Taiwan Food Atlas

Qingqing Prairie

The city's green lung on Hutou Mountain — flower trails and a terrazzo slide among the hills
📍 Hsinchu · Xiangshan District · Hutou Mountain Park📷 Landmark🔖 Grassland trails · Mountain cherry blossoms · Family recreation

Qingqing Prairie is a free, 24-hour grassland park in Hsinchu City's Xiangshan District, covering roughly 19 hectares and planted with mountain cherry trees, maples, and tung trees across five themed grassland trails, each with its own forest character and views. The park features a 54-meter terrazzo slide, billed as the longest in northern Taiwan, and a birdwatching treehouse, making it an important green space for Hsinchu residents on weekends.

Qingqing Prairie's formal name is the 19-Hectare Green Grassland Scenic Area; it sits on the Xiangshan hills along Caoyuan Road in Hsinchu City's Xiangshan District, not within Hutou Mountain Park. The park's 54-meter terrazzo slide is billed as the longest in northern Taiwan, and admission is free with no fixed closing hours.

What to see at Qingqing Prairie

Hutou Mountain Park isn't high in elevation, but its forests are lush. Qingqing Prairie stands out within the park for its open meadows and rich seasonal plantings. Mountain cherry trees typically bloom in January and February, maples turn red around December, and tung blossoms appear from April to May — visit during any of these windows for the most vivid scenery. The five grassland trails vary in length and difficulty, so you can choose a gentle loop or a longer ridgeline stretch depending on your energy.

The 54-meter terrazzo slide is a park highlight, built with traditional craftsmanship and a comfortable gradient — a favorite for families. The birdwatching treehouse is set among the trees and overlooks the park's greenery; an ecology pond below is good for observing aquatic plants and animals. Admission is free throughout, and weekend crowds peak in the morning.

Tips for getting the most out of your visit

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Time your visit to the bloomsMountain cherry (January–February), tung blossoms (April–May), and autumn maples (December) are the three visual peaks. Check the current year's bloom reports before you go to avoid a wasted trip.
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54-meter terrazzo slideWearing thick-bottomed long trousers or bringing a piece of cardboard reduces friction. Weekend queues can be long — weekday mornings are much quieter.
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Birdwatching from the treehouseThe treehouse sits at a high point in the forest. Birdsong is most active at dawn; bring binoculars to identify the mountain bird species in the canopy.
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Choose one of the five trailsTrail difficulty ranges from flat meadow paths to steeper hillside routes. Check the park management authority's published trail information and pick a route suited to your fitness.

Practical information

Getting there and timing

  • Driving is most convenient; Hutou Mountain Park has a car park. Spaces fill up on weekends — aim to arrive early in the morning.
  • Open year-round; no admission fee. The park is most crowded during bloom season (around the Lunar New Year holiday); weekday mornings are peaceful.

Nearby connections

  • Xiangshan Wetland is along the nearby coastline — a combined itinerary works well: walk the wetland boardwalk first, then head up to Qingqing Prairie for a complete half-day outing.
  • The southern end of the 17km Coastline cycling path is also in Xiangshan District; those with extra energy can extend the trip to the shore.

Sources: Hsinchu City Government park management records and the Wikipedia entry for Hutou Mountain Park (Hsinchu City). Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Qingqing Prairie's official name?

Its official name is the 19-Hectare Green Grassland Scenic Area, covering about 19 hectares in Hsinchu City's Xiangshan District.

Is Qingqing Prairie part of Hutou Mountain Park?

No, it sits on the Xiangshan hills along Caoyuan Road in Xiangshan District, a separate location from Hutou Mountain Park.

How long is the terrazzo slide?

It runs 54 meters, billed as the longest terrazzo slide in northern Taiwan.

Is there an admission fee or set opening hours?

Admission is free and the park is open 24 hours with no fixed closing days.

Sources

🗺️ View on the map ← All Hsinchu attractions