Enjoy Nature: Explore Taiwan’s 7 Great Farms and Forests

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 

With the sweltering summer just behind us, visiting nature in early autumn offers the best opportunity for total physical and mental liberation. Taiwan’s 7 great farms and forests are rich in natural resources. Whether you’re exploring scenic mountains and waters, camping in the wild, admiring flowers and picking fruits, or watching butterflies dance, immersing yourself in nature and culture provides travelers with the perfect release and rest. Why not start enjoying nature by visiting Taiwan’s 7 great farms and forests right away?

● Pearl of the Northern Cross-Island Highway • A Celestial Pool on Earth
Mingchi Forest Recreation Area

Located at the midpoint of the Northern Cross-Island Highway, Mingchi, also known as "Chi-Duan," sits at an altitude of 1,150 to 1,700 meters. With its cool and pleasant climate, it is a famous summer retreat in northern Taiwan. Not only does it feature a fairy-tale-like alpine lake and abundant forest and ecological landscapes, but it is also home to birds, butterflies, squirrels, mandarin ducks, and mallards frequently seen darting through the woods. It is the first forest recreation area in Taiwan designed with a "garden" concept, where bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and ponds are spread throughout the area, exuding Zen and poetic charm.

【Info】
Address: No. 1, Mingchi Villa, Yingshi Village, Datong Township, Yilan County
Phone: (03)989-4104　
Fax: (03)980-1723
Open all day

www.lealeahotel.com/makauy/

● Confluence of Three Rivers • Millennium Sacred Trees
Qilan Forest Recreation Area

Originally a Qilan nursery, the Qilan Forest Recreation Area is situated at the confluence of the Lanyang River, Duowang River, and Tianguer River, boasting naturally stunning scenery. It features distinct seasonal floral beauty, with especially captivating maple forests, plum blossoms, and cherry blossoms in autumn and winter. The area also includes thoughtfully planned forest bathing trails surrounded by natural broadleaf trees, garden paths adorned with flowers for sightseeing, a canyon café offering coffee and tea, as well as historically significant sites such as the Chiang Kai-shek Guesthouse and the Veterans & Forest Museum, allowing visitors to fully enjoy both natural and cultural beauty.

【Info】
Address: No. 6, Section 4, Tayal Road, Taiping Village, Datong Township, Yilan County
Phone: (03)980-9606
Fax: (03)980-9657
Open all day
www.lealeahotel.com/makauy/
 
 ● Flower Viewing & Fruit Picking • An Ecological Treasure Trove
Wuling Farm

Located at an altitude of 1,740 to 2,200 meters, Wuling Farm has an average annual temperature of about 15°C, making it a well-known summer retreat in Taiwan. Its four-season scenery is famed for spring flowers, summer fruits, autumn maples, and winter snow. With its unique natural landforms, it fosters rich natural landscapes and cultural resources, particularly the precious Qijia Bay cultural site and the national treasure fish—Sakura masu salmon. In recent years, due to climate change and ecological conservation trends, it has shifted toward a management model focused primarily on tourism, leisure, and ecotourism, supplemented by agricultural experiences. The scenery at Wuling is breathtakingly beautiful, with misty forests, lush wilderness, emerald streams, tree-close birdwatching, wave-listening, and fish-viewing—all brimming with vitality. Both dynamic and serene scenes are fascinating, making it ideal for family trips.