Miaoli Shitan | Liantaishan Miaoyin Jingyuan Cherry Blossom Trail — A peaceful journey where blue skies, mountain ridges, and a sea of pink clouds intertwine 🌸⛰️

#SeptemberDestinations2025
Liantai Mountain Miaoyin Jingyuan in Shitan, Miaoli, uses pink cherry blossom trails to weave mountain breezes, Buddhist bells, and sunlight into travelers' breathtaking views—quiet yet profound, like tuning your heartbeat to the rhythm of the mountains.

Background and Development: How a Mountain Forest Monastery Became a "Cherry Blossom Spot"

Liantai Mountain is located high in the Shitan mountain area, surrounded by mountains and bathed in the gentle breezes. With the Buddhist monastery "Liantai Mountain Miaoyin Jingyuan" at its core, the monastery has been diligently maintaining the gardens, building trails, and plantings. The park's landscape is interwoven with dry landscapes, pine and cypress trees, and seven treasures. During cherry blossom season, the park is open to the public for flower viewing, Buddhist worship, and strolling, gradually becoming a beloved haven for travelers in central Taiwan. Official information briefly describes the topography and location of the park, as well as providing contact information and addresses. Travelers often point to its accessible nature: "open on holidays and free admission." However, visitors are reminded to keep their voices down and respect the environment.

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My Scene | Turning the Path in My Photographs into a Breathtaking Journey

Section 1: Mountain Gate to Flower Path
Parking the car on the mountainside, I looked up to see a row of double-petal cherry blossoms climbing the slope. The blossoms weren't overwhelming, but rather undulating with the terrain, like faint pink cloud bands. The sun shone directly, casting shadows of petals on the stone steps, and the luminous blue sky made the pink even more vibrant.

Section 2: Ridgeline View
As I climbed higher, the right side suddenly "opened up"—a distant view of the Miaoli hills, undulating like waves. Here, I slowed down my pace to let the wind blow. With a telephoto lens, you can compress the mountain ranges, creating a truly majestic image.

Section 3: Gardens and Stone Lanterns
Walking through the cherry blossom alley, I entered a garden of pines, cypresses, and white stone lanterns. The perfectly defined lines, complemented by the golden pagoda, create a Japanese Zen-style atmosphere that is incredibly photogenic. The afternoon light streamed in from the side, casting gradations of shadow across the ground from each pine tree. The tranquility captured in the photograph captures this moment.

Summary: The beauty here lies not in noise but in order and patience. You can hear birds chirping in the distance and see volunteers pruning branches; every step serves as a reminder—viewing flowers is about appreciation, but also about protecting them.

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Practical Information | Flower Season, Time, and Pitfalls
• Flower Season: Liantai Mountain is dominated by mountain cherry blossoms, double cherry blossoms, and Showa cherry blossoms, which bloom in succession from late January to March, depending on the weather. Before heading up the mountain, it's recommended to check the Shitan Township Office or social media posts for updates.
• Openings and Admission: Open on most holidays and free admission, with parking often provided by volunteers. Weekdays are closed due to seclusion, so trespassing is prohibited.
• Transportation: The mountain roads are narrow and full of hairpin turns, so a car is recommended. There is no direct public transportation, so if traveling from Miaoli or Zhunan, you will need to transfer to a taxi or arrange a transfer.
• Etiquette: Please keep your voice down and refrain from making noise in religious spaces. Please take your own trash with you and do not touch or break flowers or trees. • Families/Elderly: The slope is quite steep, so non-slip shoes and hiking poles are very useful; there are several gentle platforms in the park for resting.

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Photography Tips (You can also take photos with your phone) 📸
1. Flower Tunnel: Use a 45° angle to frame the road and branches, letting the crowds serve as scale and adding a touch of storytelling to the image.
2. Blue Sky x Pink Flowers: Leave one-third of the sky to create a cleaner pink; enable HDR to preserve the bright details of the petals.
3. Garden Stone Lanterns: Use a low angle to elevate the lanterns, adding a touch of pine and cypress lines to the background for an instant Japanese feel.
4. Backlit Petals: 3–4 PM is the most beautiful, as the edges of the petals will glow. Use a shutter speed of 1/250s or more to avoid camera shake.
5. Portraits: Stand at the edge of the tree's shadow, facing the sidelight, for a crisp, non-fading skin tone.

