Hualien Fuli - Sixty Stone Golden Needle Mountain (Taiwan's Little Switzerland)

Before ascending the winding Sixteen Stone Mountain, it's highly recommended to eat a full meal at the foot of the mountain. Alternatively, bring a small lunch box with you, as the path there is narrow and long, and shops are mostly open only on holidays. Food is also expensive on the mountain, with many snacks available. While there are many daylily dishes, it's difficult to find a full meal if you're not a daylily enthusiast. So, you can grab a lunch at the foot of the mountain, or you can pack a lunch box and take it up for a picnic, like I did. Even if you can't snag a pavilion, sitting on the ground is still very comfortable.

If you don't want to cook, there are small noodle shops at the foot of the mountain, especially for beef noodles, which are top-notch in Hualien. The beef is generously portioned and incredibly flavorful. A good place to eat before heading up the mountain is a good place!

Sixteen Stone Mountain is one of Hualien's most famous daylily trees. Every year from August to September, the top of the mountain turns a brilliant yellow. Be prepared for a sore butt to climb to the summit, as the path is steep and difficult to navigate, but the journey up is definitely worth it.

A special reminder for those driving up the mountain: Always retrace your steps. Using navigation will lead you to a road prone to earthquakes, making it dangerous and difficult to drive.

During peak season, you'll often see flower pickers gathering flowers, and pavilions and chairs are everywhere. You don't have to reach the summit; find a spot that feels relaxing and inviting, and then stop and take a look.

The fragrance of flowers wafts through the air, attracting numerous butterflies. Even if you don't see a sea of daylilies during off-peak season, you can still see other flowers in bloom. The view from the observation deck feels like standing in a little Switzerland.

Dried daylilies and daylily popsicles are sold along the way; you can try these unique dishes. I'm not a big fan of daylilies, so I didn't try the daylily feast, but I do recommend the daylily tea eggs; they're incredibly fragrant and flavorful! There are also small snacks like candied haws (tanghulu), but it all depends on your luck that day; the vendors are very random, so you don't always see the same vendor. One might sell fruit, but next time, they'll sell ginger candy. It's always fun, like a lottery.

Another tip: If you're looking to buy dried daylilies as souvenirs, you can find them at the local farmers' association. A bag costs 100 yuan, and they're relatively safe. Many vendors use excessive amounts of chemicals to maintain the flowers' color, making them unhealthy to eat. They might be a little cheaper, but the quality varies.

I recommend arriving around 3:00 PM, when the weather is cooler and you can see the crescent moon, which makes for beautiful photos. If you arrive too early, be prepared for sunburn (I did on my first visit).

This area is incredibly beautiful, breathtakingly beautiful. Evening viewing in this unpolluted area is truly stunning, with numerous stars visible. However, if you're unfamiliar with the route, it's not recommended to stay until night, as many sections of the mountain road are unlit and can be a bit treacherous. Consider staying at a mountainside guesthouse and asking the host to lead you up the mountain to see the stars.

One reminder: There are no restrooms on the mountain, so please use the restroom at the visitor center before heading up. Otherwise, if you're in a hurry, you'll end up having to borrow a portable toilet from a vendor.

The altitude is approximately 800 meters, but the sun can still be quite scorching in the summer, so be sure to wear sunscreen while enjoying the flowers. If you're looking for photos that evoke the feeling of a small Swiss village, navigate to Takeda Village, where you can capture panoramic views!

This place is highly recommended except in winter, when it's so cold that even getting out of the car in a down jacket makes you shiver, making it a poor choice. Spring, summer, and autumn are perfect for picnics and viewing the flowers!

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