The most beautiful natural sites to discover Taiwan

With a temperature of 90 ° C, spring water is obviously cooled. It has curative virtues against skin diseases. The sources of Renze are located in the forest Park of Mount Taiping.

For information on sources.

These sources are not the best known or most beautiful in Taiwan, but they have the merit of being poorly visited.

Just north of Jinshui, this magnificent trail was built by the Japanese occupants in 1908. Despite its one hundred years old, it remains in perfect condition, passes through beautiful bamboo forests, and drives to Jialishan. Our favorite trek in Taian, but certainly not the easiest in Taiwan: the difference in altitude can sometimes be important. To reach the entrance of the runway, simply exit Taian to the east across the first bridge and turn left.

At the junction of Zhongshan Road and Gongyuan Road. Very nice park with trees including a tourist center informing the visitor about the culture and geology of the area. The main reason for coming here is to immerse oneself in the spring water, with paying facilities, but also free outdoor baths, which are not only very pleasant, but also an opportunity to watch the Taiwanese enjoy the hot springs. This tourist complex is a good gateway to visit Jiaoxi. You will find all the necessary information there.

Discovered in 1928, these sources stand out in Taiwan. They are not only cold (22 °C) but also gaseous (_CO2). Together with others located in Italy, they are the only ones of their kind in the world. The outdoor communal bath, with a slightly retro look, has a splendid view of the Sept-Etoiles mountain, which can be climbed by two paths (one half-hour and the other one hour and a half) from the cold springs, which are mostly frequented by the elderly and children.

The first few minutes of immersion are refreshing to say the least, then the body gets used to it and the experience becomes even more enjoyable. Of course, they are only rarely visited in winter, but a few diehards do not hesitate to bathe there when the mercury drops below 20°C: the water in the springs can be warmer than outside. At the entrance of the establishment, a fountain allows you to taste the spring water, which in addition to treating skin diseases and diabetes externally, cures intestinal pain orally.

If you arrive outside opening hours, or do not wish to pay, please note that by pushing on the left for about 500 m, you can access the open-air springs directly, and free of charge. This is where the people of Suao come to cool off in the summer.

At the time of our visit in October 2019, the pay sources were closed for renovation, with reopening planned for the summer of 2020.

Literally a well of fresh water, this bowl-shaped chimney with clouds of sulphur takes its name from the hot springs it contains at the comfortable temperature of 40°C (compared to an average of 80°C). Non-mixed thermal establishments have been created around these springs, perfect for relaxing after a long day's walk. Right next to it is the milk lake (Niunai Pond) whose particularly high yellow and white sulphur content gives it the colour of the feeding liquid.

Possibly an ancient crater or volcanic depression, this pond has been classified as a water plant conservation area. It is located on the south face of Mount Qixing at an altitude of 850m. The richness of its soil has allowed the development of a rare species of ferns: the Taiwanese isoets. The place is lovely and is a pleasant walk. On the other hand, the endemic species that reside there are extremely vulnerable, and access to the pond is prohibited to visitors. The view can only be admired from an observation platform.

Probably one of the most pleasant places to rest, picnic or fly a kite. A vast plain covered with green carpet, Cingtiengkang was used as grazing land for oxen during the Qing Dynasty, a tradition that lasted until very recently when Yamingshan became a national park. As proof, under the Japanese occupation, 3,000 head of cattle lived on the Yangmingshan lands. One ranch remains open to visitors during the summer months, thus continuing a centuries-old tradition.

Baguashan Mountain, literally the eight trigrams, is one of the most visited sites in Taiwan because of the large 30-metre high Buddha statue, peacefully seated on a 5-metre high lotus-shaped pedestal. The Buddha is hollow and has six floors with life-size dioramas of Sakyamuni Buddha. From the orbits and auditory orifices one can contemplate the view of the Buddhist-inspired park with its pavilions and pagodas. The mountain name of the Eight Trigrams comes from the code used by traditional diviners.

