Classic Itineraries
Cycling King of the Mountains Wang Yin-zhi Ranks 3rd
Taiwan’s Cycling King of the Mountains Challenge kicked off today, with Wang Yin-zhi setting a personal goal of finishing in under 3 hours and 30 minutes. Today, he not only met his target but also secured an impressive 3rd place finish. Taiwan’s Cycling King of the Mountains Challenge has begun. The event started on the morning of the 9th from Qixingtan in Hualien, passing through scenic spots such as Taroko Gorge and the Central Cross-Island Highway, climbing all the way to Hehuanshan Wuling — the highest point on Taiwan’s highways at 3,275 meters above sea level. The total race distance was 105 kilometers. Taiwanese rider Wang Yin-zhi won the national title last year with a time of 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 23 seconds. That performance ranked him 1st among Asian riders and 5th overall. Prior to this year’s race, Wang set himself the goal of breaking the 3-hour and 30-minute barrier. In today’s race, Wang Yin-zhi completed the course in 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 53
Cycling king Fan Yongyi gears up for a year-long prep
Taiwan’s Cycling King Challenge kicks off today, with amateur rider Fan Yongyi saying he has prepared for a full year to achieve strong results in this race. The Taiwan Cycling King Challenge will open the 2013 Taiwan Cycling Festival. The event features a host of international elite riders, while local competitors include last year’s national champion Wang Yin-zhi and top Taiwanese cyclist Feng Jun-kai, who share the responsibility of keeping the title in Taiwan. Additionally, Fan Yongyi, an amateur rider who won back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011, is eager to compete and aims to seize the title again. Fan Yongyi said he began preparing at the start of the year, training step by step. By June, when competing in Japan, his condition peaked, after which he took a short break. Recently, his form has been fine-tuned to optimal mode. A full year of preparation has been geared toward excelling in this race.
King of the Mountain Showdown: Hualien Sets the Stage for an Epic Bike Race
The 2013 Taiwan King of the Mountain Cycling Challenge kicks off tomorrow in Hualien’s Qixingtan, with a total of 440 riders from 28 countries around the globe taking part in the race. Competitors will tackle the grueling course that climbs from sea level all the way up to Wuling, the highest point on Taiwan’s highways at 3,275 meters. The tough route has drawn many international elite cyclists, but local riders Wang Yin-zhi and Feng Jun-kai are highly motivated to keep the title in Taiwan. “This time, I’m better prepared and more confident in myself,” said Wang Yin-zhi, who finished fifth last year with a time of 3 hours, 35 minutes and 23 seconds. After a year of training and preparation, he’s back to compete in the King of the Mountain challenge. He’s not only aiming for the championship, but also hopes to break the 3-hour and 30-minute barrier. “I’ve learned from the previous race that as long as I pace myself well on the Dayuling section at the end, my time will definitely improve.” Feng Jun-kai, who just won the gold medal in the men’s road race at the Tianjin East Asian Games,
King of the Mountain Challenge: 440 Elite Riders to Conquer Wuling on Saturday
Organized by the Tourism Bureau, the 2013 Taiwan Cycling Festival will kick off this Saturday morning with the highly challenging King of the Mountain Challenge. This race requires cyclists to ascend from Qixingtan in Hualien all the way up to Wuling on Hehuanshan, which stands at an elevation of 3,275 meters. The demanding course has attracted 440 elite riders from 28 countries around the world to compete for the title of King of the Mountain. The 2013 Taiwan Cycling Festival has become a major international event on Taiwan’s tourism calendar. This year, the festival opens with the King of the Mountain Challenge. Riders will set off from Qixingtan in Hualien at 6:30 a.m. this Saturday, traveling via Provincial Highway 8 through Taroko, Dayuling, and Provincial Highway 14A, before finally reaching the finish line — Wuling on Hehuanshan, the highest point on Taiwan’s highways at 3,275 meters above sea level. The total race distance is 105 kilometers. Wang Yin-zhi, last year’s top-performing domestic rider, noted
Cycling elites from around the world to take on Taiwan’s King of the Mountains challenge
The 2013 Taiwan Cycling Festival, organized by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, kicks off on the 9th, with the “Taiwan King of the Mountains Cycling Challenge” as its opening event. The festival will welcome 440 riders from various countries to compete in a 105-kilometer cycling race.
