(Photo: Council of Agriculture)
During the Japanese Occupation, the Shuangxi Arboretum introduced about 270 species of tree from Nanyang (Southeast Asian) Islands, Indochina, Australia, Africa and South America. However, many species could not adapt to the new environment and gradually withered away. Up to now, there are still 96 species of exotic trees in the arboretum, including 28 precious species, such as the Brazilian rubber tree and the African bean tree. In Taiwan, you can only find such species in this garden. Given its rich collection of trees, the arboretum has been called the "United Nations of Plants."
In the Shuangxi Arboretum, the most commendable portion is the entire forest of kassod trees. At that time, because of the war, the Japanese government planted kassod trees, which can be used as materials for rifle stocks and railway sleepers. Coincidentally, this type of tree also became a food source for the larvae of Catopsilia pomona, a medium-sized pierid butterfly, attracting a large number of the species to come in groups to lay eggs and reproduce here. Therefore, the forest came to be called "Yellow Butterfly Valley". Also rich in birds, it has nearly a hundred species of protected birds inhabiting this area, which is an important habitat with high biodiversity.
Since 1997, the worshipping ceremony of the Meinong Yellow Butterfly Festival has been held here annually. This festival incorporates traditional Hakka beliefs and sincerely worships the mountain god. It encourages people to rethink the issue of interaction between humans and the natural environment, and passes down to young generations the spirit of protecting the mountains and forests, so that humans and the environment can live in harmony forever. During the festival, there are not only ceremonies, but also forest concerts, picnics, markets, and ecological observation of the lush, emerald valley. If you have the opportunity to come here, look for the "Shuangxi Arboretum" located in the mountains of the Hakka village. Not only can you climb and hike here, there are also many activities related to Hakka culture that you can participate in and experience.