A Hidden Paradise in New Taipei City – Tucheng Rhododendron Park, Beautiful Even Without the Blossoms

Reported by Cai Mengxiu / Taipei

Modern life is hectic, with people buried in work and finding it hard to take time off for travel, but carving out a “half-day of leisure” on a holiday is still very much doable. Locatedin Tucheng, the “Rhododendron Park” is perfect for hiking—even when it’s not rhododendron season, the scenery remains captivating. A stone stream called Shipailiao Creek meanders gently along the hiking trail, and the forest’s phytoncides and the sound of flowing water offer hikers a moment of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle.

▲ The path is lined with classic wooden boardwalks, surrounded by greenery that lets visitors immerse themselves in the forest’s phytoncides. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

▲ The trail runs alongthe creek, where many people stop to admire the fish. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

Since we’re going for a one-day trip theme, let’s choose to wake up early on a weekend and hike up the mountain ourselves. After actually doing it, I found that getting to Rhododendron Park was no effort at all. Take the Brown Line (Ban-Nan Line) to Yongning Station, Exit 2, then walk straight along Chengtian Road until you see the trailhead sign. You can just follow the small creek and boardwalk all the way—very easy even for those with no sense of direction, plus the signs along the way are clear, so you can pick your favorite route.

▲ The path leading to the trailhead is full of greenery. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

▲ This is the entrance to the wooden boardwalk, where the signage is clear. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

Originally a well-known hiking trail, the area became commonly known as “Rhododendron Park” after the establishment of the park. The main activity area is around Shipailiao Creek, and if you want a phytoncide-filled adventure, you can choose one of several entry points from the foothills. There are also multiple side trails to explore. Nearby attractions includeChengtian Mountain Hiking Trail,Chengtian Zen Temple,Shipailiao Creek Waterfront Boardwalk,Lovers’ Bend Viewing Platform,Moon Viewing Pavilion,Shanxi Temple, and more.

▲ Along the way, there are small waterfalls and moss-covered rocks that look like landscape art. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

Because the mountain paths are interconnected with multiple hiking trails leading to summits or other spots, I chose the Shipailiao Creek Boardwalk for an immersive experience. Hiking up along the creek, the wooden path is surrounded by lush green trees, and the sound of flowing water gives you a refreshing “cool-to-the-bone” feeling—even in bright sunlight, the heat doesn’t feel intense.

▲ A picturesque scene of a small bridge over flowing water. (Photo / Cai Mengxiu)

The Shipailiao Creek Waterfront Boardwalk stretches about 3 kilometers in total, and it took roughly an hour and a half to walk the whole thing. There are plenty of local food stalls and rest pavilions along the way for breaks and refreshments. The creek beside the boardwalk is crystal clear, with no strong currents or rough waves—the fish are clearly visible—making it a great spot for fish-watching. There are also many small waterfalls along the path, offering a close connection with nature.

▲%The text appears to be corrupted or contains unreadable characters. Please provide a clean, legible Chinese segment for accurate translation.