Formerly known as Yachi or “Duck Pond”, Menghuan Pond is located at the southeast foot of Mt. Qixing at an elevation of approximately 870 meters above sea level. The reason behind the pond's formation is not clear. Some speculate it to be a crater lake or a hollowed out area caused by fumaroles, or even a volcanic depression. A rare aquatic fern-the Taiwan isoetes-grows in the lake. It is one of the lowest attitudes at which isoetes grows in the world, and the Taiwan isoetes is an extremely rare species. In order to protect this national treasure aquatic fern Menghuan Pond has been designated as an Ecological Protected Area. Tourists are prohibited from entering the pond. An observation deck near the lake is available for observation.
The 50-meter long suspension bridge across the Lengshuikeng Creek stands out from its surroundings with its red towers, black suspension cables and brown deck plates. Located at the entrance of the trail, the Jingshan suspension bridge is beautiful and charming. Beneath the bridge the stream is filled with the smell of sulfur and is one of the tributaries of the source of Neishuan Creek. Nearby, ruins of old sulfur mines exist. After crossing the suspension bridge, the flat trail leads visitors to the peacock pine forest, wooden observation deck and forest trails. En route there is a path leading to the Juansi Waterfall. Going straight is the tree-lined path to Qingtiangang.
Lengshuikeng Parking Lot
Get on 108 park bus at the Yangmingshan main bus terminal
Its Chinese name, the 'five-colored bird', results from the bird's five different colors: red, yellow, black, blue, and green. It is also sometimes called 'flowery monk' because its call resembles the sound of wooden fish that monks hit with mallets. The black-browed barbet builds nests on dead trees in broad-leaf forests, and its main staple is berries.
Among the numerous butterfly species, the chestnut tiger is the species that appears earliest during the butterfly-watching season. During the May 'plum rain' season, many chestnut tigers form quite a spectacle as they feed on orchid nectar along the trail from Erziping parking lot to Mt. Datun main peak.
This species inhabits low-altitude forests and plains. It exhibits a wide array of calls, one of which sounds like a cat's "meow". When in flight, the bird produces a loud, drawn-out chirping call. They are often found in small groups within forests. Every year from winter to spring, when it is not mating season, they gather in larger groups and can be quite noisy.
The bird's wide black eye-patch makes it seem like a caped crusader. Its long and curved beak is what gave it the name of 'scimitar', after the curved sabre. This bird spends most of its time in the thickets with only its call to give away its presence.
The most commonly seen wild animal in the forest, the squirrel has a brown body and a distinctive red-brown stomach. They can be seen climbing up tree trunks or prancing among the branches with their bushy gray tails in regions at sea level as well as in the central mountain range up to an altitude of 2,000 meters.
The common rush is found in mainland China, Korea, Japan and Americas. In Taiwan, common rush is found in wet areas in the mountains, plains, and next to sources of water. It is a perennial herbaceous aquatic plant with a short, creeping rhizome dense with fibrous roots. The stalks grow in upright clusters and are cylindrical and solid. The sheath at base of the stem is brown, thin, and cylindrical.
Latin name: Eupatorium shimadai Kitam It is an herb with single leaves growing in parallel pairs. The pinnate leaves are lance-shaped with long narrow tips. The leaves are between 2 and 7 centimeters long with serrated edges and glandular dots on their underside. Unlike other plants in the Asteraceae family, which are made up of clusters of tiny flowers, the Eupatorium shimadai’s blossom is formed from 5 small tubular flowers. The inflorescence is reddish with clustered and tight flowers. It flowers from May to July. The entire plant is fragrant.
Latin name: Polygonum chinense L. Chinese knotweed is a member of the family Polygonaceae. It is a perennial semi-climbing herb. Heights can reach up to 2 meters. It has multi-branching stems with grooves. It creeps over ground and rarely climbs up tree crowns. The Chinese knotweed, along with the awn, can be named as representative vascular plants for the outlaying sulfuric region.
Latin name: Jungermannia vulcanicola Strph. Volcanic liverwort is a sulfur-tolerant plant and is widely distributed on the bare rock surrounding volcanic vents. Due to its high tolerance for acidic and salt-filled environments and is highly adapted to the sulfuric fumarole environment, the plant is an indicator plant for the fumarole area of Datun Volcano Group.