Yilan Family Travel: 10 Ways to Enjoy Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area

Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert

Yilan is rich in natural resources with mountains and the sea nearby. In recent years, the Yilan Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area, encompassing the Nanhu Mountain Range, Sanxing Mountain Range, and a branch of Dabie Mountain, has become a popular weekend getaway for travelers. But with Taipingshan’s vast expanse, what are the must-visit spots? How should you explore it? Read this guide to Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area's zones and activities to find out.

Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area is located in Datong Township, Yilan County. It was formerly the Taipingshan Timber Mill and is known as a “heaven on earth” due to its natural mountain ranges and misty, picturesque environment. The park spans 12,631 hectares at an elevation of 1,950 meters and is currently managed by the Luodong Forest District Office.

Jianqing Nostalgia Trail is the most famous ancient trail in the Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area. Originally a railway for transporting timber, you can still see moss-covered old tracks along the path. Although only 900 meters of the total 5.5 km are currently open due to trail conditions, the entire Jianqing Nostalgia Trail is gentle and easy to walk. Surrounded by greenery and nestled in the tranquil misty beauty of the Taipingshan Mountains, it provides a serene experience that helps you forget your worries. It has even been selected as one of the “28 Most Beautiful Trails in the World.”

Yilan Taipingshan Attraction – Jianqing Trail. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

Cui Peak Lake is the largest alpine lake in Taiwan, with scenery that changes with the seasons. In spring and summer, it’s lush and green, while autumn and winter bring shades of orange and red to the forests, often shrouded in light mist that adds a mysterious touch. The Cui Peak Lake Loop Trail around the lake is about 4 km long and takes roughly 2 hours to complete. With well-maintained paths, it’s not too strenuous and makes for a perfect family-friendly destination to relax and enjoy nature.

Yilan Taipingshan Attraction – Cui Peak Lake. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

The Beech Tree National Trail is another great option to view Cui Peak Lake. The 4 km trail takes about three hours to finish. Beech trees have a history dating back to the Ice Age and are now considered one of Taiwan’s rare and precious plant species.

Editors recommend visiting this trail in late September or October, as it’s beech tree viewing season. The forest gradually turns from green to shades of orange and red, complemented by the surrounding mountain landscape of the Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area — a truly breathtaking sight.

Yilan Taipingshan Attraction – Yilan Taipingshan Beech Trees. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

Besides the seasonal beauty of autumn beech leaves, there’s also the ever-red Purple Leaf Maple Trail — the Cunninghamia Lanceolata Primitive Forest Trail located behind Taipingshan Lodge. This area features some of the easiest-to-access natural native cypress forests in Taiwan. The trail is about 600 meters long and takes about 1 hour to walk.

The primitive forest trail is lined with ancient red cypress and Hinoki trees — both slow-growing and highly valuable forest resources, making them treasures of the Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area. Along the trail, you might spot fallen giant trees and tree hollows, where second-generation trees grow from the roots, forming fascinating “double-generation tree” landscapes.

Yilan Taipingshan Attraction – Cunninghamia Lanceolata Primitive Forest Trail. (Photo / Taipingshan National Forest Area Official Website)

Like Jianqing Nostalgia Trail, Maosing Nostalgia Trail was also once a timber transport railway. After being affected by Typhoon Soudelor in 2012, the trail was shortened to 900 meters — 400 meters of main line and 500 meters of loop lines. To enjoy the scenery of Maosing Nostalgia Trail, you’ll first need to take the Taipingshan Ping-Pong Train to Maosing Station.

The trail is flanked by low shrubs, ferns, and ground cover plants growing alongside the old train tracks, creating a quaint, small-town vibe amid the mountain scenery. We recommend joining a Taipingshan One-Day Free Tour. It solves transportation issues, includes a guide, and allows you to freely explore the area at your own pace.

Yilan Taipingshan Attraction – Maosing Nostalgia Trail. (Photo / Taipingshan National Forest Area Official Website)

The Taipingshan Ping-Pong Train was originally a timber transport railway, with 16 lines laid out over a total length of more than 100 kilometers. Due to wear and tear over time, it underwent repeated closures and repairs before reopening earlier this year. In the past, the train ran from Taipingshan, with stops at five stations: Taipingshan, Maosing, Shu, Shou, and Yoshino.

The Maosing Line, mentioned earlier in the Maosing Nostalgia Trail section, is currently open to visitors and is the most iconic section of the Taipingshan Ping-Pong Train. Riding the train offers a whimsical experience, from the sight of the diesel engine puffing smoke to the classic “chug-chug” sound. You’ll also enjoy the natural ambiance of the forest and iron bridges as you pass through the Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area.

