NantouPlay Recommendations

Xi Tou Monster Village (also known as Monster Forest) sits beside the Xi Tou Nature Education Area in Lu Gu Township, Nantou County, and is an open-air shopping district that blends Japanese monster themes with the surrounding natural beauty. Admission is free and the village operates around the clock, offering AR puzzle hunts, escape rooms, kimono experiences, and other interactive activities, with red lanterns, torii gates, and wooden architecture evoking a strong Japanese atmosphere. The lanes gather snack stalls and souvenir booths, with the signature treat being the Yao Ren Cat bread infused with the local stinging-na-cat plant. Weekends draw larger crowds, parking is paid, and the village is ideal for families, couples, and indie culture fans to take photos and stroll.

Nina Chocolate Dream Castle in Pu Li, Nantou County, is a European-castle-style chocolate-themed tourism factory. The grounds feature a giant chocolate wall, a transparent chocolate production line, and a light-and-shadow interactive wall, and offer free palace-costume dress-up, DIY chocolate making, fabric-patch ironing experiences, plus capybara family interactions and scheduled guided tours. Suitable for families, couples, and even wedding photoshoots, the visit runs about one-and-a-half to two hours with completely free admission, making it a popular check-in spot on Pu Li day trips.

Cai Die Waterfall in Pu Li, Nantou County, is one of the three Pu Wu waterfalls beside the Pu Wu highway. The site is known for its clear curtain waterfall, shallow pools ideal for family water play, and a forest trail, with a five-to-ten-minute walk leading to the water-curtain falls and a more challenging advanced route climbing to the roughly forty-meter main waterfall. The scenic area offers paid parking at NT$150 with full-service extras such as river-trekking shoes, foot-rinsing stations, and tea, and most areas are free, making it a popular summer retreat for family water play and nature exploration.

Shan Lin Xi Forest Eco Resort Area in Zhu Shan, Nantou County, sits at roughly sixteen hundred meters elevation and is a natural summer retreat. The grounds are known for primeval forest, mist-wrapped mountains, and multiple trails, with major sights including the Song Long Rock Waterfall, Tian Di Eye trail, flower center, and Red Pavilion. The park offers free shuttle service between major spots, making it well suited to families, hikers, and photographers. Admission is free throughout the year, and the cool climate offers a perfect escape from city noise into natural tranquility and beauty.

Shui Lian Waterfall in Nantou County is a free natural attraction. The falls drop a modest height, with water cascading along the rock face to form layered curtains, ideal for family walks and photos. The surrounding forest is dense, the trails are gentle, and visitors can enjoy a cooling mist in summer. The site is free throughout the year, with mornings recommended to avoid the weather shifts that often arrive in the mountains during the afternoon.

Red House Station at No. 424 Li Nan Road, Tong Tou Li, Zhu Shan Township, Nantou County, is a former bungalow reborn as a landscape restaurant serving set meals, afternoon tea, and specialty drinks. The exterior pairs a calm black wall with a bright red roof for strong visual impact, and a large clock installation on the side has become a popular check-in hotspot. The signature bitter-tea-oil chicken is cooked with tea oil and ginger slices for an aromatic flavor, plus taiyaki and a selection of desserts. Indoor and outdoor seating make it suitable for gatherings, business meals, and photo shoots, blending mountain seclusion with stylish flair—an Instagram-worthy must-visit restaurant in the Zhu Shan area.