Zhaoping (Station and Park Area) Introduction
Main attractions in Zhaoping include Zhaoping Station, Zhaoping Park (also known as Natural Park), and the logging machine (pillar), among others. The starting point of the sunrise hiking trail to Zhushan also begins from Zhaoping and takes about 40 minutes to reach Zhushan Station. The open area next to Zhaoping Station is Zhaoping Park, which was initially planned as a natural park. However, considering its cultural and historical value, it was redefined as Zhaoping Park. The park is dotted with various alpine plants, such as Taiwan cherry, Oshima cherry, Fugaku cherry, Morishita rhododendron, wisteria, Western apple, weeping crabapple, bright-leaved pearl myrtle, thunberg spiraea, Yunnan golden bell, peach-leaved cornel, hydrangea, iris, golden shower, and daylily. In early spring, the park bursts with vibrant colors and is a famous flower viewing spot in the area; in autumn, it is adorned with deciduous plants like Taiwan maple, creating a stunning landscape that captivates passersby. In the past, every logging site in Taiwan had a steam logging machine. After the Alishan logging operations ceased in 1967, many tools were sold off, and the logging machine here was auctioned off as scrap metal for NT$10,000. After the establishment of the national forest recreation area, a steam logging machine was purchased from Huailien Lintianshan to be displayed here.
