It's time to refresh your IG feed: Top 10 maple leaf viewing spots across Taiwan

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Autumn and winter are the seasons for admiring red leaves. Beyond well-known destinations like Japan and Canada, Taiwan actually boasts many beautiful maple leaf spots, with vast expanses of crimson foliage and ambiance that rival those in Japan. Here are ten recommended maple leaf viewing spots across Taiwan where visitors can plan a scenic trip during the cool season.

1. Taipei – Yangmingshan Aowanda
Located in Yangmingshan, Taipei Aowanda is a popular maple leaf viewing spot in Taipei. Every autumn and winter, the nearby mountain areas are blanketed in crimson leaves, creating a highly romantic atmosphere. The park features various types of plants including pines, cherry blossoms, cypresses, maples, and camellias, among which black pines and maples are the most abundant and iconic.
 
Address: No. 13, Lane 10, Pingjing St., Shilin District, Taipei City
Business hours: 9:00 - 18:00

2. New Taipei – Xizhi Gongbei Temple
Xizhi is home to Gongbei Temple, a historic mountain path destination renowned as a maple leaf viewing spot. With its serene and tranquil environment overlooking the surrounding mountains, it offers a refreshing experience. Japanese-style architectural touches evoke memories of Kyoto’s ancient cultural history, while vast expanses of crimson leaves, old bridges, and temples create a time-traveling sensation. Gongbei Temple is a century-old temple with a stellar reputation, blending traditional Chinese and Japanese architectural elements.
 
Address: No. 88, Section 3, Xiwàn Rd., Xizhi District, New Taipei City

3. Taoyuan – Shimen Reservoir
A famous low-altitude maple leaf viewing spot in northern Taiwan, the reservoir offers a sweeping view of crimson maples stretching from the rear pool dam on the west side of the dam. Strolling along the maple-lined avenue is incredibly romantic.

4. Hsinchu – Smangus
Known as the "God’s Tribe," Smangus turns romantic and picturesque every autumn and winter as the mountains are painted in shades of red.
 
Address: No. 2, Smangus, Yufeng Village, Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, Neighbors 14
 
5. Taichung – Wuling Farm
Wuling Farm is a key flower-viewing destination in Taiwan. During autumn and winter, not only can you admire maple leaves, but also golden ginkgo trees and romantic deciduous trees, offering scenery that rivals Japan. Visitors can also camp at wooden plank campsites and cabins. Every flowering season, hotels and campsites are often fully booked.
 
Address: No. 3-1, Wuling Rd., Pingdeng Village, Heping District, Taichung City