Located in Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, Aowanda is a pure natural maple forest that has never been reforested by man. The valleys are filled with red maple leaves from December through January, making this one of the most popular spots in Taiwan for observing how leaves turn color. In addition to enjoying the sight of maple trees and other natural scenery, this forest recreation area is also ideal for savoring "green baths," watching birds, and studying the ecology. If you like the beauty of red maple leaves, Aowanda is the place for you!

With the arrival of autumn, the sea of red leaves attracts large numbers of visitors. The best time for viewing the leaves is at the transition from autumn to winter; if you want a room in one of the recreation area's wooden cottages at this time, you should reserve early. You can also indulge in hot-spring bathing at Aowanda, where hot carbonate mineral waters gush from the ground at two locations. The pure, clear water is good for drinking as well as bathing; the springs are deep in the mountain, however, which makes getting to them somewhat difficult. In addition, this is an A-class mountain area that is under constant control, so that these resources are not much utilized. Waters from the northern spring area are piped into the hostel of the Aowanda power plant, but the southern source is deep in a valley where visitors are scarce.

The Aowanda vicinity also boasts other famous scenic spots. Wushe, also located in Ren’ai Township, enjoys cool weather all year round and is filled with cherry blossoms in late winter and early spring, making it the "cherry blossom capital of Taiwan." Wushe produces alpine fruits as well as high-mountain tea. You can even see snow here in the winter.

Qingjing Farm features alpine flowers, high-mountain tea, temperate vegetables, a large cattle farm, and beef banquets. The best time to visit here is in March and April, when the hills are covered with peach and plum blossoms. The harvest of peaches, pears, plums, and other fruits begins in late May.