6 Beautiful National Parks in Taiwan

Located in East Asia, Taiwan is a stunning country which consists of 168 islands, although the main island — Formosa — makes up approximately 99% of the area. Taiwan has several different ecosystems and some incredibly beautiful scenery, including mighty volcanoes and massive monsoon forests. There are nine national parks in the country and they are the perfect place to get out and explore nature. So, let’s take a look at the most beautiful national parks in Taiwan!

1. Yangmingshan National Park

The first national park on our list is the stunning Yangmingshan National Park which is located in the north of the country and is easily accessible from Taipei and Taipei City. During the Qing Dynasty, the mountain was originally called “Caoshan” which meant “Grass Mountain” due to the lack of trees. However, it was renamed Yangmingshan after World War II and the national park was established in 1985. Yangmingshan National Park features Taiwan’s tallest dormant volcano — Qixing Mountain — sulfur deposits, and hot springs. It also features numerous hiking trails which offer stunning scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Yangmingshan is also a bird-watchers paradise as it is home to 122 different species of birds.

2. Kenting National Park

The oldest national park in Taiwan is Kenting National Park which was formed in 1984. It is located in the southernmost region of Taiwan and spans 70 square miles of land and 59 square miles of sea. Kenting is divided into two areas by the Hengchun Longitudinal Valley Plain which splits the northern and southern regions.

The northern region features a stunning wilderness area that includes mountains, forests, and grasslands. However, the southern region is home to coral tables, low-lying foothills, and stalactite caves. There is a breathtaking sandstone coast and numerous sandy beaches. Plus, there’s a diverse range of flora and fauna to see in the park, including coastal and monsoon forests. It also has one of the top ten tropical botanical gardens in the world. Life is just as diverse on the land as in the sea, and you’ll see sea turtles, sharks, manta rays, sika deer, and water buffalo to name just a few.

3. Shei-Pa National Park

Located in the central region of Taiwan is Shei-Pa National Park which spans 297 square miles. It features 104 different peaks, including Xueshan which is the second-highest mountain in Taiwan at 12,749 feet. As well as its rugged mountains, Shei-Pa has stunning river valleys and thick forests. It also has five different zones based on its elevation level, including an alpine vegetation zone which is above 11,811 feet where only a few cold-tolerant plants can survive. However, lower down the mountain valley you will find an abundance of wildlife, such as Formosan rock macaques, Mikado pheasants, and Formosan black bears. If you love hiking and nature then Shei-Pa is the place to be as there are dozens of trails across the park, with the East Xue being the most challenging — a 14-mile hike that takes three days to complete, going all the way to the summit of Xueshan.

4. Kinmen National Park

The Kinmen National Park is located in Kinmen County, Fuchien Province. It is a small park, at just 13.62 square miles, but it features many stunning architectural and cultural attractions. Kinmen National Park is a historical preservation area as it is intended to offer visitors an insight into the rich and colorful history of the area. Kinmen is also home to some stunning flora and fauna, with many plants that are not found in the main region of Taiwan. It is also a great place for viewing birds, as there are approximately 300 different species that have been seen in the park. Many of these are migratory birds that use Kinmen as their winter home, including goldfinches and falcons.

5. Taroko National Park

The Taroko National Park is a stunning area which is named after the Taroko Gorge. The park is located in Hualian County and spans 360 square miles. It features some of Taiwan’s most stunning scenery, with breathtaking marble canyons, deep gorges, winding rivers, and imposing mountains. Taroko National Park is a fantastic ecosystem that has a vast range of rare and endangered plants as well as 14 species of birds that are endemic to Taiwan. These include the fire-breasted flowerpecker and Swinhoe’s pheasant. You can also see animals such as the Formosan samba deer and Formosan wild boar within the park. There are plenty of excellent hiking trails in Taroko National Park, including the Mount Nanhu Trail which is 14 miles each way and climbs four incredible mountains.

6. South Penghu Marine National Park

Finally, we have the South Penghu Marine National Park which is located in the southern region of the Penghu islands. Although there are four main islands within the park, there are numerous small islands and inlets too. South Penghu is home to some of the most stunning marine life in Taiwan, with more than 700 species of fish, as well as sea turtles, dolphins, and whales. There are also stunning coral reefs and sea caves to view. Plus, on the islands, there are basalt landforms and abandoned fishing villages to see. Other things to do in the park include hiking and snorkeling. You can access the islands by boat from the mainland.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Martin Mecnarowski/Shutterstock.com