Couple Trees, Natural monument in Xinyi Township, Taiwan
Couple Trees are two ancient red cypress trunks standing at approximately 2,478 meters elevation along Highway 21, forming a striking natural landmark on the mountainside. The bleached, weathered trunks create distinctive silhouettes visible from multiple curves along the mountain road.
A forest fire destroyed the trees in 1963, followed by a lightning strike at the site in 1996. The remaining trunks have stood as a landmark for decades, though one fell in 2017 due to decay.
Local people view the intertwined trunks as a symbol of lasting bonds between two people. Many couples visit to honor their relationship and feel a sense of connection in this high mountain setting.
The site is easily accessible from Highway 21 with parking near kilometer marker 141.7. Information panels explain the natural history, and viewing areas let you photograph the trunks from different angles.
The dead trunks were intentionally preserved rather than removed, creating a rare example of long-term conservation of dead wood in high mountain settings. This preservation approach makes the site an unusual natural location where scientific and tourism interests converge.
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