Driving through Taipei... I don't like the crowd everywhere. In the end, the road took nearly an hour longer than it should have.
We came to Yang Ming Shan to see the beautiful hydrangea blossoms. We stopped at a farm near Zhuzhihu. The area was really crowded, and our parking space didn't seem very safe. I saw many people riding bikes and walking, but that must be really tiring because this park is huge. From a distance, the farm didn't seem very impressive, and I was considering not going inside. However, since we already paid for parking, it would be a waste not to go.
Yang Ming Shan National Park (陽明山國家公園)
Yang Ming Shan National Park (陽明山國家公園) is one of the nine national parks in Taiwan. The park was established in 1985 and covers an area of 11,338 hectares. The area is known for its volcanic topography dominated by the Dagushan volcanic group. You can find geothermal and hot springs, hiking trails, volcanoes, interesting plants, and wildlife there.
The original name of Yangmingshan was Caoshan (Grass Mountain), referring to the tall silvergrass covering the slopes. Chiang Kai-shek renamed this place to Yangmingshan after his favorite philosopher, Yang-ming.
This national park ranges in elevation from 200 to 1200 meters, with different climate zones throughout. The park is divided into subtropical climate zones, warm temperate climate zones, and a monsoon climate, which is very obvious. Yangmingshan is home to various species, including 30 mammals, 21 amphibians, 22 fishes, 53 reptiles, 122 birds, 168 butterflies, and countless insects and invertebrates.
Every season brings a different type of beauty to this area. In February and March, cherry blossoms and rhododendrons cover the mountain slopes. October showcases the beauty of golden red maple trees and silver grass. In winter, you may even spot snow on cold days and observe seas of clouds.
Japanese influence can be seen throughout the park, such as the hot springs and various types of trees they planted. This area is very popular among Japanese tourists. Yang Ming Shan used to be a mining area due to its rich sulfur deposits. All mining operations are now shut down, but visitors can still explore the old mines.
Sulfur is the earliest discovered and widely used mineral in Taiwan. During the Dutch period, there was an annual record of 10,000 tons. There are 27 mining areas.
When Yangmingshan was a center of gold mining, many Han Chinese people moved to this area to cultivate tea trees. Nowadays, large-scale agriculture has been replaced by boutique-style agriculture with a focus on tourism.
This farm is not very big but really pretty and attracts many tourists. The parking fee nearby is quite expensive - 100 NTD, and we had to park under trees, near the mountain, in a narrow space... The entrance fee to the farm is about 150 NTD, but you can also exchange your ticket for a drink or a flower. I always bring home new flowers, but unfortunately, I only have space on my balcony and don't even have nice soil to plant them properly.
We also met other foreigners here. Mostly couples come here, and it seems like every woman wants her husband/boyfriend to come here to see the flowers. Poor men (including my husband) have to spend their day walking among the flowers.
See also: Yangmingshan Calla Lilly
This farm is really beautiful. It really refreshes your mind. Thanks for letting us know. :)
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