Dongyanshan National Forest – Day Tour (Guided)
Looking for a quick day trip to get outdoors, surround yourself in beautiful nature and experience true forest bathing?
With nearly 20km of easy-to-navigate and well-maintained trails, beautiful secondary cedar forests, and even a new restaurant, this protected area is a perfect addition to your visit to Taiwan. Less than two hours from Taipei, Dongyanshan National Forest boasts over 43 species of birds and dozens of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
While certainly rare, we’ve even spotted the elusive Taiwanese Pangolin on a trail in Dongyanshan. You never know, until you go! This tour is available as a guided experience.
- Duration: 1 day
__________________________________________ - Trip level: Easy
__________________________________________ - Availability: All-Year
__________________________________________ - Type: Guided
__________________________________________ - Price: Flat-rate for groups of 1-7 guests
– Guided: NTD$21,300
__________________________________________
Highlights
- Protected area located 2 hours from Taipei
- Hike 20km+ of family friendly trails, including to the peak of Dongyanshan!
- Abundant bird population, butterflies and other wildlife
- Private and Return Door-to-Door Transportation between Taipei and Dongyanshan
- Perfect escape from the city and an add-on to any visit to Taipei
Dongyanshan National Forest – Tour Overview
Less than two hours south of Taipei, this park has been reforested and is now comprised mainly of Japanese and Chinese Cedars as well as some broad-leaved trees such as Beech, Oak, and Formosan Rhododendrons. Under the thick canopy, flora flourish including Giant Elephant Ears (Taro) and other lush ferns.
Bird and wildlife is abundant in this park and if you’re lucky you can spot larger mammals such as Formosan Rock Macaques (台灣獼猴), Red-bellied Squirrels (赤腹松鼠), Formosan Hares (台灣野兔) or even the rare Taiwanese Pangolin (台灣穿山甲). Birdlife, smaller mammals, reptiles and amphibians are all commonly spotted including multiple kinds of toads, frogs and snakes.
On our Dongyanshan Day Tour, guests will be dropped off at a small visitor center, where they will have access to restrooms, a small food vendor and bilingual information, including maps for the National Forest. Guests can hike the numerous connected trails and spend time forest bathing and enjoying the many unique art installations found throughout the park.
Take a break at the newly renovated Dongyanshan Restaurant (東眼山食堂), which features several set menus, as well as lite snacks such as french fries and desserts. Hot drinks such as Black Tea and a variety of coffees can be purchased to drink on-site or take out. Popsicles and fresh, local fruit are sold by the cashier. Food and drinks not included in the ticket price.
What is included
 | Bilingual (Chinese/English) & experienced guide services |
 | Private round-trip transportation from Taipei (Alternate pick up locations can be arranged) |
 | Passenger Vehicle & NTD$3,000,000 Travel Agency Liability Insurance |
 | Private LINE group with Taiwan Outdoors’ staff & guide (if applicable) |
What is not included
 | Flights |
 | Airport transfers (Available upon request. Additional costs apply) |
 | Drinks and meals |
 | Additional stops at attractions or souvenir shops |
 | Admission into Dongyanshan National Forest |
 | Additional Personal Travel Insurance |
Dongyanshan Day Tour Schedule, Hiking Trails & Points of Interest
Tour Schedule
07:30 – Guest Pick Up: Taipei Main Station (or alternative pick up location)
09:30 – Guest Drop Off: Dongyanshan National Forest Visitor Center
09:30 – 15:45 – Free time to explore Dongyanshan National Forest including trails, visitor center, restaurant, etc.
15:45 – Guest Departure: Dongyanshan National Forest Visitor Center
18:30 – Estimated Drop Off : Taipei Main Station (or alternative drop off location)
*This is a suggested itinerary, however guests can modify departure and pick up times as per their desired schedule. Some flexibility is available if guests wish to visit other destinations within the allocated 10 hour tour window. These are estimated times and are dependent on traffic to/from the destination.
Hiking Trails
The Scenic Trail (景觀步道) – 3km (return) | Linear Two-Way | No Permit Required | Level 1 Difficulty Rating – Starting from the visitor center, the Scenic Trail is a family friendly trail that is a mix of hard surface and loose gravel. Perfect for strolling in a stunning forest.
