Zhao Ping Park Introduction
Zhaoping Park, at an elevation of 2,274 meters, is the place with the most expansive views among the cherry blossom viewing spots in Alishan. After disembarking at the Zhaoping Station on the Alishan Forest Railway's Zhushan Line, one can easily overlook Zhaoping Nature Park, where the highest point even offers a distant view of the Alishan mountain scenery. Originally, this area was a lumber settlement established by the residents of Zhongzheng Village in Alishan. As tourism increased, it became the most bustling shopping street and inn district at that time. However, in the winter of 1976, a major fire destroyed over a hundred residential houses and the entire Zhaoping business district. It was not until after that that the Forestry Bureau restructured and planned Zhaoping Park. As a result, most of the cherry trees in the park were planted after this fire. Although they do not have the same age as the Yoshino cherries found in other cherry blossom viewing spots, which are around seventy to eighty years old, this area boasts the highest density of cherry trees in Alishan, with approximately 600 cherry trees in total, making it the most crowded place for flower viewing. Zhaoping Park covers a vast area and is home to a variety of alpine plants, serving as a hub for all kinds of flowers in Alishan. It is possible to enjoy flower viewing almost all year round. Besides the mountain cherry blossoms and Yoshino cherries commonly seen in spring, there are also many varieties of camellias, hydrangeas, forest rhododendrons, golden shower trees, and weeping crab apples, among others. Even when the mountain cherry blossoms have fallen, late-blooming mountain cherry blossoms can often be found making their appearance. In addition to flower viewing, Zhaoping Park is also a great place for bird watching. The landscaping in the park is quite poetic, featuring paths and small bridges for visitors to enjoy. Furthermore, the Alishan train occasionally passes through Zhaoping Station, making the overall reconstruction of the environment highly successful and well worth a visit.
