About Aowanda
The operating hours are from 8am to 5pm
The Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area is located in Qingai Village, Renai Township. The park is administered by the Nantou Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau. The altitude of the forest ranges from 1,100 to 2,600 meters and spans an area of 2,787 hectares. Most of the Aowanda Recreation Area is a valley terrain. The main river, the Wanda River, has two tributaries: the Wanda North River and the Wanda South River. The Wanda River is one of the sources of the Zhoushui River. This area is rich in water resources; it is where the Magu River, the Qingshui River, and the Naoliao River converge. After the area was designated as a National Forest Recreation Area, visitors can come here and appreciate the beauty of the forest and observe the diversity of wild birds.
The Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area is located in Qingai Village, Renai Township. The park is administered by the Nantou Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau. The altitude of the forest ranges from 1,100 to 2,600 meters and spans an area of 2,787 hectares. Most of the Aowanda Recreation Area is a valley terrain. The main river, the Wanda River, has two tributaries: the Wanda North River and the Wanda South River. The Wanda River is one of the sources of the Zhoushui River. This area is rich in water resources; it is where the Magu River, the Qingshui River, and the Naoliao River converge. After the area was designated as a National Forest Recreation Area, visitors can come here and appreciate the beauty of the forest and observe the diversity of wild birds.
Aowanda is a water conservation forest featuring many types of coniferous and broadleaf trees and retaining features of primeval forests. In Aowanda, visitors can not only find Formosan gum and pine trees but also Taiwanese zelkova, Chinese pistaches, and luanta-firs. Because of our utmost care, this forest is home to a variety of wild life. There are at least 120 recorded species of birds. Of these birds, the Taiwan blue magpie is the most unique. It was voted as the national bird of Taiwan. Visit Aowanda to get a chance to come in close contact with the Taiwan blue magpie.
The most mind blowing scenery in Aowanda is the largest Formosan gum forest in Taiwan. The fiery red forest makes autumn and winter the peak season for visitors. Unfortunately, the area is temporarily closed due to Typhoon Sinlaku in 2008, which caused the riverbed of the Wanda River to rise and created a mudslide, destroying the Formosan Gum Forest. Another spectacular sight in Aowanda during autumn and winter is the big suspension bridge where visitors can enjoy bird watching and other stunning sceneries. However, the old bridge that connected to the Formosan Gum Forest and spanned the Wanda North River was destroyed by Typhoon Sepat on August 22, 2007. To continue offering visitors the beautiful view of the pine and Formosan gum forests, the Aowanda Main Suspension Bridge (180 meters long, 90 meters wide) was built between the Forest Park and Pine Area.
It cost around NT$14 million to construct and was finished and opened on July 4, 2009. The maximum capacity limit is 110 persons. For safety concerns, please follow traffic control and wait patiently when it is crowded.
The most mind blowing scenery in Aowanda is the largest Formosan gum forest in Taiwan. The fiery red forest makes autumn and winter the peak season for visitors. Unfortunately, the area is temporarily closed due to Typhoon Sinlaku in 2008, which caused the riverbed of the Wanda River to rise and created a mudslide, destroying the Formosan Gum Forest. Another spectacular sight in Aowanda during autumn and winter is the big suspension bridge where visitors can enjoy bird watching and other stunning sceneries. However, the old bridge that connected to the Formosan Gum Forest and spanned the Wanda North River was destroyed by Typhoon Sepat on August 22, 2007. To continue offering visitors the beautiful view of the pine and Formosan gum forests, the Aowanda Main Suspension Bridge (180 meters long, 90 meters wide) was built between the Forest Park and Pine Area.
It cost around NT$14 million to construct and was finished and opened on July 4, 2009. The maximum capacity limit is 110 persons. For safety concerns, please follow traffic control and wait patiently when it is crowded.
From mid-January to February, cherry blossoms bloom and flocks of Taiwan yuhina flutter around the branches to feed on nectar. Visitors can easily spot these lovely and nimble little birds flying about without binoculars. These little creatures are just as precious to Aowanda as the red beauty of the Formosan Gum Forest. To unveil the mysteries around these little birds, Aowanda has many video cameras installed next to the nest boxes where the birds come to build nests. Anyone can observe their behaviors via Taiwan’s very first live bird watching webcasting system. Every March through June, visitors can access the videos at the tourist center or off-site on the Government Portal Website (http://webcam.www.gov.tw/index.htm). From April to May, fireflies glow to turn Aowanda’s nights into an enchanting world. Moreover, there are palm civets, squirrels, goats, Formosan rock macaques, Japanese tree frogs, long-armed beetles, stag beetles, and more animals for visitors to discover.
Since it is situated in a remote area with minimal light pollution, Aowanda can boast another rare spectacle, which is a beautiful night view filled with twinkling stars and a brightly lit moon. Visitors can enjoy the cool gentle breeze during summer and autumn while lying down on the grass to gaze at the constellations of the Milky Way. Aowanda offers fantastic views every season—from the beauty of cherry blossoms in the spring, refreshing waterfall in the summer, bright lit moon in the autumn, to the fiery red Formosan gum in the winter—all of these splendid sites/sights are waiting for you to come and explore.
Since it is situated in a remote area with minimal light pollution, Aowanda can boast another rare spectacle, which is a beautiful night view filled with twinkling stars and a brightly lit moon. Visitors can enjoy the cool gentle breeze during summer and autumn while lying down on the grass to gaze at the constellations of the Milky Way. Aowanda offers fantastic views every season—from the beauty of cherry blossoms in the spring, refreshing waterfall in the summer, bright lit moon in the autumn, to the fiery red Formosan gum in the winter—all of these splendid sites/sights are waiting for you to come and explore.
