Maolan Mountain is one of the "Four Beauties of Sun Moon Lake," with a summit elevation of approximately 1,020 meters. The trail begins at the memorial monument of Arai Kokichiro, the "Father of Taiwan Black Tea," established during the Japanese colonial period. Climbing up the stone steps, you will soon encounter Ceylon olive trees around the bend. In autumn, the trail is adorned with vibrant red leaves, making it one of the hidden gems among Sun Moon Lake's trails. Along the way, you can also enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Sun Moon Lake's black tea plantations, as if stepping into a beautiful painting.
At the summit lies a weather station, where a stone-built wind tower was constructed in 1941 during the Japanese colonial period for meteorological observations. It was then referred to as the "Maolan Mountain Outpost of the Taiwan Governor-General’s Weather Bureau." After being rebuilt following the 2001 earthquake, it continues to provide vital weather data for the Sun Moon Lake region. From the top, visitors can overlook the magnificent panorama of Sun Moon Lake. This trail has become a favorite route for hiking enthusiasts and was recognized as one of Taiwan's "100 Little Peaks" in 2003.
