Classic Itineraries
Conquer Qomolangma: HowToTrip Selects Brave Hikers
How many decades does one have in a lifetime to chase a dream? On May 19th last year, the HowToTrip Seven Summits Expedition Team reached the summit of Mount Everest, achieving a once-in-a-century glory in Taiwan's mountaineering history. Yesterday, HowToTrip once again announced that it will embark on an over 10-year mission to explore all 14 peaks around the world above 8,000 meters. It also calls on all fearless hiking enthusiasts across the country to fulfill the greatest dream of their lives. There are a total of 14 peaks in the world exceeding 8,000 meters in height, located in the Himalayas and the Karakoram Range. Taiwanese mountaineers have only reached the summits of three of these mountains — Everest, Cho Oyu, and Shishapangma. The other 11 peaks have not only never been summited by Taiwanese climbers, but attempts to climb them have been extremely rare. Challenging the world’s 14 highest peaks is as difficult in the mountaineering world as winning an Olympic gold medal. In 1986
Scanning the city — Learn about Leave No Trace and training courses
Kaohsiung County: The Kaohsiung County Outdoor Recreation Association will hold a “Leave No Trace (LNT) Training Course” at the Dajin Mountain Climbing Training Center on the 18th and 19th. The event is free of charge. Anyone aged 18 or above who is interested in mountains or environmental protection can find more details on the Dajin Mountain Climbing Training Center website.
Investing is like mountain climbing — one step at a time.
A month ago, I just climbed Snow Mountain’s Big and Small Sword Peaks with my fellow mountaineers. This was also the 60th "Hundred Peak" mountain that Sally Liu, fund manager of Yuanta Global Investment Grade Bond Fund, has conquered.
Eight people stung by hornets after climbing Huoyan Mountain
Twenty-five hikers who had come to Huoyan Mountain for exercise were attacked by a swarm of hornets at noon on the sixth. The sudden assault sent everyone running for cover, but eight people were stung and had to be hospitalized, suffering from body-wide pain. Fortunately, they are all in stable condition after treatment. The injured said the attack may have been triggered when an umbrella or bamboo stick carried by one of the hikers accidentally disturbed a hornet nest. The Miaoli County Fire Bureau reported that eight hikers—five men and three women—were taken to Miaoli Da-Chien Hospital for treatment. They were You Mei-Jing, Qiu Mei-Lian, and Xiao Xiu-Lan (female), as well as Lü Bi-Lai, Wu Qing-Biao, Xu Hai-Zhang, Lai Xin-An, and Peng Zheng-Fang (male). Emergency room doctors said the victims were stung on the head, neck, arms, wrists, or back, with the wounds generally showing signs of redness and swelling. Lü Bi-Lai, Xiao Xiu-Lan, and others said most of them are vendors at the Xingming Market in Zhongli.
Merida Cross-Country Mountain Bike Race: Hermita Takes the Crown
The 30-kilometer cross-country mountain bike race of the Bagua Mountain Range Merida Cup Cycling Competition, held at Qingshuiyan in Changhua, took place yesterday. Two Merida Europe team riders with World Cup champion titles, Hermita and Ganz, sprinted almost simultaneously to the finish line, with Hermita taking the championship, while Taiwan’s top rider Feng Chun-kai secured fourth place. Merida Bikes has invited the Merida Europe team to perform in Taiwan for five consecutive years. However, during the hill climb race the day before, Hermita and Ganz were just participating without giving their all. Yesterday, the two riders finally showcased their true skills, demonstrating their expertise on forest trails, with Hermita crossing the finish line first. What’s special this year is that two foreign female riders competed in the men’s elite category—one from France, Brest, and the other from the United States, Sherve. Twenty-one-year-old Brest is tall and strikingly beautiful. She has won the French Cross-Country Mountain Bike Championship and also achieved strong results in the World Mountain Bike Championships. She said, “In France, I train with male riders.”
Hiking group in the Three Gorges accidentally kicks hornet nest; 10 people stung
On the 28th, the Zhongshan Mountaineering Club of Taipei City went hiking in the Xiongkong area of Sanxia. On the way back, some hikers accidentally kicked a hornet nest, causing a swarm of hornets to emerge and sting ten hikers. Two of them experienced dizziness and were temporarily unable to walk. After being sent to Enzhugong Hospital in Sanxia for treatment, all were reported to be in stable condition, and the hornet nest was later removed by a professional bee-catching team. On the afternoon of the 28th at 1:30 PM, the New Taipei City Fire Department received a report that ten hikers had been injured by a swarm of hornets on the section of road between Xiongkong Bridge and Manyueyuan in Sanxia. The fire department immediately dispatched personnel from the Sanxia, Long’en, Dingpu, and Gan Yuan fire stations to rescue the hikers. First, firefighters provided the injured with cleaning and bandaging, then transported the ten victims to Enzhugong Hospital for emergency treatment. They also cordoned off the area at the scene to prevent other visitors from approaching.
