Ecology

Caoling Geology & Ecology Park[1]


The 10 scenic spots of Caoling famous all over Taiwan are Penglai Falls, Broken Hill, Rocky Cliff, Water Shaded Cave, Frog Rock, Marvelous Cave, Dead Man Valley, Tongsin Fall, Beaded Pond, Brook Paradise. All the grand rocks, marvelous stone, falls or streams are not artificially carved or decorated but made by God and formed splendid natural landscape.
After 921 Earthquake, many of the natural landscape were changed. Looking up from the sand bars of Caoling Lake, the natural ecology is presenting with different scene and made itself a demonstrating place for geology and ecology education.

Traditional crafts－Gukeng is famous with bamboo and rock, and it seems that most of the residents in Gukeng can make bamboo arts and stone sculpture. Examples are bamboo cylinder, bamboo rack, bamboo serial bead, stone mortar, stone table, stone stool, and stone wall. They all display the skillful crafts of tradition of Caoling.


Rocky Wall Ecology Park

Dragon Landscape, Jioucyong Giant Tree, Twin Heart Pond, Waterfall Watching Platform, Rocky Wall Fairy Valley, Jiyuanlong Lake and South Fairy Valley

The name of Rocky Wall is that the whole village is on top of a super huge rock. The Rocky Wall is represented by Rocky Wall Fairy Valley. A rocky bed extended for hundreds meters and was largest in area and most magnificent natural rocky wall in entire Taiwan. Walking down the granite ladder way at the front left of Tungbi Villa; there is access to Dragon Landscape. The other route goes from Jioucyong Giant Tree to the log walkway that passes through Twin Heart Pond, Waterfall Watching Platform, Rocky Wall Fairy Valley, Jiyuanlong Lake and all other tourist attractions.
Jioucyong Giant Tree is deciduous tree with height of 10 meters with breast diameter of 120 cm and circumference of 376 cm. The age is estimated to be 130 years.
Rocky Wall Fairy Valley －The Rocky Wall Fairy Valley has an inclination of 17 degree and water runs slowly down from the rock bed. Under natural erosion, the rock bed shows many dents and holes of different size and fishes and shrimps are seen from time to time.
Jiyuanlong Lake－This is also formed by the washing of stream waters. The swing and curving stream seems like a rocking dragon and along the stream, there are many clear, shallow ponds. The stream bed is eroded into caves, holes and is very curvy. Just look at the strange figures and shapes, the god had actually worked hard over there.

Ecology
Caoling Geopark is not only famous for its spectacular geological landscape but also for its rich flora and fauna.
Plants— With an average altitude of 800 meters, Caoling has broad-leaved evergreen forests and cedars. The forest in Rocky Wall village has widest spread of bamboo and there are camphor trees, beech and other species and there are woods of pure coniferous trees like China fir, cryptomeria. Some of them are already more than 20 years old.


















Animals－In the mountain area, there are precious birds, animals, amphibians and they are listed in the scope of preservation.

Insects - On the way discovering the Caoling Geopark, you can by chance see some insects which are unique in different shapes and colors







Local products－ 
Because of the moderate altitude, temperature, sunlight and other favorable physical conditions, Caoling is suitable for the growing of tea trees and coffee trees

Tea trees are economically valuable because the tea oil extracted out of the tea tree seeds are in demand. Due to its limited area of planting and its high technique - dependent manufacturing make edible tea oil an expensive product. Oil tea Camelia trees are pretty with blossom and attract tourists to enjoy the flowering scene before the seeds are harvested. Coffee trees here originated in the beginning of the 20th century. However it is only the last two decades when coffee drinking becomes a trendy practice in Taiwan, coffee making has found its niche in Gukeng and Tsaoling. The technique and methods for making fine coffee are pursued among the coffee growers in the area. That is one reason that the coffee produced here mostly sold out even before they have a chance to go on the market. Such value-added aspect of tea oil, coffee and other produces makes the local people believe it is not only the techniques of making, but also the local milieu of water and soil that is critical to the quality of the produces. 

Rocky Wall has all kinds of bamboo shoots, of different species and their processed products are the special produces of Rocky Wall. Also, Bamboo Tube Rice is one of the special feature of Rocky Wall and Tea Oil is produced, made and sold by the local residents and they are the items visitors cannot afford to miss to take home as gifts. Beekeeping is also a livelihood that brings income to the people here.