A Winter Wonderland of Maple Red!

▲ Alishan’s “Red Leaf Carpet” Leaves Leaf-Peepers Spellbound. (Photo / From the "Wandering Alishan Above the Clouds" feature, the same below.)

Reported by Chen Hanyin / Compiled by Staff

Winter is the perfect season to go mountain hiking and admire the maple leaves. Alishan has always been one of the top destinations for leaf-peepers. With the recent drop in temperature, not only have the leaves on the treetops turned a deeper red, but the crimson carpet of fallen leaves scattered across the ground is simply breathtaking.

▲ Crimson fallen leaves blanket the earth, welcoming visitors.

From December each year to New Year's Day, is the most beautiful season for both maple and red wingnut trees in Alishan. These trees are mainly located around Alishan Guest House, Ciyun Temple, and Zhapingshan Park. As temperatures drop and the temperature difference increases, the red foliage along the trails becomes even more vivid. The fallen leaves turn into a romantic, naturally-formed red carpet. In winter, Alishan is often enshrouded in mist, and the red leaves combined with the sea of clouds create a scene so enchanting it feels like walking through a classic painting of the autumn or winter season.

▲ Even stairways are adorned with carpets of red leaves for visitors.

Top 4 Recommended Maple Leaf Viewing Routes in Alishan

Alishan Maple Route 1: First Checkpoint → Second Staff Dormitory → Fork in the Road → Alishan Guest House → Alishan Work Station.

Alishan Maple Route 2: Alishan Guest House → Alpine Botanical Garden → Ciyun Temple → Alishan Sacred Tree Ruins → Sisters Ponds Loop Trail → Zhapingshan Park.

Alishan Maple Route 3: Alishan Mianyue Scenic Trail.

Alishan Maple Route 4: From kilometer 76 to kilometer 93 on Alishan Highway (the most spectacular maple leaf viewing route in the Alishan area)