Scanning the city – Hiker goes missing, university student rescued
Taoyuan: Song Xilong, a fourth-year student at Taipei University, entered the mountains from Manyueyuan in Taipei’s Sanxia District on the 25th and climbed Beichapai Mountain alone. Unfortunately, he became stranded in the mountainous area bordering northern and Taoyuan regions and called for help from Taoyuan County via his mobile phone. After being missing for nearly 24 hours, good news came yesterday afternoon. He was confirmed to have been found at the site of the wooden cabin near Heiwei Sacred Tree and was escorted down the mountain in the afternoon, returning via the direction of Taipei County.
Scanning the city — Netizens team up for mountain climb, one dies of hypothermia
Nantou: Taipei County resident Qiu Chuikun (61 years old) formed a hiking group online last month on the 30th and climbed the Nenggao Antongjun Mountain range with fellow netizens. Due to exhaustion, he rested at the hunting lodge in the southern stream of Aowanda and asked his teammates to descend the mountain to seek help. Rescue personnel arrived at the site on the 5th and found him dead. The coroner determined that death was likely caused by shock due to hypothermia.
Houtong Rejuvenates: Reliving Classic Films
"The 'County Government Information Office' releases 'Show Northern Taiwan' (left image, photo by Lin Jinchi). This issue features renowned director Wu Nien-jen on the cover, recounting the journey of a mining town — from the prosperous mining era and subsequent decline to its revival through tourism — through the coming-of-age story of a miner’s child. The simple text is filled with deep nostalgia for the hometown. The county's Cultural Affairs Bureau has launched a series of film festival events starting in October, with the cover story as its central theme. This film festival brings together 52 classic films from both domestic and international sources, screening a total of 250 times across 29 townships and cities in northern Taiwan. It includes retrospectives of classic films such as 'A City of Sadness,' along with Wu Nien-jen’s personal account of his upbringing, all enriching the content of this issue. Beyond culture and arts, this issue also incorporates elements of food, fun, and entertainment, guiding the public to visit the well-known fishing harbors of Fugui, Huanggang, and Fisherman’s Wharf..."
Scanned: Two hikers lost - Police and firefighters search mountain and find them
Taoyuan: Hiker Chen Zhengzhi and a friend were climbing the Daxi Baijinlin Shade Trail the day before yesterday when they got lost for twenty-four hours, possibly due to being misled by plastic marker ropes from another hiking group. Taoyuan police and firefighters mobilized hundreds of personnel in a large-scale mountain search and finally found the missing person yesterday afternoon.
Nighttime Mountain Climb: 19 Stung by Hornets
Two groups—one from National Chengchi University’s Mountaineering Club and the other from the Taichung County Mountaineering Association—were climbing Zhijaiyang Mountain in Heping Township, Taichung County, on the evening of the 16th and early morning of the 17th respectively, when they were attacked by hornets. A total of 19 people were stung, five of whom sustained more serious injuries and were sent to Puli Christian Hospital. One of them exhibited severe allergic symptoms, including skin redness and swelling as well as difficulty breathing. A team member with over 20 years of mountaineering experience noted that it was the first time they had been attacked by hornets at night, describing the incident as terrifying.