King of Mountain Biking: Wang Yin-Zhi Aims to Defend His Crown
Taiwan’s King of Mountain Biking Challenge is set to kick off. Wang Yin-Zhi, last year’s national champion, said today that he aims to secure the title—and at the very least, ensure that a Taiwanese rider takes home the crown. The 2013 Taiwan Cycling Festival will open with the King of Mountain Biking Challenge. The event will begin on the morning of the 9th from Qixingtan in Hualien, starting at an elevation close to 0 meters. The route will pass through scenic spots such as Taroko Gorge and the Central Cross-Island Highway, climbing all the way up to Wuling at Hehuanshan, the highest point on Taiwan’s roads at an altitude of 3,275 meters. This race has attracted a total of 440 riders from 28 countries, including Japan, the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, and Italy. Among the participants, in addition to Danish rider John Ebsen, the 2012 champion who will be aiming for a title defense, other strong contenders include...
Hehuan Mountain Wuling – Two-way Traffic Control This Saturday
People planning to visit Hehuan Mountain this weekend, please take note of the following information: The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will host the Taiwan Cycling Festival – Taiwan Cycling King of the Mountains Challenge on the 9th. A large number of cyclists will ride from Hualien to Wuling. With road safety in mind, the Directorate General of Highways has announced that two-way traffic control will be implemented on the section from Cui Feng to Song Xue Lou on that day. The public is urged to comply with police instructions and traffic controls. The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Bureau stated that the Second Maintenance and Engineering Office of the Directorate General of Highways has issued a notice for the two-way traffic control section, starting at Cui Feng at the 17.5 km marker on Provincial Highway 14A and ending at Song Xue Lou at the 32.975 km marker. The control period is from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM this Saturday, and will be enforced by the Nantou County Police Bureau. The Sun Moon Lake Administration noted that the Taiwan Cycling Festival, which kicks off this weekend and runs until the 17th, is an
Ironman's Dream Talk – Accumulating Positive Energy Through Mountain Climbing
Last week, the school once again successfully completed the "Dream of Lake Jiaming" activity for second-year junior high students. A total of 287 students participated across four sessions, with 97% successfully reaching Lake Jiaming at an altitude of over 3,300 meters, where they read out their transformation declarations by the lake. The round-trip journey of over 26 kilometers and elevation gain exceeding 1,000 meters on the Lake Jiaming trekking route, even with sufficient physical training, is still no easy feat for these children around the age of 14. But it is precisely because of the challenge that they can learn and grow.
Location Scan – A Body Found on Panshi West Peak May Be a Missing Hiker
Hualien: A 30-year-old man surnamed Chen from Taichung went solo mountain climbing on the Qilai East Ridge on the 28th of last month and has been missing ever since, causing his family great distress and prompting them to call the police. Yesterday, a hiking group from Hsinchu discovered a male body along the Panshi West Peak route, which is believed to be that of the missing Mr. Chen. The Hualien County Fire Bureau stated that search and rescue personnel will now head toward the Songxue Building and proceed into the Panshi Mountain area to conduct the search. Due to the altitude of over 3,000 meters in the region, it is expected to take three days to reach the search location.
Female hiker injured, rescued by military helicopter
The Ministry of National Defense announced today that the armed forces successfully deployed a helicopter to evacuate an injured hiker from Qilai Mountain. The injured hiker has been transported to Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Chiayi Branch, for treatment. The Ministry of National Defense stated that at 8:00 AM, they received a report from the National Airborne Service Corps (NASC) informing them that a five-member hiking team was passing by Heishuitang on Qilai Mountain in Hualien County when a female team member surnamed Hsu accidentally fell and sustained injuries, leaving her unable to walk. The team requested military helicopter support for evacuation. The Ministry said that upon receiving the mission, they immediately ordered an S-70C helicopter (tail number: K-493) from the Air Force’s Chiayi Base to carry out the evacuation. The helicopter completed the hoisting of the injured hiker and left the site at 9:14 AM, returning to Chiayi Base at 9:49 AM. The injured hiker was then transported by ambulance from the Chiayi County Fire Bureau to Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Chiayi Branch, for medical treatment. The mission was successfully completed. 10
Location Scan - Hiker's Fright in Meiling: Accidental Step on a Ferret-Badger Leads to Bite
Tainan: Tainan’s popular hiking destination, Meiling, saw two unsettling incidents just the other day—one involving a hiker accidentally stepping on a ferret-badger, and another where a resident had their pants leg bitten through by one. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the startled hikers quickly reported the incidents to the Tainan Animal Disease Control and Prevention Office. The Agriculture Bureau also sent personnel up the mountain to hang warning signs, urging hikers to stay vigilant.
