Zhaoping 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 taking the Alishan forest railway to Zhaoping Station, you can immediately see this natural park, where the highest point offers a distant view of the Alishan mountain scenery. Originally, this area was a lumbering village established by residents of Zhongzheng Village in Alishan. As tourists began to increase, it transformed into one of the busiest shopping and inn streets at that time. However, a great fire in the winter of the 65th year of the Republic of China destroyed over a hundred homes and the entire Zhaoping commercial area. It was later renovated and planned by the Forestry Bureau to become Zhaoping Park. As a result, almost all the cherry trees in the park were planted after this fire. Although they are not as mature as the Yoshino cherry trees found in other viewing spots, which are around seventy to eighty years old, this area has the highest density of cherry trees in Alishan, with about six hundred cherry trees, making it the most crowded place for flower viewing. Zhaoping Park covers a vast area and hosts a wide variety of alpine plants, serving as the main base for various flower species in Alishan, allowing for year-round flower viewing. In addition to the mountain cherry blossoms and Yoshino cherries that bloom in spring, there are also many camellias, hydrangeas, forest-style azaleas, golden dewdrops, and weeping crabapples, among others. Even when the mountain cherry blossoms are in full bloom, late-blooming mountain cherry blossoms can still be found here. Besides flower viewing, Zhaoping Park is also a great place for bird watching. The park features picturesque landscaping, with pathways and small bridges for visitors to enjoy. Additionally, the Alishan train passing through Zhaoping Station occasionally adds to the charm, making the entire environment's reconstruction very successful and worth a visit.
