A Must-Visit in a Lifetime: Taiwan’s Top 10 “Carefree Attractions” Where You Can Truly Unwind

During holidays, if you don’t have enough budget or a long vacation to travel abroad, consider exploring various parts of Taiwan. Taiwan’s “carefree attractions” allow you to fully release the stress from school or work. Whether you’re hiking to great heights, gazing into the distance, or simply enjoying the tranquility of a forest, the serene and comforting feeling is something urban life can hardly match. In this edition, we’ll take you on a journey from northern Taiwan to the east coast—let’s discover what carefree attractions Taiwan has to offer together!
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Keelung’s “Wangyou Valley,” also known as “Valley of Carefree,” is a famous tourist spot in northern Taiwan. Standing at a high point and overlooking the green valley can make all your worries vanish. From here, you can gaze at Taiwan’s winding coastline and the blue sea where sky meets ocean—the vast view is truly uplifting. At night, the twinkling fishing lights on the sea paired with the scenic beauty of Jiufen Mountain Town create an unforgettable sight!

Take bus No. 103 from in front of Keelung Railway Station and get off at Badouzi Station. Then walk about 25 minutes along Badou Street to reach the destination.

If you’re driving, head along Zhongzheng Road toward the coastal highway. After reaching Badouzi, turn into Badou Street, and you’ll see the sign.

Address: Xinshan, Menghu Road, Xizhi District, New Taipei City

New Taipei City is home to Xinshan Dream Lake, also known as the “Angel’s Secret Realm.” Located along the Xinshan Dream Lake Trail in Xizhi District, New Taipei City, it is a combined name for “Xinshan” and “Dream Lake.” For those living in Taipei, it’s a very convenient travel choice. Surrounded by mountains and shrouded in mist, the ethereal and dreamy atmosphere is truly alluring. There are two mountain paths on either side of the lake leading to Xinshan—the latter part is steeper and requires some climbing. The area offers a wide view and rich flora and fauna. In spring and summer, you can enjoy tung blossoms, azaleas, and fireflies, making it a perfect Taiwanese attraction for a family day trip!
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Located in Xindian District of northern Taiwan, the area is known for its rich natural ecology, offering visitors a tranquil and beautiful environment. The lush mountain forests and clear streams provide a refreshing atmosphere, allowing visitors to enjoy various outdoor activities. The area is also home to diverse wildlife, and visitors may even spot some rare animals. It is an ideal destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in nature.

Take F708 Xinwu Route bus from Xindian MRT Station and get off at “Dingshicuo Road Station” to arrive.

When it comes to Taiwan’s carefree attractions, Nantou’s Wangyou Forest is definitely on the list. The large area of cedar trees in Wangyou Forest has been soaked in water for a long time and turned into deadwood, forming a unique and peculiar forest landscape. The forest here is special and often shrouded in mist all day—it’s also referred to by some as the “Forest of Night.” In autumn, many people find the cool weather particularly refreshing. The mist-covered environment creates a mysterious atmosphere. There are also cycling trails and barbecue spots available, offering both relaxation and adventure. Isn’t this one of the most therapeutic destinations in Taiwan?

Take the Zhushan Interchange off Highway 3, then follow Provincial Highway 3 toward Zhushan. Next, turn onto County Road 151 toward Xitou, continue past Xitou toward Shanlinxi, and after passing through the Twelve Zodiac Bends, Dragon-Phoenix Gorge, and Liulongtou, you’ll see the purple sign for “Wangyou Forest” on the left side of the road at the 3-kilometer mark of the Shanlinxi Highway.

1. Take a train or Kuo-Kuang Bus to Taichung City, transfer to a joint bus service at Taichung Gancheng Station heading to Shanlinxi, then walk back about 2 kilometers to the industrial road entrance. Follow the signs to reach “Wangyou Forest.”

2. From Taichung HSR Station or Taichung Railway Station, take the “Taiwan Good to Go” bus bound for Xitou. Get off at Xitou Bus Stop, then transfer to a bus headed for Shanlinxi Amusement Area. Inform the bus driver that you want to get off at the Wangyou Forest trailhead, then follow the signs to arrive.

3. You can take a bus from in front of the Shanlinxi Amusement Area visitor center back to Xitou.

Address: Xidi Road, Waipu District, Taichung City

Who says that in Taiwan, to feel carefree you must look at mountains or the sea? Golden rice waves are actually a popular tourist attraction. Located in Waipu, Taichung, Waipu Wangyou Valley features country roads that divide the fields into irregular shapes, resembling a patchwork quilt of the land. Before harvest, it’s a sea of lush green rice paddies, but during harvest season, golden waves cover the land like a noble carpet. The view is vast and instantly makes you feel a slower pace of life—it’s a well-known carefree destination in Taichung.
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Address: Xidi Road, Waipu District, Taichung City

In addition to Waipu Wangyou Valley, Taiwan also offers another rice wave viewing spot: Dajia Wangyou Valley’s golden rice fields. When autumn arrives and the harvest song plays, the second-season rice crop gradually changes from green to golden. With a gentle breeze, the golden waves stretch endlessly—an incredibly healing sight. No wonder it’s considered a popular carefree travel destination.

