Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Department
As April arrives, the mountains and forests of Taipei City burst into bloom, their vibrant colors calling everyone outdoors to enjoy nature. Numerous trails across Taipei are lined with a variety of native and cultivated flowering plants. Among the most iconic are the "North Calla Lilies, Central Lilies, and South Lupines." When in full bloom, they create a magnificent spectacle. Walking these trails to admire the flowers allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle and revel in nature’s springtime gift.
Vast fields of calla lilies bring joy to the heart. (Image source / Taipei City Government Public Works Bureau, Department of Urban Development official website)
Beautifully blooming calla lilies in Zhuzihhu. (Image source / Taipei City Government Public Works Bureau, Department of Urban Development official website)
Huang Liyuan, Director of the Department of Urban Development, explained that the "North Calla Lilies" refer to the calla lily fields in Zhuzihhu, Beitou District. The trails extend deep into the fields and are gentle and comfortable, allowing visitors to easily enjoy the luxurious experience of being surrounded by a sea of calla lilies. The view is one of pure, unblemished white. There are also five trails where you can admire the calla lilies: the Shuiche Liao Trail, Hudi Circular Trail, Calla Lily Circular Trail, and Dinghu Circular Trail. The "Central Lilies" refer to the Neishuangxi Forest Nature Center in Shilin District, where the park is planted mainly with Taiwan lilies. When in season, the area is filled with a rich fragrance from the blooming flowers. The "South Lupines" refer to the Camphor Tree Trail in Maokong, Wenshan District. The Department of Urban Development has creatively utilized fallow farmland along the trail to cultivate 1.5 hectares of lupines in yellow, white, and blue, creating a delightful and picturesque hillside sea of swaying flowers.
Lily fields and viewing platform at Neishuangxi Forest Ecology Center. (Image source / Taipei City Government Public Works Bureau, Department of Urban Development official website)
Xia Xiantong, Chief of the Roads and Trails Section at the Department of Urban Development, said that the Cui Shan Trail in Shilin District was originally an abandoned police shooting range. It boasts rich and diverse natural landscapes. After vegetation restoration, the trail is lined with flowering plants such as Eupatorium formosanum and Melastoma candidum. The plaza features small flowers dominated by Ageratum houstonianum, which sway in the wind like playful children, adding a lively touch. Additionally, walking from the Cui Shan Trail into the Bi Xi Trail allows you to admire the blooming lacebark trees along the way, where snow-white flowers and emerald-green leaves interweave into a serene scene. Along the Tianmu Ancient Trail, the fragrant Taiwan mountain cinnamon fills the air with a delicate and refreshing scent that invigorates the spirit.
Beautiful views of lupine fields and the Colorful Cloud Pavilion on the Camphor Tree Trail. (Image source / Taipei City Government Public Works Bureau, Department of Urban Development official website)
A grand collection of flower-viewing trails in Taipei City. (Image source / Taipei City Government Public Works Bureau, Department of Urban Development official website)