Come here for your 2018 New Year’s holiday getaway—Top 10 Must-See Tamarisks in Eastern Taiwan

▲ Li Pi Lake in Yuanshan, Yilan (Photo provided by netizen 1114phoebe. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Cold winter is the perfect season to admire tamarisk trees. Take advantage of the New Year’s holiday or weekends to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery this time of year has to offer. This article rounds up 10 must-see tamarisk spots in Eastern Taiwan—save the list and head out with family and friends for an outdoor adventure.

▲ Mingchi Forest Recreation Area (Photo by reporter Tsai Wen-chun)

1. Yilan – Mingchi Forest Recreation Area
Nestled within the Lihli Magao Ecological Park, the Mingchi Forest Recreation Area features vast golden tamarisk forests surrounding the lake, interwoven with distant mountains and wooden boardwalks to create a postcard-perfect European scene. Thanks to a revamp by the Lihli Tourism Group, both Mingchi and Qilan Mountain Lodges have been newly renovated and are now open for guests to stay in, allowing travelers to drift off to sleep embraced by dreamlike beauty and enjoy a delightful vacation.

2. Yilan – Luodong Sports Park
Covering an area of 47 hectares, Luodong Sports Park combines terrain, landscaping, and water features to form a stunning ink-wash painting. The tamarisk grove is tucked away in one corner of the park, with a small stream running through it—like a forest of tranquility right in the city—creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

▲ A hidden gem in Yilan: The tamarisks at Youjia Farm have turned red. (Photo from IG @_____, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)molly888666Provided, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.

3. Yilan – Youjia Farm
Youjia Farm in Yilan is a free, hidden tamarisk paradise. The crimson tamarisk trees stand gracefully beside a pond filled with water lilies, creating a romantic scene that feels like another country. The farm is not far from downtown Yilan—about a 6-8 minute drive or 20-minute walk. As private land, it's open to the public for free and has become a favorite spot among photography enthusiasts. While tamarisks are typically most popular in winter when they turn golden yellow, these have turned red due to typhoon-induced foehn winds, resulting in an unexpectedly enchanting view.

▲ Tamarisks in Sanyi Township (Photo provided by netizen _____, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)boa_911Provided, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.

4. Yilan – Anlongxi Riverside
Located by Anlongxi River in Sanyi Township, Yilan County, about 200 tamarisk trees line both sides of the boulevard, set against a backdrop of lush green lawns to create a magnificent “more is more” landscape. On sunny days, the blue sky, white clouds, tamarisks, lawns, and distant mountains come together to form a scene that feels like another country—truly a hidden gem widely shared among netizens.

▲ The shores of Li Pi Lake are lined with tamarisk trees, which look even more dreamy with filter effects applied (Photo provided by netizen _____, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)yuhsuan1115Provided, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.

5. Yilan – Li Pi Lake
Located in Yuanshan, Yilan, there is a place called Li Pi Lake. Wooden boardwalks around the lake are flanked by rows of tamarisk and ginkgo trees, with verdant mountain ranges in the background. The beautiful scenery is mirrored on the lake surface, making every photo taken here look like a painting—so stunningly unreal that it attracts many photographers. The tamarisk trees, shaped like Christmas trees, are currently transitioning from green to red, their tree tops decorated with layers of vibrant colors, creating a poetic and picturesque ambiance. White egrets occasionally fly over the lake, while mallards and white swans swim leisurely, adding to the lively charm.

▲ Yunshan Dream Lake in Hualien (Photo from Yunshan’s official fan page)

6. Hualien – Yunshan Dream Lake
Located in Yunshan, Shoufeng Township, this destination took 20 years to plan and develop. The expansive Dream Lake contains high levels of calcium carbonate, which, when refracted by sunlight, displays an incredibly dreamy sapphire-blue hue. Depending on the weather, the lake water changes color, and when surrounded by tamarisk trees along the shore, it feels like a romantic scene straight out of Europe—drawing many visitors for photos.

Address: No. 18, Lane 201, Alley 2, Section 2, Fengping Road, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County

▲ Songhu Station (Photo provided by netizens Song Hongyi and Chen Jingxiang. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

7. Hualien – Songhu Station
Songhu Station in Hualien is a restaurant located right next to Highway 9. The property is planted with hundreds of tamarisk trees, standing in ponds and on lakeside islets. Many have recently turned red, their reflections shimmering on the clear lake surface. There’s also a raised walkway in the middle of the lake—snap a photo here, and you’ll feel like you’re in a fairytale postcard from another country.

Address: No. 15, Section 5, Jifeng Road, Jianshan Township, Hualien City

▲ Yu Zhan Nursery in Hualien. (Photo by Awei Su)

8. Hualien Yu Zhan Nursery
The "Yu Zhan Nursery," located near Hualien's Dong Hwa University, has become an overnight sensation for its romantic scene of bald cypress trees standing tall in the water. Dubbed a mini version of Yunshan Water Town, the golden bald cypress forest creates a dreamy atmosphere reminiscent of Europe, offering a picturesque and fairytale-like experience. However, visitors are reminded not to step into the pond for photos and to take their trash with them to help preserve this beautiful hidden gem for others to enjoy.

Address: Beside Taiwan Sugar Pinghe Gas Station, 219K on Provincial Highway 9, Shoufeng, Hualien (near Dong Hwa University)

▲ Bald cypress at Lihpao Lake Resort Hualien. (Photo provided by Lihpao Lake Resort Hualien)

9. Hualien Lihpao Lake Resort Hotel
Resembling Venice, the romantic water city of Europe, Lihpao Lake Resort Hualien features dreamy European-style architecture and landscaping, making it a popular spot for check-ins and stays in Hualien. Within the resort’s Ideal Eco Park, bald cypress trees are also planted. However, Lihpao Lake Resort states that due to the difficulty of cultivating bald cypress, the introduced varieties are not tall with thick trunks. Instead, they create a serene and lonely beauty when reflected in the lake—an unforgettable bald cypress sight not to be missed.

Address: No. 1, Lixiang Road, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County

▲ Adansis Residence Hualien (Photo captured from the official website of Adansis Residence)

10. Hualien Grace Manor & Adansis Residence
Grace Manor and Adansis Residence are two distinctly styled homestays created by a couple—Grace Manor being more affordable, while Adansis Residence offers a luxury homestay experience. What they share is stunning lake views, surrounded by lakeside bald cypress forests and layered distant mountains, with a tranquil atmosphere that is truly enchanting.

However, guests should note that these homestays are not open to the public for visits. In particular, Adansis Residence has a policy of not accommodating guests under the age of 18. Those wishing to book should pay attention to the homestay’s regulations.