A park in a park! Datun (or Tatun) Nature Park is located on the second highest mountain in Yangmingshan, Mount Datun. The entrance to the park is opposite the entrance to Butterfly Alley. Birds, shrubs, cicadas, butterflies, you will find the main lines of the ecosystem of Yangmingshan, but in miniature. Ideal for hiking (signposted), the park includes a path that allows you to climb to the top of Datunshan and observe the Taipei Basin.

Only 3 km from Toucheng railway station, this black sand beach is the largest in Ilan district. It is very appreciated by surfers from all over the world, who come to enjoy the waves of Waiao. If they are not the highest in the country, they are regular and only break once they reach the beach. Other nautical activities have also developed in recent years, in particular kitesurfing. Several small restaurants and street food stalls provide food for boaters.

Located near the Museum of Fine Arts, this park is the first of its kind in Taiwan. Covering more than 10 hectares, it is perhaps one of the most pleasant green spaces in the Capital. There are artistic works of art reflected in the water, sculptures, modern constructions including an open-air theatre. At dusk, the light is beautiful. On the other hand, the quietness of the place disappears on weekends: the Taiwanese love to go there with their families.

The famous Jinguashi Mining Park, which incorporates all the buildings and tunnels once dedicated to gold mining, is a great success. Opened in 2004, this cultural complex aims to showcase Jinguashi's historical heritage, culminating in the Gold Museum, but also in the superb Prince's Pavilion, the Temple of Gold (a Shinto shrine), the ancient tunnels, etc. We advise you to start the visit with the museum.

Only 588 m high, but bordering the ocean, and looking like a high mountain when viewed from below, this peak dominates Jiufen and the surrounding valleys (including Jinguashi). It is possible to climb to the top by a small stone staircase and paths, in 45 minutes maximum. From above, the view is breathtaking. To get there, from the main road, continue past Jishan Road for about 750m, then turn left. The trail starts here. Be careful, the ascent can be difficult.

The highest volcano in the region, which rises to 616 m, offers an impressive view of Bali and Tamsui. To get there from the ferry pier in Bali, walk 200 m to the petrol station on the main road (left), then turn right and follow the road for 5 km (directions in English), until the start of the 1.4 km long Yinghan trail. A Visitor Center is located on the trail, and provides information on other trails in the area.

The visit of the site begins with the eroded corals for which it is famous, and where groups of tourists flock. Very beautiful, but we deplore the sometimes ridiculous names given to the rock formations. You follow a precise route on slightly raised boards and the narrowest part, where you are at the foot of the ocean, is the most interesting. But the walk can continue to the top of the hill overlooking the peninsula, where it is much less crowded and the view is magnificent. Allow two hours for a complete visit.

A small peninsula to the north-east of the town, the Badouzi park is certainly the best place to observe the ocean and the island of Heping, in a superb natural setting where the hills flow into the sea. It's almost like the Irish coast! On your left, facing the ocean, you will notice an imposing hydroelectric plant. Further behind the factory, the road that runs along the coast is absolutely beautiful, and leads you to a small and very pleasant beach.

A small island south-east of the port, now connected by two bridges, which stands out because of the shape of the rocks that sit on top of it. There is also a small fortress covered by vegetation (fun photos guaranteed), a small aboriginal museum, and a fish market run by the fishermen themselves (hard to find fresher). You can walk there on foot, but it's easier if you have a motorized vehicle. On your left, facing the ocean, the coast that goes to Jiufen (which can be seen clearly) is very pleasant, with several small fishing villages.

Dominating the city and port, it contains a 25 m statue with the effigy of the Buddhist goddess of the mercy Guanyin and the Chu Pu Tan Temple. You can get there free (or make a donation for the temple), to admire the view. Inside, a super kitsch, but unfortunately difficult to see anything through the tiny windows! We can see the whole city from the terrace, right in front of it. Most tourists have access to it on foot, the least courageous will take bus 201.

