Taipingshan Forest Recreation Area

太平山森林遊樂區

A high-mountain forest recreation area, one of Taiwan's three major forest areas. Highlights include the Jianqing Huaigu Trail, Cuifeng Lake, the Pop-Pop Train, and the Jiuzeze hot springs.

Taipingshan is located in Datong Township, Yilan. Together with Alishan and Basianshan, it is one of Taiwan's three major forest areas. During the Japanese occupation period, large numbers of Taiwan red cypress were logged here. After logging stopped in the 1980s, the area was converted into a forest recreation area. The park rises from about 500 meters at Tuchang to about 2,000 meters at the mountain lodges and Cuifeng Lake. The weather changes often, and sea-of-clouds views are common. Main highlights: (1) Jianqing Huaigu Trail, built on a former timber railway. It is a gentle 0.9 km path where moss, wooden boardwalks, and mist come together. It was once named one of the most beautiful trails in the world by foreign media. (2) Cuifeng Lake, the largest alpine lake in Taiwan. The loop trail around the lake is about 4 km. (3) Taipingshan Pop-Pop Train, a sightseeing train converted from a timber car on the Maoxing Line. It requires a separate ticket and is often suspended or only partly operating. (4) Jiuzeze Hot Spring, a sodium bicarbonate spring at the foot of the mountain. Visitors can boil eggs in the spring water or soak in the baths. Admission is about NT$150 on weekdays and about NT$200 on holidays. The roads in the park have many curves. Driving from Yilan City takes about 1.5–2 hours. You can also take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Taipingshan Line, though it runs infrequently. It is recommended to spend a day there or stay overnight at the Taipingshan Lodge to see the sunrise and sea of clouds. Notes: temperatures vary greatly on the mountain, so bring warm clothing. Roads are often closed during typhoons and heavy rain. During peak season, entry is capped, so check the official website for road conditions and parking availability before you go.

Taipingshan Forest Recreation Area

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby