Hidden Beauty of Zhuzihu: The "Heart" of Black Forest & the Ethereal Sulfur Smoke of Xiaoyoukeng

▲Calla lilies in full bloom in Zhuzihu; besides admiring the flowers, visitors can also enjoy the beautiful sight of sulfur smoke from Xiaoyoukeng. (Photo / Taken fromCalla Lily Season Facebook Fan Page)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

After the start of the Calla Lily Season in Zhuzihu, Yangmingshan, many tourists flock to admire the flowers. However, there are several lesser-known scenic spots around Zhuzihu that rival the beauty of the calla lilies. One such spot, the popular wedding photo location known as the"Black Forest", has recently added a new "heart" installation art piece, adding even more romance. Walking along the riverside trail in the top lake area of Zhuzihu also offers a distant view of the ethereal sulfur smoke rising from Xiaoyoukeng.

▲%The picturesque Black Forest features towering fir trees; visitors can enjoy the layered shadows created by sunlight filtering through the branches (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government)

The "Black Forest" is filled with tall, straight fir trees, and sunlight filtering through the gaps creates richly layered shadows. Recently, the Taipei City Government's Department of Urban Development installed an oversized heart-shaped art piece here. The large white heart, set against the lush forest, presents a fairytale-like scene that attracts many couples to stop and take photos.

The industrial roads around Zhuzihu also each have their own unique charm. The main route features a several-kilometer-long Cherry Blossom Avenue, where thousands of pink cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The famous calla lily fields are located on the Zhuzihu branch road, where visitors can enjoy stream ecology, terraced field landscapes, and specialty restaurants selling fresh mountain vegetables. A lesser-known hidden gem is the riverside trail in the top lake area, where visitors can overlook Xiaoyoukeng and enjoy the natural scenery of sulfur smoke drifting with the wind.

%The scenic riverside trail of Zhuzihu is known as the "Cherry Blossom Avenue." (Photo / Provided by Taipei City Government)

The Department of Urban Development stated that visitors to the area can now also see calla lily-themed guardrails, the Calla Lily Pavilion, and the Calla Lily Pedestrian Bridge. In the future, additional attractions such as the Maple Leaf Trail and the Penglai Rice Restoration Field will be completed. Visitors can take bus Xiao-9 or transfer to bus 131 at Yangmingshan Park and get off at Shuiwei Bridge to enjoy the ethereal romantic atmosphere of Taipei’s “Back Garden.”