■ More Info: Taipingshan Ping-Pong Train Ticketing Official Website

Yilan Taipingshan Attraction – Taipingshan Ping-Pong Train Route. (Photo / Taipingshan National Forest Area Official Website)

Since there’s some distance between the Taipingshan entrance and the Ping-Pong Train station ticket office, the official website recommends setting aside 1.5 hours for travel and walking to avoid rushing.

Additionally, as tickets for the Ping-Pong Train can only be purchased on-site, it’s wise to allow extra time. If you’d rather not rush just to ride the train, we suggest dedicating half a day to a full day to the train and nearby attractions. Stay overnight at Taipingshan Lodge and explore the remaining trails and sights the next day to fully experience the beauty of the Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area.

Cicada Valley Hot Springs (Renze Hot Springs) were built during the Japanese colonial period by logging workers. Today, they offer open-air spas, gender-segregated nude soaking areas, and family hot spring pools. The water is crystal clear and classified as weakly alkaline calcium carbonate, which is said to have beautifying effects and help relax the body. If you want to avoid the crowds at the Ping-Pong Train, consider soaking in Cicada Valley Hot Springs instead. Relax your mind and body in the embrace of a green forest and breathe in the rich phytoncides.

■ Opening Hours: 09:00–19:00
■ Fee Information: Open-air Spa, Open-air Nude Soaking Area, Bathhouse

When it comes to limited-time natural wonders, the ocean-view sunrise at Wangyang Mountain is a once-a-year spectacle in Yilan Taipingshan. The Wangyang Mountain Trail is located near Cui Peak Lake in Taipingshan, stretching about 950 meters with a gentle, easy path. On the first day of the new year, watch the golden sunrise shine through the sea of clouds. On a clear day, you can even see the vast Lanyang Plain and even Turtle Island, filling you with renewed hope and vitality.

The Qilan Forest Recreation Area, located near Taipingshan in Yilan, was planned and reconstructed by the Qilan Nursery. It sits at the confluence of the Lanyang River, Duowang River, and Tianguer River. Originally a base for the Forest Conservation Office to provide seedlings for forest regeneration, it mainly cultivated species such as Japanese cedar, Taiwan red cypress, Taiwan incense cedar, Taiwan beech, and camphor trees.

Among them, the Qilan Sacred Tree Garden boasts the largest cluster of sacred trees in Taiwan. Shrouded in clouds all day, sunlight filters through the gaps in the forest, creating a mystical atmosphere. Taking a stroll in the Magao Sacred Tree Garden allows you to spot thousand-year-old sacred trees and a variety of Taiwan’s unique flora and fauna, such as pheasants, Taiwan blue magpies, and squirrels, which are often seen foraging. It’s a perfect destination for travelers interested in eco-tourism.

The Mingchi Forest Recreation Area in Yilan is located at the highest point of the Northern Cross-Island Highway, bordering Yilan to the east and Taoyuan to the west. The park is home to many towering ancient trees, making it one of the most accessible mid-altitude primeval cypress forests in Taiwan. The Mingchi Forest is perpetually enveloped in mist, with light filtering through the gaps between trees, giving it an air of mystery.

In addition to its rich natural forest resources, the Mingchi Forest Recreation Area follows the design philosophy of "Ciyuan" and draws inspiration from the Yuan Dynasty painter Huang Gongwang’s masterpiece “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains.” It incorporates the simplistic and elegant landscape structure of classical Song and Yuan dynasty literati paintings. Strolling through the Mingchi Forest Recreation Area, visitors can admire the beautiful shimmering lake scenery, as if entering a fairyland on earth. Spending the night at the Mingchi Mountain Lodge allows you to enjoy the sounds of birds and insects, and the serene forest nights.

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■ Address: No. 58-1, Taiping Lane, Datong Township, Yilan County, Taiwan
■ Opening Hours: Weekends & Holidays 4:00–20:00, Weekdays 6:00–20:00
■ Service Hotlines: Taiping Mountain Lodge (03)9809806 / Ticket Booth (03)9809619 / Jiu Zhi Ze (03)9809603
■ Official Website: Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area in Yilan

[Authorized Repost from Tripbaa] Original article titled “Taipingshan in Yilan Isn’t Just About Jianqing Ancient Trail: 10 Ways to Enjoy Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area”