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Photo: Taiwankengo, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
One of Taiwan's three major forest recreation areas at 1,950m above sea level, Taiping Mountain is one of Taiwan's major ecological treasures.
Taiping Mountain or Taipingshan is a mountain in Datong Township, Yilan County, Taiwan. It is one of Taiwan's three major forest recreation areas. At 1,950 meters above sea level, Taiping Mountain has nurtured an environment rich in ecological resources. In Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area (太平山國家森林遊樂區), people go up the Taiping Mountain Virgin Forest Park to ride the Pong Pong Train, that runs on a track remodeled from the lumber rail in the old days. One could still see the lumber-cutting facilities and operating tools such as the cable transport, aerial lift, lumber rail and steam-powered timber hoist that have remained. These offer visitors an opportunity to learn about the early forest industry in Taiwan as well as to see the natural landscape in high mountains. Taipingshan received 1,015 mm (40.0 in) rain from Typhoon Megi in 2016, the highest in Taiwan.
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太平山原始林步道
A short (0.6 km) trail that winds among large cyprus trees.
蹦蹦車
A reproduction of an older train that was used to transport timber from Taipingshan. The small train now takes tourists to Maosing Station. Spaces on the train are limited.
見晴懷古步道
A short (0.9 km) hiking trail that runs beside an old timber mining train track.
茂興懷舊步道
A short (1 km) trail that winds around the area surroundiing Maosing Station (at the end of the Bong Bong train) that features a number of lookout platforms to let you take in the mountain views.
鳩之澤溫泉
An open-air hot spring near a popular nature trail.
鳩之澤自然步道
A short (1.5 km) trail that begins on the far side of the Jioujhihze Bridge. It offers an introduction to some of the native flora of the area.