Taoyuan Valley

Taoyuan Valley is a broad shoulder of open grassland on the ridge behind the northeast coast, kept treeless by wind and by grazing, where a herd of water buffalo lives semi-wild and wanders across the slopes. From the top the Pacific is on one side and the hills run inland on the other. It is reached on foot, either as a branch off the Caoling trail or on a longer route, and the grass turns silver in autumn.

What you actually see

• The buffalo - a semi-wild herd grazing the open ridge.
• The grassland - treeless slopes kept open by wind and grazing.
• The silvergrass - the ridge turning silver from October into December.
• The coast view - the Pacific on one side and inland hills on the other.

When to go

October to December is the best, with silvergrass and clearer air. Summer is hot with no shade. Winter brings strong wind and frequent cloud.

Honest expectations

There is no road access; it is a walk of an hour or more from any trailhead. There is no shade and no water on the ridge. The buffalo are semi-wild and should be given room.

Nearby

The Caoling trail runs below, and Fulong is on the coast.