An Accessible Adventure in the Shadow of Guoxing Interchange
According to the rather proud signs that have been erected in the park, Guoxing Interchange Viewing Area has previously won the top spot in a list of Taiwan’s “Eight Freeway Scenic Spots” (高快速公路八景) as voted for by local netizens. I’m not entirely sure what marks a location out as being a motorway beauty spot, but it’s undeniable that the huge structures are very impressive. In honour of its special win, the area beneath the interchange has been fashioned into a little park with wide, well-paved (step- and barrier-free) trails and lots of decorative sculptures.
Distance: 1.4km
Parking: The large carpark has three accessible car parking spaces in the carpark and plenty of space for scooters too.
Trail conditions: The trail conditions are great. It’s all very smooth and well-maintained, and the path is wide the whole way. There are many benches (mostly backless) along the way.
Bathroom facilities: One of the portaloos in the carpark has a wheelchair logo on it, but it’s only just bigger than standard. The toilet block is about as far into the park as it’s possible to go, and it has accessible facilities (but it was closed during our visit).
Food and drink availability: The park is in the middle of nowhere, so there aren’t any shops here. However, we met an old chap setting up a coffee stall.
Shade: The freeway provides shade for some areas, but otherwise, you’re quite exposed.
Mobile network: Clear throughout.
Enjoyment: This trail doesn’t have much natural beauty, but it does offer impressive man-made scenery and lots of cute decorations. Kids would enjoy spotting all of the hidden rhino beetles and turtles.
Route type: Lollipop loop
Jump to the bottom of this post for a trail map and GPX file.
We walked over the small lane between the carpark and the trail and through the arched gateways.
A pair of leopard cat kittens greet everyone entering the park. (And one of their parents bids farewell to everyone leaving.)
Guoxing, the new Hollywood…?
There are lots of critters lurking on either side of the path.
Teresa dwarfed by the surrounding concrete structures.
A Formosan blue magpie and a mikado’s pheasant representing Taiwan’s blue avian contingent.
This is the only junction along the way. It doesn’t matter which way you go because they both loop back to here. We went left because we were hoping to use the bathrooms.
Another leopard cat—this one in the form of a “living sculpture.”
There were quite a lot of animals rendered in living sculpture form, as well as plenty of non-living sculptures too.
Unfortunately for our bladders, the toilets were in the process of being renovated.
As the trail reaches the apex of its little loop, we found ourselves walking between rows of tortoises and hares. When I turned round to ook at their faces, they turned out to all be wearing garish lipstick.
Looking westwards as National Freeway 6 makes its way towards Nantou.
And the view looking eastwards in the direction of Nantou.
There are more living sculptures on the return arc of the little loop. It’ll be interesting to see how these age. They’re made from a wire frame that’s been fitted with lots of plant pots, so it seems like they’re at risk from getting washed out if the plants don’t mature quickly.
The larger leopard cat guarding the park’s exit.
How to get there
Google Maps address: You can set Google Maps to take you to 橋聳雲天觀賞點. There are lots and lots of parking spaces available.
GPS location: N24 00.575 E120 48.830
Public transport: The closest you can get on public transport is Fushou Bridge Bus Stop (about a thirty-minute walk away). Personally, I’d say this one is only worth it if you’re passing through anyway.
Nearby trails:
- 99 Peaks Forest Trail
Guoxing Interchange Trail Map
GPX file available here on Outdoor Active. (Account needed, but the free one works just fine.)
Taiwan Trails and Tales 