Breathe in the phytoncides at Daxi Puding Park – lush greenery that feels like stepping into a forest

Text & Photos /Wei Xiao Sun


It was my first time visiting Daxi in Taoyuan on a Saturday. My friend and I started with a visit to Daxi Old Street, sampling local street food and wandering around. I can’t even remember which old street it was—I’ve lost track of how many old streets I’ve been to in Taiwan?! XD. But these cultural spots are all incredibly important to us, whether it’s the snacks or the traditional crafts inside.

Less than a three-minute drive from Daxi Old Street, we arrived at the expansive **Daxi Puding Park** in the heart of Daxi. A friend had told me this urban park was stunning, so vast it even spans over the highway. Located near the police station, it’s a popular spot for locals to stroll and exercise on weekends.

The weather this weekend was so perfect—blue skies everywhere. We left Daxi Old Street around 2 PM and decided to stop by here on our way back. There were plenty of parking spots along the park’s perimeter. Stepping out of the car, the serene atmosphere was a stark contrast to the bustling old street. Glancing around, I saw kids and parents riding bikes toward the park entrance. It felt like a secret hideout—absolutely delightful.






Turn onto Park Road from Jieshou Road, and you’ll spot a large police station right at the corner. Just 30 seconds down Park Road, and you’ll see Puding Park. As soon as you enter, the lush green lawns glisten brilliantly under the sunlight.

The park has standard slides, monkey bars, and some fitness equipment. I strolled slowly, making up for the lack of proper exercise during work hours and fully relaxing on my day off. I imagined if this park were near my home, I’d be completely enchanted by this sea of green. What’s more, the cleanliness here is astonishing—fallen leaves seem to be cleared on time, and there’s no litter in sight. It’s easy to picture the nearby residents cherishing this place.

The area accessible from Park Road is relatively small, though still larger than many parks in Taichung, XD. Wait until you cross the overpass spanning the highway—the space on the other side is at least three times bigger, which genuinely surprised me.

The joy of having nowhere else to be. Even the busiest parents can bring their kids here to play, have a picnic, or ride bikes on weekends, creating cherished childhood memories. Swinging gently, I began reminiscing about a small park near my childhood home—it was tiny, just a pavilion and a few trees. There was a mulberry tree among them, which I relied on to raise silkworms as a kid, XD.






This overpass spanning the highway offers a view of the north-south expressway—I think it’s Highway 3. The roaring sound of traffic fades the moment you step off the bridge. The bridge also has protective railings so narrow you could probably only fit two fingers through, XD.

On the other side of the overpass, the space is at least three times larger than the Park Road side. Walking over, the dense foliage along the path casts a gentle shade, making you feel like you don’t have to worry about the sun and can breathe freely.






Each tree here is remarkably tall, including species I recognize like the rain tree, pine, and three little boys happily playing at the edge of the woods, tapping the grass with sticks. They chatted away while I walked slowly nearby, watching the sunlight dance around them and imagining the stories of the next generation.






Then I looked up—the sunlight filtered through the leaves. It wasn’t that the leaves were different colors, but the angle of the light gave each one its own translucency. Gently, they opened their arms to the land, and how happy the children must be here.










The pathways here deserve a thumbs-up. You’ll notice there’s hardly any fallen leaves—not because it’s not leaf-shedding season, but because someone clearly takes care of this space. It ensures visitors can relax, exercisers can feel at ease, and children growing up here have a clean, fresh environment.






It’s been a while since I stopped to admire a patch of oxalis flowers on the grass. I found myself captivated by every detail of the lawn—the clusters of oxalis flowers were so adorable, as if holding one would carry a romantic message for someone dear. In shades of deep pink and light pink, they whispered the beauty of life under the sunlight.




Along the path, you’ll always see people strolling—some with kids, some with umbrellas, some biking, some walking dogs. And then, patches of dandelions appeared on the grass. Like an adult who hasn’t stepped on grass in ages, I suddenly plopped onto the turf, crouching down and snapping photos from every angle. I wanted to be at their level, to capture them from directly above. When was the last time you saw a vast field of dandelions?

They’re surprisingly fragile—just a strong gust of wind can send their seeds flying. Seeing them intact, some even with sizable diameters, was both surprising and delightful. Dandelion flower meaning (according to the internet): sentimental. Watching their white fluff dance with the wind, carefree in all directions, gives off a fleeting, fickle impression.




While I was playing with the dandelions on the grass, a Maltese dog appeared beside me. I couldn’t see its owner anywhere, and it followed me around for at least ten minutes. I kept asking, “Where’s your owner?” Interestingly, it didn’t seem worried at all, following me as I climbed slopes and hopped over obstacles—as if it had decided to stick with me. But it stopped following when we crossed the overpass, as if it knew the park well and was just out for a walk, XD.

This end also has a playground area, complete with pretend animals. Everywhere you look, there are people enjoying a leisurely day out—exercising or strolling from home. The surrounding architecture also caught my eye, with standalone European-style buildings. A friend called them Japanese minimalist, XD. There are also some dignified-looking high-rises.

We continued our slow stroll—it’s one of the best things about this park. Admiring different trees and the stories of different lives adds a unique warmth to the heart. I truly believe that finding joy in everyday life is more important than earning a lot of money.










The first photo in this article features those four boys. From afar, I saw them striking cool poses for a photo, then shouting that they were recording. I knew something fun was about to happen, XD. I captured their entire rolling-down-the-hill moment, and we couldn’t stop laughing nearby. Their carefree childhood made me feel so happy. Next time, I’ll bring my kids here to roll down the hill too, XD.




The park also has small hills covered with pine-like plants resembling bald cypress. Taking photos here feels quite atmospheric—like Qingjing’s Green Green Grassland or a corner of a European countryside. At one intersection, colorful spinning tops and large shaded areas attract many elderly people. They gather here to play chess and chat, while sunlight filters through the treetops, delivering fresh oxygen to everyone beneath.






On a patch of grass, a mother and daughter enjoyed a picnic around 3 PM—a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. The vast green lawn beneath their feet is priceless, and you can almost smell the fresh scent of the grass.




The story isn’t over yet. I’m truly glad I came here. This park has a captivating charm—its vast space, diverse plant life, and, most importantly, the people. As we strolled slowly, soaking in the tranquility, watching kids sweat and play, and listening to soft conversations, I thought: this is what a community should have. A park nearby to laugh in, grow in, and witness the changing seasons with. Sharing with you—beautiful Daxi Puding Park.


Article by:[Enjoying Life Without Boredom. Wei Xiao Sun]

[Daxi, Puding Park]

Address:Park Road, Daxi Township, Taoyuan County