Over 3,000 maple trees at Shimen Reservoir are turning red — catch the peak fall foliage by month’s end!

▲ Maple Trail at Shimen Reservoir. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Water Resources Bureau; stock photo)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Maple Trail at Shimen Reservoir is a popular spot for locals in northern Taiwan to admire autumn leaves. The Water Resources Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs' North Region has planted more than 3,000 green maples around the reservoir, and their leaves are now gradually turning red. By the end of the month, if the northeast monsoon strengthens, it will be the best time to enjoy the fall foliage.

▲ Maple foliage expected to peak at Shimen Reservoir by month’s end. (Photo provided by cloud user Gary; stock photo)

Although temperatures have been relatively high in recent days, the maple leaves at Shimen Reservoir are already beginning to show hints of red. Qiu Zhongchuan, deputy director of the North Region Water Resources Bureau, said today that over 3,000 green maples were planted around the reservoir to enhance its greenery. These trees are distributed across the Xizhou Park, Midline Park, and the elevated road areas of the reservoir. With leaves in varying shades of green and red, the site has become an important autumn attraction in northern Taiwan every year.

Maple leaves typically turn red when there is a daytime-nighttime temperature difference of over 10 degrees Celsius and under cool, moist weather conditions. Therefore, as the northeast monsoon strengthens by the end of the month, bringing cooler and damper air, the climate will be ideal for the maple leaves to reach their peak color.