[2025 Nantou Attraction] Travel Guide for Xitou Nature Education Area (Updated Jul)

Xitou is really a great place, well maintained, with many creatures, animals, and plants. If you take a slow walk, you can observe many small insects, which is very fun. Climbing is convenient and not dangerous. Every time I come here, I always feel that my lungs are clean. Although there are many people climbing the mountain, everyone is very scattered and there is no sense of oppression.

Nantou, Taiwan is so fun~ We came to Xitou Education Forest Park, wow, it's so big! Full of phytoncide! ! It’s super cool on the mountain! ! An approachable mountain climbing trip!

October is the season when ginkgo leaves turn yellow For teaching purposes, we went to Xitou to absorb phytoncides The park is large and the road is easy to walk on Xitou Monster Village is right next door (but I didn’t go there 🤣) A great place to relax #GinkgoTree

Tickets: 220 yuan Good Mountain Good water Hiking is good for health

I highly recommend visiting the Xitou Forest Recreation Area in Nantou. The park covers a vast area, so it's best to arrive early in the morning to explore as much as possible. Each section of the park has its own unique scenery, including the Sacred Tree Area, University Pond, Ginkgo Area, and the Observatory. Since the temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains can be significant, it's advisable to bring a light jacket. 🕰️ Operating Hours: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM 💰 Average Cost: Full ticket price is 220 NTD 🚗 Transportation: You can take a bus directly from Taichung city center or the High-Speed Rail station.

📍 Location No. 9, Senlin Lane, Lugu Township, Nantou County ⸻ 🚗 Transportation • Driving by yourself: Starting from Taichung, take National Highway 3 to Zhushan Interchange, then take Highway 3 to Highway 151 and drive straight to Lugu Township. Follow the signs to Xitou Nature Education Park. • Public Transportation: Take the Taiwan Travel Xitou Line, depart from Taichung Gancheng Station, pass Taichung Railway Station, Taichung High Speed ​​Rail Station and other locations, and get off at Xitou Station.  ⸻ 📝 Personal experience Xitou Nature Education Park, formerly known as Xitou Forest Recreation Area, is located in Fenghuang Valley, Lugu Township, Nantou County, at an altitude of about 1,150 meters. It is named after its location at the source of Beishi River. The park covers an area of ​​about 2,500 hectares and belongs to the experimental forest farm of the College of Agriculture of National Taiwan University. It is planted with precious tree species such as red cypress, ginkgo, and cypress, making it an ideal forest bathing spot.   There are many forest trails and hiking trails in the park, which shuttle through the woods. Among them, the "Sky Corridor" trail allows visitors to observe the towering coniferous trees up close, as if they were in the forest canopy, looking down from a high vantage point, and appreciate the different postures of the forest from different angles. Especially when the mountains are shrouded in clouds and mist and the mountain haze rises, people feel as if they are in a painting.  The "University Pond" in the park is the most famous attraction. A curved arch bridge spans the blue waves. The water in the pond is as clear and emerald as a mirror, reflecting the surrounding mountains and waters. The rippling water makes the university pond even more poetic. There are towering ancient trees by the pond, with occasional mist floating in the air. When the clouds are light and the fog is rising, it looks more like a fairyland on earth, adding a touch of romance.  In addition, there are ginkgo forests, bamboo huts, Phoenix Mountain Observation Deck, forest exploration areas and other attractions in the park, which are suitable for parent-child travel, bird watching and nature education. Xitou Nature Education Park is not only a famous forest recreation area in Taiwan, but also a forest classroom that combines natural ecology with educational significance.   #AprilGoodDestinations2025 #OulangruiTravelDiary #NantouAttractions

This is one of my favorite spots in Taiwan. It is located on the mountain of Nantou, which is very convenient for driving and you can also take the bus from Taichung High Speed ​​Rail Station. It is recommended to stay in the park for one night and take a night tour, where you will have the opportunity to see flying squirrels and other creatures. Even if you don't see any animals, it's very relaxing just to absorb the phytoncides. It's suitable for a family outing.

Although there are many hotels or B&Bs to choose from in Xitou, I highly recommend the Xitou Nature Education Park, which is only a 5-minute drive away. What surprised me the most was that there was a foot massager in the hotel for guests to use. It was really thoughtful. Whenever I go hiking in the park, if I take the challenge of walking back and forth between Phoenix Mountain Lookout and the Observatory, which is about 17km, my calf muscles will be very sore when I get back to the hotel. After using a foot massager to relieve the pressure, my calf muscles will no longer be sore the next day. The park is so rich in fragrance and essence that it is no wonder that there are 7,000 to 8,000 tourists every day on weekdays, and 50 tour buses alone come here to visit every day.

# Accommodation and hiking near Xitou This time I booked a four-day, three-night free trip to Xitou. It was my first time staying at the Xitou Shatti Hotel. It was really considerate and surprising. There was a Fuji foot message and a cypress bath tub in the room. It was the first time I found these two facilities. They were placed directly in the room. After walking for about 3 hours in the Xitou Nature Education Park, I could get a foot massage immediately after returning to the hotel. It really eliminated the chance of iron legs. Then put some hot water in the cypress tub to take a bath, which completely eliminated the physical and mental fatigue after exercise😅😂😎

If you love nature, then Xitou Nature Ecological Scenic Area is definitely a must-visit! Located in Nantou, Taiwan, it boasts magnificent cedar forests, fresh air, and a rich variety of flora and fauna. Walking in feels like stepping into a natural oxygen bar. The most iconic spots include University Pond, where the calm lake surface reflects the surrounding green mountains, creating a dreamy scenery. There's also the famous Sacred Tree, a giant red cypress over 700 years old. Standing before it, you can truly feel the awe-inspiring power of nature. Strolling along the forest trails, you might spot cute squirrels, and if you're lucky, you might even see the Taiwan Blue Magpie! For those who enjoy a challenge, climbing up to the Sky Walkway is recommended. From there, you can overlook the lush green forest with a vast view! This place is not only perfect for hiking enthusiasts but also a great choice for family trips. A visit to Xitou guarantees complete relaxation for your body and mind, allowing you to experience the healing power of nature!

