Zhaoping (Station and Surrounding Park) Introduction
The main attractions in Zhuoping include Zhuoping Station, Zhuoping Park (also known as Natural Park), and a logging steam engine (pillar). The trailhead for the sunrise view at Zhushan also begins from Zhuoping, taking about 40 minutes to reach Zhushan Station. The open area next to Zhuoping Station is Zhuoping Park, initially planned as a natural park but later redefined considering its cultural and historical value. The park is home to a variety of alpine plants, such as Formosan cherry, Oshima cherry, Fuyuan cherry, Mori's rhododendron, multi-flowered wisteria, Western apple, weeping crabapple, shining-leafed pearl bush, thorny crabapple, Yunnan golden bell, peach-leaf coral, hydrangea, iris, golden corydalis, and daylily, making it a famous flower viewing spot in early spring when the garden is filled with vibrant colors. In autumn, it is adorned with deciduous plants like the Taiwanese red maple, creating a stunning landscape that enchants visiting tourists. In the past, every logging site in Taiwan had steam logging machines. After Alishan ceased direct logging in 1967, many tools were auctioned off. The logging machine that was here was sold for 10,000 TWD as scrap iron. After the National Forest Recreation Area emerged, a steam logging machine was purchased from Hualian Lintianshan to be displayed here.
