The hidden "Dream Lake" gem in Yangmingshan — stunning in both sunshine and rain, a true earthly paradise!

Text and photos byGrace

Not to toot my own horn, but this place is really just that magical and beautiful. Although I've been to Yangmingshan countless times, there are still many spots I haven’t visited. Recently, I had originally planned to go to Qingtian Gang, but I wasn’t really interested in it. So, on a whim, I decided to go somewhere along the way that I’d never noticed or heard of before: Dream Lake. And I was pleasantly surprised to find it’s truly an earthly paradise and a fantastic spot for photoshoots!! Also, the feel and beauty of the photos differ whether you go on a sunny or a rainy/cloudy day. Grace happened to visit twice and would like to share photos showcasing the different vibes.

When I first arrived at Dream Lake, it was a perfectly sunny day at the base, but as soon as we started ascending the mountain, the whole area became shrouded in mist. Visibility along the path was reduced to almost just 50 meters — and I’m not exaggerating. So, my advice is to check the weather at the summit before heading up. If the top is covered in clouds, chances are it’ll be overcast and rainy once you get there, giving off a completely different vibe and aesthetic. It all depends on personal preference.

The beauty under the mist is enchanting, but the paths can be slippery when wet, and the stairs are quite steep, so do be careful. It’s recommended to wear non-slip cloth shoes for hiking.

The visibility that day was really poor, and Grace was wearing high heels (because I hadn’t planned to hike at all XD), so we decided to turn back here. I stayed behind with Yangyang while my husband and daughter were braver and continued on. But actually, the path gets much easier after this — I only found out during my second visit.

Even just snapping these little scenes made me happy ♥ Nature is truly beautiful!

Back at the parking lot, there’s a pavilion with a viewing platform. On clear days, the view is really nice.

I can’t understand what this kid is doing — maybe posing like a mountain peak “V”? Haha.

What’s more interesting is, I think very few people have seen the same scene as I did. I actually found the winding stone bench here quite photogenic and thought it would make a great photo spot!

As expected, I asked my husband to take the shot I wanted, and after some light editing, the result was absolutely gorgeous. The highlight is the mist in the background — it’s real mountain fog, and it’s incredibly dreamy ♥

But afterward, I kept feeling regretful that I didn’t get to capture the beauty of Dream Lake itself. That day, even after reaching the top, there wasn’t much to see because my husband said it was all foggy. So, I’m sharing the only photo taken with my phone on a clear day at the parking lot below.

Dream Lake is surrounded by wire fencing, but seeing a photo like this is really unacceptable to me!! I couldn’t bear to include such an ending photo in the article (and got scolded by my husband), so I patiently waited and finally got another chance when the weather was decent enough to try again!

Grace hiked up from Beitou and passed by one of the Yangmingshan wedding photography spots. Just look at the intense steam from the hot springs — you can tell how hot it was that day. The springs were bubbling vigorously, and along the way, you can also see the Little Oil Pit volcanic crater.

It’s truly moving to see such beautiful scenery on a good weather day!

However, there have been thunderstorms in the afternoons lately, and you can see parts of the mountaintops already being attacked by clouds. If you want to capture clear, beautiful views, you’ll need to hurry!

Although there were no clouds today, the sky was already gray. There wasn’t much sunlight, but I found the atmosphere on such a day quite nice too. If you prefer a sunnier day, the weather might get hotter, and it could also be more crowded. It’s all about your preference.<

Hiking along the trail, listening to the sounds of insects and birds — this is nature at its finest. If you look closely, you can spot many different creatures and wildflowers.

When you come here, you must take a photo with the view before you — it’s truly that beautiful.

Most of the path has some slope, but the section above is relatively gentle and easy to walk. I also think it’s a great spot for photos.

Below are some photos I’m sharing to show you the beautiful sights I saw:

Gazing at this world before my eyes, I truly felt like all my worries had vanished. How beautiful and vast this stretch of greenery is. Taiwan really is a beautiful treasure island that can rival any international destination.

We reached a flat section, which is also one of the best spots for photos!

It felt like saying, “I’m the king of the world.” (laughs).

Grace didn’t wear makeup that day, so you’ll just have to settle for my profile — haha. But my hair’s all poufy, and I really need to find time to dye it again, ahhh!!

Finally!! We made it to Dream Lake!! (excited) There’s a small viewing platform here where you can take close-up photos, and the view is absolutely stunning.

For those interested in Dream Lake, check out the photo above. I’d love to capture a shot with the blue sky reflected in the lake too. But honestly, even on cloudy days, it’s still very beautiful. Here are some photos I took:

The lake reflection, the drifting mountain mist, and the expanse of greenery and natural purity — all right before your eyes. Below, Grace has included a short video clip from the site >>

 You absolutely must take a photo with the scenery here to make the trip worthwhile—otherwise, you might think you're abroad!

I can't help but roast myself—do I really have to be so extra and dreamy? XD But hey, I was born with a girly heart~

It's really cool up here even on a hot day. If it's cool down the mountain, it might get cold at the top, so it’s recommended to bring a light jacket and a compact raincoat. The hike up takes about twenty minutes—it’s not too far, just consider it a bit of exercise. Grace thinks you should definitely come up here in person; it’d be such a shame to miss these beautiful views.

Dream Lake

Driving Route >>
1. Beitou → Daye Road → Quanyuan Road → Hudi Road → Hushan Road → Yangmingshan
2. Jinshan → Provincial Highway 2 (Northern Coastal Highway) → Provincial Highway 2A (Yangjin Highway) → Yangmingshan
3. Tamsui → County Highway 101 (Beixin Road) → County Highway 101A (Yangming Road) → Bailaka Highway → Yangmingshan
You should be able to see Up along the way by following the signs.
It’s on the same route as Qingtian Gang, so you can visit that too if you have time ^^

Grace

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