Great Spots for Watching the Sunrise: Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area

Looking to escape the city and breathe in some fresh mountain air? Taipingshan is definitely an amazing choice. With its high altitude, it's cool even in summer. When I visited, it was 31°C in Taipei but only 18-20°C on the mountain. I wore just a T-shirt and almost froze, especially on the forest trails where the temperature is even lower. 🌲❄️

One thing to note is to drive carefully on the mountain roads, especially on weekends when traffic can be heavy. Make sure to leave early to avoid getting stuck in traffic. Also, remember to bring a jacket as the temperature on the mountain is much lower than in the city—you'll be shivering without one. 🥶

There are many trails here that are perfect for family outings, allowing kids to get close to nature. It's a great way to tire them out for a good night's sleep. 😏

🚗 Transportation and Parking Info:
How to get there from Taipei?
1. Driving: Take National Highway No. 5 to the Yilan Interchange, then follow Provincial Highway 7, switch to Provincial Highway 7A, and finally connect to Yilan County Road 1 to reach Taipingshan. If there's no traffic, it takes about 2.5 to 3 hours from Taipei.

2. By Bus: From Taipei Bus Station or City Hall Bus Station, take the Kamalan Bus or Capital Bus to "Yilan Transfer Station" or "Luodong Transfer Station." Then transfer to Kuo-Kuang Bus Route 1750A (Yilan-Taipingshan) or 1750 (Yilan-Taipingshan), which operates only on weekends and has just one trip per day. Be sure to check the schedule and book in advance!

3. One-Day Tour: Joining a one-day tour is also a convenient option. I joined a tour on my visit, and it was hassle-free—just show up and enjoy.

Parking Info:
There are several parking lots in Taipingshan, mainly near Taipingshan Villa and the Jianqing Historic Trail entrance. The Taipingshan Villa parking lot is the largest, but it's still hard to find a spot on busy weekends. The Jianqing Historic Trail parking area is very small, with space for only about 10 cars. On weekends, finding a spot there is a matter of luck, and most people park along the roadside white lines and walk over.
Parking Fees: Cars NT$100, Motorcycles NT$20.

🍽️ Where to Eat on the Mountain?
Don't worry about going hungry; there are still places to eat on the mountain:
- Taipingshan Villa Restaurant: The main restaurant offering set meals for lunch and dinner. The dishes are typical mountain-style stir-fries, and the taste is pretty good. If you're in a group, you can order a table of dishes to share.
- Sea of Clouds Café: Located on the second floor of the Taipingshan Villa Service Station, it's a great spot for a simple meal. They serve coffee, drinks, waffles, and some snacks—perfect for a rest after hiking.
- Convenience Store: Next to Taipingshan Villa, there's a small shop selling tea eggs, instant noodles, snacks, and drinks for a quick bite.

On the way up, you'll pass the *only* 7-11: Stock up on supplies here before heading up the mountain.

⚠️ Note: Dining options on the mountain are limited (only 3-4 choices), and prices are slightly higher than in the city. If you want to save money or have specific food preferences, consider bringing your own snacks or instant noodles.

🕰️ Opening Hours:
Weekdays: 06:00 - 20:00
Weekends and Summer Holidays: 04:00 - 20:00 (early opening for sunrise viewing)