Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area

A great place for relaxation! But not for everyone..cuz if you want to visit you'll need to have a car to go there..there's no public transportation..but for me..it's worth it!

The Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area is located RenAi Township of NanTou County. The park is administered by the Nantou Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau. The altitude of the forest ranges from 1,100 to 2,600 meters and spans an area of 2,787 hectares. The Wanda River here is one of the sources of the ZhuoSui River at geologically seperate Taiwan to north and south. Aowanda is the largest Formosan gum forest in Taiwan. The fiery red forest makes autumn and winter the peak season for visitors. From mid-January to February, cherry blossoms bloom and flocks of Taiwan yuhina flutter around the branches to feed on nectar. From April to May, fireflies glow to turn Aowanda’s nights into an enchanting world. Moreover, there are palm civets, squirrels, goats, Formosan rock macaques, Japanese tree frogs, long-armed beetles, stag beetles, and more animals Credit: Official Website

Took forever to get there. By the time we arrived, we had no energy to enjoy the scenery, so we used the "facilities," had a meal at the restaurant, and relaxed until it was time to go.

If someone ask me where to see the sakura blossom in Spring and maple in Autumn but not to remote that requires a long drive, I would recommend Aowanda. About one hour dive from Qing Jing and Taichung city, has a grass land with numerous sakura planted, and a hiking trailing toward the Aowanda hanging bridge, if two kilometer hiking is not enough, Aowanda also provides a seven days hiking trip into the mountains across the aowanda hanging bridge, fir the visit this time, I only walk to the aowanda hanging bridge like most visitors do, since the main purpose is the sakura blossom.

Great place for hiking.The suspension bridge was kinda scary so high up and with the winds blowing so strongly. Forced myself to walk to the end of the bridge and back. Would have been better if it wasn't raining as it was chilly. Lots of construction going on at the bottom with lots of trucks other than that was a great hike good for training your stamina and fitness levels.

The maple leaf still not fall yet when I come there (the end of November) But the scenery is beautiful The staffs and guides are nice and helpful, some of them can speak english well

People come here for the abundant maple trees but there’s actually only a few near the reception area. You may hike 10mins to a waterfall which is kinda disappointing and underwhelming. The drive into this park is around 2hrs from Qingjing and would only recommend it if you have nothing else to explore and need to kill time in the area. Unless you want a photo with the maple leaves which are definitely available elsewhere, I suggest you may give this spot a miss.

Scenery is beautiful if you like nature and fresh air. Hiking trails are easy and well maintained. Serenity.