The Sunset at Maolan Mountain

The sunset at Maolan Mountain is truly stunning. The short, less-visited route winds its way up from Mingtan Junior High School or Zhushi Garden on Provincial Highway 21, yet boasts tea plantations, Japanese-style dormitories, an old tea factory, and Taiwan's third-highest weather station. It offers panoramic views of Sun Moon Lake and a prime spot for watching the sunrise and sea of ​​clouds. In 2006, it was even selected as one of Taiwan's new Little 100 Peaks. Due to Maolan Mountain's favorable climate and soil, Assam black tea was introduced and widely cultivated during the Japanese colonial period. The "Tea Improvement Station" halfway up the mountain still retains historical buildings, including the quaint cypress tea factory and dormitories. There's also a monument to a Japanese technician who dedicated his life to Taiwanese black tea. After passing the Ceylon Olive Tree Red Leaf Trail, which evokes a sense of northern style, and several viewing platforms, you'll reach the Sun Moon Lake Weather Station, offering expansive views. This is Maolan Mountain's highest point, and on clear days, you can overlook Jiufen Ershan, Jiji Mountain, Xiluan Mountain, and the Puli Basin. With convenient dining, accommodation, and transportation nearby, you can stay a day longer after descending the mountain to explore the surrounding attractions, or even venture up to the other three peaks of Sun Moon Lake—Shuishe Dashan, Dajianshan, and Houjianshan—to appreciate the beauty of the Shuishalian Lake and mountains from different heights and angles.