From Obscure to Viral: Have You Visited Taiwan’s Top 10 Overnight Sensation Hidden Spots?

▲ Hsinchu Sea Sound is one of this year’s viral spots. (Photo provided by A-Wei Su)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

With the rise of social media, many once lesser-known “hidden gem” scenic spots across Taiwan have transformed into popular photo-taking destinations thanks to netizens’ check-ins and word-of-mouth. Secluded forests, thrilling cliffs, and abandoned old railways—these hidden beauties of Taiwan have become a hot topic this year. 《ETtoday Travel Cloud》 has selected the top 10 hidden gems most loved by netizens this year. See how many you’ve been to!

1. Yilan – Eagle Stone Peak

Eagle Stone Peak, known for its vast vistas and spectacular scenery, was previously a private favorite among photography enthusiasts. But in recent years, more and more travelers have braved the effort to visit this spot for its views. It has also been voted by netizens as one of “Taiwan’s most beautiful hometown landscapes,” making Eagle Stone Peak increasingly popular.

Nearby Ming Shan Temple (Address: No. 17, Nei-Da-Xi Rd., Toucheng Township, Yilan County)

▲ Cliffside scenic spots have been very popular this year. (Photo provided by Gui Xiao Sun)

2. Miaoli – Ban Tian Liao Leisure & Cultural Park – Good Hope Corner

Miaoli’s Houlong Good Hope Corner is also the area with the highest concentration of wind turbines in Taiwan. It not only attracts many wind-chasing fans on a pilgrimage but also served as one of the filming locations for the movie 《Practice Song》. Walking along the trail, you can see the West Coast Expressway and passing trains, with the mouths of the Houlong River and Xihu River clearly visible. It’s a must-visit hidden gem in Miaoli for coastal windsurfing and ocean views.

Miaoli County, Houlong Town, Miaoli Route 33

▲ Houlong Good Hope Corner is great for cycling. (Photo provided by netizen @frank.0915. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

3. Xizhi – New Mountain Dream Lake

After a five-minute walk along a mountain trail, you’ll arrive at Dream Lake, known as an “angel’s hidden paradise.” Surrounded by mountains and shrouded in mist, Dream Lake feels like time has frozen, allowing visitors to lose all sense of time while staying there. For those looking to get some exercise and gaze at the beautiful scenery below, you can continue up the New Mountain Trail. The view from the summit is breathtaking.

New Taipei City, Xizhi, Xinshan Dream Lake Road (Take Xiwang Road up the mountain, turn right onto Dream Lake Road, and go 3.5 km to reach the trailhead)

▲ Beautiful lake views await in the mountains of New Taipei City. (Photo provided by IG @z898720000)

4. Yilan – Pink Bird Forest

The “Pink Bird Forest Hidden Gem,” located in Dong’ao, Yilan’s Dong’ao, recently gained attention for its endless azure sea views and the natural rocks standing in the ocean, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. It looks amazing even without adjusting colors, making it a highly popular Instagram check-in spot.

Yilan County, Su’ao Township, Dong’ao Village (Pink Bird Forest Fishing Port)

▲ Endless seascape resembles an infinity pool. (Photo provided by netizen Zhou Wan-Zhen. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

5. Hualien – Yu Zhan Nursery

Golden-yellow deciduous trees create a dreamy atmosphere as if you’re in Europe. The “Yu Zhan Nursery,” located near Hualien’s Dong Hua University, features trees of deciduous trees standing in the water. This ultra-romantic scene went viral overnight and has become a new local scenic spot. It’s even been praised by many netizens as a miniature version of Yunshan Water.

Hualien Shoufeng, beside Provincial Highway 9 at km 219, near Dong Hua University (beside Taiwan Sugar Pinghe Gas Station)

▲ Yu Zhan Nursery in Hualien, with deciduous trees standing in the water, is incredibly romantic. (Photo by A-Wei Su)

6. Nantou–Chiayi Border – Shui Yang Forest

Shui Yang Forest, which saw a surge in discussion due to the idol drama 《Wolf Prince》, was originally a camping and resting spot for many hiking enthusiasts. The entire expanse of dead fir tree branches forms both beautiful and melancholic reflections on the lake surface, resembling a fairyland on earth. However, because it's not easy to get to, those who wish to go are advised to train their legs first and not venture there casually.

Nantou, Shanlinxi (Address: No. 6, Xishan Rd., Zhushan Township, Nantou County)

▲ The idol drama was filmed at Shui Yang Forest. (Photo provided by Sanli)

7. Pingtung – Little Bali

The deep blue sea shimmers in various gradient hues under the sunlight—not just dark blue and sky blue, but also hints of lake-green. Combined with the vast coral reef rocks standing in the water, the scene becomes incredibly postcard-perfect, earning Kenting’s Little Bali the nickname “Taiwan’s version of the Maldives.”

Daguang Road, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County (next to Kenting Houpihu)

▲Little Bali with its expansive coral reefs (Photo provided by netizen chu_555. No unauthorized reproduction to avoid copyright infringement.)

8. Taichung Datunxi Iron Bridge

An endless expanse of old railway tracks, with symmetrical designs stretching straight backward, has recently been discovered as a super photogenic “railway hidden gem” not far from Tai’an Station. Walking along the aged tracks, you’re greeted by rust-colored nostalgic rails and iron-gray supports on both sides, exuding a strong industrial vibe—no matter how you shoot it, it looks amazing.

No. 52, Fuxing Road, Tai’an Village, Houli District, Taichung City (about a 10-minute walk along the old Tai’an Railway tracks)

▲Abandoned old railway tracks transformed into a photo hotspot. (Photo provided by netizen ig z04wj06kb. No arbitrary reproduction to avoid copyright infringement.)

9. Hsinchu Voice of the Sea

Voice of the Sea, located along a roughly 100-meter-long seawall in Hsinchu’s Xiangshan area, features a composition that extends continuously toward the sea, making it one of photographers’ favorite spots in the past. Whether it’s the changing light or the shifting tides, the scenery is ever-varying and dynamic. The straight seawall leads all the way to the center of the sea. Listening to the sound of the waves and feeling the breeze, it feels like walking on a “path to heaven.”

No. 106 Lane, Nanjiang Street, Xiangshan District, Zhubei City

▲The Voice of the Sea, like a path to heaven. (Photo provided by IG@yuiyui_hsu)

10. Jinshan Mysterious Coast

Those crystal-clear, bottom-visible stunning seascapes weren’t taken in the Maldives or the Mediterranean. This year’s newly discovered Mysterious Coast requires passing through a narrow cave and ignoring a few hermit crabs—but the breathtaking cliffside view remains irresistible to pilgrims, making it one of this year’s hottest spots.

No. 2, Minsheng Road, Jinshan District, New Taipei City (set your location at Shuwei Fishing Port and walk in)　

▲Sitting on the cliff overlooking the sea. (Photo provided by netizen ig chia1018_. No arbitrary reproduction to avoid copyright infringement.)