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​Yangmingshan National Park, Taiwan

Yangmingshan National Park

In its own language: 陽明山國家公園

Taipei’s volcanic park with cherry blossoms, hot springs, and hiking trails

Photo: H8010110, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yangmingshan National Park sits on the edge of Taipei and New Taipei City, known for its volcanic peaks, cherry blossoms, and hot springs. Visitors find hiking trails, sulfur vents, unique plants, and historic sites spread across ridges, valleys, and grasslands.

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  • Home to Taipei’s highest dormant volcano, Qixing Mountain
  • Known for cherry blossoms and butterfly watching
  • Features hot springs and sulfur vents from volcanic activity
  • Includes rare plants like Taiwan isoetes
  • Historic sites and hiking trails throughout the park

What is Yangmingshan National Park?

Yangmingshan National Park covers over 113 square kilometers and includes ridges, valleys, lakes, and grasslands. The park features volcanic peaks like Qixing Mountain, fumaroles venting sulfur, and natural hot springs. In spring, cherry blossoms color the landscape. Visitors can walk along trails, see butterflies, and spot unique plants. There are also several historic buildings and cultural sites within the park.

The history of Yangmingshan National Park

The area was once called Grass Mountain, named for its grassy slopes after Qing officials burned the land to deter sulfur theft. During Japanese rule, it became part of Daiton National Park. In 1950, it was renamed Yangmingshan to honor Ming dynasty scholar Wang Yangming. Planning for the current park began in the 1960s, and it was officially established in 1985. The park’s geology is shaped by volcanic activity, with andesite rock and post-volcanic features.

What there is to see

The park’s landscape is shaped by volcanic forces, creating hot springs and sulfur vents. Trails lead through forests, grasslands, and up to volcanic peaks. The acidic soil and varied climate allow for a mix of subtropical and temperate plants. Cherry trees bloom in spring, and butterflies are most visible from May to August. The park is accessible by road and public transport from Taipei.

Mount Qixing under clear sky on 13th February 2016.
Mount Qixing under clear sky on 13th February 2016.. Photo: Wei-Te Wong, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
post-volcanic geological landscape area This is a picture of the protected area listed at WDPA under the ID 9025
post-volcanic geological landscape area This is a picture of the protected area listed at WDPA under the ID 9025. Photo: James CPHuang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sea of clouds at Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park‎
Sea of clouds at Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park‎. Photo: Men-Huan Chao, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
​臺灣臺北市陽明山國家公園的夢幻湖。
​臺灣臺北市陽明山國家公園的夢幻湖。. Photo: Bmwman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When to go

People visit Yangmingshan year-round for hiking, flower viewing, and soaking in hot springs. Spring is especially popular for cherry blossom viewing. The park is also a place to see butterflies, especially in early summer. Historic sites, such as Grass Mountain Chateau and old military buildings, attract those interested in culture and history.

Parts and collections

Within the park, different areas offer distinct experiences. Xiaoyoukeng is known for its fumaroles and sulfur crystals. Menghuan Pond is home to the rare Taiwan isoetes, an aquatic fern found only here. Mt. Datun is a favorite spot for butterfly watching. The park’s vegetation changes with altitude, from rainforests to grasslands.

Why Yangmingshan National Park matters

Yangmingshan is closely tied to Taipei’s identity, offering city residents a place for recreation and nature. The park’s cherry blossoms are a seasonal highlight, drawing crowds each spring. Several buildings in the park have historical significance, including former residences of political figures and sites linked to Taiwan’s modern history. The park is recognized for its quiet natural environment despite being near a major city.

The flowers of Yangmingshan National Park

Cherry blossomThe spring-blooming flower of ornamental cherry trees, central to Japan’s hanami custom

Plan a visit

🇹🇼 Taipei · Feb to MayYangmingshan flower season and the calla lilies of ZhuzihuCherry and azalea on the mountain above Taipei, then white calla lilies in a farmed valley.

Questions people ask about Yangmingshan National Park

Where is Yangmingshan National Park located?

Yangmingshan National Park is mostly within Taipei and New Taipei City in northern Taiwan. It covers several districts, including Beitou and Shilin in Taipei, and Wanli, Jinshan, Sanzhi, and Tamsui in New Taipei.

What is Yangmingshan National Park known for?

The park is famous for its volcanic landscape, cherry blossoms in spring, hot springs, sulfur vents, and hiking trails. It also has a wide variety of plants and butterflies, and several historic buildings.

When is the best time to visit for cherry blossoms?

Cherry blossoms typically bloom in spring. This is the most popular time for flower viewing in the park, with many visitors coming to see the pink and white blossoms.

What kind of wildlife and plants can be seen in the park?

Yangmingshan has over 1,300 species of plants, including cherry trees, maples, and rare ferns. There are also 168 species of butterflies and 122 species of birds, along with semi-feral cattle.

Are there any historical sites in Yangmingshan National Park?

Yes, the park contains several historic buildings, such as Grass Mountain Chateau, former government buildings, and the graves of notable figures. These sites reflect the area’s cultural and political history.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Yangmingshan", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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