By / MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Team
Situated in Datong Township, Taiping Mountain National Forest Recreation Area has gained significant popularity as a travel spot in recent years. Spanning more than 12,000 hectares, the area includes the Nanhu Mountain Range, Sanxing Mountain Range, and offshoots of Mount Dabajianshan. Famous for its rich supply of red cypress and hinoki, it was once ranked among Taiwan’s three major timber production areas alongside Alishan and Baxianshan. With lush forests and a complete, thriving ecosystem, the area’s varying elevations allow visitors to witness nature’s colorful transformations across seasons — a truly captivating experience. Especially in autumn, the fiery red maples add brilliant hues to Taiping Mountain. The recreation area offers well-developed facilities, including Jiuzi Swamp Hot Springs (formerly Renze Hot Springs), Forest Amusement Park, forest bathing trails, wildlife reserves, and Cui Peak Lake, making it perfect for a one- to two-day short trip.
Situated in Datong Township, Taiping Mountain National Forest Recreation Area has gained significant popularity as a travel spot in recent years. Spanning more than 12,000 hectares, the area includes the Nanhu Mountain Range, Sanxing Mountain Range, and offshoots of Mount Dabajianshan. Famous for its rich supply of red cypress and hinoki, it was once ranked among Taiwan’s three major timber production areas alongside Alishan and Baxianshan. With lush forests and a complete, thriving ecosystem, the area’s varying elevations allow visitors to witness nature’s colorful transformations across seasons — a truly captivating experience. Especially in autumn, the fiery red maples add brilliant hues to Taiping Mountain. The recreation area offers well-developed facilities, including Jiuzi Swamp Hot Springs (formerly Renze Hot Springs), Forest Amusement Park, forest bathing trails, wildlife reserves, and Cui Peak Lake, making it perfect for a one- to two-day short trip.
The breathtaking view of Cui Peak Lake is a must-see attraction when visiting Taiping Mountain. (Image source / Taiwan Tourism Bureau)
A Pathway of Crimson Leaves – The Central Stairway
The Central Stairway is a straight flight of stairs located right beside Taiping Villa. Lined with purple-leaved maples on both sides, it is also known as the “Red Leaf Trail,” and is the most famous pathway in Taiping Mountain. In early summer, it bursts into vibrant reds, with crimson foliage lining the path and warmly welcoming visitors. The beautiful purple-leaved maples display their striking purplish-red hues even when their leaves are new, so you can enjoy a poetic and romantic red-leaf atmosphere in Taiping Mountain without waiting for autumn or winter.
The Central Stairway is a straight flight of stairs located right beside Taiping Villa. Lined with purple-leaved maples on both sides, it is also known as the “Red Leaf Trail,” and is the most famous pathway in Taiping Mountain. In early summer, it bursts into vibrant reds, with crimson foliage lining the path and warmly welcoming visitors. The beautiful purple-leaved maples display their striking purplish-red hues even when their leaves are new, so you can enjoy a poetic and romantic red-leaf atmosphere in Taiping Mountain without waiting for autumn or winter.
The Central Stairway in Taiping Mountain boasts enchanting scenery with red leaves lining both sides. (Image source / Taiwan Tourism Bureau)
A Literary Journey Through the Forest – Taiping Mountain Primitive Forest Park & 'Taiping Poetry Trail'
Ascending from the Central Stairway leads to the Taiping Mountain Primitive Forest Park. (Image provided / Monochrome Editing Team)
Winding upwards through the crimson-leaf-lined Central Stairway, you’ll arrive at the Taiping Mountain Primitive Forest Park. Here, the Taiping Poetry Trail accompanies travelers. It is the first literary trail in northeastern Taiwan, created by cultural figures from the Lanyang region who contributed calligraphy and inscriptions, forming a serene “Poetry Trail” hidden within the quiet forest. This allows visitors to be guided by verses while leisurely enjoying mountain scenery. The trail features ancient trees with twisted roots and towering trunks. Further up, you’ll find Zhen’an Temple, originally a Japanese shrine and now dedicated to Zheng Chenggong, which is also worth a visit.
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