Pingtian Mountain

Pingtian Mountain

Pingtian Mountain is located between Hsinchu County and Taichung City in Taiwan, within Shei-Pa National Park. It is one of the “Ten Major Summits” among Taiwan’s famous Hundred Peaks and the foremost of the Four Beauties of Wuling. With an elevation of 3,524 meters, on clear days visitors standing along the mountain ridge can clearly see the Taoyuan metropolitan area to the north, gaze eastward over the Lanyang Plain and Guishan Island, and even enjoy a sweeping southern view of the majestic beauty of Yushan and Guanshan from the summit, offering an exceptionally expansive panorama.

Pingtian Mountain is long from east to west but narrow from north to south, and borders deep valleys. The southern side features the Pingtian Fold, while the northern cliff face marks the source of the Takeng River, the highest headstream of the Tamsui River system. The Pingtian Fold is jagged and broken on the western side, forming the Pingtian Cliff, which is one of the most challenging sections along the Sacred Ridge. The eastern side of the mountain connects to Chiyou Mountain via a saddle, where several alpine lakes are scattered across the arrow bamboo grasslands. Climbing along the eastern ridge leads through mixed forests of fir and arrow bamboo before reaching the Pingtian Forepeak (3,442 meters above sea level). The Forepeak and the main peak are separated by the Pingtian Forepeak Cliff, a recess in the major fold of the mountain and a formidable obstacle before reaching the summit.

To climb Pingtian Mountain, visitors mainly use the Four Beauties Route and the Sacred Ridge Route within the trail system of Shei-Pa National Park. The Four Beauties Route begins at the Wuling Mountain Lodge trailhead, ascending either Taoshan or Chiyou Mountain, with optional visits to Kalayeh Mountain and Pingtian Mountain. The Sacred Ridge Route also starts from the Wuling trailhead, passing through Taoshan, Chiyou Mountain, and Pingtian Mountain before continuing to Buxiulan Mountain, from where hikers can proceed to Dabajianshan or the main peak of Xueshan, entering the classic Sacred Ridge itinerary.

Pintian Mountain

Must-visit reason: One of Taiwan’s most ruggedly beautiful peaks