Qilan Forest Recreation Area Introduction
Qilan National Forest Recreation Area is located in Tuochang Village, Datong Township, about 38 kilometers from Yilan City. It is a must-visit place on the way to Taiping Mountain and Lishan. The park features facilities such as the former residence of President Chiang Kai-shek, a flower viewing area, and forest bathing trails. The European-style Qilan Mountain Villa and cottages provide comfortable accommodations for visitors. The area is lush with flowers and trees, with plum, cherry, apricot, peach, and mountain cherry blossoms planted along the trails, blooming with the seasons and adding a colorful touch, enhancing the romantic atmosphere. Especially in spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it attracts many tourists for cherry blossom viewing. The Sacred Tree Garden within Qilan National Forest Recreation Area is home to the largest concentration of giant trees in Taiwan, making it a worthwhile visit. Each of the trees is over 400 years old and is named after famous figures from ancient China based on their age. Among the 51 giant trees, four are Taiwan cypress named after Zheng Chenggong, Zhu Xi, Guan Yu, and Yue Fei, while the others are red cypress. Besides flower viewing and exploring the Sacred Tree Garden, don’t forget to taste the local specialty, lion’s mane mushroom, to make your trip truly worthwhile.