Nestled in the lush mountains of Nantou County, Xitou Forest Recreational Area (溪頭自然教育園區) is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Managed by National Taiwan University, this scenic reserve offers well-maintained hiking trails, towering bamboo groves, and ancient cypress trees. The cool, misty climate makes it a refreshing retreat, especially during Taiwan’s hot summers. Visitors can explore highlights like the Skywalk, which provides breathtaking treetop views, and the University Pond, a tranquil spot surrounded by nature. Nearby, the charming Monster Village (妖怪村) adds a fun cultural twist with its Japanese-style architecture and playful monster-themed attractions. With its peaceful atmosphere, fresh mountain air, and diverse flora, Xitou is perfect for a relaxing getaway. Whether you’re hiking, taking photos, or simply enjoying the serene surroundings, this forest retreat is well worth a visit. #xitou #xitounatureeducationarea #溪頭自然教育園區 #nantou #localguides

Xitou Nature Education Park, also known as Xitou Forest Recreation Area, is located in Huangfeng Mountain Valley, Luge Township, Nantou County, Central Taiwan. It is named after the source of Beishi River. It is between 800 meters and 2,000 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a quiet environment and fresh and clean air. It is the closest forest park to the city in Taiwan. Because of its terrain of about 1,000 meters, there is mountain mist and rain every afternoon, which creates an excellent growth environment for tea trees, especially the high-quality spring and summer tea, creating the very famous Lugu Dongding Oolong Tea in the tea industry. This forest park is planted with precious tree species such as red cypress, ginkgo, and cypress, and there are thousands of grasses and plants growing, forming flowers blooming all year round. Moreover, due to the mild climate, the trees are evergreen, just like a paradise on earth. There are also well-planned and well-laid out hiking trails. You can enjoy the perfect forest bath and get the best health index for your body and mind. There are three routes to follow when enjoying a forest bath: 1 is the easy level: from the service center to → Zhulu → Shenmu District → Sky Corridor → Liulongkeng Lawn Area → Forest Ecological Exhibition Center → original place. It is about 5.6 kilometers and takes about 3 hours (there are up and down trails). 2 is service center → university pool → forest ecological zone exhibition center → original place. It is about 4 kilometers and takes two hours. The terrain is flat and easy to walk. There are also park buses available. 3 is the challenging route: Service Center → Huangfeng Mountain Lookout and Observatory → Giant Rock → Sacred Tree → Sky Corridor → Liulongkeng Lawn Area → Forest Ecological Exhibition Center → Original Place. It is about 17 kilometers, and the round trip time is four to five hours, all with gentle uphill and then downhill. It is recommended to visit the most beautiful landscape in the park, . It would be a pity if you didn’t visit it when you come to Xitou. Its charm is the site of countless love stories between handsome men and beautiful women. Whenever spring comes and flowers and cherry blossoms bloom, the arched suspension bridge is reflected in the lake, and it is like heaven on earth. The love remains in the world, leaving behind a love that will never be seen again in this world. . Traffic tips: 1. Drive from Beigao on National Highway 3 and get off at Zhushan Interchange towards Zhushan (not into the city), then turn onto County Highway 151 to the end, which is the entrance to Xitou Park. 2. Travel by bus: Take the Taiwan Express Bus No. 6883 from Gancheng Station on Shuangshi Road in front of Taichung Railway Station to the Xitou Gate Entrance. Or you can take the shuttle bus from Nantou, Zhushan, and Douliu bus stations to the main entrance. 3. Taiwan Travel buses departing from Gancheng Station of Taichung Railway Station to Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area can also be transferred to Xitou Scenic Area, and vice versa. Therefore, if you have a trip of more than three days, you can make this arrangement. #Best place for hiking and health preservation #Good place for family

#Taiwan Summer Activities Summer is so hot 🥵 The best thing is to go up the hill to escape the heat Depart from Taichung to Xitou Nature Education Park in Nantou County It can be much cooler 😊 There are many big trees in the primeval forest 🌳 Walking in the trails you can enjoy a forest bath There is also an aerial corridor skywalk Can shuttle through the canopy layer 🌲🌳🌴 This time we also had a chance to meet a very close squirrel 🐿️ So that I can take a photo with it📸

Cherry blossoms at Xitou Nature Education Park#Good place for parents and children

The park is really towering. In addition to a mountain trail, surrounded by all kinds of plants, flowers, trees, it is simply full of green. There is an air corridor here. People walking on it can directly touch the plants, which can be regarded as close contact and close-range explanation. This knowledge is not only the empty knowledge and the text on the books. Pretend to be in aerial photography on the air corridor, take the road below and the people who passed by. It happened to be a group of small and medium-sized students. I heard that every Friday is their outdoor teaching time, and the teachers will take these children out to teach on the spot. This feeling is great, you don't have to be limited to the knowledge in the classroom, you can really get close to nature, and naturally it won't be the end of the paper. It would be great if we had such a lively class every week in our elementary school.