Lishan Scenic Area Introduction
Li Shan Scenic Area is located at the 48-kilometer point of the Central Cross-Island Highway in central Taiwan, connecting to Taichung to the west, Yilan to the north, Hualien along the highway to the east, and traveling south through Dayuling and Hehuanshan to Wushe and Nantou. The area stretches approximately 89 kilometers from east to west and covers an area of about 31,300 hectares. Situated at a mid-to-high altitude, it boasts beautiful seasonal scenery, abundant natural resources, and is known for producing high-altitude temperate fruits and vegetables. As a junction of the main route of the Central Cross-Island Highway and the Yilan branch, Li Shan has become a well-known high mountain scenic area in central Taiwan, and along with Shitoushan Scenic Area in Miaoli and Bagua Mountain Scenic Area in Changhua, it is designated as the "Central Mountains National Scenic Area." The average altitude of the area is about 1,900 meters, characterized by a temperate climate with mild weather and ample sunlight; local products are well-known for their quality, such as peaches, pears, apples, and persimmons in fruits; and cabbage, bok choy, and garlic in vegetables. In recent years, products like Li Shan tea, baby bok choy, tomatoes, and kiwifruit have emerged, along with planned tourist orchards and fruit markets that allow the public to experience the joy of fruit picking and buy delicious produce to take home. Due to its high mountain environment, the area offers different beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons, making it suitable for flower viewing, maple watching, and snow activities; from January to April is the main flower viewing season, a popular time for visitors to Li Shan. The local ethnic groups are diverse, including Hakka, Minnan, and veterans, especially the Tayal people scattered in villages such as Huanshan and Songmao, who have a rich cultural heritage and skilled weaving crafts. The Li Shan Cultural Exhibition Hall not only displays the history of the Central Cross-Island Highway development and the natural ecology of Li Shan, but also introduces Tayal culture, providing travelers with a comprehensive understanding of the Li Shan Scenic Area. The area’s earliest constructed Li Shan Hotel, featuring a Chinese palace-style facade, is a landmark of the Central Cross-Island Highway, with an ecological walking trail behind the hotel, surrounded by lush forest, making it an excellent place for birdwatching and viewing the surrounding peaks.
