The Mangrove Forest of Sicao

The mangrove forest of Sicao is a truly magnificent example of natural beauty in the part of the country that is built up either by clustered cities or agriculture, the forest shows what the land used to look like, long before foreign settlers change the landscape forever.

If you don't mind spending thirty minutes surrounded by tourists with Chinese sun hats then I would recommend that you should go and see the Sicao mangroves, I couldn't find any other way to see the mangroves as it is protected land, I believe that the only way to see this alluring place is through a tour, which isn't something people like me normally do, but if that is the only way, then you have to grind your teeth and bare it.

So here is a little bit of information about the mangrove forest of Sicao, also known as 'The Green Tunnel' on the Taiwanese tourist sites.

The canal that you follow today was the very first canal that was made more than 200 years ago, it was an important development for Tainan as the city once originated from a port.

The salt canal used to transport salt products from the drying fields to storage. The canal that you chug down on a wooden boat goes through a tranquil forest, along a murky brown river, you are able to see a differet variety of species and plant life. Animals such as the fiddler crab, mudskippers and many different types of birds can be seen from the boat.

As you go through the green tunnel of the canal, branches from the trees cover the sky as it stretches over the river, this could cause you to duck down to stop you from hitting your face against the hard wooden branches.

The boat ride itself was fun but I just wished that they offered private tours so you can have a more personal experience with the forest around you, on the tour I was disappointed with the fact that my view was obstructed by sun hats, every time an animal was spotted in the distance the tourists would shuffle and stand up blocking the view as if they were sheep following each other, when once stands, they all stand. It was rather hard to see anything, if you get there early enough, try and get in front of the boat for the more magnificent views, if your in the middle of the boat all you can see is the branches above your head.

So, if you are ready to see one of Taiwan's natural sites head on down to the Sicao Mangrove Forest in Tainan, but if you want to avoid the crowds, the mangrove forest is located in the Taijiang National Park so there would be more for you to experience away from the crowds.