CRISPI & AKU 2014 Spring/Summer Trade Show to be Held in Shanghai in June
The renowned Italian outdoor footwear brands CRISPI and AKU have scheduled their 2014 Spring/Summer Trade Show for June 22–23 in Shanghai. Both CRISPI and AKU, hailing from Montebelluna — Italy’s footwear manufacturing hub — carry forward classic Italian shoemaking craftsmanship combined with modern high technology, and have gained immense popularity since entering the Chinese market. Recently in Beijing ...
Female mountaineer Chiang Hsiu-chen gives a speech at National Kaohsiung University
"Don't say it's impossible when pursuing your dreams—just be brave and go for it!" Chiang Hsiu-chen, Taiwan’s first woman to complete the Seven Summits and scale Mount Everest (Qomolangma) twice, shared her rich mountaineering experiences and insights with students and faculty at National Kaohsiung University on the 24th. The climbing journey often involved harsh weather conditions, and facing life-and-death moments made her realize how fragile and precious life is, leading her to the realization that one must have confidence but also maintain a humble attitude.
Major disappearance reported on Dajian Mountain: Hiker feared to have suffered from hypothermia due to cold weather
A 30-year-old hiker, who successfully reached the summit of Dajian Mountain with a climbing group on the 21st, went missing after getting lost during the descent and remains unaccounted for to this day. The leader of the hiking group, upon discovering the disappearance of the man surnamed Huang, decided to descend first to report the incident and seek help, as the other team members were only carrying light gear. Authorities immediately dispatched a rescue team to the mountain. Due to current weather conditions, helicopters are unable to land, and search personnel have expanded their search efforts.
Hiker Surnamed Huang Goes Missing on Dajianshan Mountain; Cold Weather Raises Hypothermia Concerns
A 32-year-old man surnamed Huang entered Dajianshan Mountain from the trailhead on the 21st and was supposed to return to the entrance on the 22nd. However, he failed to show up as planned, prompting his companions to request a rescue. His companion, surnamed Zhang, said Huang had personally called and shared coordinates obtained through his GPS watch. The Taichung City Fire Department’s Second Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade arrived at the coordinates around 2 p.m. on the 23rd but did not find Huang. The Second Brigade has dispatched personnel in four shifts (14 rescuers in total) to conduct the search. They have also actively applied for helicopter transport, but unfortunately, the weather has not permitted it, preventing landings at the intended locations. It is expected that civilian rescue groups and military personnel will join the search efforts on the 24th, with hopes for positive news.
Couple Hiking: Wife Suffers from Altitude Sickness, Police Rescue and Escort Them Down the Mountain
A couple from Taichung took advantage of a holiday to visit Lishan in the cold winter. While passing through Dayuling, the wife suffered from altitude sickness and urgently sought help at the Huanhuan Police Station. After police provided her with an oxygen mask and warmth, the couple safely descended the mountain and returned home. A cold front moved south, but the couple seemed unbothered by the chill, traveling up the mountain by motorcycle. Unexpectedly, the woman experienced altitude sickness, prompting her husband to ask for help at the Huanhuan Police Station. Officers first used a heater to warm her up and then noticed symptoms of hypothermia, dizziness, and nausea — all signs of altitude sickness. They promptly administered an oxygen mask, which helped the woman regain consciousness. Although officers recommended that both take a vehicle down the mountain, the husband was uneasy about leaving their motorcycle in the remote mountain area. Through police coordination, the wife got a ride with other tourists while the husband rode the motorcycle back to Taichung. The woman was rushed to hospital after descending and is now out of danger.
