Enjoy vibrant maple-like foliage without waiting for autumn—Taiping Mountain’s “Purpleleaf Maple” turns the hills crimson until October

▲ Purpleleaf Maples on Taiping Mountain line both sides of the staircase, creating a tunnel of crimson leaves as you walk up. (Photo / Courtesy of Luodong Forest District Office website)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Can you admire fall foliage even when it’s not autumn? The famous “Purpleleaf Maple” in Yilan’s Taiping Mountain area has recently sprouted new leaves, now displaying a stunning mix of bright red and deep purple hues. The Luodong Forest District Office noted that unlike typical maple leaves, which turn red only when autumn cools the weather, Purpleleaf Maple leaves emerge in deep purple right after budding. The vibrant, colorful scenery is expected to last until October.

The Purpleleaf Maples on Taiping Mountain are mainly distributed along both sides of the central staircase at Taiping Mountain Lodge. Bathed in sunlight, the leaves glow a fiery red, vivid as a painting. As visitors walk up the staircase, it feels like strolling through a tunnel of red foliage. In addition to enjoying the red leaf scenery, the journey toward the pristine forests of Taiping Mountain also offers the refreshing scent of cypress trees.

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The forest office explained that Purpleleaf Maple leaves look very similar to the more commonly known maple leaves, but they have more deeply lobed edges and sawtooth margins, which often leads to confusion. While maple trees only change color in autumn as temperatures drop, Purpleleaf Maples display their deep purple hue right from the moment new leaves sprout.

The forest office reminded the public that the Purpleleaf Maple season begins in April and lasts until October, when the leaves fall again. Visitors can come to admire the red foliage at any time during this period.