Wushe Scenic Area

Wushe Scenic Area is located in Ren-ai Township in central Taiwan's Nantou County. At 1,148 meters above sea level, the area offers a cool mountain retreat with magnificant scenery. The climate here is cool throughout the whole year. In spring, particularly during January and February, the whole area is full of cherry, peach and plum blossoms for local and international visitors to enjoy.

Wushe was so named because the town sits on a mountain ridge and is often covered by mountain mists. In 1930, Wushe was the scene of a violent uprising of the local aboriginal tribes against the Japanese colonial occupation forces. The Japanese quickly and brutally crushed the rebellion, leaving more than 1,000 people dead. Today, there is a mural in Wushe that depicts this battle. A temple plaque was also erected in 1953 to honor those who died.

Wushe was an important spot for the Japanese in their attempt to control Taiwan's central mountainous area. After 1945, the government also planned to buid the Central Cross-Island Freeway around here, just one kilometer north of Wushe. The freeway was opened to the public in 1960.