What’s more, Dajia Wangyou Valley also features an abandoned school bus—you can not only overlook the entire rice field from the bus but also snap some artistic photos. It’s become a popular check-in spot in recent years.

Address: No. 73-11, Shuangchun, Shuangchun Li, Beimen District, Tainan City

After strolling through the rice waves in central Taiwan, let’s take a look at the beautiful manor scenery in southern Taiwan. Located in Tainan, one of the most relaxing spots is Vanaheim Love Manor. The manor features a small lake, and its tranquil, cozy space is recognized as the “Tainan version of the Forest of Forgetfulness.” Inside the manor, there’s a wooden boardwalk that crosses the lake, surrounded by woods, offering views of trees reflected on the water’s surface. In addition, camping is allowed on-site, and there’s a white sandy beach perfect for splashing around — an ideal destination to bring the whole family for a fun trip!(Recommended reading:)

1. National Freeway 1 or 3 → Provincial Highway 82 (Expressway) → Head west to Provincial Highway 61 (West Coast Expressway) → Continue south to Beimen.

2. Follow Provincial Highway 61 along the West Coast route all the way south to Beimen → Exit at Beimen Interchange, turn right → Head straight toward NanKunshen Tianhou Temple → Cross Wuwang Bridge, then turn left → Look for the sign for Shuangchun Recreation Area and turn right → Keep going straight to reach Vanaheim Love Manor.

This famous Taiwanese tourist spot, Shoushan Yunshan Water in Hualien, began attracting a continuous stream of visitors after being featured in a commercial for Black Sugar Soda starring Ivy Chen.

The Yunshan Water Wetland Ecological Park covers an area of 24 hectares, including a dreamlike 4-hectare Fantasy Lake. The lake shimmers with blue reflections, surrounded by 26 species of palm trees and broadleaf forests, seasonal blooming plants, and vast stretches of lush green grass. The environment resembles a scene straight out of Europe, which is why it’s considered one of Taiwan’s top relaxation spots among netizens!
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Starting from Hualien City, head south along Provincial Highway 11C toward Shoufeng. At around the 14K mark, you’ll see a windmill on the right side of the road. Turn left into the small road opposite the windmill. Along the way, you’ll find a sign for the Lakeside Trail. Walk about 800 meters ahead, and you’ll arrive at this dreamy lake.

Address: Zhutian Village, Fuli Township, Hualien County

In Taiwan, if you want to see daylilies, Hualien is the place to go. The undulating golden carpet of daylilies on the Sixty Stone Mountain in Hualien is truly spectacular. Climbing up to the Forest of Forgetfulness Pavilion offers a panoramic view of the vast Huatung Valley — a picturesque landscape that refreshes both the mind and the soul, making it a healing travel destination!

From Provincial Highway 9, turn onto the Sixty Stone Mountain Industrial Road. After navigating a winding mountain road, you’ll arrive at the daylily cultivation area of Sixty Stone Mountain.

One of eastern Taiwan’s relaxing destinations is in Taimali. The most famous attraction in Taimali Township is its daylilies. In the peak summer season, the hills are covered with bright yellow daylilies. The stunning seas of golden blooms always attract large crowds. From June to December each year, the daylilies can be admired or harvested for consumption. The best viewing period is from August to September, when the golden flower sea glistens in the valley — it's like a living painting and highly recommended for a visit!
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1. Southlink Line: “Kaohsiung → Pingtung → Fangliao → Dawu → Longxi → Jinfeng → Taimali.”

2. Northlink & Huatung Line: “Taipei → Yilan → Hualien → Chihshang → Guanshan → Luye → Taitung → Zhiben → Taimali.”

1. Southlink Highway: “Kaohsiung → Pingtung (Fangshan Township - Fenggang) → Provincial Highway 9 (Pingtung’s Shizi Township → Taitung County’s Daren Township → Dawu Township → Taimali Township).”

2. Huatung Valley: “Hualien → Provincial Highway 9 (Taitung County’s Chihshang Township → Guanshan Township → Luye Township → Pilu Township → Taimali Township).”

3. Huatung Coast: “Hualien → Provincial Highway 11 (Taitung County’s Changbin Township → Chenggong Township → Donghe Township → Taitung City → Taimali Township).”

Have you also recently entered a work burnout phase, just like me? When you feel restless and can’t seem to calm down, escape the hustle and bustle of big cities full of people and traffic!