are included for each, along with details of surrounding eco-systems and anecdotes from village elders.  Mandarin only.)

There are two options for travel to Alishan: bus and train. Buses run from Chiayi to Alishan at 7:10, 9:10, and 11:10 (no afternoon or evening buses), and return at 9:40, 12 noon and 2 in the afternoon. The ride takes a little over two hours from Chaiyi City, and costs NT$156. There is only one train a day, leaving Chiayi for Alishan at 1:30 p.m. and returning at 1:20 p.m. (requiring an overnight stay). The ride is about three and a half hours and costs NT$399. The train is a vintage switch back and chugs along tracks laid by the Japanese during the colonial period.  (NOTE: Train and Bus Schedules and prices might change at any time. Check at the stations for the latest information, or visit the ROC RAILROAD WEB SITE  with everything you need to know about riding the rails in Taiwan (in English)