National Parks of Taiwan

In the order they were established, Taiwan’s nine national parks are: Kenting (or Kending as it’s sometimes written); Yushan (sometimes called Jade Mountain); Yangmingshan; Shei-Pa (alternatively spelled Xueba); Kinmen; Taroko (parts of which are closed long-term following the April 3, 2024 earthquake); Dongsha (not yet open to the public); Taijiang; and South Penghu Marine National Park, covering part of the Penghu archipelago. All nine are charged with preserving the natural environment, a mission that’s much easier in Taiwan’s highlands than in populated coastal areas. The Kinmen and Taijiang national parks have an additional secondary role of protecting sites of historical importance. In addition, there’s Shoushan National Natural Park. If you’re in Kaohsiung and you’d like to hike but don’t have much time, consider spending half a day enjoying Shoushan’s clearly-marked trails, bamboo groves, and banyan trees.

Taiwan also has more than a dozen nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and protected areas, some of which are closed to non-researchers. The various national scenic areas — of which Alishan is the most famous — play an important role in preserving what makes Taiwan such an alluring destination, as do the forest recreation areas.

If your key interests include hiking or ecotourism, or simply soaking up unspoiled nature, let us know. Our travel specialists are experienced at crafting itineraries that make the very most of your time.