Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and admire the azaleas at Hehuandong Peak, Taiwan’s highest great garden.

Text & Photos /Home of Akuai

The Hehuan Mountain Range requires no heavy gear or climbing permits—just attention to safety and keeping warm, and you can easily reach your first "hundred peaks" summit. Right now, Yushan azaleas and Formosan red azaleas are in full bloom, and missing them means waiting another year. Beside Songxue Lodge, there’s a safe wooden-plank trail that leads to Taiwan’s highest and largest garden, Hehuandong Peak, and it’s also one of the spots with the densest displays of Yushan azaleas. It being a holiday, there were many hikers, and sometimes you could see entire families—elders and children alike—climbing together. Even amidst the misty heights, the lively atmosphere prevented any feelings of loneliness caused by the mountain weather and terrain.

(Photo date: 20140517 at Hehuandong Peak)

Between April and May each year, Taiwan’s so-called “May Snow”—tung blossoms—may have quietly faded due to climate and rainfall, while Yushan azaleas on Hehuan Mountain are in full bloom. To witness the spectacular sea of Yushan azaleas, we wandered freely through the flower clusters, enjoying the blossoms while conquering one of the hundred peaks, Hehuandong Peak. The breathtaking expanse of flowers, with blooms vying in splendor, draped Hehuan Mountain in a vibrant, romantic cloak—it was truly a feast for the eyes.

Across Taiwan’s major high mountains such as Hehuan Mountain and Yushan, Formosan red azaleas and Yushan azaleas have reached their peak blooming period. Lucky for us, the weather was clear, allowing us to witness the magnificent sea of Yushan azaleas up close.

Yushan azalea is a native species of Taiwan’s high-altitude mountain regions. After mid-May each year, the vast fields of Yushan azaleas often delight hiking enthusiasts who wander through the floral carpets, taking in the sea of blooms that cover Hehuan Mountain.

Set aside a day for yourself to enjoy the cool, refreshing natural air-conditioning, take in the sweeping mountain ranges around you, and watch the drifting clouds shift and change. In fact, Hehuan Mountain is also one of Taiwan’s flower-viewing destinations. The endemic Yushan azalea begins blooming in the Hehuan Mountain area from late April (Formosan red azaleas are best viewed in late May to early June).

Hehuandong Peak is the best place to view Yushan azaleas, where they are most densely concentrated. Visiting in May or June, you’ll not only see the buds bursting forth in unison, like floral dancers lining the path in welcome.

Walking along the mountain trails, I was constantly reminded that I was cradled within the embrace of the peaks. Hehuan Mountain is like a vast garden. From Hehuandong Peak, Hehuan Main Peak, and Shimen Mountain—easy-grade hundred peaks—Yushan azaleas are currently in full bloom. You might want to plan a trip to casually fulfill your dream of conquering a hundred peaks while admiring the blooming Yushan azaleas. Miss this, and you may have to wait another year.

From the area above the ski lodge, Yushan azaleas are in full, glorious bloom—white patches, pink patches, red and white intermingled—as far as the eye can see. It’s truly overwhelming (in a good way)!

Bamboo grass, alpine azaleas, and junipers turn Hehuan Mountain into hues of deep green and light blue, accented by these tender pink touches that move the heart...

Meeting Yushan azaleas again, having longed for them all year—it feels like a dream come true, truly a precious find... The Yushan azaleas just get more beautiful the more you admire them, shifting from red to white with extraordinary charm.

Just a few steps and you may need to rest for a while—but in truth, reaching the summit of Hehuandong Peak only takes an hour and a half. Along the way, there are delightful surprises: Yushan azaleas appearing in ones and twos, then spreading across the mountainside. Flowers come in white, pink, bud, full bloom, and even those beginning to wilt—there’s every stage imaginable.

Up here, the air is fresh, the views are stunning, there’s no noise, no 7-Elevens to tempt you into unnecessary spending, and it’s so cool you don’t even need air-conditioning. Most of all, you’re welcomed by Yushan azaleas lining the path, letting you leisurely wander through the floral sea and snap photos to your heart’s content—a blissfully relaxing escape from the daily grind.

With the swift rising and shifting of mountain mists, staying mindful of the alpine scenery around you keeps fatigue at bay. Many think conquering the hundred peaks is a daunting task, perhaps something they’ll never achieve in their lifetime. But in Taiwan, peaks like Shimen Mountain, Hehuan Main Peak, Hehuandong Peak, and Hehuan North Peak are indeed part of the hundred peaks, yet they’re not difficult—the trails are accessible and popular among hikers.

As we climbed toward the main peak, we encountered thick fog. Mountain weather is ever-changing—one moment the mist clears swiftly, the next it envelops the entire summit. Thankfully, when the fog did roll in, it soon dissipated, allowing me to see another facet of the Yushan azaleas’ beauty hidden within the clouds. It made me realize: beautiful flowers don’t bloom forever, and good views don’t last long—you must cherish the beautiful moments you have now.

Gazing at the summit, the steep, straight ascent makes you pause to catch your breath with every step. If it weren’t for the breathtaking scenery and the Yushan azaleas drawing me in, I might’ve considered turning back.

For those who live or work long-term in the city, surrounded by noise and competition-induced stress, this moment offers a rare chance to breathe and unwind.

When you’re tired from walking, just rest beside the Yushan azaleas, sip some hot tea, nibble on snacks, and take close-up photos—it’s too beautiful, too blissful.

In the sweltering summer heat, while everyone stays indoors with their air-conditioning on, why not head up the mountain to enjoy the fresh, natural coolness, and let yourself—and your family—experience both nature’s beauty and the sense of accomplishment from conquering the heights.

Seeing the native Yushan azaleas in bloom is truly moving... Growing at Taiwan’s highest altitudes, these azaleas endure fierce mountain winds and heavy snowfall, growing slowly. From their sturdy, resilient trunks to their blossoms, you’ll spot their pristine, ice-like beautiful flowers along pathsides, slopes, and cliff edges.

Flower shadows of Yushan azaleas can be found at the trailhead of Hehuandong Peak and behind Songxue Lodge. The ones growing by the path are best admired up close—only photos allowed, no picking. Some are still in bud.

Yushan azaleas bloom everywhere, and wherever you look, you’ll find their lovely presence.

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