The Maple Leaves at Aowanda Are at Their Peak Red — Take the Bus to Enjoy the Foliage Without Traffic Jams and at a Lower Cost

▲ Maple foliage at Aowanda. (Photo / Courtesy ofAowanda Nature Education Center Facebook)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The maple leaves at Aowanda are in full "red" glory now. As winter deepens, visitor numbers to Aowanda Forest Recreation Area for autumn foliage viewing have also peaked. Since December, the area has set a new record of nearly 10,000 visitors in a single day. The Nantou Forest District Office recommends that the best time to admire the foliage is mid to late December. Travelers are encouraged to take advantage of a local “strategic alliance” of multiple bus operators heading up the mountain — it’s convenient, fast, and comes with a NT$150 discount on park entry fees on holidays.

Since December, the maple leaves at Aowanda have turned red, drawing large crowds of visitors and causing serious traffic congestion. The Forest District Office advises the public to use public transportation when coming to view the foliage. In addition to the existing Nantou Bus, the office has also formed a transportation strategy alliance with several operators, including Formosa International Leasing, Yongbao Passenger Car Rental, Wufu Sightseeing Bus, and Taiwan Car Rental.

▲ Maple foliage at Aowanda. (Photo / Courtesy of Aowanda Nature Education Center Facebook)

The Forest District Office noted that taking public transport up the mountain not only offers speed and convenience but also comes with discounted park entry fees — NT$150 on holidays and NT$100 on weekdays. In conjunction with the start of the foliage season, the office has also implemented a daily visitor cap of 3,500 people. At the starting point of Provincial Highway 83 leading to Aowanda in Wushe, an electronic signboard has been set up to advise visitors to consider other scenic areas once the visitor count reaches 3,000.

For more information on the related transportation strategy alliance, please visit theAowanda National Forest Recreation Area official websiteor theNantou Forest District Office official websiteor call (049) 236-5226.