Mingchi Forest Recreation Area
明池森林遊樂區
A high-mountain lake and forest at about 1,150 meters on the Northern Cross-Island Highway. The lake is often shrouded in mist, and the area has a Japanese garden and a sacred tree garden.
Mingchi Forest Recreation Area lies along the Northern Cross-Island Highway in Datong Township, at an elevation of about 1,150 meters. Its center is a high-mountain lake surrounded by cryptomeria and Taiwan hinoki cypress forests. The lake frequently fills with mist. The park has a Japanese dry landscape garden, a trail around the lake, and a sacred tree garden. There are also mountain lodges for overnight stays. Summer temperatures are much lower than in the lowlands. Admission follows the announcements of the forestry authority. It is about 1.5 hours' drive from Yilan City, and it can serve as a midway stop on a self-drive trip along the Northern Cross-Island Highway. The mountain roads have many curves, so check road conditions before traveling in the rainy season.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Taipingshan Forest Recreation Area
- Qingshui Geothermal Park
- Kavalan Distillery
- Meihua Lake
- Xinliao Waterfall
- Luodong Sports Park
- Memorial Hall of Founding of Yilan Administration
- Yilan Distillery & Chia Chi Lan Liquor Museum