Yangmingshan

Understand

Yangmingshan's original name was Caoshan (Grass Mountain in Mandarin), referring to the tall silvergrass that covers the highest slopes. Chiang Kai-shek renamed it Mount Yangming after his favorite Ming philosopher Wang Yang-ming (AD 1472-1529). The tallest peak, Mount Qixing (Seven Star Mountain), has an elevation of 1,120 m (3,674 ft), and its peak is the highest point in Taipei City. Trails leading throughout the entire park consist of basalt pavers, are steep in places, and can be fairly treacherous during periods of rain. Expect to be passed by septuagenarian locals who make the trip every week! Below approximately 1,000 m (3,280 ft), the park is characterized by subtropical rainforest, whereas above 1000 m, scrub-like trees and tall clumping grasses are the main form of vegetation.

Getting there

Depending on which trail you are taking, you will have different starting point and likely different way to get in. Bus 260 leaves from Civic Blvd (outside Taipei Main Station) for the park every ten minutes, traveling along Zhongshan North Road, and turning right onto Zhongzheng Road in Shilin. From Jiantan MRT Station, Bus Red 5 leaves for the park every 15 minutes. From Beitou, bus 230 plies the route every thirty minutes. It is a short walk from the bus terminal station to the cultivated area of the park. The journey from Taipei Main Station takes about forty minutes and costs NT$30. Mini-bus number 15 departs hourly from Beitou for Judz-hu (also spelled Zhuzi Hu - refer to See section below).

Getting around

By road The mountains are covered in a network of roads, and there are several mini-buses that leave from Zhongzheng Road (directly in front of exit 1 at Shilin MRT Station) that traverse the mountains. Public transport information is available online [1] For NT$60, you can take the 108 bus around the park as often as you want during its operating hours (07:00 - 17:30). There are plenty of stops at various locations around the park, but you may have to wait 15 or 20 minutes between buses, so plan accordingly.

On foot The mountains are connected by well maintained hiking trails.

See

1 Yangming Park (陽明公園). See the azaleas and cherry blossoms in spring. (updated Oct 2024) 2 Xiaoyoukeng Recreation Area (小油坑遊憩區). The fumaroles in this area are particularly notable. (updated Oct 2024) 3 Zhuzihu Lookout (竹子湖觀景台). This observation platform has a great view of Taipei, especially at night. (updated Oct 2024) 4 Qingtiangang Grassland (擎天崗). The best grassland in Taipei. This area is popular with picnicking students and families. (updated Oct 2024) 5 The Lin Yutang House, 141 Yangde Blvd Sec. 2. 10:00-21:00. Lin Yutang (林語堂), the Master of Humor, was one of the well-known scholars in China and Taiwan. His former residence is one of the most popular tourist spots in Yangmingshan. (updated Oct 2024) 6 Yangming Shuwu (陽明書屋), 12 Zhongxin Road. Also often called Yangming Villa, is an historical building built by former President Chiang Kai-shek for receiving foreign dignitaries.

Do

Hiking The mountain peaks are accessible by a network of well maintained hiking trails. National park website references five pedestrian trails but those can be cumulated and/or mixed. It includes maps and public transport available for each starting point.

Tianmu Trail (天母古道), a pathway up the side of Yangmingshan from Tianmu (天母), the end of the Zhongshan North Road Sec. 7. The entrance is marked with a large signboard and map (in English). Up the trail about 1000-step stairway, you can see a historic water pipe line along the trail, built in 1940s. End of the steps, the trail becomes flat and comfortable, walk along in the forest and enjoy the clear air. Great! This trail is today one of Taipei's most popular day hiking destinations. You can take the MRT (Danshui line) to Zhishan Station and take the 220 bus from the intersection of Zhongshan North Rd and Zhongcheng Rd to the terminal station, then walk north up Zhongshan North Road past the circle about to the end of the road (about 5 minutes), and you can see the entrance with a large signboard.

Lengshuikeng (冷水坑), contains Taiwan's sole bed of precipitated sulfur. Sulfurous fumes vented in the bed of this marshy lake turn the water murky. After gradually precipitating, the sulfur forms whitish-yellow or pale gray layers in the lake bed. Popularly known as Milk Lake, the lake is only approximately 40°C (104°F) in temperature, and not the 90°C (194°F) or more found in some hot springs. For the convenience of visitors who wish to wash and relax, there are two hot springs pools and one foot-soaking pool. When you are in Lengshuikeng, be sure to go to the observation platform on the northeast side to enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding you. A milky white lake is below. This is the location of the explosion vent of Lengshuikeng. You will have a better view of it while walking down the trail from the Seven-Star Park to Lengshuikeng. The arrival of early spring in northern Taiwan is marked by the presence of migratory swallows. These can be seen behind the Lengshuikeng Visitor Center. Note that these birds eat on the wing. While on the ground they do not eat, but are busy gathering mud for nest building. There are two kinds of swallows in the Lengshuikeng area. The one with a snow-white belly is the summer migratory Barn Swallow, the other one with a brownish-gray belly is the resident Pacific Swallow. Due to the severe winter, they only appear in Lengshuikeng in the summer season to build their nests and breed. They are transit visitors. Qingtiangang (擎天崗), is a terrace formed by lava flowing to t

Eat

Mid-range Lavander Garden, ☏ +886 2 28737581. This vegetarian restaurant is in Tianmu directly at the base of the Tianmu trail. Good place to go when starting on a hike up or to relax when finishing a hike down.

Splurge 1 Shiyang Culture Restaurant (食養山房餐廳), 160 Lane 101 Jinshan Road, ☏ +886 2 2862-0078. Taipei's classiest creative cuisine, near Lengshuikeng area.

Sleep

Budget 1 International Hotel (國際大旅館), 7 Hushan Road Sec. 1, ☏ +886 2-2861-7100. An old hot spring hotel in Yangmingshan since 1952. Many rooms have tatami, Japanese style floor.

Splurge 2 Check Inn Select Taipei Yangmingshan (雀客藏居台北陽明山溫泉飯店), 237 Gezhi Road (Near the Chinese Culture University.), ☏ +886 2-2861-6661. Hot spring soaking pool and swimming pool are the best.