No less stunning than the Qingjing Skywalk, this breathtaking forest aerial walkway is like a fairyland.

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Aside from the recently well-known Qingjing scenic skywalk, Nantou also features a hidden forest skywalk in the Xitou Nature Education Area within Lugu Township. Walking on it allows you to take in the vast tree canopy, giving the sensation of being above the clouds, with a sweeping view of the forest valley below.

The Xitou Aerial Corridor is approximately 220 meters long, with its highest point about 22.6 meters above the ground—equivalent to a 7-story building. Along the way, you can admire precious tree species such as Taiwan red cypress, ginkgo, and Hinoki cypress, offering different sceneries throughout the year.

The Xitou Forest Recreation Area, situated at an altitude of 1,150 meters with an area of about 2,500 hectares, is part of the NTU Experimental Forest. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and blessed with a cool climate, the area boasts bamboo forests that seem straight out of a fairyland. Major attractions include University Pond, Ginkgo Forest, Youth Activity Center, Bamboo Cottage, Xitou Sacred Tree, Moso Bamboo Forest, and Taiwan Red Cypress Forest.

University Pond is the most renowned spot in the area. A curved arched bridge spans the emerald waters, where the shimmering pool reflects the surrounding landscapes like a mirror—lush and green—with poetic and picturesque scenery.

The area offers different beautiful views throughout the seasons, including the ginkgo forest and maple leaves in autumn and winter. Xitou has a large ginkgo forest, which is rare in Taiwan and one of the more extensive in the country, with about 100-plus trees. In autumn, the entire ginkgo forest turns golden yellow, shining brilliantly under the sunlight.