Qingtiangang

Located in the outskirts of Taipei, Yangmingshan National Park can be one of the favorite spots of urban dwellers who suffer from “nature deprivation.” As the backyard of Taipei, Yangmingshan is a child-friendly place as kids are allowed to explore the vast grassland of Qingtiangang and interact closely with the cattle. It is also a nice location to have a family picnic or to just sit back and enjoy the surrounding lushness. In the afternoon, the grassland is often shrouded in a thick blanket of fog, and visitors get to take in an enchanting view. If you happen to be visiting in autumn, Qingtiangang will tantalize your eyes with the spectacular views of the golden fields of silver grass.

Qingtiangang can be easily accessible by car or bus. Your first stop should be the visitor center as it is where the free guided tours start (twice a day: 9:30 and 13:30). Then follow the 2.4-kilometer-long circular trail to meet those grazing cattle on the grassland as well as a number of historic ruins on the way. When the sky is clear enough, the Jinshan plain and the Taipei basin will greet you from far off as there is no obstruction of views at all. So what is the best time of the year to visit Qingtiangang, you ask? Well, spring and autumn for sure.