Zhaoping Park Introduction
Zhaoping Park is located at an elevation of 2,274 meters and is the place with the most expansive views among the cherry blossom viewing spots in Alishan. After disembarking at Zhaoping Station on the Zhushan line of the Alishan Forest Railway, you are greeted by Zhaoping Natural Park, where the highest point even allows a distant view of the Alishan mountain scenery. Originally, this area was a lumber settlement established by residents of Zhongzheng Village in Alishan, which later developed into one of the busiest shopping streets and inn districts due to the increase in visitors. However, a massive fire in the winter of 1976 destroyed more than a hundred houses and the entire Zhaoping business district. The area was subsequently renovated and planned by the Forestry Bureau, which led to the establishment of Zhaoping Park. Consequently, almost all the cherry blossom trees within the park were planted after this fire. Although they do not have the same age as the Yoshino cherry trees found in other viewing spots, which are around seventy to eighty years old, Zhaoping Park has the highest density of cherry blossom trees in all of Alishan, with approximately six hundred trees in the area, making it the most popular place for flower viewers. Zhaoping Park covers a vast area and is home to a wide variety of alpine plants, serving as a base for different flower species in Alishan, allowing for flower viewing almost all year round. In addition to the mountain cherry blossoms and Yoshino cherry blossoms commonly seen in spring, there are also many camellias, hydrangeas, forest-type rhodendrons, golden dewdrops, and weeping crabapples, among others. Even when the mountain cherry blossoms have fully wilted, late-blooming varieties often quietly reveal themselves here. Besides flower viewing, Zhaoping Park is also a great place for bird watching. The park is aesthetically pleasing, featuring trails and small bridges for visitors to enjoy, and the occasional Alishan train passing by Zhaoping Station. The overall reconstruction of the environment has been highly successful, making it a worthy destination to visit.
