{"id":8254,"date":"2025-12-10T17:00:35","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T09:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/?p=8254"},"modified":"2025-12-12T10:05:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T02:05:12","slug":"yangmei","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/en\/yangmei\/","title":{"rendered":"Taoyuan \u25e6 Yangmei | The Bald Cypresses are Turning Colors! | TAIWAN 368-58"},"content":{"rendered":"

A must-see in autumn and winter, the bald cypresses are now starting to transform. From December to February, these trees shift from lush green to shades of orange and red, creating a breathtaking scene. When I visited the hidden bald cypress grove in Yangmei the other day, I happened to come across a couple taking their wedding photos. Sunlight filtered through the branches, illuminating the forest with a glow that radiated pure happiness.<\/p>\n

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Beyond the cypress grove, Yangmei is also known as a traditional Hakka settlement, offering a wealth of attractions and unique cultural landscapes.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 Taoyuan Travel Guide<\/span><\/h6>\n

01\uff5cTransportation in Taoyuan<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude84 Taiwan High Speed Rail<\/a>
\n\ud83d\ude97 Cross-city Chartered One-day Tour From Taipei<\/a><\/p>\n

02\uff5cPopular Attractions in Taoyuan<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfab XPark Taiwan Aquarium Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Window on World Theme Park Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Dongyanshan Forest Recreation Area Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Lalashan National Forest Recreation Area Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Pushin Ranch Tickets in Taoyuan<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Simbalion Art Studio Admission Ticket in Taoyuan<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Saw Seen Woo Ying Cheng Admission Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Taoyuan Mountain Foot Deer Farm Sambar House Admission Ticket<\/a><\/p>\n

03\uff5cThings To Do in Taoyuan<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfd5\ufe0f Glamping in Taoyuan by Orchard Villa<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25e6 The History of Yangmei<\/span><\/h6>\n

The origin of the name \u201cYangmei\u201d is indeed tied to the yangmei fruit (Chinese bayberry)! The name has a history of more than two hundred years. In the past, the area was called Yangmei-li, where \u201cli\u201d in Hakka refers to a \u201cvalley lowland between plateaus.\u201d The story goes back to the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, when Han settlers followed the Shezi River\u2014once called \u201cDaxi\u201d\u2014into this region to cultivate the land. After cutting through dense wilderness, they eventually reached the confluence of the river, which was exactly such a valley lowland. The terrain ahead grew even more rugged and difficult to cross. Exhausted, drenched in sweat, and parched with thirst, they suddenly discovered yangmei trees laden with ripe fruit. Picking and eating them quenched their thirst, and the settlers decided to build a village there, naming it Yangmei-li after the fruit. In 1920, the name was officially shortened to Yangmei, and the yangmei tree became both a symbol and the official tree of the district.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 Attractions in Yangmei<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cYangmei Bald Cypress Forest<\/h6>\n

The best season to admire bald cypresses runs from December through February. While many areas in Taoyuan are home to these beautiful trees, the secret grove in Yangmei remains relatively unknown. It\u2019s the perfect spot to enjoy the scenery quietly, away from the crowds. This hidden gem actually sits on private land. The landowner not only opens it to the public free of charge but has even thoughtfully added a Google Maps location to make it easier for visitors to find. A professional landscaping team also helps maintain the grounds, showing how much care goes into preserving this space. Because of that, visitors are reminded to take their trash with them and help protect this rare gesture of generosity.<\/p>\n

Inside the grove, rows of tall bald cypresses stand neatly aligned, creating a grand yet tranquil landscape. It\u2019s rarely crowded on weekdays, making it an ideal place for photography. I recommend visiting in the morning, when the sunlight is soft and enchanting. On my last visit, I happened to see a couple taking their wedding photos in the grove. Sunlight streamed gently through the branches, illuminating them in a golden glow, while tall silvergrass in the background completed the picture. The whole scene was filled with a sense of pure happiness.<\/p>\n

