Forest Amusement Park Series PART1️⃣3️⃣

Yesterday, I left my busy schedule and came to the highest point of the North Cross-Island Highway - Mingchi Forest Recreation Area. As soon as I entered the park, I was surrounded by the quiet lake and the misty forest. It takes about half an hour to walk around the lake. The lake reflects the Metasequoia and cypress trees, and the lakeside is green like a landscape painting.

Walking into Ci Garden, Jingshi Garden, and Fern Garden, the layout of the trail is like a traditional garden tour. The stone bridge, white walls, and green tiles are matched with the steps of forest shadows, constantly changing the scenery. I also accidentally discovered the forest maze. It was quite healing to find the way with my children!

Then I visited Shenmu Garden. Those ancient cypress trees are like forest guardians. They are textbook-like and magnificent, and they also add depth. The nursery area displays different tree species, and I immediately understand that "the growth of the forest requires years of baptism."

I also saw mandarin ducks swimming leisurely by the pond, squirrels jumping between trees, and butterflies dancing... I can take close-up photos of the natural ecology without traveling far. The whole trip was really completely relaxing.

🏞 Core highlights recommended
• Mingchi Lake Lakeside Trail (about 1km, 30-40 minutes)
It is flat and easy to walk, and you can slowly appreciate the "Pearl of the North Cross-Island Highway" reflected in the lake by the surrounding cedar and cypress forests .
• Garden landscape layout
It includes Ci Garden (Cixiao Pavilion), Jingshi Garden, Tibetan Garden and Fern Garden. Each small garden is full of Chinese and Japanese garden styles, integrating the mysterious sense of nature .
• Forest Fairy Tale Maze
It is designed as a maze among the neatly arranged cedar forests, and combined with fairy tale themes, bringing children to experience the fun of finding the way .
• Sacred Tree Garden and Nursery Area
There are numbered sacred trees here, such as the largest cypress garden in Asia; the nursery displays various plants, suitable for ecological enthusiasts to explore in depth .

🦆 Ecological Observation + Cold Spring Forest Bath

The park is about 1,150-1,700m above sea level, with a cool annual average temperature, which is very suitable for summer vacation . Black swans, mandarin ducks, squirrels, butterflies and many other birds live in the forest, making it an excellent place for bird watching, butterfly appreciation and photographing natural ecology.

🚗 Practical Information
👉🏻 Tickets: Adults NT$120–150
Children/Students/Discounted Tickets NT$60–95
Infants (under 110cm) free
👉🏻 Opening Hours
08:00–16:30, please enter the park before 16:30 at the latest
👉🏻 Transportation
Self-driving: Take the Beiheng (Taiwan Highway 7) directly to Mingchi, about 55km from Yilan.
Bus/Shuttle: Some shuttle buses can depart from Yilan or Taoyuan (reservation in advance is recommended).

Tips 🎒:
• It is recommended to come in the early morning or evening from October to December, and the mist floating on the lake is super dreamy.
• Cool climate, onion-style clothing is the most appropriate.
• Bring a bottle of water + snacks, the small restaurant serves simple meals.
• The park is crowded on holidays, more comfortable on weekdays; fairy tale maze + forest trails are recommended for parent-child games with children.

Itinerary suggestions:
08:30 arrival＞09:00 lakeside trail + garden area＞10:00 forest maze + Shenmu Garden＞12:00 photo taking in the nursery area＞12:30 light meal and rest at Mingchi Villa＞14:00 ecological observation＞15:00 slow walk down the mountain and return.

Sincerely recommend to friends who want "forest bathing + mountain water healing + parent-child education", Mingchi is the kind of place you can't go back to: cool mountains and waters, birds singing and butterflies dancing, and walking in the woods. It is super suitable for Instagram check-ins or empty daze. It must be included in your northern travel list!

#5月好去处2025