Aerial view of an eco-campus surrounded by mountains & the rainbow candy house in the deep mountains

By MOOK Scenic Spots Christopher | Compiled & Reported

With the declining birthrate, many schools are facing class reductions. However, Zhanghu Eco-Elementary and Junior High School in Yunlin is unexpectedly in high demand, with many parents eager to send their children here. But to enter this elementary school, students must first pass an interview, where both parents and children are expected to agree with the school’s educational philosophy.

Nestled deep in the mountains and surrounded by them on all sides, Zhanghu Eco-Elementary and Junior High School features vibrant, colorful campus buildings that rose from the ashes of Typhoon Morakot. Perched at an altitude of 1,000 meters, the school boasts abundant natural ecological resources—nature itself serves as the classroom. The principal takes students hiking in the mountains and exploring the sea, placing emphasis on student-led learning and planning. Here, you can gaze upon the beautiful tea fields of Gukeng and experience and learn about the ecology of nature.

Its unique educational approach enriches and diversifies Taiwan’s education landscape. In fact, many parents have even relocated their entire families to Yunlin just so their children can attend, making it a truly rare hidden paradise.