Sinhua Forest Arboretum

76, KouBei, JhihYi Li, Sinhua,
Tainan County
(06) 590-1063
Hours: 5 am-6 pm

Until recently this decades-old research forest--one of four around Taiwan managed by National Chunghsing University--was open to the public 24/7, and no admission was charged. Now that adults have to pay NT$50 to enter (children and seniors, NT$20), this writer wanted to see what visitors get for their money. The answer is: much better paths, more signs (in Chinese only), and a coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating. The forest sprawls over 373 hectares. The highest point, grandly called Guanyinshan, may be just 154 meters above sea level, but there are enough deep gulleys and steep hillsides here to give you a good workout. Dogs can be brought in if kept on a leash. To get here, drive inland along County Road 168 from downtown Sinhua. After about four kilometers, when you see Kou Bei Elementary School (obvious, and with a bilingual sign), turn left. You'll very soon see car parks and a cluster of vendors. The main entrance to the arboretum is on the right. --By Steven Crook, translated by Annie Liu