About Xitou
Located in Lugu Township, the Xitou Nature Education Area (or Xitou Forest Recreation Area ) is one of the seven experimental forests that belong to the National Taiwan University, It is a popular recreation area with abundant natural resources, and its annual average number of visitors is around one million. Since the average temperature here is around 16.6 degrees celsius, this recreation area is perfect for hikers, bird-lovers and nature lovers.
Walking Trails
Sitou (Xitou) Forest Recreation Area has 12 trails for visitors to hike and to get close to the nature. Visitors may view a wide array of trees such as Japanese cypress, Taiwan red cypress, divine trees, ginkgo trees, as well as Moso bamboos. Also, bird-lovers may find a total of seventy species of birds along the trail, including Liocichla steerii, White-eared Sibia, Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, Green-backed Tit, Japanese White-eye, Streak-breasted Vivid Niltava, Grey-capped Woodpecker, Grey-headed Pygmy Woodpecker and many others. 8x32 binoculars are recommended in order to view the birds.
Facilities
The on-site facilities includes a bamboo cottage, a bamboo house, a camping area, a coffee shop, an exhibition center, a pond, an overlook and astronomical overvatory, a pavilion, a plant nursery, restaurants, souvenir stores, meeting rooms and lodging places. Visitors may watch films about Forest Ecological Exhibition Center. Moreover, visitors may view beautiful sceneries at University Pond, Mt. Phoenix Overlook and Astronomical Observatory, and Prof. Wang Memorial Pavilion. Overall, Sitou (Xitou) Forest Recreation Area is not only a place for hiking and bird-watching, but also a place to explore the natural beauties of Taiwan and expand their knowledge of ecology.