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🌿 Travel Style · Nature

Breathe in the Scenery
Nature Travel Style

The best nature destinations in Asia — lakes, forests, gorges, mountain farms — and hotels with views that make waking up worth it.

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Style · Nature

Why choose Nature Travel?

Nature travel puts the landscape at the centre of your trip — waking up to mist rising off a mountain lake, riding a century-old forest railway into the clouds, or hiking a marble canyon carved by a river over millions of years. No other travel style resets the mind quite as completely.

Taiwan punches far above its size when it comes to accessible natural scenery. Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Gorge, and Alishan Mountain are each within 3–4 hours of Taipei by public transport — making them perfect add-ons to any Taiwan itinerary. Wherebest has verified hotel reviews for all three destinations, so you can book with confidence.

Nature Destinations

Best Nature Destinations in Asia

Destinations where Wherebest has full hotel reviews — plus what's coming soon

Sun Moon Lake Taiwan — misty morning on the lake 🇹🇼 Taiwan Reviewed ✓
Sun Moon Lake
Nantou County, Taiwan

Taiwan's most iconic alpine lake — cycle the 33 km lakeshore, cruise at sunrise, and stay at The Lalu or Fleur de Chine for unobstructed water views.

See Sun Moon Lake hotels →
Taroko Gorge marble canyon Hualien Taiwan 🇹🇼 Taiwan Reviewed ✓
Hualien & Taroko Gorge
Hualien County, Taiwan

The most dramatic gorge in East Asia — marble walls, turquoise rivers, and suspension bridges. Stay in Hualien City with Parkview Hotel or Fullon for easy gorge access.

See Hualien hotels →
Alishan mountain forest railway Taiwan 🇹🇼 Taiwan Reviewed ✓
Alishan
Chiayi County, Taiwan

Sacred forest, a century-old narrow-gauge railway, and sea-of-clouds sunrises above 2,200 m. Staying inside the park at Alishan Hotel or Gou Hotel is worth every NT dollar.

See Alishan hotels →
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Coming Soon
Zhangjiajie
Hunan, China

The floating sandstone pillars that inspired Avatar — walk the glass bridge above the clouds and stay in a cliffside resort with vertiginous views.

🇻🇳
Coming Soon
Ha Long Bay
Vietnam

UNESCO limestone karsts rising from emerald water — best experienced on a 2-night cruise, kayaking into hidden caves and watching the sunrise over still water.

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Coming Soon
Nikko / Hakone
Japan

Hakone for Mt Fuji reflections and onsen ryokan; Nikko for towering cedar forests and ornate shrines. Both reachable as a day trip or overnight from Tokyo.

Nature Hotel Roundups

Best Hotels for Nature Travellers

Verified hotel roundups you can read right now

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Sun Moon Lake · All
Top 10 Hotels at Sun Moon Lake
The Lalu · Fleur de Chine · Grand Hilai
→ 🌅
Lake View
6 Lake-View Hotels at Sun Moon Lake
Wake up to mirror-still water every morning
→ 🏞️
Hualien · Taroko
Top 10 Hotels in Hualien
Parkview · Fullon · Azure · Kindness
→ 🌲
Alishan · Mountain
Top 7 Hotels in Alishan
Inside-park lodges + sunrise access
→
Coming Soon

Nature Reviews We're Writing

🇨🇳
Zhangjiajie, China
Coming Soon
🇻🇳
Ha Long Bay · Fansipan
Coming Soon
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Nikko · Hakone · Yakushima
Coming Soon
🇳🇵
Nepal (Pokhara · Chitwan)
Coming Soon
🇮🇩
Bali · Lombok · Komodo
Coming Soon
🇰🇷
Jeju · Seoraksan
Coming Soon
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Cameron Highlands · Kinabalu
Coming Soon
🇮🇳
Kerala Backwaters
Coming Soon
FAQ

Frequently Asked — Nature Travel

What is the best nature destination in Asia?
It depends on what you're after — Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan wins for lakeside serenity and cycling, Taroko Gorge is the most dramatic marble canyon in East Asia, Alishan is ideal for forest railways and sunrise above the clouds, while Ha Long Bay and Zhangjiajie offer UNESCO-level scenery. Taiwan is the easiest entry point for most travellers, with no visa required for many nationalities and excellent infrastructure.
What is the best time to visit Sun Moon Lake?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) offer the clearest skies and most comfortable temperatures. Mid-Autumn Festival in September draws large crowds for the famous lantern ceremony on the lake. Summer is lush but humid; winter mornings produce dramatic mist over the water — which many photographers prefer. Avoid typhoon season (July–September) if possible.
Is Taroko Gorge open after the 2024 earthquake?
Taroko National Park has been reopening gradually since the April 2024 earthquake. By 2025–2026, the main scenic corridor and several key trails are accessible again, though some sections remain closed for safety repairs. Always check the official Taroko National Park website for current trail status before visiting. Hualien City itself and most hotels operate completely normally.
What kind of hotel should I book for a nature trip to Taiwan?
For Sun Moon Lake, a lake-view room on the upper floors of The Lalu or Fleur de Chine is worth the premium — waking up to mirror-still water is the whole point. For Alishan, staying inside the national park (Alishan Hotel or Gou Hotel) lets you walk to the sunrise platform before tour buses arrive. In Hualien, a city hotel like Parkview gives easy access to restaurants and day-tour operators for Taroko.
Can I combine Sun Moon Lake and Alishan in one trip?
Yes — a common itinerary is: day 1 arrive Sun Moon Lake (afternoon cruise + sunset), day 2 morning cycling then bus to Alishan, day 3 early sunrise hike then return to Taichung or Taipei. The bus journey between SML and Alishan takes about 3 hours via Shuili. Alternatively, rent a car for maximum flexibility on both mountain roads.
🌿 Lake View Hotels 🏨 All Roundups