Guanyin Mountain in New Taipei

Guanyin Mountain in New Taipei

Taipei’s Guanyin Mountain is located at the border of Wugu and Bali townships in Taiwan’s Taipei County. The mountain resembles a reclining statue of Guanyin, standing solemnly on the southern bank of the Tamsui River in the Bali area, facing the Tamsui town on the northern bank and the Datun Volcano Group. It is a famous landmark at the mouth of the Tamsui River.

Although Taipei’s Guanyin Mountain isn’t very high, it links 18 smaller peaks, with the highest being Hardian Ridge at just 612 meters. The mountain area is crisscrossed with numerous trails, making it one of the most popular hiking spots in the western suburbs of Taipei. The mountain is home to many historic temples and monasteries, and visitors can enjoy stream tracing and waterfall viewing, eagle and bird watching, as well as panoramic views of half of Taipei and the majestic Datun Mountain Range. It's a rich destination for nature lovers. The trails and valleys on Guanyin Mountain are interconnected, offering a wide variety of hiking routes with varying levels of difficulty. Hikers can choose a path that suits their fitness level. One of the most popular routes starts from the Guanyin Mountain bus stop in Wugu, ascending stone steps to Lingyun Zen Temple, then continuing from the temple’s back archway. It takes about an hour to reach Hardian Ridge. From there, the view is expansive—cityscapes of Taipei as far north as the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Building are visible below, while the Datun Mountain Range across the river and the stunning interplay of mountain and sea at the Tamsui River estuary create a truly magnificent sight.