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Yangmei Bald Cypress Forest<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 151, Ln. 210, Gaoxin St., Yangmei Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
02\uff5cKuo Yuan Ye Museum of Cake and Pastry<\/h6>\n
When it comes to traditional pastries in Taiwan, almost everyone has heard of \u2014 and tasted \u2014 Kuo Yuan Ye. Growing up, I\u2019ve received countless gift boxes from them: wedding pastries, salted egg yolk cakes, and their signature iced mooncakes. Just hearing the name \u201cKuo Yuan Ye\u201d brings a sense of joy, as if something good is about to happen.<\/p>\n
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The brand\u2019s story dates back to 1867, when founder Kuo Liang-chen opened a pastry shop near Shennong Temple in Shilin. There, he carried forward his family\u2019s pastry-making heritage, naming the shop \u201cYuan Ye\u201d after the Kuo family\u2019s ancestral home in Fujian, establishing the foundation of the business. In 1945, the third generation officially added the family name, creating the brand Kuo Yuan Ye. Seven years later, a large order from a local paper mill turned the modest shop into a famous establishment in Shilin. Today, Kuo Yuan Ye is a household name and an iconic Taiwanese brand beloved for generations.<\/p>\n
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The Kuo Yuan Ye Museum of Cake and Pastry, located in Yangmei, is the perfect place to immerse yourself in pastry culture. Inside, you\u2019ll find a rich collection of artifacts related to traditional pastries and wedding customs. Visitors can not only learn about the cultural significance of these treats but also join hands-on workshops to experience the joy of baking for themselves. Personally, what excites me most are their creative wedding pastries that beautifully combine Western and traditional Taiwanese elements \u2014 visually stunning and absolutely delicious.<\/p>\n
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Kuo Yuan Ye Museum of Cake and Pastry<\/strong> Taoyuan<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0900-1700\nNo. 3, Ln. 9, Qingnian Rd., Yangmei Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
03\uff5cFugang Station<\/h6>\n
Originally named Bokonggang, Fugang Station was built in 1929 and is the southernmost train station in Taoyuan. In 1955, it was renamed Fugang Station, and by 1988 the old building was reconstructed due to aging, leaving little trace of its original appearance. The name Bokonggang is tied to the area\u2019s geography and local culture. In the past, this land was part of Xinwu\u2019s Dapi region. From Dapi\u2019s vantage point, one could spot numerous Tudi Gong (Earth God) temples scattered across the hillsides and farmlands, so the area came to be known as Bokonggang (\u201chill of Earth God temples\u201d). During the Japanese colonial period, the railway was expanded and rerouted through Bokonggang, which led to the establishment of the station. From then on, the growth of the surrounding township was closely linked to the station\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n
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Fugang has long been a Hakka settlement, and the old photographs displayed around the station reveal not only the community\u2019s deep affection for it, but also the memories of prosperity it once carried.<\/p>\n
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Fugang Station<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 37, Chenggong Rd., Yangmei Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
04\uff5cFugang Old Street<\/h6>\n
In the past, Fugang Station was more than just a transportation hub\u2014it also served as a key logistics center connecting nearby Dapi and Xinwu. Daily necessities and rice harvests from the region were gathered at Fugang Station before being distributed elsewhere. As both people and goods converged here, the surrounding streets\u2014Chenggong Road, Zhongzheng Road, and Zhonghua Street\u2014gradually developed into what is now known as Fugang Old Street.<\/p>\n
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Today, the old street still preserves many historic houses, each with its own unique style. Among them, the most iconic is the Lu Jia-sheng Residence, located at No. 12\u201320 Zhongzheng Road. Built during the Japanese colonial period by Lu Jia-sheng, then head of Yangmei District, the residence was completed in the Sh\u014dwa era. It is a two-story, five-bay Western-style brick building. Its eclectic design blends multiple Western architectural elements: a Byzantine-style central dome, a Greek triangular pediment on the parapet, and a Roman-style portico with twin columns framing the entrance. This grand and striking structure has become the most eye-catching landmark along Fugang Old Street.<\/p>\n
