Daan Forest Park (aka Da'an Forest Park) is the most busy park in Taipei City. Built over a former military dependents village, it was meant to resemble Central Park in New York, and is considered the “lungs of Taipei.” You can also find lots of green space, ponds, and wildlife here. It is a great place to relax and connect with nature in the middle of the big city.
Background: The area where the park stands now was first designated as parkland in 1932 by the Japanese as part of their urban planning for the city of Taipei. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, there were many KMT military servicemen and their families who needed a place to stay, and the park served as a temporary place to build rudimentary housing for them. The military dependents villages built here were called Jianhua New Village (建華新村), Yuelu New Village (岳盧新村), and many other illegal structures built by Mainland Chinese people following the KMT to Taiwan. At its peak, the area housed a few thousand people comprising four neighborhoods. Plans to remake the land as a park began in 1956, but were delayed by debate about whether to remake the area as a forest park or have a recreational building. In 1989, it was finally decided to make a forest park. In 1992, the buildings on the land were demolished, and the park was opened to the public in 1994. The park can get very busy on weekends. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours: You can book a Private Street Food Tour of Taipei on TripAdvisor here. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By MRT: Take the red line to Da'an Park MRT station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: There is limited paid parking on the north side of the park or across the street. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is allowed around the park but not inside. Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: Our Journey: I have been to Daan Forest Park many times. It is the biggest park within downtown Taipei, and also one of the busiest on weekends. It is best to get there by MRT or public transportation.
For an overview of the area, check out our drone footage above.
You can also check out our 360 degree spherical panorama of the area above.
View from above Daan MRT station on the north side.
View looking down on the beautiful Daan MRT Station, the only MRT station I know of in Taipei that has a sunken garden like this.
Side view of the MRT station.
Around the park is a bike path where you can run or cycle, but bikes are not allowed inside the park.
Cyclers and joggers living in harmony.
Ubike stations outside the park.
There is also a parking lot on the north side.
Elevator to the parking lot.
Dinosaur sand pit.
Large performance area near the playground.
View looking east via drone. There are a few expensive apartments looking over the park. You can also see the 101 tower.
Another view from the playground.
New slides.
Another view from the slides.
Other side of the slides.
Bars for climbing.
On weekends here it can get packed, and kids may have to wait in lines for the swings.
Kids on swings on a weekday.
Soccer game on one of the fields.
Skating rink.
View of the park looking north. Notice the two ponds below.
The ponds are a nice place to relax and enjoy nature.
Another view.
View looking East.
You can see lots of different birds here if there was not glare from the sun.
Boardwalk around the pond.
Malayan Night Heron.
Amphitheater in the middle of the park. I recall that Mayday once gave a free concert here.
Another view of the outdoor amphitheater.
View of the stage.
View above via drone.
Public toilets.
View looking south.
Another view looking south on a cloudy day.
View of the jogging path inside the park.
Benches and rocks.
Grassy area where people sunbathe.
Picnic in the park.
Fairgrounds on a weekend.
There are many different events held here usually on weekends.
The park at night.
View of the park looking west.
Jianguo Flower Market is a long market that lies under the Jianguo freeway and is open only on weekends. The market is split into an artist's corner, the main flower market selling plants and gardening products, and a jade market. It is definitely worth a stop during your next weekend in Taipei...(read more)
You can check out our full guide to Jianguo Flower Market here. 
If you have time, you can also check out Taipei City's main library which is right across the street.
There are also many churches around the park, like the Presbyterian Church.
The Taipei Grand Mosque is also across the street.
Right next to the Grand Mosque is the Holy Family Catholic Church.
And the Taipei Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
You can book a Private Street Food Tour of Taipei on TripAdvisor here. You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. Check out our Taipei Night Market guide here. Also be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here. You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.
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Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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