Expert: High hornet activity this year—keep a low profile while hiking
Autumn is the peak season for hiking, and those planning to hit the trails in the coming days should be especially cautious. According to field observations by biologists, hornet nests are unusually large this year, and the hornets are particularly aggressive. This may be linked to the fewer typhoons hitting Taiwan this year, ample rainfall, and cooler autumn temperatures arriving earlier than usual. Professor Lin Zongqi from the Department of Biology at National Changhua University of Education explains that with fewer typhoons, the chances of nests being destroyed by strong winds are lower. Ample rainfall ensures hornets have sufficient food, leading to a population boom. When autumn arrives and temperatures drop suddenly, hornets sense the early approach of winter and abandon their nests en masse. As a result, hikers spending time outdoors are more likely to encounter hornets and should remain highly vigilant. Lin Zongqi points out that hornets cannot be deterred using the “startle-the-snake-by-beating-the-grass” approach. Hikers passing through areas where nests might be present should keep a low profile—the safest strategy. Avoid wearing bright clothing, opt for plain long-sleeved shirts and pants, refrain from using perfume, and do not
Closed for over a year, the Jiannming Lake Trail to reopen in November
The Jiannming Lake hiking trail, which was severely damaged during Typhoon Morakot, has undergone more than a year of repairs and will finally reopen in November. During the closure, the Taitung Forest District Office renovated the trail and rebuilt the emergency mountain huts, making Jiannming Lake—known as the “Angel’s Tear”—more accessible to visitors. At an altitude of 3,300 meters, Jiannming Lake is located in the Southern Cross-Island Mountain Range and is the second highest alpine lake in Taiwan. The trail starts from the Shiangyang Forest Recreation Area and spans approximately 13 kilometers, making it one of the must-do hikes for many mountaineers. The stunning beauty of Jiannming Lake has captivated countless visitors, with peak tourist numbers reaching nearly 700 at one point, placing significant pressure on the environment. Huang Qunce, head of the Recreation Section at the Taitung Forest District Office, stated that after a year of restoration, the Jiannming Lake hiking trail has been fully repaired, and emergency shelters in the mountain area have also been upgraded, making the area more visitor-friendly.
Yilan County’s Su-Hua Ancient Trail Welcomes Hikers; Northern County Launches Hiking Festival with Prizes
The Yilan Luodong Forest District Office spent NT$7 million restoring the Su-Hua Ancient Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean near Su’ao and ancient rock formations, attracting many hiking enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Taipei County Government has launched a “Hiking & Walking Festival,” featuring twelve recommended hiking routes. Those who complete six of them before the end of November may win prizes such as a Wii game console. For details, visit www.1783.tw. The century-old Su-Hua Ancient Trail was once a vital route during the Japanese colonial period for locals transporting illegal salt and alcohol, but it fell into disuse as transportation improved. This time, the Luodong Forest District Office has invested over NT$7 million to restore a section starting from the Dakan’ao mountain-crossing area (at the 192km mark of Provincial Highway 9), spanning approximately 4.1 kilometers in one direction, with a round trip taking about six hours. Forest officials say that due to tectonic movements caused by earthquakes, the Su-Hua Ancient Trail also features Taiwan’s
New Taipei City mayoral race – Zhu tours markets while Tsai rallies mountain hiking enthusiasts
The Kuomintang’s New Taipei City mayoral candidate, Eric Chu, met with residents yesterday in Hengke, Xizhi District, before hitting the streets to canvas support at local markets, where he was warmly greeted by housewives doing their grocery shopping and vendors. The Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate, Tsai Ing-wen, meanwhile attended the inaugural meeting of the “Tsai Ying-wen Hiking Club” at Dingfuyan in Linkou, seeking backing from hikers. Eric Chu visited the Hengke area of Xizhi yesterday to speak with residents and then drove to the Lixing Market and the Linsen Market to canvass for votes, receiving enthusiastic support from shoppers and stallholders, with shouts of “Go Chu!” and “Let’s win!” ringing out constantly. Tsai Ing-wen went to the entrance of the Dingfuyan hiking trail in Linkou to attend the launch event of the “Tsai Ying-wen Hiking Club,” where more than 600 hikers had gathered. Tsai high-fived each hiker and led them in shouting “Let’s win!” Tsai Ing-wen said that New Taipei County has achieved outstanding results in past sports competitions, and in the future, it will connect various hiking trails within the city
Chen Yuzhang: I'm practical, not a homebody
In the past, Chen Yuzhang, chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), was regarded by the industry as a silent aide who seldom spoke out. Unlike some government officials who enjoy making bold statements, the Virgo-born Chen has always given people the impression of being conservative and a homebody since he entered politics. Yesterday, in an exclusive interview with this newspaper, Chen defended himself: “I’m not conservative, I’m practical, and I’m not a homebody!” Chen Yuzhang said that since taking office at the FSC, he had never given a public speech, but he emphasized that it wasn’t because he didn’t want to speak publicly or promote policies, but rather that he was “too busy.” He stated that he had served as chairman of First Financial Holding Co., and understood that the goal of business operations is to make profits, but this does not entirely conflict with regulatory directions, because the government also hopes that businesses can be profitable so they can contribute to Taiwan’s economic growth. Therefore, since taking office, he has also widely solicited opinions from all sides, and any suggestions that can protect investors and consumers are taken into consideration. Therefore, if he really had to describe himself with one word, Chen Yuzhang believes it should be “practical.”
