Finding a quiet and peaceful place in big city can be quite the task, especially when strict travel regulations have been put in place.Fortunately those living in Taipei, Taiwan don’t have to travel too far to find a place void of any hustle and bustle that comes with living in a big city.
The Yangmingshan National Park has been named the world’s first official Urban Quiet Park by Taiwan’s government and California-based non-profit organization Quiet Parks International, according to CNTraveler.
The park includes tranquil scenery to quiet the mind.
Lonely Planet describes an Urban Quiet Park as ‘a natural area in or near a city that offers culturally relevant quiet experiences to urban dwellers.’
The Yangmingshan National Park has had over 4 million people visit since it was initially opened in 2011, but was only recently granted the title as world’s first official Urban Quiet Park according to Lonely Planet.
The National Park spans an area of more 11,000 square kilometres and is home to breathtaking mountains, multiple hot springs, rolling grass hills and a variety of different butterfly and bird species.
Ulf Bohman, executive director of Urban Quiet Parks, told Lonely Planet that ‘Every individual should have access to a place in nature that is dedicated to silence in the external sense and stillness in the inner sense. Cities around the world should identify, protect and make accessible places in nature that are dedicated to silence in the outer sense and stillness in the inner sense.’
Cities including Stockholm, New York, London, and Portland now plan to build their very own Urban Quiet Parks over the next 10 years. Having a naturally quiet place in a big city can offer citizens a much-needed break from the constant noise that pollutes the city streets.
Take a look at the spectacular Yangmingshan National Park below:
Image credit: Twitter/ @i_strauta