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Suggested Route (A good half-day)
• Morning: Arrive at the park between 8:30 and 9:00 AM → Follow the trail up to the ridgeline → Photograph the stone lanterns and pine trees in the garden area → Descend by 11:30 AM.
• Lunch and Afternoon: Restock at Shitan Old Street, enjoy a bowl of grass jelly, and stroll through the laundry pit. If you still have energy, continue your journey to Xieyun Temple or Nanzhuang.

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Food Review (with restaurant address!) - Enjoy flowers on the mountain, and sweet and savory dishes at the foot of the mountain.

• Xianshan Grass Jelly Inn / Old Street Branch
Address: No. 62, Neighborhood 7, Xindian Village, Shitan Township, Miaoli County (opposite the Old Street Police Station, parking available near the Yimin Temple).
I had: A single meal of hot-roasted grass jelly and grass jelly chicken. The hot-roasted grass jelly had a herbal aroma and was not overly sweet. The grass jelly chicken broth was clear and had a very light, oil-free base, perfect with a bowl of white rice. If you still have an appetite, the fried grass jelly is crunchy and slightly sweet, resembling a cross between a donut and a brown sugar cake—it's worth a try.

Why recommend: Using grass jelly in their dishes isn't a gimmick; they've inherited it for four generations and insist on using natural ingredients. In recent years, they've expanded their menu to offer a full menu, offering everything from sweets to savory options.

• Xingxiancao Landscape Park (Extension Option)
Address: Located near Shitan Old Street, this park and restaurant specialize in grass jelly desserts and Hakka snacks (can be paired with a homestay experience; please refer to the official website for details on store locations and hours).

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Why I recommend Liantai Mountain (6 reasons)
1. Flowers and Zen: Cherry blossom trails and Zen-style gardens create a captivating contrast between pink and pine green.
2. Expansive views: From the ridgeline, you can gaze back at the Miaoli hills, where the distant mountains resemble a sea, especially breathtaking on a clear day. 3. Accessibility: While there's no direct public transportation, you can drive or arrange a shuttle. Volunteers are available on weekends to assist with parking.

4. Open and Friendly: Admission is free and the park is open on holidays, ensuring a high-quality flower viewing experience.

5. Flexible Route: As you descend the mountain, you'll find Shitan Old Street and Xiancao Restaurant, perfect for dining, drinking, and exploring.

6. Stable Photos: The blue sky, pink blossoms, stone lanterns, and pine shadows all play their roles, ensuring you'll capture the perfect shot.

Pre-trip Tips (Avoiding Pitfalls/Safety/Budget) 💡
• Avoid Peaks: Crowds are higher on cherry blossom days, so it's recommended to arrive before 8:30 AM or on weekdays or holidays.
• Clothing: The mountainside can be windy and sunny, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and a light jacket. Non-slip shoes are essential. • Parking: Follow the instructions of volunteers. Avoid double-parking or driving against traffic on the side of the road. Be patient when passing other vehicles on mountain roads.
• Garbage: The park is as clean as a temple—because it is a temple. Always carry a garbage bag with you to avoid leaving traces.
• Budget: Entrance fee to the mountain is free, and parking is free. Meals and desserts at the base are approximately NT$200–350 per person (depending on the order).
• Traveling with elderly people: Plan a "go up" and "down" walk and turn back halfway; the gardens have many terraces, so rest breaks are not too much of a stretch.

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Basic Information (Information Card)
• Attraction: Liantai Mountain Miaoyin Jingyuan Cherry Blossom Trail
• Address: No. 20-6, Daxingwo, Zhumu Village, Shitan Township, Miaoli County
• Open: Open to the public on most Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays. Admission is free (subject to on-site announcements).
• Restaurant: Xianshan Xiancao (Old Street Main Branch)
• Address: No. 62, Neighborhood 7, Xindian Village, Shitan Township, Miaoli County
• Extension: Shitan Old Street - Xishankeng - Yimin Temple - Xieyun Temple (see announcements for seasonal flower viewing)

Liantai Mountain Miaoyin Jingyuan | Liantai Mountain Cherry Blossom Trail | Shitan Old Street | Xianshan Xiancao | Xieyun Temple | Nanzhuang Old Street
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