Self-Guided Trail (自導式步道) – 3.9km (return) | Linear two-way – No permit required – Level 2 difficulty Rating – Shaped like a horseshoe, the Self-Guided Trail connects the Scenic Trail at two separate points in the park. At 3.9km in length, the Self-Guided Trail reaches the highest elevation in the park at 1,212m. The entire route takes a beginner hiker about 2 hours and takes an advanced hiker about 1 hour to complete.
The Dongman Trail 東滿步道 – 7.8km (one-way) | Linear two-way | No permit required | Level 3 Difficulty Rating – This trail connects Dongyanshan and Manyueyuan National Forests and is not recommended on this day trip due to the length and linear nature of the route. If you would like hike this trail on a day trip, please visit our Dongman Trail – Day Tour (coming soon).
Note: There are several smaller, connecting trails found throughout Dongyanshan, creating endless opportunities for smaller loops to fill an entire day out.
For a full overview of the trails and facilities of Dongyanshan National Forest, visit our Online Guide
Points of Interest
Dongyanshan Visitor Center (東眼山遊客中心) – The main visitor center at Dongyanshan National Forest is located at the top of the large vehicle parking lot and is connected to the car parking above by a small trail. Two small rooms make up the interpretive centers for this protected area, however most of it is in Chinese. One of these areas also sells small commemorative items like decorative post-cards, hats and even Forestry Bureau branded facemasks. There is a water-refill station, a small vendor selling cold drinks, noodles, soup, and other light snacks. Washrooms available on site.
Dongyanshan Restaurant (東眼山食堂) – This facility was renovated and reopened in 2022. The restaurant now features several set menus, as well as lite snacks such as french fries and desserts. Hot drinks such as Black Tea and a variety of coffees can be purchased to drink on-site or take out. Popsicles and fresh, local fruit are sold by the cashier. Indoor seating fits about 30 people, while shaded outdoor tables allows for another 20 or so people. Vending machines are located out front. Washrooms are not located at this site, but are located within 200m. We highly recommend including this as a stop on your Dongyanshan Day Tour.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
⚠️ PICK-UP / DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: Our pick-up / drop-off location for our Dongyanshan Day Tour will be Taipei Main Station. If a guest requires an alternate pick up/drop off location, please include a note at check-out or send an email to YourTaiwanOutdoors@gmail.com
⚠️ GROUP SIZE: This tour can be booked for groups between 1-7 passengers. If you have a group larger than 7 guests, please contact us for pricing.
⚠️ TOUR AVAILABILITY: This tour can be booked on all dates of the year. Some restrictions may apply during holidays or Lunar New Year. Tours must be booked with at least 5 days notice.
⚠️ TOUR GUIDE: This tour is offered as a guided experience. Guests will meet the tour guide at a designated location sent to them after payment has been received. Their guide will accompany them throughout the trip, providing interpretation and guidance where needed.
⚠️ TOUR SUITABILITY: The trails at Dongyanshan National Forest are suitable for beginners and are well-maintained by the Forestry Bureau. There are some sections with stairs, however. Please consider your own hiking ability before booking this tour. If you would like to ask for more details regarding this route, please contact us through email, phone, or social media.
⚠️ PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Full payment is required at least 3-days prior to the departure date. This ensures our guests commitment to the tour and allows us to confirm participation.
⚠️ TOUR AVAILABILITY:Guests are permitted to purchase this trip up to 5-days prior to their preferred departure date. This tour is available all year.
⚠️ CANCELLATION POLICY:
- 95% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 41 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 90% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 31 days to 40 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 80% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 21 days to 30 days before the scheduled day of departure.
- 70% refund when the cancellation notice arrives two days to 20 days before the scheduled day of departure.>
- 50% refund when the cancellation notice arrives one day before the scheduled day of departure.
- No refund when the cancellation notice arrives after the scheduled day of departure.
Do you have any other questions? Please send us an email to YourTaiwanOutdoors@gmail.com
Contact Us – Dongyanshan National Forest Day Trip
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Discover One Of Northern Taiwan’s Best Kept secret!
