Lishan
A mountain of happiness that resembles a fairyland
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Immerse yourself in the seasonal beauty and the mountainous tribal villages for a high-altitude journey of happiness
Located in the Heping District of Taichung City, the Lishan Scenic Area spans across “Guguan” and “Lishan” recreational zones, offering awe-inspiring ecological beauty at medium to high altitudes. Here in Guguan, the most famous attraction is undoubtedly Guguan Hot Springs, which has been renowned throughout Taiwan since the era of Japanese domination and is definitely a great choice for relaxing your mind and body. The rich seasonal landscapes of Lishan, as well as its sweet and fresh high-altitude fruits and vegetables, are something that you shouldn't miss! The Lishan Scenic Area is also an important Atayal settlement. Visitors can experience traditional Atayal culture here, making it a place worth exploring.
- Guguan hot springs
- Indigenous tribal culture
- Hiking in the mountains
- Ecological bird watching
Regional features
- The year-round fragrance of flowers and fruits along with an abundance of characteristic agricultural products make every season delightful!
- The region of Guguan is a well-known hot spring destination on the Central Cross-Island Highway.
- The authentic Atayal tribe offers you the opportunity to experience indigenous culture while enjoying an unforgettable ecological tour.
- Apart from the autumn foliage, you can also savor the enchanting charm of vibrant orange hues in spring here in Lishan.
- From easy to challenging routes, these hiking trails cater to the desires of all who wish to get close to the mountains and forests.
The must-visit scenic spots of Lishan
Guguan Visitor CenterAs the best starting point for exploring Guguan, it leads travelers to rediscover the history, geology, and ecology of Guguan, initiating a sensory experiential journey.
Lishan Culture MuseumThe museum showcases the development history of the Central Cross-Island Highway, Atayal culture, and natural ecology. From October to December each year, this area also transforms into a perfect scenic spot for appreciating the beauty of autumn foliage. It is really worth a visit.
TabukSongmao (known as “Tabuk “ in Atayal) Tribe is an Atayal tribe featuring a rich natural landscape in Lishan. Its awe-inspiring “Songmao Rock Cliff” (known as “Sinat Tabuk” in the Atayal language) and spectacular Atayal culture are something you should not miss.
1956 Maple ValleyNamed after its altitude of 1956 m, “1956 Maple Valley” features an impressive red maple landscape every spring and autumn.
Shaolai TrailBuilt along the cliffs, the tree-lined Shaolai Trail is not only lush with greenery, but also its cherry blossoms in early spring and the autumn maple leaves are absolutely breathtaking.
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Local delicacies that must not be missed
Temperate vegetables and fruits in mountains
As the region is located in a medium to high-altitude area, the temperate vegetables and fruits produced in this area have delightful aromas and are sweet, juicy, and crisp. Whether it is high-altitude cabbages, peaches, honey apples, pears, or any other variety, the fresh and sweet taste leaves a lasting impression on many travelers.
Lishan High-Mountain Tea
Grown in a cold, sunlight-rich, pollutant-free, and pest-free environment, Lishan High-Mountain Tea has a bright golden infusion, a fresh and sweet flavor, and can be steeped multiple times. It is one of the most representative agricultural products in Lishan.
Guguan giant mud crab
Guguan has a cool climate, coupled with the pristine waters of the Dajia River, making it an ideal environment for the growth of giant mud crabs. The meat of the giant mud crab is fresh, sweet and tender, without any hidden spines or muddy taste. It is considered a delicacy among freshwater seafood. When you visit Guguan, don't forget to come and savor it!
Delve deeper into Lishan
Natural ecology
Gradually extending into the mountains along the Dajia River, the Lishan Scenic Area boasts an incredibly diverse mid-to-high altitude ecology. In addition to precious and rare conservation species, such as the Formosan salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus) and Taiwan yuhina (Yuhina brunneiceps), the Lishan Scenic Area is also home to various species endemic to Taiwan, including the white-eared sibia (Heterophasia auricularis), Taiwan vivid niltava (Niltava vivida), and the “aurora swallowtail” (Atrophaneura horishana). Furthermore, the vibrant red maple leaves in autumn, as well as the snow-like blooms of Taiwan spiraea prunifolia (Spiraea prunifolia Sieb. et Zucc. var. pseudoprunifolia (Hayata) Li) at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, also add to the charm of Lishan's landscape throughout the year.
Formosan Yuhina
Formosan salmon
White-eared Sibia
Niltava vivida
Atrophaneura horishana
Dicaeu ignipectus
Schisandra arisanensis
Spiraea prunifolia
Cultural Charm
The development of Central Cross-Island Highway
The development project of the Central Cross-Island Highway was immense. It not only faced numerous natural disasters, such as typhoons and earthquakes, but also required the construction of roads along cliffs and precipices due to its location in lofty mountains and high ranges. Therefore, the entire development process was exceptionally challenging and demanding. Moreover, because of the fragile geology, the use of large machinery was impractical. As a result, most of the construction was carried out manually, with workers using shovels and chisels.
Atayal culture
The Atayal ethnic group is distributed in mountainous areas in central and northern Taiwan. Atayal people are skilled in hemp weaving and textile craftsmanship. The diamond-shaped pattern is a common motif in Atayal clothing because it symbolizes the eye of their ancestors, carrying a sense of reverence. Traditional Atayal clothing is primarily made of hemp fabric and is often adorned with shell beads, especially on the chest and back. The garment woven with shell beads is called “lukkus-kaxa”, meaning “the shell-bead clothes”.
The history of Guguan hot springs
Formerly known as the “Meiji Hot Springs”, the Guguan hot springs have their origins dating back to the Japanese domination period. These hot springs are renowned for their high-quality carbonated hydrogen carbonate spring water and are beloved by many. Today, as you explore Guguan's hot spring street, you'll encounter a diverse array of hot spring resorts in the area. This renowned hot spring destination is a must-visit when you journey to the Lishan Scenic Area.
Transportation
Public transportation
Intercity Buses
Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport, Fengyuan Bus and Hualien Bus have routes to reach scenic spots within the Lishan Scenic Area.
Taiwan Tour Bus
Register for a Taiwan Tour Bus itinerary to discover the beauty of Lishan with professional tour guides through an in-depth exploration.
Self-drive travel
Departing from Northern Taiwan
- To Guguan
National Freeway 1 or National Freeway 3 →Take exit at Fengyuan Interchange on National Freeway 4 → Provincial Highway 3→Provincial Highway 8 towards Guguan - To Lishan
Take exit at Yilan Interchange on National Freeway 5 → Provincial Highway 7 →Provincial Highway 7A towards Lishan
- To Guguan
Departing from Southern Taiwan
- To Guguan
National Freeway 1 or National Freeway 3 →Take exit at Fengyuan Interchange on National Freeway 4 → Provincial Highway 3→Provincial Highway 8 towards Guguan - To Lishan
National Freeway 3 → Take exit at Puli Interchange on National Freeway 6 →Provincial Highway 14 → Provincial Highway 14A →Provincial Highway 8 towards Lishan
- To Guguan
Departing from Eastern Taiwan
- To Guguan
Travel southward via National Freeway 5 after reaching northern Taiwan; or travel northward via the South Link Highway or Southern Cross-Island Highway after reaching central and southern Taiwan. - To Lishan
Provincial Highway 9 (Hualien) → Provincial Highway 8 towards Lishan
- To Guguan
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