Raw nature in the middle of Taipei! Close to the business district of Xinyi, this mountain, which offers magnificent hiking trails, has something to surprise you. Just a stone's throw from an ultra-modern residential complex, a small temple marks the entrance to the path that leads to the heights of the city. Be careful, although a staircase allows you to reach the top of the first hill, the slope is steep and untrained walkers may suffer. But it's worth the effort: after twenty minutes of climbing, a small platform allows you to observe one of the most beautiful views of the capital, with Tower 101 in all its splendour in the foreground. The ideal is to go there just before nightfall, to admire the sunset over Taipei which lights up. It takes less than two hours to get there and back from the metro station.

Most tourists stop at this first stage, but the hiking trail continues for several kilometres and splits into several branches that penetrate the surrounding forests. A single day is not enough to go around them, so visitors in a hurry will have to make do with just one of these routes. Our favourite starts just after the first viewpoint: just a little further up is a small open-air gym, and continuing to the right of it, a path goes down into the mountain and allows you to visit several temples little known to tourists.

The first Han, who arrived from Chuanchow or Changchow in mainland China, named the place Tsaoshan (Grass Mountain). The mountain was not renamed until 1950, at the suggestion of the local authorities, in Yangmingshan, in honour of the philosopher Wang Yang ming (1472-1529) - shan means "mountain" in Chinese. In addition to its volcanoes, the park is home to thirteen hot springs and fumaroles covered with yellow sulphur crystals from which sulphuric volcanoes escape. It is therefore not only a geological but also a chemical subject of study. That's why, during the week, dozens of schoolchildren arrive to attend an outdoor science class. You don't have to decide to visit the park at the weekend, because it's no longer a few classes that take over the place, but hordes of tourists looking for a bit of peace and quiet. Indeed, this is Yangmingshan's greatest feature: this national park, located only a few minutes from a conurbation, yet has all the quietness and natural grandeur of an outlying area. The park is famous for its majestic flora, which is at its best throughout the seasons: in autumn, silvergrass, covering the mountains, contrasts with the soft red of the trees' foliage, while in spring, everything is exuberance and the lily-, azalea- and cherry blossoms attract many walkers. Yangmingshan is located in a subtropical zone where vegetation can change in no time for two reasons: volcanic activity, although extinct, continues to abnormally heat the soil making it low in calcium and rich in acid, and the winter monsoon brings abundant rain. Thus, Yangmingshan alternates green landscapes, such as bamboo forests, with arid zones. In addition to 1,224 species of plants, the park includes shrubs of the laurel family such as the Taiwanese cherry tree, as well as an artificial forest (Datun and Chihsing mountains) planted under Japanese occupation and consisting of pine trees. The park is also inhabited by exceptional wildlife. Among the mammals, the Formosa macaque, Formosa hare or Formosa squirrel... In addition to these, there are 110 species of birds, the most emblematic of which is the Taiwanese blue magpie, 150 species of butterflies, mostly in the Mientien and Datun Mountains, and 47 species of reptiles.

This former industrial complex where wine was produced was renovated in 2007 and offers a series of artists' studios and exhibition centres. Here you can learn the secrets of making objects such as lanterns from talented artists and craftsmen. But the place given to contemporary arts is also important. An excellent visit, if only for the locals. Cafés have also opened there so that you can grab a bite to eat after visiting the complex.

In the southwest of the island, this beach is by far the most beautiful of Petit Liuqiu. At the end of a path, with only a small fisherman's temple (as found everywhere) as its only building, it is a real little corner of paradise lost in the middle of the greenery. We don't want to leave. However, be careful of the reefs if you swim there, coral reefs can be dangerous, especially in case of strong currents. Unfortunately, you cannot rent a scuba mask on site.

