Xitou Nature Education Park

Xitou is basically a living outdoor classroom! It’s home to about 300 types of trees and woody plants, plus around 1,300 species of herbs. You can learn about them as you go by checking out the plant signs along the trails. There’s also an exhibition hall on the second floor of the forest management office with a cool collection of plant specimens, complete with photos, charts, and captions that make everything super easy to understand.

If you like birdwatching, Xitou has about 70 different bird species. It’s a great idea to bring a Taiwan bird guide and a pair of 8x binoculars so you can spot some of the most classic mid-altitude birds in Taiwan.

Then there’s University Pond, which got its name because the park is run by National Taiwan University. The highlight here is a uniquely curved bamboo bridge spanning about 50 to 60 feet across the water. Walking across it, you’ll feel a gentle sway, and when a bit of mist drifts in, it feels completely magical—just like walking through a dream.