IAB Conference 2025

    We are excited to introduce some attractions in Taiwan and hope you can take the time to explore this beautiful island before or after the meeting. Taipei City is very accessible to foreign visitors. In addition to Taipei, transportation is convenient in Western Taiwan, where we recommend several attractions. You can click the photos containing the super link on the right of each attraction; clicking them will redirect you to the website with more information about it.

Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area

    With an elevation of 1,950 meters, Taipingshan is a forestry legend second only to Alishan. Since 1915, the Japanese started the logging business here, taken over by the nationalist government later on. It thus became the largest forest station in Taiwan, and was ultimately transformed into a recreational area in 1983, leaving precious historical sites such as the Jiancing Historic Trail and Bong Bong Train behind. 

    This area is rich in Sphagnum. We recommend exploring Cueifong Lake and the Jiancing Historic Trail in this area. Cueifong Lake is the largest alpine lake in Taiwan, extending over 25 hectares when filled by the autumn rains. During the dry season, the lake recedes to a gourd shape, the edges of which are green with water plants. The Jianqing Historic Trail was rebuilt from part of the Jianqing Line Lumber Transportation Track. The entrance is at the 23km mark of Taipingshan Yizhuan First Line. The elevation of these two trails is around 1,900m.

Hehuanshan National Forest Recreation Area

    Hehuanshan National Forest Recreation Area is the very first national forest recreational area in Taiwan, established as early as 1963, thanks to its extraordinary scenery and alpine ecosystem. You can find a vast field of Yushan Cane up here, experience the chilling temperature 18 degrees Celsius lower than that on the plain, and access three renowned peaks out of the 100 Peaks of Taiwan: Hehuanshan Main Peak, Hehuanshan East Peak, as well as Shimenshan. Abies kawakamii and Yushania niitakayamensis are widely distributed locally. The alpine grassland is the main vegetation form in the Hehuan Mountain area.

    In this area, you can find Pogonatum urnigerum, Campylopus japonicus, Grimmia elongata, Coscinodon cribrosus, Hylocomium splendens, Pellia neesiana, Mnium laevinerve, Metzgeria pubescens, etc. We recommend exploring Wuling(alt. 3275m), 820 Forest Road (alt. 2550m), and Guanyuan (alt. 2370m).

Guanwu Forest Recreation Area

    Embracing a Sacred Tree in the mountain mist, watching the booming blossoms of Taiwan’s largest Wusheh Cherry in spring, climbing to the top to admire the “Holy Ridgeline” of the Hsuehshan (Snow Mountain) Range, or perhaps a surprising encounter with living national treasures comprise the abundant feast of the cloud forest belt that Guanwu (Mist Gazing) National Forest Recreation Area offers at the Hsinchu-Miaoli border.

    At a distance of a 2-hour drive from Zhudong, Guanwu has another name in the Atayal language, “Mogiri”, meaning “a higher mountain”. It became a logging forest station in 1940, and was operational until 1980, leaving manmade forests neatly arranged throughout the mountain. Today, the five stout Taiwan Red Cypress trees by the Kuaishan Giant Trees Trail reflect the majesty of Taiwan’s forest back in the day.

    The wildlife of Guanwu is diverse. Apart from Mikado Pheasant and Formosan Muntjac that roam amidst the woods, the most peculiar species are the Impatiens devolii Huang, the one-of-a-kind flower species in the world, as well as the two national treasures endemic to Taiwan: the Broad-tailed Swallowtail Butterfly and Guanwu Formosan Salamander (which is named after the place). 

    Regarding bryophytes, we recommend exploring Kuaishan Big Trees Trail (alt. 2060-2360m), East Branch of Dalu Forest Trail (alt. 2000m), and Jhenshan Trail (alt. 2030-2310m).

There are many more attractions to discover on the Tourism Administration of Taiwan website.