YANGMINGSHAN NATIONAL PARK

The first Han, who arrived from Chuanchow or Changchow in mainland China, named the place Tsaoshan (Grass Mountain). The mountain was not renamed until 1950, at the suggestion of the local authorities, in Yangmingshan, in honour of the philosopher Wang Yang ming (1472-1529) - shan means "mountain" in Chinese. In addition to its volcanoes, the park is home to thirteen hot springs and fumaroles covered with yellow sulphur crystals from which sulphuric volcanoes escape. It is therefore not only a geological but also a chemical subject of study. That's why, during the week, dozens of schoolchildren arrive to attend an outdoor science class. You don't have to decide to visit the park at the weekend, because it's no longer a few classes that take over the place, but hordes of tourists looking for a bit of peace and quiet. Indeed, this is Yangmingshan's greatest feature: this national park, located only a few minutes from a conurbation, yet has all the quietness and natural grandeur of an outlying area. The park is famous for its majestic flora, which is at its best throughout the seasons: in autumn, silvergrass, covering the mountains, contrasts with the soft red of the trees' foliage, while in spring, everything is exuberance and the lily-, azalea- and cherry blossoms attract many walkers. Yangmingshan is located in a subtropical zone where vegetation can change in no time for two reasons: volcanic activity, although extinct, continues to abnormally heat the soil making it low in calcium and rich in acid, and the winter monsoon brings abundant rain. Thus, Yangmingshan alternates green landscapes, such as bamboo forests, with arid zones. In addition to 1,224 species of plants, the park includes shrubs of the laurel family such as the Taiwanese cherry tree, as well as an artificial forest (Datun and Chihsing mountains) planted under Japanese occupation and consisting of pine trees. The park is also inhabited by exceptional wildlife. Among the mammals, the Formosa macaque, Formosa hare or Formosa squirrel... In addition to these, there are 110 species of birds, the most emblematic of which is the Taiwanese blue magpie, 150 species of butterflies, mostly in the Mientien and Datun Mountains, and 47 species of reptiles.