Weekly Election Report – Public Supervision Alliance Ranks Huang Bolin as Having the Highest Quality of Legislation
Councilor Huang Bolin has organized 49 public hearings over four years, ranking among the top in the city council. His dedicated and responsible approach to legislation earned him the titles of “Highest Quality of Overall Legislation” and “Most Professional in Policy Areas” from the Public Supervision Alliance. Huang cherishes every opportunity to engage in legislative work, attending 100% of council sessions to oversee municipal governance. He helped resolve Kaohsiung’s fiscal challenges, saving hundreds of millions of NT dollars in interest payments for the city treasury, advocated for schools to become more community-oriented, promoted the localization of municipal districts and digitization of learning, delivered care to campuses, raised funds to subsidize lunch costs for underprivileged students in elementary and middle schools, and supported public welfare initiatives. Beyond his diligent legislative efforts, Huang is also passionate about the ecologically rich and scenic Shishan (Chai Mountain). He climbs the mountain one to three times a week and has made 304 climbs over two and a half years. Although Shishan (in Gushan District) is not within his electoral district (Sanmin District), he says that aside from being close to nature to clear his mind and stay fit, bringing water up the mountain for fellow hikers is also a form of merit and service.
Preliminary Analysis of the Tainan City Council Election – 4 Candidates Vie for 2 Seats in District 7 with Overlapping Voter Bases; 3 Compete for 1 Seat in District 8 Where Nansi is the Key
In Tainan City Council’s District 7 (Danei, Shanshang, Xinhua), four candidates are competing for two seats: independent Yang Dengshan, independent Lin Quanzhong, DPP’s Lin Zhicong, and KMT’s Wu Deqiang. Yang Dengshan and Lin Quanzhong are incumbent councilors. Aside from Yang, the other three are all from Xinhua, resulting in high voter base overlap and an anticipated fierce competition. Among the four in District 7, only Yang Dengshan is from Danei Township and has been re-elected for four consecutive terms, with a solid foundation and stable voter support. The factional dynamics within Danei will also test the candidates’ ability to attract votes. Historically, Danei’s votes were mainly split between Yang Dengshan and DPP’s Chen Yongkuan. With Chen not running this time, the loyal deep-green votes may be taken up by DPP nominee Lin Zhicong, but the light-green votes could be dispersed among other candidates. Additionally, Lin Quanzhong, who received the highest number of votes in the previous election, has long served in Xinhua and his strength should not be underestimated. But this time he faces Wu Deqiang, nominated by the KMT. Wu is making the leap from council speaker to councilor. Both have long worked in Xinhua, and it is widely believed that their service areas and voter bases overlap significantly, making a tough battle inevitable.
I'm aiming to compete in MIDI and make it to the top three, performing on the same stage as Cui Jian and nearly a hundred other artists at the Shenzhen MIDI Festival.
The nearly one-month-long "I Want to Be on MIDI" Shenzhen MIDI Music Festival Band Selection, also known as "Yan," concluded successfully on April 20th at Shenzhen City's Kaisa Plaza. After an intense live competition, Hong Kong's Deep Inside band and Changsha's Gorgeous Outerwear band won the championship and runner-up respectively, while Hong Kong's Counterflow band and...
Featured Figure – The Eccentric Who Vowed to Climb the World’s 14 Highest Peaks While Carrying Mazu
Two years ago, Li Xiaoshi from Matsu made Mazu the world’s first deity to summit Mount Everest. This year, he pressed on to tackle Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak at 8,163 meters, which no one from Taiwan had ever successfully climbed. What seemed like a wild idea was actually Li Xiaoshi’s lifelong dream — one he pursued even to the point of selling his house and fundraising. Li Xiaoshi, a native of Matsu born in 1955, attended elementary and middle school there before moving to Taiwan with his father in his first year of high school. He later joined the military, where he served for over a decade in various roles including staff officer and instructor. But beyond his job, Li Xiaoshi found solace in calligraphy and painting, though mountaineering remained another core passion of his life. He developed an interest in climbing during high school, and his time in military school gave him excellent physical stamina and wilderness survival skills. After retiring from the army, he applied those skills to mountaineering, while the beauty of the mountains also became a major source of inspiration for his art. He often carried brushes and ink with him on month-long climbs, staying in touch with almost no one except his wife, Lin Qingqing. His friend from Matsu, Pan Jianguo, said, “He’s climbed every one of Taiwan’s Hundred Mountains at least five times.” Li Xiaoshi had an expert-level knowledge of Taiwan’s peaks, especially impressive given his stamina and ability to carry loads of up to 80 kilograms, allowing him to handle all kinds of mountain terrain. “Every time I climb with him, I’m just struggling to keep up!”