Hsitou is an unforgettable world of green: The delicate green of bamboo, the dark green of fir, the jade green of water, the blue-green of distant mountains. The lure is so strong that people stream in throughout the year to escape from the summer heat of the cities and the worries of the everyday world.

Deep in the recesses of central Taiwan, a tree-lined road winds its way from Chushan high up into the hills of Nantou County. There the crystal clear mountain air is like a breath of life, and the expansive forest opens up into a natural playground beckoning the adventurer to explore within. As the road levels off and draws nearer to Hsitou, a moist gray mist often envelops the area and is likely to deepen into a thick fog, mesmerizing the weary traveler into only half-awareness. A glance backwards reveals the road below receding far into the distance, its black surface reflecting the graceful shadows of the towering trees. Ahead the forest stretches for miles, carefully concealing its time-honored secrets.

Here in this primeval forest is the center of the National Taiwan University's forestry research project, a favorite educational and recreation site for scholars and tourists alike. The forest tract was originally set aside for experimental purposes by the Tokyo Imperial University's Department of Agriculture during the Japanese occupation. In 1946 it was restored to the Taiwan Provincial Government and was managed by the Forestry Bureau for three years until it became part of the National Taiwan University. Each year, scholars come from all over the world to observe and study the area. Students of the University's Department of Forestry spend their summer and winter vacations here receiving practical training.

The most ancient denizen of the forest is the famous Giant Tree (Chamaecyparis formosensis), said by experts to be more than 2,800 years old. Through centuries of slow growth it has attained a circumference of 16 meters and a height of 46 meters. Visitors may even walk inside its hollow trunk and peer up at the sky.

A flight of stone steps leads down to the Silver Apricot Grove. Silver apricots were declared extinct some years ago, but continued to exist in a few parts of East Asia. These trees have an attractive appearance, and their leaves, are also distinctive, making them a favorite souvenir for visitors.

Next to the Silver Apricot Grove is the popular "enchanted" Meng Tsung Bamboo Grove. Rays of sunlight cascade through the delicate leaves above and form an array of light patterns on the earth. A stillness hangs in the air like a cloud, broken only by the sound of bird song. A light wind rustles the leaves of the bamboo, creating a low whisper which seems to give the forest a life of its own. The bamboo tract has an airy and unreal beauty which seems to transport one to some fairy realm. Further down the contour of the steps is a maze of rich green pine and fir trees so dense that not even a patch of ground can be seen from above.

On walking to the nursery, the visitor sees a silver-white curtain of water irrigating the tree seedlings. With an area of 2.8 hectares, the nursery bed can be used to cultivate some 1.6 million young trees a year. Work in the nursery includes arranging beds, plantation, irrigation, weeding, fertilizing, shading from the sun, pest prevention, pruning, packing and transplanting.

Below the nursery is a Deer Park with all kinds of deer including those from Japan, Indonesia and Europe as well as indigenous species. Just beyond the visitors' center, a paved walkway leads into the forest. A little over a mile down the road, it dips down a hillside and opens into a large clearing. At this point lies the famous University Pond surrounded by cherry trees which blossom into full splendor in the springtime. Two elegant rainbow bridges are reflected in the cool waters of the lake, and large tree trunks form gateways on either end. The lonely silence is broken only by the distant croaking of frogs and the flutter of pigeons which assemble for any morsel discarded by passers-by.

As the number of youths visiting Hsitou is growing each year, the China Youth Corps decided to establish a youth activity center to provide services, recreation and education for them. Since its establishment in 1977 the center has been used by some 160,000 people, while those making one-day trips to Hsitou total more than 2 million. The elegant and simple activity center can be roughly divided into three sections: 10 chalets in the forest, public buildings such as restaurant, recreation center and stone-paved square, and finally the Plum and Bamboo buildings. Each chalet contains four suites accommodating eight people. The Plum and Bamboo building gets its name from the plantations of plum trees and bamboo which surround it. Although Hsitou is already a well-equipped recreation and educational area, work is still continuing to improve both its tourist and research facilities.

[Picture Caption]

(1) and (2), the honeymoon villa and Han Kuan building managed by the Forestry Department of the National Taiwan University, and (3) a chalet in the forest part of tne youth activity center.

(1) The elegantly designed lobby of the forest chalet. (2) Restaurant at the youth activity center. (3) The neat and tidy bedroom in the chalet is equipped with a dehumidifier.

(1) The University Pond, (2) The camping area around the Han Kuan building, (3)The statue of the late President Chiang Kai-shek, (4) Silver Apricot Grove, and (5)Stone-paved footpaths in Hsitou.

Professors and students working in an experimental grove.

the honeymoon villa and Han Kuan building managed by the Forestry Department of the National Taiwan University.

the honeymoon villa and Han Kuan building managed by the Forestry Department of the National Taiwan University.

a chalet in the forest part of tne youth activity center.

he elegantly designed lobby of the forest chalet.

Restaurant at the youth activity center.

The neat and tidy bedroom in the chalet is equipped with a dehumidifier.

The University Pond,.

The camping area around the Han Kuan building.

The statue of the late President Chiang Kai-shek.

Silver Apricot Grove.

Stone-paved footpaths in Hsitou.

Professors and students working in an experimental grove.