Zhaoping Park Introduction
Zhaoping Park, at an elevation of 2,274 meters, is the most expansive viewpoint among the cherry blossom spots in Alishan. After taking the Alishan Mountain Railway Zhushan Line to Zhaoping Station, you will immediately encounter this Zhaoping Natural Park, where you can even see the landscape of Alishan from the highest point within the park. Originally, this site was a logging village established by the residents of Zhongzheng Village in Alishan. As tourism increased, it became the busiest street filled with shops and inns. However, in the winter of 1976, a devastating fire destroyed over a hundred homes and the entire Zhaoping commercial area. It was later redeveloped by the Forestry Bureau into Zhaoping Park. Consequently, most of the cherry trees in the park were planted after this fire. Although they do not have the same age as the Yoshino cherry trees found in other cherry blossom viewing locations, which are around 70 to 80 years old, this area boasts the highest density of cherry trees in Alishan, with around 600 cherry trees planted throughout the park, making it a hotspot for flower watchers. Zhaoping Park covers a vast area and is home to a wide variety of alpine plants, serving as a base for various flower species in Alishan. It is a year-round destination for flower viewing. In addition to the mountain cherry blossoms and Yoshino cherries that bloom in spring, you can also find many varieties of camellias, hydrangeas, forest-style rhododendrons, golden dewdrops, and weeping crab apples, among others. Even when the mountain cherry blossoms have all fallen, late-blooming ones often make an appearance here. Besides flower viewing, Zhaoping Park is also an excellent spot for bird watching. The park's landscaping is quite picturesque, featuring trails and small bridges for visitors to enjoy. Furthermore, with the Alishan train frequently passing by Zhaoping Station, the overall redevelopment of the environment can be considered highly successful and worth a visit.
