Imagine a place where city life and nature coexist harmoniously, where the edge of a bustling metropolis meets verdant green spaces, tranquil hot springs, and hiking trails, teeming with flora and fauna. This is Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, a city where the wonders of nature are just a short walk from urban conveniences. From the 101-storey Taipei 101 tower, one can witness hikers embarking on their journey up the forested slopes of Elephant Mountain, a testament to Taiwan’s unique blend of urban and natural beauty.
An oasis in the heart of the city, Elephant Mountain, also known as Xiangshan, offers trails that begin near Xiangshan Park. This mountain, shrouded in giant taro, yellow-stem fig trees, and fragrant scarlet begonia plants, is home to a diverse range of fauna, with signs reminding visitors to be alert for local wildlife, including cobras and bees.
However, Elephant Mountain is just an introduction to Taiwan’s expansive outdoor adventures. Nestled 100km from Taipei, the hot spring town of Guguan serves as the gateway to the mountainous central region of Taiwan. Reached by a swift bullet train journey to Taichung and a scenic taxi ride, Guguan is a hot spring paradise enveloped in five-leafed pines.
Hoshinoya Guguan, a resort that opened in 2019, blends seamlessly into the environment. Its low-lying structures are interconnected by stone paths winding through dense bamboo forests. The resort’s location makes it a hub for hikers, with numerous trails emanating from its premises.
The local guide, Hsieh Ping-Yu, introduces hikers to the valleys surrounding Guguan, carved by a river flowing from Xueshan, the region’s highest peak. These valleys are populated by the Atayal people, farmers who cultivate persimmon and dragon fruit in the valley, bordered by fragrant hinoki wood. While hiking, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in ‘forest bathing,’ a popular activity in Taiwan, which involves soaking up the restorative aroma of phytoncides, compounds released by trees that are beneficial to human health.
Guguan village, a humble assortment of family-run restaurants and quaint hot springs hotels, is the heart of the local community. Here, residents enjoy communal foot baths fed by natural hot springs and enriched by salt and sulphides. This unique experience, coupled with a mouth-watering array of local dishes, including stewed pig’s ears, gives an authentic taste of Taiwanese life.
Visiting the Guguan Visitor Centre and its small museum reveals the region’s geology and the rich heritage of the Atayal people, who discovered the area’s hot springs. After soaking up this history, visitors can relax in the museum’s foot bath, warmed by the natural spring water.
Overall, Taiwan offers a rich tapestry of experiences where the city’s fast pace gently collides with nature’s tranquil charm. From the green expanses of Taipei to the hot spring town of Guguan, a journey through Taiwan truly embodies the harmony between urban life and the natural world.
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