![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.voicetube.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/27b61bf7-nanhua-plains.png\")
<\/p>\nTaiwan’s top 100 Peaks<\/p>\n
Five Peaks to Begin Your Journey<\/p>\n
Get Ready For a New Adventure<\/p>\n
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If you were asked to name a country that offers great hiking, would you ever guess Taiwan? Maybe not, but it turns out that Taiwan has the highest density of alpine(1) mountains in the world, containing 286 mountains taller than 3,000 meters. They run up and down the central region of the small island nation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Taiwan has a \u201cTop 100 Peaks,\u201d or \u201cbaiyue\u201d (\u767e\u5cb3<\/span>).<\/span> The <\/span>Taiwan Province Alpine Association<\/span><\/i> chose these peaks after 1968. They were chosen on the basis of height, danger, beauty, and uniqueness. The reason for making a \u201cTop 100 Peaks\u201d list was to encourage more people to hike the taller mountains. Nowadays, some brave hikers decide to take on the challenge of finishing all of the baiyue, though few actually finish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Each mountain\/section of mountains varies in difficulty. Some can be accomplished in just a day, while others can take up to ten days to hike! All of these peaks are alpine, so the air gets thin and the weather changes fast; hikers should be fully prepared and do their research!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, each of the peaks is listed <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> with the difficulty rating.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You often carry a heavy backpack, and some mountains have technical sections with cliffs, ropes, chains, and narrow ridges, so it is important to be physically fit. You should be strong enough to carry a heavy pack all day and have the endurance(2) and energy to hike all day long with only short breaks (not being afraid of heights also helps).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Make sure you know what gear to take with you. Do you need a sleeping bag or a tent? Do you have rain gear and clothing for both hot and cold weather? Do you have a map or GPS? There are many good online lists for basic equipment to have on high-altitude treks, but it changes a lot depending how long you are hiking, or whether or not you are camping or not, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You need an entry permit and a police permit to hike any baiyue inside the National Parks. You will just need a police permit when hiking taller mountains outside of the National Parks. Luckily, all of this can be done on the <\/span>Taroko<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Yushan<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>Sheipa<\/span><\/a> National park websites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Make sure you read other blogs and find out information about your hike. Are there water sources? How many km is the hike? Will you sleep in a cabin or a tent etc.? Usually, this information can be found with a simple Google search.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hiking the baiyue can be difficult and painful, but fortunately, there are many pros to hiking them as well. First off, the mountains are absolutely beautiful. The air is clean, you will see other mountains in every direction, and the sunrises and sunsets are some of the best you will ever experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s also a chance to reset yourself. There is no busy city, no crowds, and no stress. All you have to do is walk and enjoy <\/span>living in the now<\/span>(3). This return to simplicity is great for your brain, and I believe harmony(4) with nature is one of the best ways to find happiness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Five Top 100 Peaks to Start Off With<\/b><\/p>\n Below are five great Top 100 Peaks to start with. Each of these is suitable for a first \u201cTop 100\u201d hike, though some are certainly more challenging than others. All of these hikes can be done in either one or two days (a weekend).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why this one?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The most obvious reason is that Hehuan Mountain is the only baiyue you can literally drive to. That\u2019s right, you can drive your car to the Hehuan parking lot and actually get five Top 100 Peaks in just one or two days! Main and East Peak are simple forty-minute treks, and Shimen Mountain is a ten-minute walk from the roadside (this is the easiest Top 100, yet I still haven\u2019t climbed it).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I chose North Peak though, because this is the perfect beginner\u2019s hike. It is only a two-hour hike, and when you get to the top, you can set up a tent and enjoy the stunning <\/span>panoramic<\/span>(5) view of mountains stretching towards every horizon. You can still see your car from the top, and if you want more, you can continue to hike to Hehuan West Peak, which is a considerably more challenging day hike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Best thing About It?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The camping: It\u2019s only a short hike up, and the campsite is lovely. Hehuan North Peak offers some of the best views in Taiwan. You can star-gaze as well as enjoy a sunrise surrounded by other 3,000 m peaks with very little work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Biggest Challenge?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n There isn\u2019t actually much to say here. Just know that the weather does get cold at night. I foolishly hiked with just a t-shirt my first time up and shivered inside my tent all night. I think I slept for about one hour. No matter how hot the day is, the night will bring lower temperatures due to the altitude.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why This One?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n If anyone wanted the easiest two-day, overnight Top 100, this would be it. It\u2019s still incredibly beautiful, and there is a very nice cabin to sleep in. On top of that, you get two Top 100 Peaks that are completely different but just as pretty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nanhua mountain is known for alpine grasslands covering the peak and all the surrounding hills. Qilai South may lack Nanhua\u2019s grasslands, but it has a better view of the other mountains and a better sunrise. I recommend waking up, doing Qilai South first, and then heading over to Nanhua Mountain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Best Thing About It<\/b><\/p>\n Beginner friendly: The first day is just a 14 km walk (which is almost flat). The cabin is nice and new, and there is also camping available. Both peaks are fairly close to the cabin. The sunrise, alpine grasslands, and flower life make this one of the prettiest places in Taiwan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Biggest Challenge\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n There is nothing much to worry about here. Just be in decent physical shape and be aware that the altitude may make you feel a little uncomfortable if you aren\u2019t used to it. This was my friend\u2019s first Top 100 hike, and he threw up on top of the mountain due to the altitude and lack of sleep. Just be smart and be careful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why This One?