Feast on the romantic crimson foliage and head to the hometown of maple leaves

Text / Compiled and reported by the Editorial Department of MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network

 

With the arrival of the Beginning of Autumn, the hot weather gradually cools down with one autumn rain after another. The vast maple forests have also turned red one after another, heralding the message of autumn. As deep autumn sets in, the maple trees across Taiwan shed their verdant attire and greet travelers from all over with their fiery new red coats.

Many people have already started planning their maple viewing trips this year, among which,Aowanda is one of the most popular destinations for maple enthusiasts. The “nation’s largest pure natural liquidambar forest” is Aowanda’s most prominent attraction, and its reputation as the “hometown of maple leaves”means that just by crossing the suspension bridge from the forest park, you can enter an approximately eight-hectare maple forest area. The 2,425-meter-long maple forest trail also attracts many visitors to linger here. Currently, the maple leaves at Aowanda have quietly begun to turn, and if you want to witness the nation’s largest pure liquidambar forest, Aowanda will surely provide a visual feast.

Aowanda is located southeast of Wushe in Ren'ai Township, Nantou County. It borders Majun Mountain to the east, Wan-da to the west, is bounded by Mahapu Fuji Mountain to the north, and faces Wan-da Creek to the south, covering an area of 2,787 hectares. The entire area features alpine river valley terrain, with elevations between 1,200 and 2,600 meters. It boasts towering forests and refreshing grassy landscapes, as if stepping into a paradise on earth.From December each year to January of the following year is the golden period for maple foliage. The vast expanses of liquidambar forests in the valley shed their leaves in a riot of color, creating a truly enchanting scene.

When the coolness of late autumn sets in, it’s the best time to visit Aowanda for its maple foliage. Famous for its mountain springs and red maples, Aowanda alone has over 10 varieties of foliage-changing plants, including liquidambar, mountain maple, cherry maple, and cork oak, adding rich visual enjoyment to the forest landscape. There are several streams within the park, and as you walk along the area between the North and South Wan-da Creeks, you’ll find mountain stream scenery everywhere. The red maple forests and the pleasant sound of gurgling streams create a truly refreshing experience.

 

[Info]

Aowanda Forest Recreation Area

 

Maple Viewing Season:October, November, December, January

Address:No. 153, Da’an Road, Qin’ai Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County

Phone:(049)2974511

Opening Hours:Office Hours: 08:00–17:00

Transportation Information:

By car: National Freeway 3 → National Freeway 6 → Puli Interchange (end point) → Provincial Highway 14 → Wushe → County Road 83 → Aowanda Forest Recreation Area

By bus: Puli → Aowanda → Aowanda Forest Recreation Area