Yangmingshan National Park

National parks of Taiwan are protected spaces for the nature, wildlife, and history under their current jurisdiction. Currently there are nine national parks in Taiwan, all under the administration of the Ministry of the Interior. These national parks cover 7,489.49 square kilometres (2,891.71 sq mi).[1] The 3,103.76-square-kilometre (1,198.37 sq mi) total land area constitutes around 8.6% of the entire land area of the country.

The first national parks were designated for establishment in 1937, when Taiwan was under Japanese rule, though never formally managed as such.[2] After World War II, calls for protecting the natural environment were met with opposition due to the prioritization of economic development.[3] The National Park Law was passed in 1972 and the first national park was established in 1984.[4]

National parks should not be confused with national scenic areas. The national scenic areas are administered by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.[5] There are also different philosophies that govern the development of the two types of areas. For a national park, the emphasis is on the preservation of natural and cultural resources, with development for human utilization being a secondary priority.[5]

History

The first national parks (國立公園, Kokuritsu Kōen) in Taiwan were planned on December 27, 1937, by Governor-General Seizō Kobayashi (小林躋造). This was when Taiwan was under Japanese rule, thus the three national parks were to be national parks of the Empire of Japan.

NameJapaneseTaiwaneseToday's equivalent
Daiton National Park大屯國立公園Toā-tūn Kok-li̍p Kong-hn̂gYangmingshan National Park
Nītaka-Arisan National Park新高阿里山國立公園Sin-ko A-lí-san Kok-li̍p Kong-hn̂gYushan National Park and Alishan National Scenic Area
Tsugitaka-Taroko National Park次高タロコ國立公園Chhù-ko Thài-ló͘-koh Kok-li̍p Kong-hn̂gTaroko National Park and Shei-Pa National Park

The legal basis for these national parks was no longer in force when Japan withdrew from Taiwan in 1945 after World War II. However, these planned national parks formed the basis for subsequent national park establishments.[2]

Current national parks of Taiwan

Currently there are nine national parks in Taiwan. There is also one national nature park, which is designed for areas with fewer resources compared to a full national park.