Martial arts coach dies of heart attack during mountain hike
Amid cold weather, a tragic incident occurred on the hiking trail at Wufengqi Waterfall in Dajia, Yilan, where an individual died of a heart attack while hiking. Chen Qinghe, a well-known martial arts coach in Taiwan, went hiking alone on the Wufengqi Waterfall trail in Yilan County yesterday but was found dead on the staircase between the first and second levels of the waterfall. Police and prosecutors conducted an autopsy today and confirmed the cause of death as a heart attack. Yilan police investigation revealed that 53-year-old martial arts coach Chen Qinghe informed his family yesterday that he would drive to Wufengqi Waterfall in Yilan alone to hike and take photos. Unfortunately, he was found dead midway along the trail. Chen Qinghe once served as the head coach at the Taipei Martial Arts Training Center. He had a passion for martial arts since childhood and was skilled in Changquan (long fist), Hongquan (flood fist), Taijiquan (tai chi), and other styles. He also founded the “Republic of China Changquan & Hongquan Promotion Association,” establishing multiple branches and martial arts training centers across Taiwan and overseas, making him a nationally recognized martial arts coach.
Climbing with a fear of death means there won't be any mountain disasters.
Compared to famous mountains abroad, Taiwan's mountain ranges have complex terrains, including valleys, scree slopes, and collapsing cliffs. A moment of distraction can send hikers plummeting into the abyss, posing challenges even for professional rescue teams. Liu said that the mountains and forests are not scary—if you prepare well in advance and approach nature with humility, hiking is truly fascinating. Liu added that he has trained search and rescue personnel from fire departments in cities and counties such as New Taipei, Hsinchu, and Chiayi, and has led many members of the public on hikes across various mountains. The first thing he always teaches is self-preservation. "If you enter the mountains with the mindset that you might die, then you won't die."
Air Force rescue team transports sick hiker from Heishuitang to hospital
The Air Force rescue team carried out a mission today to transport a sick hiker from Heishuitang in Hualien. The helicopter landed at Hualien Air Base at 10:54 a.m., and the patient was sent to Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital for treatment, successfully completing the medical evacuation mission. The Ministry of National Defense stated that at 3:47 p.m. yesterday, they received a report from the National Search and Rescue Center about a hiker surnamed Chu, who was hiking in Ren'ai Township, Nantou County, and sent a distress text message due to feeling unwell. The armed forces dispatched one S-70C helicopter from Chiayi for a search mission, but the search was unsuccessful. Ground search and rescue personnel from the National Fire Agency located the hiker today at the Heishuitang mountain hut in Hualien County. After evaluation, the rescuers determined that the hiker needed urgent medical attention. Upon receiving the report, the Ministry of National Defense immediately ordered an S-70C helicopter (tail number: K-493) from the Air Force's Chiayi base to carry out the medical evacuation mission. The helicopter took off from Chiayi base at 9:28 a.m., arrived at the target area at 10:13 a.m. to begin the hoisting operation, completed the hoisting at 10:17 a.m., and landed at Hualien base at 10:54 a.m. The patient was then transported by ambulance from the Hualien County Fire Bureau to Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital for treatment, successfully completing the medical evacuation mission. 1021207
Rescue helicopter deployed to search for missing mountain climbers
A Taiwanese couple surnamed Ou went missing while climbing Mount Dabajian in Taichung. Hikers reportedly spotted equipment believed to belong to the pair, though the Taichung City Fire Department has not yet confirmed the report. The department has requested military aircraft assistance for the search. The Ous, both in their 50s, began their climb on Mount Dabajian on November 25 and were expected to return home on November 30 but went missing. Their family reported the case to the Taichung City Fire Department. Multiple rescue teams have been mobilized, with assistance requested from the Miaoli and Hsinchu County Fire Departments. Officers from the Shei-Pa National Park Police Squad and local police have also joined the rescue operation. Today, it was reported that hikers spotted unidentified equipment and a folded sleeping bag at Bajhan Mountain Hut on December 3, suspected to be belongings of the missing Ous. The Taichung City Fire Department stated that after hearing the report, they have been questioning hikers for verification. Although the information has not yet been confirmed, the department has