The city of Taipei is surrounded by mountains, and nature sits right on its doorstep, easily accessible via public transport. This has made the hilly environs one of the city's key attractions. North from Yangmingshan National Park (陽明山國家公園) and south to the area of Zhinan Temple (指南宮) and Maokong (貓空) on Erge Mountain (二格山), there are five mountain ranges around the city – the Datun Mountain Range (大屯山系), Qixing Mountain Range (七星山系), Wuzhi Mountain Range (五指山系), Nangang Mountain Range (南港山系), and Erge Mountain Range. To enable hikers to experience the full range of Taipei's mountain beauty, the city government has established a network of 20 hiking trails.
Taipei's Backyard Garden – Yangmingshan National Park
Yangmingshan, or Yangming Mountain, was originally called Caoshan (草山), or Grass Mountain. Back when the Japanese controlled Taiwan, they planted black pine, Taiwan acacia, and Taiwan sweetgum trees throughout the area and developed the local hot springs, opening up Yangmingshan for tourism. Its original name was changed in 1950 to honor the Ming Dynasty (明朝) scholar Wang Yangming (王陽明), and in 1985 Yangmingshan National Park was established. Its beauty and easy accessibility has made the park a much-loved leisure and recreation destination, affectionately dubbed "Taipei's backyard garden."
Yangmingshan is rich in flora and fauna. The annual Yangmingshan Flower Festival is a great visual feast, the exuberantly colorful azaleas, Taiwan cherry blossoms, and Zhuzihu (竹子湖) calla lilies delighting visitors. Come October, huge swathes of white-flowered silver grass sway with the breezes, and the branches of the late-fall maple trees ripple with red leaves. Winter is a time of cold and drizzle, the Yangmingshan world becoming one of cloud and mist. The differing characters of the seasons make it a unique place to enjoy both flowers and hot springs.
The First Hiking Route – Guizikeng Hiking Trail
Guizikeng Hiking Trail (貴子坑親山步道), in the Datun Mountain Range, was the first hiking trail developed by the Taipei City Government, and features a first-rate rest and leisure area with camping facilities, the Water and Soil Conservation Education Park, and a loop trail up the mountain above. The two camping areas, the "100 Terrace" (100平臺) and the "110 Terrace" (110平臺), offer a distinctive leisure experience.
According to Shia Shiantung (夏賢統), section chief of the Industrial and Trail Section (道路步道科) at the Geotechnical Engineering Office (大地工程處) in the city's Public Works Department (工務局), by visiting the Guizikeng Water and Soil Conservation Education Park (貴子坑水土保持教學園區) you can see the oldest geological stratum in the Taipei area, the "Wuzhi Mountain Stratum" (五指山層), as well as an attractive pond in which the lush greenery of the surrounding trees is reflected. As you stroll in this peaceful mountain setting you may well encounter bamboo partridge, Chinese bulbul, and other birds, including the occasional eagle hovering high in the blue sky.
Fun in Tianmu – Old Tianmu Hiking Trail
Tianmu (天母) is an international enclave that draws many travelers. Many come especially to try the Old Tianmu Hiking Trail (天母古道親山步道), on the foothills of the Qixing Mountain Range. Many are also surprised that Tianmu still has such a radiant and unspoilt natural landscape. Also called the Shuiguan Road Trail (水管路步道), it was developed during the Japanese era (1895-1945) as a conduit to bring spring water from the 3rd Water Source Zone down to Tianmu and Shilin. Declared an official city heritage site in 2004, this is Tianmu's premier heritage attraction and also Taiwan's first "water supply system heritage site". Built over 80 years ago, it was completed in 1932, and although the flow from the water source has lessened over the years and there is no way to increase the supply, the facility continues to provide a portion of Tianmu's water. The trail is bordered on both sides by dense foliage and shade, and the large, black water pipe beside it, made of high-pressure cast iron, is 647 meters long. Walkers often lean up close to the pipe to listen to the gurgling spring water inside. The distinctive pipe, pleasant forest cover, and attractive trailside plant life such as ferns and giant elephant's ear make for a soothing walk, but also an introduction to Taipei's water-resources.
Mountains and Scenic Beauty –Jiantanshan Hiking Trail
The Grand Hotel (圓山大飯店), with its resplendent Chinese palace-style exterior, has been in operation for over 60 years. Among its many celebrity guests over the years have been international film stars Elizabeth Taylor and Alain Delon and US President Dwight Eisenhower. The hotel's own star continues to shine bright on the international stage. Splendid views of the beautiful hotel can be had from on high by walking the Jiantanshan Hiking Trail (劍潭山親山步道), which starts at the bottom of the hillside behind. This is one of the most popular trails in the Wuzhi Mountain Range, with a well-preserved natural ecology. Traversing what was once a military control zone, another major feature is a number of abandoned military facilities. Up on the crest, the scenery is splendid, with expansive views over the Grand Hotel, nearby riverside parks, and the Miramar Ferris Wheel (美麗華摩天輪). The best-known facility along the trail is the Old Place Plane-Spotting Platform (老地方觀機平臺), presenting a thrilling panorama of aircraft taking off and landing at Taipei Songshan Airport (臺北松山機場).
