Daan Forest Park

Daan Forest Park is in Da'an District, in the centre of the city. It covers 25.9293 hectares and is known as the 'lungs of the city'. Flower beds in the main entrance plaza are densely planted with flowers and foliage plants, and link with a Buddha sculpture area and, to the south, a bamboo grove (Buddha's belly bamboo, green bamboo, golden-striped bamboo, makino bamboo and square bamboo). In the north-west of the park is a natural pond of 0.7 hectares. Golden dewdrop, copperleaf, canna and golden trumpet grow around the pond and on its island, creeping fig climbs the island's stone walls, and koi swim in the water. At the centre of the park is an open-air music stage with natural sloping seating for nearly 1,000 people, a major venue for arts performances in Taipei. Around it is an area of fragrant flowering plants, including white champaca, gardenia, orange jasmine, banana shrub and sweet osmanthus; this is also the park's barrier-free leisure area. The south-east of the park has palms with a Southeast Asian feel: royal palm, Alexander palm, bottle palm and fishtail palm, along with canna. Two main paths run from east to west and one from north to south, lined with trees and shrubs and dotted with flower beds. The park is laid out as a forest and has several pavilions and shelters where visitors can rest. Lantana is planted along Jianguo South Road and flowers in many colours. Being in the city centre, the park draws local residents, especially in the early morning and around sunset, who come to exercise, walk, dance and play. There is a children's playground and sports area, and beneath the park is a two-level underground car park for cars. In a crowded city where pollution and the heat-island effect raise temperatures, this 'urban forest' acts as the lungs of the city, filtering dust from the air, reducing noise and moderating the temperature. In 2014 the Friends of Daan Forest Park Foundation began work to make the park more ecological, bringing together business, government, academia and the public, with attention to balancing tree growth and biodiversity. The foundation also promotes conservation and environmental education. The park's wildlife and plants include Taiwan barbets, fireflies and azaleas, along with other birds.

Translated and shortened by DealTaipei from Taiwan's national tourism database. Sources are on the terms page.