Cingjing & Hehuanshan

A high-mountain resort cluster at about 1,700 m in central Taiwan, with sheep grazing on the Green Meadows of Cingjing Farm, and Wuling on Hehuanshan, the highest point on Taiwan's highways, for sea-of-clouds and starry-sky views.

Cingjing–Hehuanshan lies in Renai Township, Nantou County, in central Taiwan. Route 14A climbs from Wushe, at about 1,100 m, to Wuling at 3,275 m, making it the most accessible high-mountain resort area in Taiwan. The main base, Cingjing Farm at 1,700–2,000 m, is dotted with more than a hundred European-style guesthouses. Summer temperatures average about 20°C, making it a famous summer retreat. The sheep and horse shows at the Green Meadows, the Little Swiss Garden, and the high-altitude viewing trail are all along both sides of Route 14A. About an hour's drive further up is the Hehuanshan area. Wuling is the highest point on Taiwan's highways. The Hehuanshan Main, North, and East Peaks and Shimenshan are entry-level Hundred Peaks climbs that can be summited in 1–2 hours. Hehuanshan is also Taiwan's first International Dark Sky Park, and the Yuanfeng area is a popular stargazing spot. At the foot of the mountain, Wushe is the site of the Seediq 'Wushe Incident'. Visitors can see the memorial park and Bihu Lake. To the south are Aowanda, famous for autumn foliage, and Lushan Hot Springs. To the north, past Wuling and via Route 8 and Route 7A, is Wuling Farm inside Shei-Pa National Park. Seasons: summer for escaping the heat and stargazing; May–June for alpine rhododendrons; November–December for red maples at Aowanda; January–February, when cold fronts may bring snow to Hehuanshan (traffic control and snow-chain rules apply); and February for cherry blossom season at Wuling Farm. Getting there: from Taichung HSR Station or Taichung Ganchéng Station, take a Nantou bus to Cingjing, about 2.5–3 hours; transferring at Puli adds about an hour. Public transport to Hehuanshan, Aowanda, and Wuling Farm is limited, so driving or hiring a car is recommended. Suggested plan: 2–3 days, with one day at Cingjing Farm and one day going up to Wuling before dawn for sunrise and a Hundred Peaks climb, then adding Aowanda or Wuling Farm depending on the season. Notes: mountain roads have many curves, so motion sickness is possible; the day-night temperature gap is large; altitude sickness is possible above 3,000 m; typhoons and heavy rain often close roads, so check road conditions before you set out.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries