Escape the crowds and embrace nature: 6 healing scenic spots

By / Scenic Spots Family compiled report
 
The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading. To reduce the risk of group infections, it’s really important to avoid crowded places. Wear a mask to protect yourself and others. And if you want to escape the crowds and embrace nature, it’s definitely the best choice—let these scenic spots heal your tired body and mind.

Taoyuan Valley was once a place for grazing cattle during agricultural off-seasons and was also called Big Cattle Paddock. There are four main routes leading to Taoyuan Valley. Enter through the trailhead and walk through the forest stairway path, and suddenly the view opens up to a vast grassland. The ridge top offers a high vantage point overlooking the scenic areas around the northeast corner, with both the Lanyang Plain and Guishan Island beneath your feet. The interplay of mountain and sea makes it a favorite among hikers.
 
Address: Gongliao District, New Taipei City

Dream Lake is located at the source of the Xinshan Stream, a tributary of the North Port Stream at the foot of Xinshan Mountain, at an altitude of 325 meters. It was originally a small dammed lake used for irrigation by farmers, shaped like a triangle with each side about 50 meters long. The lake water is clear and beautiful, reflecting the dense tree shade. Because it is often shrouded in mist in winter, creating a dreamy atmosphere, it was named “Dream Lake” and is considered the most beautiful lake in Xizhi. Next to Dream Lake are two pavilions, allowing travelers to quietly enjoy its serene and fresh ambiance.
 
Address: Menghu Road, Xizhi District, New Taipei City

Daban Gen Forest covers an area of 20 hectares and is the only remaining low-altitude primary tropical rainforest in Taiwan. Its natural ecology is very well preserved, featuring century-old, large, national treasure-level buttress root plants. The forest has nearly 500 species of plants, over 4,000 types of insects, and more than 30 species of birds. It also includes dinosaur-era fern leaves and the eight-color bird, which is listed as a globally protected species. Therefore, it can be considered a treasure trove of primitive tropical rainforest ecology.
 
Address: Sanxia District, New Taipei City

Walking along the trails of the Maokong Soil and Water Conservation Tea Gardens, you can see tea fields planted along the terrain. The self-guided interpretive signs along the paths provide detailed explanations on how to make rational use of sloping land to maintain sustainable tea production. You can also observe various practical applications of ecological engineering. Additionally, you can follow the Sanxuan Palace Trail and the Camphor Tree Trail to enjoy the charm of Maokong’s rural tea garden scenery.
 
Address: Wenshan District, Taipei City