A Restful City Idyll – Nature Walks by Hushan Stream
If you've ever enjoyed the views over Taipei from Xiangshan (象山), be sure to try the Hushan Hiking Trail (虎山生態步道), also in the Nangang Mountain Range. In April and May each year fireflies put on a show around the area's Hushan Stream (虎山溪). Beside Songshan Zhenshan Temple (松山鎮山宮) is a special butterfly viewing area with a boardwalk and two observation platforms, from which there are great views of Taipei 101 and the Miramar Ferris Wheel as well. On clear evenings during firefly season the scenery here is breathtaking.
The Popular Erge Mountain System Route –
Zhinan Temple Maokong Hiking Trail
Between Taipei Zoo Station (動物園站) and Zhinan Temple Station on the Maokong Gondola (貓空纜車) system is the Zhinangong Maokong Hiking Trail (指南宮貓空親山步道), divided into three routes. The Zhinangong trail (指南宮步道) was constructed during the Japanese era. The stone lanterns set up along the way give it a strong Japanese feel. The stairway trail brings you up from valley floor to the mountainside temple, where the magnificent architecture is a major attraction. Also well worth seeing is the lovely "May Snow" seen along the Dacheng Hall Trail (大成殿步道) when the tung trees bloom each year. Along the Tea Promotion Center Trail (茶展中心步道) are stream views, tea plantations, terraced fields, and other scenic beauties. A special attraction are the pot holes; the name "Maokong" literally means "cat's hollows," because the pot holes in the stream-bed rocks reminded people long ago of imprints left by cats with their paws.
Pink Cherry Blossom Greets the Returning Spring in Taipei's Mountain Regions
As flowers start to open in the returning warmth of spring, in addition to the above-described trails, says the city government's Shia Shiantung, there are numerous other trails very popular with locals for viewing cherry blossoms, notably Beitou District's Fengwei Trail (風尾步道) and newly opened Baigong Shanzhuang Trail (白宮山莊步道), which has three routes, Zhulin Trail (竹林步道) in Shilin District, and Bishanyan Trail (碧山巖步道) in Neihu District. While visiting Taipei, head to the hills, and one or more of these favorite mountain spots. Whether for sightseeing or exercise, natural pleasures are guaranteed.
Transportation:
Guizikeng Hiking Trail 貴子坑親山步道
Take MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line (捷運淡水信義線) to Fuxinggang Station (復興崗站). On exiting, turn right and follow the signs to enter the MRT green corridor, then walk to the trailhead. Alternatively, take bus 216 or 218 and get off at MRT Fuxinggang Station or the Xiushan Road intersection stop (秀山路口站).
Old Tianmu Hiking Trail 天母古道親山步道
Take MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Jiantan Station (劍潭站), transfer to bus Red 5 or 260, get off at Shanzaihou stop (山仔后站), and walk to upper trailhead on Aifu 3rd Street (愛富三街). Alternatively, take bus 220 or 224 to Tianmu stop (天母站), then walk in direction of Tianmu Police Station (天母派出所) to end of Sec. 7, Zhongshan N. Rd. (中山北路7段).
Jiantanshan Hiking Trail 劍潭山親山步道
Take MRT Tamsui-Xinyi Line to Jiantan Station and walk to trailhead, or take public bus 203 or 218 and get off at Jiantan stop.
Hushan Hiking Trail 虎山生態步道
Take MRT Bannan Line (捷運板南線) and get off at Houshanpi Station (後山埤站), then walk along Zhongpo S. Rd. (中坡南路) to Fude St. (福德街), reaching the trailhead by Cihui Temple (慈惠堂) on Ln. 251, Fude St. (福德街251巷) in about 20 minutes.
Zhinangong Maokong Hiking Trail 指南宮貓空親山步道
Take MRT Wenhu Line (捷運文湖線) to Taipei Zoo Station (動物園站), transfer to bus 236 or 237, get off at National Chengchi University stop (政治大學站), walk in direction of Zhinan Rd. (指南路). After passing NCCU campus entrance, the trailhead is found at Ln. 33, Sec. 3, Zhinan Rd.
To return, an option is to walk from the Taipei Tea Promotion Center for Tieguanyin and Baozhong (臺北市鐵觀音包種茶研發推廣中心) to the cable-car station beside Sanxuan Temple (三玄宮), riding the Maokong Gondola (貓空纜車) down to MRT Taipei Zoo Station (動物園站).
Information
Yangmingshan National Park Administration Headquarters 陽明山國家公園管理處
Add: 1-20, Zhuzihu Rd., Yangmingshan
(陽明山竹子湖路1之20號)
Tel: (02)2861-3601
Website: www.ymsnp.gov.tw
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