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Fugang Old Street<\/strong>\r\n\r\nZhongzheng Rd. & Xinyi Rd. & Minsheng St., Yangmei Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
05\uff5cSanlianpi<\/h6>\n
Along County Road 109, heading from Fugang Old Street toward Hukou, lies Sanlianpi, a landscape formed by three interconnected ponds. Ponds like these are a distinctive feature of Taoyuan\u2019s scenery. Originally created to store water for agricultural irrigation, they later became an ideal habitat for birds to forage and nest, reflecting the close symbiosis between farming, ponds, and local ecology.<\/p>\n
At Sanlianpi, you\u2019ll also find a piece of landscape art: a sculpture that outlines the graceful form of an egret with clean, minimalist lines. Ingeniously powered by the wind, the artwork moves with the breeze, making the sculpture sway as if alive. From a distance, it resembles a white egret dancing on the water\u2019s surface or lowering its head to feed, perfectly harmonizing with the natural setting of the ponds. Under the blue sky and drifting clouds, the scene is truly captivating.<\/p>\n
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Sanlianpi<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 172, Xinming St., Yangmei Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
06\uff5cTze-Chiang Limited Express Fude Temple<\/h6>\n
This one-of-a-kind Tudi Gong (Earth God) temple inside a retired Tze-Chiang Express train car is closely tied to the development of Taiwan Railways in Fugang. When the TRA decided to build a depot here, the original temple dedicated to the Earth God had to be relocated. But since the temple had long been a spiritual center for the local community, residents repeatedly petitioned to preserve it. In response, the TRA came up with a creative solution: they transported an EMU100 train car\u2014nicknamed the \u201cBritish Lady\u201d and known as the first generation of electrified Tze-Chiang Express trains\u2014to the Fugang depot, where it was transformed into a temple. In this way, the Earth God was ceremoniously welcomed back to his original site.<\/p>\n
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It was my first time sitting inside a train car while gazing at a deity enshrined within\u2014a fresh and rather extraordinary experience. However, the entrance to the temple isn\u2019t easy to find. You\u2019ll need to reach the TRA Fugang Depot first, and then follow the guards\u2019 directions to locate this hidden Fude Temple tucked inside the base.<\/p>\n
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Tze-Chiang Limited Express Fude Temple<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0600-1900\nNo. 1, Fuquan St., Yangmei Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
07\uff5cFields of Grass Jelly Flowers<\/h6>\n
From late November to early December, the grass jelly flowers burst into full bloom. I\u2019ve loved eating grass jelly since I was little, but this was my very first time seeing the flowers themselves\u2014the dreamy shade of purple truly felt magical and otherworldly. Right across from the Shanghu Police Station, the expansive fields of grass jelly flowers in Yangmei stretch endlessly, embodying the beauty of \u201cthe greater the scale, the greater the splendor.\u201d This sea of purple blossoms has become one of my most unforgettable winter-only sights.<\/p>\n
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Fields of Grass Jelly Flowers<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNo. 135, Sec. 3, Yanghu Rd., Yangmei Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Restaurants and Snacks in Yangmei<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cBogong Food Stand<\/h6>\n
Founded in 1985, Bogong Food Stand sits right next to the Dajingtou Tudi Gong Temple. Dining here feels especially close to the Earth God, giving a comforting sense of being looked after.<\/p>\n
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When mealtime arrives, customers come in a steady stream. Over its more than 40 years of operation, Bokong Snack Stall has become a beloved local favorite, passed down by word of mouth. This time, I ordered my personal favorite: braised pork rice with pig\u2019s blood soup. The braised pork paired with pickled mustard greens tastes light and flavorful rather than greasy, and the hearty pig\u2019s blood soup makes for a truly satisfying meal.<\/p>\n
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Bogong Food Stand<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 1130-2100\nNo. 63, Zhongzheng Rd., Yangmei Dist., Taoyuan<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Flying Over Taiwan<\/span><\/h6>\n