Yangmingshan (Yangming Mountain), located about an hour by bus from Taipei, is a popular tourist destination where you can enjoy parks and hot springs. With ever-changing seasonal landscapes, rare milky-white ponds, and hot springs, there is no shortage of sights to see. No matter which season you visit, you can immerse yourself in its beautiful nature, making it a highly recommended spot. Here, we introduce the must-visit attractions of Yangmingshan National Park, packed with charm.
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Enjoy nature in Taipei! Introducing the tourist spots of Yangmingshan National Park
1. What is Yangmingshan National Park?
Lush and green, Yangmingshan National Park is a vast park stretching from northern Taipei City into New Taipei City. It features a visitor center, recreation areas, waterfalls, and ponds, offering a perfect escape into Taipei’s natural beauty.
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The park's trademark is a 22-meter-wide floral clock. The flowers on this clock change with the seasons, making it enjoyable no matter when you visit. Within the park, you’ll also find cherry blossoms, plum trees, apricots, azaleas, and camellias, making it an ideal place for flower viewing.
Additionally, from the western side of Yangming Park, you can pass by Datun Waterfall and continue to the Zhuzihu area. Zhuzihu, known as the "Flower Fields of Yangmingshan," is home to a variety of flowers, including roses, carnations, and sunflowers.
Between March and April, the lake area is covered in a blanket of pure white calla lilies (海芋, Kaiu), creating a breathtaking scene.
2. Access
There are two main ways to reach Yangmingshan National Park by bus:
From the Taipei Main Station via "Metropolitan Transport Bus 260"
Board the "Metropolitan Transport Bus 260" at Exit North Gate 2 of Taipei Main Station. The ride takes approximately one hour, and you should get off at the final stop, "Yangmingshan Bus Terminal" (陽明山總站).
From Jiantan Station or Shilin Station
If departing from MRT Jiantan Station or Shilin Station, take the "Metropolitan Transport Bus Red 5" (大都會客運 紅5). The journey takes about 45 minutes, and you should also alight at "Yangmingshan Bus Terminal."
Both routes drop you off near the Yangmingshan Post Office, and along Shengli Street, you can find the café "Shuiguotu Natural Bread" (水果兔自然麵包).
3. Best seasons to visit Yangmingshan
Yangmingshan National Park is a great place to enjoy nature throughout the year. However, spring is by far the best season to visit. During this time, the park becomes a prime location for cherry blossom viewing, with mountain cherry trees and Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Since Taiwan is located further south than Okinawa, the cherry blossom season starts earlier than in Japan, typically beginning in mid-February. Thanks to Taiwan’s warm climate, the blossoms can be enjoyed until around April.
4. Nearby restaurants
Near Yangmingshan National Park, you’ll find "Caoshan Guesthouse" (草山行館), a building originally constructed in 1923 as a rest house for Emperor Showa. In 2002, the Taipei City Government designated it as a historic site, and in 2011, it was opened to the public.
Inside, there is a restaurant and an exhibition room, making it an excellent place to take a break. The restaurant is set in the former reception hall of the guesthouse, allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely meal while feeling like distinguished guests in an official residence. In addition to coffee and tea, the restaurant serves Alishan Oolong Tea and Nantou Buzhichun Tea, offering a taste of Taiwan’s unique tea culture.
For those interested in history, the exhibition room can be visited for an entrance fee of 30 NTD. It displays rooms, photographs, and portraits related to Chiang Kai-shek and his wife, providing an insightful look into Taiwan’s past.
5. Hot springs in the area
Yangmingshan is home to a famous hot spring area called Lengshuikeng (冷水坑). During the Japanese colonial era, sulfur mining was thriving in this area, and today, visitors can still enjoy the Lengshuikeng Hot Springs and the Lengshuikeng Public Bathhouse.
For added convenience, there is a shuttle bus called "Metropolitan Transport 108" that circles around Yangmingshan National Park, stopping at major attractions. It’s a great way to explore the park without hassle, so be sure to take advantage of it.
In front of the Lengshuikeng Visitor Center’s second parking lot, there is also a free public bathhouse, which is said to have originated when the Japanese first introduced bathhouses to the area. This hot spring, known as the “spring of beautiful skin,” contains bicarbonate-rich mineral water.
While it is an enticing hot spring, no towels or amenities are provided, so if you plan to use it, be sure to bring your own supplies. For those who prefer a more casual experience, there is also a foot bath outside the public bathhouse, allowing you to soak your feet and relax.
Nearby, you will find the "Niunai Lake" (牛ナイ湖, "Milk Lake"), a rare white-colored pond created by volcanic sulfur deposits. Be sure to stop by and see this unique natural wonder.
◎ Notes for climbing Yangmingzan
The weather in the mountains can change suddenly, so be sure to check the forecast carefully before starting your hike. Even if good weather is expected, bringing rain gear is highly recommended.
During your hike, you may encounter steep staircases and areas where sulfuric steam is venting from the ground. Be sure to take adequate breaks, and don’t hesitate to turn back if needed.
All soil, rocks, and plants within Yangmingshan National Park are protected natural resources, so removing them from the park is strictly prohibited. Additionally, visitors are required to bring their own trash bags and take their garbage home. Littering inside the park is punishable by a fine.
