Waterfalls and Forest in Yilan

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Behind the Lanyang Plain the mountains rise fast, and heavy rain feeds waterfalls and thick forest. Wufengqi Waterfall is just outside Jiaoxi and makes an easy half day. Higher up, Taipingshan is a forest recreation area at nearly 2,000 metres, with cool air, misty trees, an old logging railway path and Taiwan's largest mountain lake. It needs a full day or an overnight stay.

Wufengqi Waterfall

Wufengqi Waterfall is in the hills just west of Jiaoxi town. It falls in three steps, with a total drop of about 100 metres. A paved path and stairs lead up from the parking area. You reach the lower fall first, then climb to a pavilion at the middle level, where you can look up at the falls. The upper section is steeper. The walk is short but has many steps, so wear good shoes, as the stones can be wet. After heavy rain the falls are loud and strong. Sometimes paths close after storms or rockfalls, so check before you go.

Taipingshan forest

Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area is high in the mountains of Datong Township, around 1,950 metres above sea level. It was once a logging area, and today it is a protected forest with old cypress trees, ferns and moss. The air is cool all year, and mist often moves through the trees. It is one of the wettest places in Taiwan, so bring a raincoat and warm layers, even in summer. The visitor area has a lodge, a small restaurant and many walking trails. Vehicle numbers are limited on busy days, so book ahead or join a tour.

The Jianqing trail

The Jianqing Huaigu Trail is one of the most loved walks in Taiwan. It follows an old logging railway line through thick, mossy forest. The rails and wooden sleepers are still there, and you walk along them between tall trees and ferns. The trail is about 0.9 kilometres long and almost flat, so it is easy for most people. Allow about an hour there and back, with time for photos. On misty days it looks like a scene from a film. Go early in the morning for fewer people and the best light.

Cuifeng Lake

Cuifeng Lake sits at about 1,840 metres, beyond the main Taipingshan area. In the rainy season it grows to about 25 hectares, which makes it the largest mountain lake in Taiwan. A ring trail of almost 4 kilometres goes around it through the forest, with views of the water. In the early morning, mist often covers the lake. Autumn brings some red and yellow leaves in the area, and spring brings fresh green. The road to the lake is narrow and winding, and it can close after heavy rain or typhoons, so check road conditions first.

Visiting tips

Wufengqi is easy to reach by taxi or a seasonal tourist shuttle from Jiaoxi station. Taipingshan is much harder. It is a long, winding drive into the mountains, at least two hours from Yilan town or Luodong. Public buses run there but are few, so many people join a tour or rent a car. Book any lodge rooms well ahead for weekends. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Start early, carry rain gear, and check the official site for road and trail closures after typhoons. The old Bong Bong forest train runs on a short section at times, but check if it is operating.

Waterfalls and Forest at a glance

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