Discover Nan-Ao

At Nan-Ao, the Nan’ao Ecological Education Center and its native arboretum provide a specific focus on plant life and ecological education. Topics include forests, protected areas, and biodiversity; nearby protected areas broaden the view to the surrounding region. This makes the area interesting for travelers who want to include nature and educational themes in their trip.

A site with a history

The Nan’ao Work Station moved to its current location in 1997. On the grounds, the former camphor plantation was developed into a garden for native plant species; the Nan’ao Ecological Education Center was established next to the office’s main building. This history links the relocation to the site’s former use and its development as a garden. The garden thus brings a historical dimension to the area’s connection with nature: its design is linked to the former camphor plantation. The Center adds an educational role to the botanical grounds, so Nan-Ao can be viewed here both through the site’s development and through ecological themes.

Native plants in the arboretum

The Center’s native arboretum is arranged according to a planting system and comprises 120 species from 47 families, primarily woody plants, with climbing and herbaceous plants also represented. The figures reflect different levels: the number of species describes the scope, while the number of families indicates the broader botanical classification. This makes it possible to consider the garden’s composition both by plant species and by their systematic classification. The collection figures may change over time.

Environmental education topics

At the Nan’ao Ecological Education Center, visitors can learn about protected areas, biodiversity, forest ecosystem management, ecotourism, and community forest management. The topics range from conservation and biological diversity to questions of forest ecosystem and community forest management; ecotourism adds a perspective on the connection between nature and travel. The educational content thus goes beyond individual plants and also draws attention to how forests are managed. The arboretum is also used for educational visits outside the classroom by elementary and junior high schools in Yilan County, as well as by schools in northern Taiwan. Its botanical organization and use by schools give the garden both a plant-related and an educational dimension.

Nearby protected areas

The Wushibi Coast Nature Reserve, Nan’ao Broadleaf Forest Nature Reserve, and Guanyin Coast Important Wildlife Habitat are located near the Nan’ao Ecological Education Center. The arboretum is part of the Center; the three protected areas are in its vicinity. This distinction clarifies the spatial relationship with nature: the botanical collection is at the education center, while the named protected areas are nearby. This broadens the view from the garden to nature conservation in the area around the Center.

Nature as an aspect of trip planning

When choosing your destination, you can consider the two spatial levels separately: the arboretum offers botanical organization at the Center, while the protected areas extend the nature conservation aspect to its surroundings. If you are looking for hotels in Nan-Ao, this distinction can help you match the destination’s ecological focus to your interests during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Luodong Township, Sanxing Township, Zhuangwei Township, Datong Township, Yilan City, Su-Ao, Yuanshan Township, Jiaosi

For the main travel overview: Yilan.