NameChineseMandarinTaiwaneseHakkaDate establishedAreaDescriptionImage
Kenting National Park墾丁國家公園Kěndīng Guójiā GōngyuánKhún-teng Kok-ka Kong-hn̂gKhén-tên Koet-kâ Kûng-yèn January 1, 1984332.90 km2 (82,261.4 acres), 180.84 km2 of land, and 152.06 km2 waterLocated on the southern tip of Taiwan, it is also the oldest national park on Taiwan (Pingtung County). Kenting is famous for its tropical coral reefs and migratory birds.
Yushan National Park玉山國家公園Yùshān Guójiā GōngyuánGio̍k-san Kok-ka Kong-hn̂gNgiu̍k-sân Koet-kâ Kûng-yèn April 6, 19851,031.21 km2 (254,817.5 acres)The largest national park in Taiwan, located on the central part of the island. It is named after Mount Jade (Yushan literally means "Jade Mountain") which is the highest peak in East Asia at 3,952 metres.
Yangmingshan National Park陽明山國家公園Yángmíngshān Guójiā GōngyuánIûⁿ-bêng-soaⁿ Kok-ka Kong-hn̂gYòng-mìn-sân Koet-kâ Kûng-yèn September 16, 1985113.38 km2 (28,016.8 acres)The northernmost national park on the island of Taiwan; it has a volcanic landform. Yangmingshan is famous for its hotsprings and geothermal phenomenon. Each spring, Yangmingshan also has a dazzling flower season. It is located partially in Taipei City and partially in New Taipei City.
Taroko National Park太魯閣國家公園Tàilǔgé Guójiā GōngyuánThài-ló͘-koh Kok-ka Kong-hn̂gThai-lû-kok Koet-kâ Kûng-yèn November 28, 1986920 km2 (227,337.0 acres)A magnificent marble gorge cut by Liwu River, creating one of the most astounding landscapes in the world. It is also the home of the indigenous Truku people. Taroko is located in eastern Taiwan.
Shei-Pa National Park雪霸國家公園Xuěbà Guójiā GōngyuánSoat-pà Kok-ka Kong-hn̂gSiet-pa Koet-kâ Kûng-yèn July 1, 1992768.5 km2 (189,900.5 acres)Located in the northern central part of Taiwan island, in Hsinchu County and Miaoli County. It encompasses Xueshan (Snow Mountain), the second tallest mountain in Taiwan and East Asia, and Dabajian Mountain.
Kinmen National Park金門國家公園Jīnmén Guójiā GōngyuánKim-mn̂g Kok-ka Kong-hn̂gKîm-mùn Koet-kâ Kûng-yèn October 18, 199535.29 km2 (8,720.3 acres)Located on an island just off the coast of Mainland China, it includes famous historical battlefields in Kinmen. It is also known for its wetland ecosystem and traditional Fujian buildings that date back to the Ming Dynasty.
Dongsha Atoll National Park東沙環礁國家公園Dōngshā Huánjiāo Guójiā GōngyuánTang-soa Khoân-ta Kok-ka Kong-hn̂gTûng-sâ Fàn-chiâu Koet-kâ Kûng-yèn October 4, 20073,536.68 km2 (873,932.7 acres), including 1.79 km2 of landTaiwan's first marine national park. The atoll and the adjacent waters provide for a rich biodiversity of marine life including fish, jellyfish, squid, sicklefin lemon sharks, and rays to sea turtles, Dugongs, and cetaceans (dolphins and whales). Because of a strict protection policy, it is currently not open to public tourism.
Taijiang National Park臺江國家公園Táijiāng Guójiā GōngyuánTâi-kang Kok-ka Kong-hn̂gThòi-kông Koet-kâ Kûng-yèn December 28, 2009393.1 km2 (97,137.1 acres), 49.05 km2 of land, and 344.05 km2 waterLocated in southwest Taiwan on the coast of Tainan City. The park's tidal landscape is one of its most distinctive features. Around 200 years ago, a large part of the park was part of the Taijiang Inland Sea. There is a rich variety of marine life, including 205 species of shellfish, 240 species of fish and 49 crab species that thrive on the marshes of southern Taiwan.
South Penghu Marine National Park澎湖南方四島
國家公園		Pénghú Nánfāng Sìdǎo Guójiā GōngyuánPhêⁿ-ô͘ Lâm-hong Sù-tó
Kok-ka Kong-hn̂g		Phàng-fù Nàm-fông Si-tó
Koet-kâ Kûng-yèn		 October 18, 2014358.44 km2 (88,572.5 acres), including 3.70 km2 of landLocated in the south of the Penghu Islands. The seas around the islets feature large clusters of Acropora coral and a diversity of fish and shells living among the reefs. The islets are also known for magnificent basalt terrains and unique low-roofed houses built by early inhabitants with coral stone and basalt.[6]

National Nature Park

NameChineseMandarinTaiwaneseHakkaDate establishedAreaImage
Shoushan National Nature Park壽山國家自然公園Shòushān Guójiā Zìrán GōngyuánSiū-san Kok-ka Chū-jiân Kong-hn̂gSu-sân Koet-kâ Chhṳ-yèn Kûng-yèn December 6, 201111.23 km2 (2,775.0 acres)

Proposed national parks

Five other national parks were proposed but the plans of formation were halted due to opposition:

Proposed national nature park

Another national nature park was proposed but the plans of formation were halted due to opposition:

References

  1. ↑ 各國家公園基本資料表 (PDF) (in Chinese). Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 日治時期的國家公園規劃 (in Chinese). Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. ↑ 二戰後時期發展史 (in Chinese). Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  4. ↑ Reference on Act Title from Kinmen Park website
  5. 1 2 "Taiwan's National Scenic Areas: Balancing Preservation and Recreation". Academia Sinica. 1995-06-01.
  6. ↑ "Beauty of south Penghu islets on display at new national park". Central News Agency. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
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