In spring, the Manyueyuan（Full Moon Circle） National Forest Recreation Area is full of greenery, as if you have entered a green world, including green maple trees, and there are two major waterfalls in the park! The Virgin Falls and the Full Moon Circle Falls are both must-see attractions. Finally, remember to walk through the self-guided trail, which is filled with willow trees, to enjoy the beauty of the coniferous forest.

Table of Contents

Manyueyuan（Full Moon Circle）

The parking lot of Full Moon Circle Forest Recreation Area is a bit far away from the park’s toll station. If you go there on a holiday, it is recommended to come early, as there are not many parking spaces, but there are a lot of people.

There are a few maple trees planted next to the toll booth at the entrance, and many tourists were snapping photos before entering the park. I came at the end of March, and the maple leaves were bright green in the spring!

former part of the walking trail

The first part of the hiking trail is wide and easy to walk on asphalt, basically there is no gradient, and below the fence is a stream, so you can hear the sound of running water when you walk on the trail.

There are also many green maple trees on the way, filling both sides of the trail to form a green tunnel, which must be very charming in autumn.

Visitor Center（遊客中心）

On the hiking trail, you can reach the visitor center in the park, where you can enter several ecological exhibition halls, such as streams, butterflies, forests, and so on, which introduce the natural resources, especially suitable for parent-child groups.

Rear view of the Visitor Center.

Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area

There is an elevated platform in front of the Visitor Center on the right side, where you can sit and chat with your friends, even in broad daylight, with the shade of the trees to protect you.

From the platform, you can see the stream through the trees.

Forest Shop（森林小舖）

You can get some food here, the original forest shop cabin seems to be under renovation and maintenance, the one in my photo looks like a temporary structure, full of people resting here, the long logs on the roadside are very suitable for chairs.

latter part of the walking trail

The second half of the hiking trail is a gravel surface, which is less artificial and gives people a feeling of being closer to nature.

When I came here, I wondered why someone would take a picture of this area in particular. It turns out that there is a wooden house in the forest on the right.

There is no indication of the purpose of the abandoned wooden house, but after looking it up on the internet, it is said to be a former classroom, which was discontinued due to structural safety concerns, and has now become a popular photo spot for tourists, blending in with the tall cedar trees, adding a sense of mystery.

There is also a rest area not far from the abandoned cabin where you can enjoy the afternoon under the cedar forest.

Virgin Falls（處女瀑布）

The two major waterfalls in the park are recommended to take the Virgin Falls first, which is more convenient. Follow the signs and you will see this small bridge.

The way to Virgin Falls is considered to be the steeper part of the park.

The closer I get to the waterfall, the more humid it gets, and the trees are full of sansui, so I feel like I’m in Jurassic Park. There’s a three-story pavilion near the middle of the photo, and it looks like it’s well-protected from a distance.

Behind the pavilion is the Virgin Waterfall. If I had to choose the most beautiful place in the Full Moon Circle Park, this would be it, with the cool breeze from the waterfall, the comfortable pavilion, and the beautiful scenery, so if you have limited time, you should at least come here.

This is the view from the third floor of the pavilion.

Getting ready to go downstairs, it’s so crowded.

After going downstairs to the viewing platform, part of the waterfall will be blocked by the trees in front of the right side, full of parasitic plants that make the trunk of the tree almost invisible, a tree, a waterfall, such a simple picture that I also like.

Manyueyuan （Full Moon） Waterfall（滿月圓瀑布）

From the virgin waterfall back to the main road through the signage will soon reach the full moon waterfall, this photo was taken in the full moon waterfall viewing pavilion, pavilion is also elevated, as for the appearance I have forgotten and did not take a picture of it ~ perhaps not very attractive to me at the time, but the waterfall is still very beautiful!

After seeing the Full Moon Falls, there is still a way to go inward, so if you have enough time, it is recommended to continue walking! Below the stairs in the photo is the Full Moon Bridge, and there’s a nice view from the bridge, too.

The stream on the Full Moon Bridge looks like it has a small waterfall.

Walking further inside, you can reach a large platform, which is the closest natural rocky platform to the stream, and there are already many people resting here when you pass by. (It is forbidden to go into the water here, you can only enjoy the view.)

There is also a small waterfall in the viewpoint from the platform with a clean and clear stream.

This is a pavilion near the platform. Many of the pavilions in the park match the scenery, and they became my favorite combination of photos on this trip.

A short distance behind the pavilion is the end of the road, after walking, you are ready to go back.

Self-Guided Trail（自導式步道）

When you go back, you can take the self-guided trail, which runs parallel to the original hiking trail and doesn’t affect the return time, so just take a different route. Near the Full Moon Circle Waterfall, you can see a sign leading to the self-guided trail, and when you get to the self-guided trail, pay special attention to the fact that one side of the trail leads to the East Full Moon Trail, and the other side leads to the self-guided trail, so don’t go the wrong way! （Don’t make a mistake! (The Dongmans Trail leads you to Dongye Mountain…)

(For photos of East Eye Mountain, please refer to my other article -> article link )

The first gazebo you see when you take the self-guided trail ~ there are also maple trees nearby.

There are a lot of willow trees on the trail, which is a different style from the hiking trails, and the Full Moon Circle Trail is really varied.

The number of tourists on this route is more than half, and it’s very quiet, so it’s natural to say hello to people you meet on this route, just like climbing a mountain.

Finally walk to the other entrance of the self-guided trail, here is the back of the visitor center, will be connected with the hiking trail, and then return to the original way to end the day’s tour, come to this kind of place is to walk slowly slowly feel, half a day I think it is too short, can not be a good experience to ~!