Just east of the Baishawei ferry landing stage, this fine sandy beach is the busiest on the island, and as a result, it is far from being the cleanest. That said, the municipality and the inhabitants have set up a waste collection system; a real Sisyphean task since the rising tide and currents throw plastic debris out every night. We walk there from Baishawei, more for the panaroma than the idleness. For swimming and sunbathing, it is best to prefer the beaches in the south of the island.

In the south-east of the island, over several hundred meters, these rock formations are a photographer's delight. The road itself makes a chicane to preserve the site, and in this sense is an attraction in its own right. When the sea allows it, some beautiful diving spots can be admired. Unfortunately, depending on the currents, the beach can become covered with plastic waste, even if the inhabitants clean the beach regularly.

It is a popular getaway for the people of Taipei. Surrounded by hills, it contrasts with the hustle and bustle of the capital. Walking along the river or irrigation canals can be a nice walk. The Shimen Dam, built in 1964 on the Dahan River, has enabled the development of the north-western part of the island, facilitating irrigation and providing electricity and running water for more than three million people.

Since 1989, the Taroko cliffs, the mountains surrounding them and the ecosystem they shelter, have been classified as a National Park and are therefore protected: no construction is allowed there. Fortunately, the landlocked nature of this region of Taiwan has allowed this natural wonder not to suffer from human activity. Although the Aboriginal peoples had already explored the region, one of the first Westerners to visit and admire its splendour was the British photographer John Thomson. He explored Taiwan in 1871 and offered a beautiful description of the Taroko Gorge: "We stopped to admire the unspeakable beauty of this mountain gorge and to take a photograph of it, deeply regretting that the sensitized plate could only reproduce the shades of light and shadow, without any of the varied colours that would show the rocks, mosses, climbing plants, masses of foliage among which the rays of the brilliant sun were playing with their bright or dark shades. "Proof that already the twilight light in Taroko was dazzling the visitors. The 37,000 ha park also stands out because of the fauna it shelters: no less than 34 species of mammals such as the Formosa macaque, the black bear or the leopard cat, 144 species of birds including the famous Formosa blue magpie... In other words, the ecosystem of the place is remarkable, not to mention that Taroko is unique of its kind since it is the only place in the world where marble cliffs of such importance, reaching hundreds of meters, rise. If the Hualien region is inhabited mainly by the friendly tribe, Taroko also has representatives of the atayal tribe identifiable - less now - by their facial tattoos. The first representatives of the tribe, originally from central Taiwan, did not arrive until the beginning of the last century. They then took the old Hohuan Trail, built in 1914 and linking the west and east of the country. Some sections are still preserved. Before the 20th century, the gorge could only be reached by the Suhua path dating back to 1874. Nevertheless, although the construction of the Hohuan Road opened up the region, it was not until 1960 that the site was opened to all thanks to the construction of the central transinsular road. Starting in 1956, soldiers bulldozed their way through the marble cliffs finally linking the east and west coasts.

This coast is impressive because of its unobstructed view of the ocean. So there is nothing surprising about the fact that the place was chosen under the Qing dynasty to defend the northern island of invaders. Today, only two cannons have the place.

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This huge pebble beach is one of Hualien's main tourist attractions. The locals don't swim there, however, the waters are rough and the currents unpredictable: only good swimmers in perfect physical condition could risk it, and even then... But the exceptional panorama of the foothills of the mountains flowing into the Pacific is well worth the detour. There's also a small, friendly museum of Aboriginal crafts, a tourist information office, and some not-so-good seafood restaurants

On the beautiful Provincial Road 7, which connects the northeast coast to Taoyuan through the imposing Dongyanshan Mountains, there is a little-known spring, but it provides a good example of Taiwanese spa culture before the Japanese occupation. Just follow a forest trail that leads to a small river. All along the river, hot springs spring up naturally: they are identified by the steam that escapes from them. The locals arrange stones to build natural bathtubs. All that's left to do is to submerge.