Hurry if you want to go—the 5 most stunning bald cypress spots in Eastern Taiwan, where every photo looks like a European landscape painting

▲ The stunning view of bald cypress trees at Mingchi Forest Recreation Area. (Photo provided by Lihli Makauo Eco-Park, photographed by Darwin)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

In Taiwan, if you want to experience autumn and winter scenery, besides the fiery red maple leaves, the uniquely desolate beauty of bald cypress forests is also captivating. Eastern Taiwan not only boasts beautiful mountains and waters, but many areas are also covered with vast bald cypress forests, waiting for you to come and admire them. 《ETtoday East News Cloud》 has carefully selected 5 locations in Eastern Taiwan where you can enjoy bald cypress trees, but some of the scenery is located within homestays and is not open to the public—be sure to check before you go.

▲ The beautiful bald cypress trees at Mingchi. (Photo by reporter Tsai Wen-chun)

1. Yilan - Mingchi Forest Recreation Area
Located within the Lihli Makauo Eco-Park, the Mingchi Forest Recreation Area features vast golden bald cypress forests surrounding Mingchi Lake, interwoven with distant mountains and wooden boardwalks to create a breathtaking scene that resembles a European postcard. With the revitalization by the Lihli Tourism Group, both Mingchi Villa and Qilan Villa have been newly renovated and are now open for guests to stay, allowing visitors to drift off to sleep embraced by this 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 beautiful ink-wash painting. The bald cypress forest is tucked away in one corner of the park, and with a small river running through it, it resembles a "Forest of Serenity" right in downtown Luodong, creating a leisurely and tranquil atmosphere.

▲ The dreamlike Yunshan Water. (Photo from Yunshan Water’s Facebook page)

3. Hualien - Yunshan Water
Located in Yunshan Water, Shoufeng Township, and developed over 20 years, the area features a vast Dream Lake whose waters, rich in calcium carbonate, reflect an otherworldly azure blue when hit by sunlight. The color changes with the weather, and when surrounded by the bald cypress trees along the lake, it feels like a romantic European scene, attracting many visitors for photos.

▲ The “Forest of Serenity” version made of bald cypress. (Photo from Yuzhan Nursery’s Facebook page)

4. Hualien - Yuzhan Nursery
Located near National Dong Hwa University, Yuzhan Nursery is known as the “mini version of Yunshan Water.” Though the nursery is on private land, it is currently open to the public for viewing. The golden bald cypress trees reflected on the water’s surface create a dreamy, picturesque scene. However, visitors must not step into the water for photos and should take their trash with them to help preserve this beautiful hidden gem for others to enjoy.

▲ Adnan’s Residence offers views of a mirror-like lake and surrounding bald cypress forests. (Photo fromAdnan’s Residence official website)

5. Hualien - Grace Manor & Adnan’s Residence
Grace Manor and Adnan’s Residence are two uniquely styled homestays built by a couple. The former is more budget-friendly, while the latter is a high-end option. What they share is stunning lake views, surrounded by bald cypress trees and layered distant mountains, with a serene atmosphere that is truly enchanting.

However, guests should note that the homestays are not open to the public for visits. In particular, Adnan’s Residence does not accept guests under the age of 18. Those planning to book accommodation should pay attention to the homestay’s policies (http://www.gracegarden.com.tw/index.html)