Enjoying nature’s handiwork at Shibi Scenic Area

Unfortunately unless someone has cut back the undergrowth recently, the trail is hard to follow. Motor ahead for a kilometer or two further and on the right a lane ends at the grotesquely gnarled Shibi Old Tree (九芎神木). Don’t get too excited: the tree is a midget by Taiwan’s ancient tree standards, although it’s of an unusual species (the Chinese Crapemyrtle) not often seen. Most visitors come here to hike the trails to the summit of the highest mountain hereabouts, Mt. Jiananyun (嘉南雲峰) (1795 meters); it’s a couple of hours to the summit from the old tree.

Alternatively follow the track beside the tree downstream for about twenty minutes to pick up an ornamental wooden footpath. Follow this for a few meters (still downstream) to cross a suspension bridge above Lien Xin Chi (連心池) (the linked hearts pools), a cluster of shallow, rounded potholes in the wide, level bed of the stream at the head of a small waterfall. Follow the wooden path downstream further into the attractive gorge below the waterfall, and in about five minutes it emerges onto the road close to the trailhead for the Holy Valley.

The geological curiosities of Shibi are interesting goals for short walks during a visit to this unfrequented scenic area, but it’s the natural beauty of the surrounding area that perhaps leaves the greatest impression.

Wandering a little around the area (with a set of wheels or on foot) the simple pleasures, such as several fantastic views over the rugged surrounding mountains, or hillsides of feathery, apple-green bamboo straight out of the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, give the greatest pleasure, along with the inevitable lack of fellow vacationers: Shibi has yet to be discovered by the weekend crowds.

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