Zhaoping Park Introduction
Zhaoping Park, with an elevation of 2,274 meters, is the spot with the most expansive views among the cherry blossom viewing sites in Alishan. After taking the Alishan Forest Railway's Zhu Mountain Line to Zhaoping Station, visitors are greeted by the Zhaoping Nature Park, where the highest points allow for distant views of the Alishan mountain scenery. Originally, this area was a logging village established by residents of Zhongzheng Village in Alishan. However, as tourists increased, it became the busiest shopping street and inn district at the time. Unfortunately, a major fire in the winter of the 65th year of the Republic (1976) destroyed over a hundred houses and the entire Zhaoping business district. Subsequently, the Forestry Bureau restructured and planned Zhaoping Park. As a result, most of the cherry blossom trees in the park were planted after the fire. Although they are not as old as the Yoshino cherry trees found in other viewing spots, which are around 70 to 80 years old, this area has the highest density of cherry blossom trees in Alishan, with approximately 600 trees, making it the most popular spot for flower viewing. Zhaoping Park spans a vast area and hosts a diverse range of alpine plants, serving as the main hub for various flower species in Alishan, making it feasible to enjoy the blooming flowers nearly all year round. In addition to the mountain cherry blossoms and Yoshino cherries that bloom in spring, you can find numerous camellias, hydrangeas, forest rhododendrons, yellow corydalis, and weeping crabapples, among others. Even when the mountain cherry blossoms have fallen, late-blooming varieties often make a quiet appearance. Besides flower watching, Zhaoping Park is also a good place for birdwatching. The park features picturesque landscaping, complete with trails and small bridges for visitors to enjoy. Coupled with the Alishan train that often passes by Zhaoping Station, the overall reconstruction of the environment can be considered a great success and is definitely worth a visit.
