Taiwan Food Atlas

Beidela'man Giant Tree Trail

The lowest-elevation red cypress giant forest in Taiwan — the Four Heavenly Kings and a low-altitude old-growth sanctuary
📍 Hsinchu · Jianshi Township · Xinle Village🏞️ Nature🔖 Red cypress giants · Hiking trail · Low-altitude old-growth forest

The Beidela'man Trail begins at the Shuitian Forest Road on Provincial Highway 58 in Jianshi Township. It is the lowest-elevation red cypress giant forest in Taiwan, with the trailhead at approximately 700 meters. The trail is roughly 2.6 kilometers one way, passing through mid-to-low elevation broadleaf forest before entering an old-growth cypress stand. The four red cypress trees known as the 'Four Heavenly Kings' each have trunk diameters of more than 5 meters — looking up at them from close range is breathtaking.

What to see on the Beidela'man Giant Tree Trail

Taiwan's red cypress giants typically grow above 1,500 meters in elevation; the giant grove at Beidela'man appearing at 700 to 1,000 meters makes it a rare low-elevation old-growth cypress forest in Taiwan. The trail follows a tributary of Shuitian Creek upstream, first through secondary broadleaf forest whose character gradually shifts to a mixed mid-elevation plant community before reaching the old-growth zone where the giants stand.

The largest of the Four Heavenly Kings is estimated to be over a thousand years old — its girth requires multiple people with outstretched arms to encircle. Wooden viewing platforms near the giant trees provide photo spots and resting places at various angles. The trail has considerable elevation change, with the upper section significantly steeper; a reasonable level of fitness is needed. Each way takes about 2 to 2.5 hours; allow half a day for the round trip plus breaks.

Tips for getting the most out of your visit

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Come prepared with proper hiking gearThe upper section is steep with exposed roots and rocks. Wear trail shoes with good traction; trekking poles reduce stress on the knees, especially on the descent.
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Look up at the Four Heavenly Kings up closeThe base of each giant tree is enormous — walk around one for a sense of its scale. The viewing platforms allow full trunk-to-canopy shots; a wide-angle lens is recommended.
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Go on a clear or lightly overcast dayLight in the forest changes with the weather. Thin cloud cover creates soft diffused light that is excellent for photography. On rainy days the trail is slippery and mist reduces visibility.
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Start early to avoid finishing in the darkDepart around 7–8 a.m.; the round trip takes about 4–5 hours, allowing you to return to the trailhead by 3 p.m. Darkness comes early in the mountains — don't let the schedule slip.

Practical information

Getting there and timing

  • The entire journey is by private car. The Shuitian Forest Road on Provincial Highway 58 is an agricultural access road with some narrow sections. Confirm the road is open after heavy rain or typhoons.
  • The trailhead is open year-round with no admission fee. The Forestry Bureau management authority may temporarily close the trail depending on trail conditions — check the latest announcements before departing.

Nearby connections

  • Indigenous villages near Xinle Village may have limited supplies before or after the hike. Jianshi Township's market is in Jianshi Village, some distance from the trailhead.
  • Smangus is in the same township but in a different direction; do not attempt both on the same day.

Sources: The Wikipedia entry for Beidela'man Giant Tree Trail and trail information from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.

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