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Yushan Main Peak is the ceiling of Taiwan, the tallest peak in the country, and all of East Asia\u2014yes, even taller than Mt. Fuji. The views are good, there is a nice cabin to sleep in, and the trek isn\u2019t too hard. This is a must-do for any hiker in Taiwan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n West Peak is a fairly easy detour(6) that starts right behind Paiyun Cabin(<\/span>\u6392\u96f2\u5c71\u838a), where you will likely sleep<\/span>. It\u2019s a pleasant hour-long walk, but it can be skipped if you are tired or have no extra time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Best Thing About It<\/b><\/p>\n Height: Yushan Main Peak is the highest point in Taiwan. It feels really cool to be almost 4,000 m in the sky. <\/span>Despite this height, the hike is relatively simple (for a Top 100). There is also a nice cabin with separate rooms to sleep in, sleeping bags for rent, and food!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Biggest Challenge\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The altitude likely poses the biggest challenge. At almost 4,000 m the air is much thinner. It might be harder to breathe, and you might even feel dizzy or sick. When I went, one girl threw up and never made it to the top. Be sure to bring some medicine with you. (I also recommend ginger tea; it made me feel much better.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why This One?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Snow Mountain Main Peak is the second tallest mountain in Taiwan, and in my opinion, is more beautiful than Yushan. Snow Mountain offers a stunning 360-degree view of a sea of clouds(7), diverse scenery, and other baiyue. This hike simply can\u2019t be missed. With every cabin containing drinking water, it\u2019s pretty easy to make an itinerary that will work for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If that\u2019s too hard, East Peak is just two hours into the hike! It is roughly a 4 km climb. Literally anyone can make it there, and the views are really nice. This would make a wonderful day trip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Best Thing About It<\/b><\/p>\n The beauty: Seriously, your eyes are going to be bouncing from sight to sight in glee. Deep valleys, pine forests, seas of clouds, other peaks; this hike is just jaw-dropping(8) and never really stops. It\u2019s a hike you will never forget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If it turns out to be too hard, you could just get to East Peak, relax at Qika (\u4e03\u5361\u5c71\u838a) or 369 (\u4e09\u4e5d\u516d\u5c71\u838a) Cabin, and then go back down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Biggest Challenge\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The final ascent to the main peak after 369 Cabin is hard for hiking beginners. There is a rock waterfall and some steep terrain, so this part of the journey will be physically tiring. While it is doable for anyone in decent shape, it\u2019s probably the second hardest hike on this list and will definitely rock you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why This One?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Make no mistake, this is the hardest hike on this list, and you shouldn\u2019t do this one first unless you are in very good physical shape. However, Beidawu is really cool! It\u2019s isolated(9) as well as being Taiwan\u2019s southernmost Top 100 Peak (located on the border of Taitung and Pingtung (counties). It\u2019s known for its vast sea of clouds, and the mellower 3090 m height makes it one of the lowest baiyue on the list.<\/span><\/p>\n Best Thing About It<\/b><\/p>\n The sea of clouds: Right before you get to the cabin and campground, there is a gorgeous vista where you can witness one of the best sea of clouds in Taiwan. When you get to the ridge that leads you to the peak, there is also an endless cloud ocean that follows you all the way there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Biggest Challenge\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\nPreparing to Hike a Top 100 Peak (<\/b>\u767e\u5cb3)<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Reason for Hiking a Top 100 Mountain<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Hehuan North Peak \u5408\u6b61\u5c71\u5317\u5cf0<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 Height:<\/b> 3422 m<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0Difficulty: very easy 2\/10<\/b><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.voicetube.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/5fab825d-hehuan-edge.png\")
<\/p>\n2. Qilai South & Nanhua \u5947\u840a\u5357\u5cf0&\u5357\u83ef\u5c71<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Height: Qilai South: <\/b>3359 m <\/b>\u00a0Nanhua Mountain: 3184 m<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Difficulty: Easy 3.5\/10<\/b><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.voicetube.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/c5c4cd52-qilai-south-me.png\")
<\/p>\n3. Yushan West & Main peak \u7389\u5c71<\/b>\u897f\u5cf0&\u4e3b\u5cf0<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Height: West Peak: 3518 m\u00a0 \u00a0 Main Peak: 3,952 m<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Difficulty: Moderate 5\/10<\/b><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.voicetube.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/8d433283-yushan-west.png\")
<\/p>\n4. Snow Mountain East and Main peak <\/b>\u96ea\u5c71<\/b>\u6771\u5cf0&\u4e3b\u5cf0<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Height: East Peak: 3201 m Main Peak: 3,886 m<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Difficulty: Strenuous 6\/10<\/b><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.voicetube.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/0b54fe57-snow-peak-rock.png\")
<\/p>\n5. BeidawuShan \u5317\u5927\u6b66\u5c71<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Height: 3090 m\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Difficulty: strenuous 6.5\/10<\/b><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.voicetube.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/9ea63fbb-beidawu-sun.png\")
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