Ren Shan Botanical Garden Introduction
Ren Shan Botanical Garden was originally the Chung Shan Nursery, which primarily promoted seedling planting for afforestation in its early days. It was later transformed into Ren Shan Botanical Garden, featuring different garden designs in Japanese, French, and Chinese styles. It is a great hiking destination not far from Yilan City, easily accessible by transportation. As vehicles are not permitted inside the park, visitors can only explore on foot, allowing for the sounds of insects and birds to be heard, with macaques visible climbing and jumping among the trees. One can also hear the crisp calls of the colorful birds, providing a relaxing atmosphere, embracing the forest, and absorbing the essence of nature. Continuing along the path, visitors can see the former camphor and charcoal workshops, which were once vital industries for camphor oil production in Chung Shan Village and are considered one of Taiwan's treasures; today, it serves as a nostalgic spot for tourists. If you hike along the Ren Shan Trail, it is the best route to enjoy views of the Lanyang Plain. On clear days, standing at the highest point offers a distant view of Guishan Island, providing a sense of relief from the fatigue of climbing. Ren Shan Botanical Garden boasts rich ecology and is close to Xinliao Waterfall, with farm villages, visitor centers, and gardens along the way. Visitors can not only hike for fitness but also purchase agricultural products and small potted plants to take home, making for a fulfilling day.
