Xitou: Backyard of a university

Well, maybe not exactly, but Xitou is home to hectares of forests, all of which properties of one sole university-- my alma mater National Taiwan University. For a place sitting right next to the epicenter of the earthquake of the century (921 Earthquake, 9/21/1999), Xitou has recovered amazingly well. Not even one trace of that killer event from what I could tell. It's not hard to see the efforts they put into the land, and the NTD200 admission definitely doesn't hurt, either. All the trails are clean and well-planned. While you go higher and higher in altitude, you'll start to be surrounded by misty fog. Talk about walking in the cloud.

The last time I visited Xitou was 15 years ago. At that time I hated the long walk and the all too fresh air (proof that kids know nothing except whining). I honestly didn't quite know what to expect when G and I decided to spend the weekend there on the spur of the moment. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The walk on the trails could be hell (i.e. the "shortest" way to the 2800-year old tree), but most of it was refreshing and comfortably cool. The 4-hour drive makes sure that Xitou won't be a frequent weekend destination, but hopefully it will be just as beautiful next time we are there. And note to self: Don't ever stay in a hotel where they offer a bed as hard as a rock. It hurts your bony ass.

College Pond. Thus named due to its ownership, I'd say.








A tree in the fog near the 2800-year old tree. It's just a baby.