White flowers blanket the mountaintops, red leaves dot the greenery — the stunning "maple & silvergrass" scenery in the mountainous areas of New Taipei City

▲ Winter is the season of silvergrass. The photo shows silvergrass on Tea Pot Mountain in Ruifang. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Every year during autumn and winter, the mountaintops are covered with expanses of "silvery white" silvergrass across scenic spots such as the Caoling Historic Trail in Gongliao, Tea Pot Mountain in Ruifang, Wufen Mountain in Xizhi, and mountainous regions in Pingxi and Xindian. Unlike other flowering plants, silvergrass always carries a lush, verdant aura. This is also the season when Taiwan’s maple leaves turn red — in areas and roads near Gongbei Temple in Xizhi, Section 101 in Sanzhi, Dharma Drum Mountain in Jinshan, and Shanxi Temple in Tucheng, the vibrant red foliage stands out strikingly against the sea of green.


▲ Section 101 in Sanzhi. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)

Silvergrass is the general term for various species of the Miscanthus genus. It is highly resilient and can often be seen covering vast areas in the wilderness or along riverbanks, creating spectacular views — such as the silvergrass seas that resemble blankets draping over the hills of the Caoling Historic Trail or Tea Pot Mountain in Ruifang. In the evening, the setting sun casts a golden glow on the silvergrass. Meanwhile, at Ruifang’s Golden Waterfall, the interplay of silvergrass and the waterfall creates an especially magnificent scene.

Maple viewing includes both sweet gum trees (Liquidambar) and maple family trees such as the green maple. Both are excellent street tree species, with green maple being a unique species to Taiwan. Maple viewing mainly involves admiring the leaves as they change from green to yellow and then to red during autumn and winter. Recently, the area around Gongbei Temple in Xizhi has been ablaze with red maples, creating a classic, nostalgic atmosphere alongside the temple architecture and its iconic double-arched bridge. Along Section 2–4 kilometers of Section 101 in Sanzhi, rows of maple trees lining the road present a stunning view. The New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau stated that those interested in flower viewing can search for the “Flower Viewing Bulletin” Facebook fan page to get the latest updates on flower conditions.