Romantic scenery and dreamy castles await here！8 must-visit photogenic spots in Nantou

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Nantou is the only county in Taiwan without a coastline. In addition to Sun Moon Lake and the Skywalk, there are many beautiful attractions worth visiting. 《ETtoday Eastday News Cloud》 has specially selected 8 popular photogenic spots in Nantou, satisfying both nature routes and dreamy castles and churches that girls love — all in one go！

Nature-Loving Route

▲ The Jiujiumfeng Forest Trail is somewhat famous online and is one of the local natural sightseeing attractions. (Photo provided by netizen ling.1203. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Jiujiumfeng Forest Trail

Jiujiumfeng, also commonly known as Huoyanshan (Fire Mountain), is said to consist of 99 pointed peaks. Viewed from afar, the mountain range resembles leaping flames. Visitors can follow the signs to the Jiujiumfeng Art & Ecology Park. The refreshing breeze combined with lush greenery around creates a truly refreshing experience. If you’re lucky, you might even spot cute animals such as Formosan macaques, fairy pitta birds, and civets along the way.

Netizens say that although reaching the observation deck is exhausting, seeing the legendary beautiful scenery makes it all worthwhile. At an altitude of about 500 meters, Jiujiumfeng isn’t particularly high compared to other mountains, but due to the lack of natural barriers, it offers sweeping views of vast landscapes, including Wufeng, Wu River, Caotun, and Pinglin.

▲ Nantou’s Golden Dragon Mountain may be at a low elevation, but it boasts high-altitude scenery such as sea of clouds, glass light, and dawn glow — all incredibly stunning. (Photo fromRediscover. Dynamic Sun Moon Lake!)Fan Page)

Golden Dragon Mountain

Among the three most renowned photography spots among photographers in Taiwan — “North Getou, Central Wucheng, South Erliao” — all located in low-altitude mountainous areas, “Central Wucheng” sits at an elevation of 820 meters on Nantou’s Yuchi Township’s Golden Dragon Mountain. It offers high-altitude views such as sea of clouds, glass light, and dawn glow. As the sun rises, the mountain mist shimmers through changing colors over time — sometimes misty with golden rays shining through; other times surrounded by rolling waves of clouds nestling between mountain peaks, creating a dreamlike ink-painting effect. The ever-changing scenery has even impressed professional photographers！

Address: Golden Dragon Mountain, Dayan Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County

▲ The sunset at Hutou Mountain is absolutely gorgeous, with romance off the charts！(Photo provided by netizen hsushihhan. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Puli Hutou Mountain

Hutou Mountain offers wide, open views. From the mountainside, you can gaze far and wide across the town of Puli. At sunset and nightfall, it presents different breathtaking scenes. Additionally, you can experience an exciting paragliding adventure that will stay with you for a long time.

Location: Northeastern suburbs of Puli Township, Nantou County

▲ The seemingly endless ladder is Taiwan’s first unique ladder-style suspension bridge made up of 208 steps. (Photo provided by netizen johnsonchen1029. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Zhushan Sky Ladder

Spanning the Taiji Canyon and the Bamboo Sea Scenic Area, this “sky ladder,” though primarily functional as a passage, has become a popular sightseeing spot thanks to its unique design. Its long U-shaped bridge has been likened by netizens to a smile hidden in the mountains.

The Zhushan Sky Ladder has an intriguing backstory — it was engineered by Japanese technicians and is Taiwan’s first staircase-style suspension bridge. With a height difference of approximately 20 meters between both ends and the middle, climbers feel as if they are diving down and then climbing up, offering a bit more thrill than your average suspension bridge.

Location: No. 590, Dinglin Road, Da’an Village, Zhushan Township, Nantou County

Super Photogenic Dream Architecture

▲ Xitou Monster Village. (Photo fromXitou Monster VillageFan Page)

Monster Village

When it comes to the most classic monster village, Xitou Monster Village takes the crown. Surrounded by pristine forests, it features big red lanterns, Japanese-style wooden buildings, and a striking red torii gate — all creating a strong Japanese traditional village vibe. Xitou Monster Village is designed around the story of the monsters Bado and Kumā, who sacrificed their lives to save Grandpa Songlin Shengyi in a fierce battle against terrifying monsters. Various monster-themed landscapes are scattered throughout the area. At night, when the red lanterns are lit, an even more magical and mysterious atmosphere emerges, making it a top tourist destination.

Address: No. 2-3, Xingchan Road, Lugu Township, Nantou County

▲ The Paper Dome in Puli, Nantou, is a popular photography spot. Shooting the church reflected in the lake creates a uniquely beautiful effect. (Photo provided by IG@yo2na. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Paper Dome

Located in Taomi Community, Puli Town, Nantou County, the “Paper Dome” features an exterior constructed from fiberglass corrugated panels and an interior made of paper materials, creating a one-of-a-kind architectural structure that is incredibly photogenic both day and night.

When designing the Paper Dome, architect Shigeru Ban used the space between the oval formed by paper tubes and the outer wall to create a corridor. The roof canopy above the main hall allows natural light to filter through. These seemingly thin paper tubes can each bear a weight of up to 6,936 kilograms—an astonishing feat that completely changes visitors’ traditional perceptions of paper.

Address: No. 52-12, Taomi Lane, Taomi Village, Puli Town, Nantou County
Phone: 049-2914922
Opening Hours: Weekdays 09:30–18:00, Holidays 09:00–20:00 (Closed on the first Wednesday of every month except February, July, and August, as well as on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Open as usual on national holidays.)
Admission: General admission NT$100, concession NT$50 (seniors over 65, students, preschool children, group tickets, and Puli residents); all ticket fees can be fully redeemed for purchases in the park.

▲ An outdoor panoramic view of the Presidents Gallery—every corner is incredibly dreamy (Photo provided by netizen shan331333. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

▲ Q-version statues of four U.S. presidents are replaced with Mao Zedong and other figures including the founding father, all having tea together. (Photo provided by netizen jimi_taiwan)

Presidents Gallery

The “Presidents Gallery” in Puli, built with an investment of hundreds of millions of New Taiwan Dollars by Dah Hei Song Xiao Liang Kou, is designed like a European-style castle, featuring traces of

And inside the Yuan Shou Mansion, there's the "Moon God Chapel" that girls absolutely adore!

Address: No. 219, Section 4, Zhongshan Road, Puli Town, Nantou County
Phone: 049-2918668
Business Hours: Weekdays 09:00–17:00; Holidays 09:00–17:30

▲ Standing in Nantou’s Qingjing area, the Old England Manor is a dreamy homestay many netizens yearn to visit. (Photo provided by netizen hsuanchunlee. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Old England Manor

Located on the highlands of Nantou, the Old England Manor has gained fame among internet celebrities and bloggers for its European-style castle architecture. Viewed from afar, the emerald-green rolling mountains surround the castle, with large expanses of woods adding to the natural fairy-tale beauty. The blue sky and white clouds above complete the scene, resembling a vivid, beautiful postcard from abroad. Many people get instantly enchanted just by seeing shared photos on Instagram, exclaiming, “This is the fairy-tale castle of my dreams—how can I not visit!”

Location: Qingjing Farm, No. 20-3, Shouting Lane, Datong Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County