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Forehead
Mountain is an ideal getaway for those seeking
a few hours' escape from the noise and pollution
of city life. It is easy to reach from Tainan
City or Chiayi City.
The mountain has a steep, winding path cut
into it that can be traversed in about 30
minutes to one hour. It is difficult to strain
oneself here whilst walking through a forest
bursting with wild flowers and butterflies,
not to mention lizards, the odd spider in
its web, and many different kinds of trees.
Birdsong echoes through the fresh air, and
lucky hikers might even catch a glimpse of
the two resident eagles. There is an opportunity
to relax and enjoy a fine view of the valley
far below from a rest shelter half-way up.
And you can do the same again from the top
of a huge rock on the summit.
The peak has a clearing and is particularly
pretty and serene. The best way to descend
is via the road that also cuts through the
forest. It is longer than the path, but easier
on the knees.
At the foot of the mountain is a huge shrine,
the Chingshan Hsiengong Temple. The sculptures
inside, which depict the resident gods, are
well worth seeing. One of these gods has an
enlarged forehead--could this be how the mountain
acquired its name? The temple offers accommodation
and meals on a donation basis, and there is
a small coffee shop in the temple.
Across the road from the temple on a lower
tier is a much larger coffee shop resplendent
with balcony and deck. Here one can sit back,
sip coffee chosen from a quality range and
admire the view of the valley and the plains
beyond or one could instead have an equally
unwinding game of croquet in the garden below.
There is a food menu available too.
HOW TO GET THERE: From Tainan City, take the
No. 1 Highway toward Sinying. When near Sinying,
turn right onto Road 100 to Dongshan. At Dongshan
turn right, and take Road 99 to Dongyuan.
At Dongyuan turn left onto Road 104. Follow
this road until you see Road 104-1 forking
to the right. Take the 104-1, which will take
you all the way to Forehead Mountain. It crosses
Road 175 to Guanzihling, and at this crossing
you will pass under a temple entrance arch,
and start climbing steeply up towards the
temple and the coffee shop.
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