Classic Itineraries
Hiker missing for 2 days rescued in New Taipei City today
A 53-year-old man surnamed Chen from New Taipei City went hiking alone in Shifenliao, Pingxi District, a few days ago and lost contact. The fire department deployed dozens of police, volunteer firefighters, and rescuers to search for him. After two days of an extensive ground search, Chen was found in the mountains at around 11 a.m. today. Although he was still conscious, his physical strength was severely depleted. Rescue personnel helped him down the mountain and sent him to the hospital for observation and treatment. A 53-year-old man surnamed Chen from New Taipei City went hiking in Shifenliao, Pingxi District, the day before yesterday morning, but had not returned home by 10 p.m. His family reported the incident urgently, asking rescuers to search the mountains. After two days of searching, the man was fortunately rescued today.
Hiker goes missing in Pingxi, found safe and sound
A man in his 50s surnamed Chen from New Taipei City recently went hiking alone in Shifenliao, Pingxi District, but lost contact. Today, police and firefighters found Chen on Banlishan, fortunately unharmed. New Taipei City Fire Department’s Sixth Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade said today that the man, surnamed Chen and residing in Xizhi District, New Taipei City, went hiking alone in Shifenliao, Pingxi District around 10 a.m. on the 12th, but had not returned home by evening. His family was unable to reach him and requested police and firefighter assistance in the search. After receiving the report, the fire department immediately dispatched personnel from the Pingxi, Xiufeng, Ruifang, and Cifu fire squads, along with six special search team members — a total of 27 rescuers — to search the mountain. Finally, at around 11:30 a.m. today, the missing Chen was found on Banlishan. The fire department noted that at the time, Chen was still fairly conscious, had multiple minor abrasions on his body, and showed signs of hypothermia. After being assisted down the mountain by paramedics, he was urgently sent to Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital for treatment and fortunately is unharmed. 1030114
Marketing leads the way — K-drama characters go crazy for hiking and fishing
According to the Chosun Ilbo, the hobbies of K-drama protagonists are almost always hiking or cooling their minds through fishing. The reason lies in the active marketing efforts of rapidly evolving outdoor brands, which have influenced the plot and development of K-dramas. The South Korean outdoor goods market in 2013 grew by 11% compared to 2012 (5.8 trillion KRW), reaching 6.4 trillion KRW. Industry insiders said that these companies’ marketing expenditures this year will exceed 1 trillion KRW. As the market expands, advertising models have also become more dazzling. In the past, fierce competition for celebrity endorsements was mainly seen in industries such as home appliances, beauty, fashion, and apartments, but in recent years, the outdoor gear sector has risen rapidly. It’s no exaggeration to say that celebrities who disappeared from apartment ads due to a downturn in the construction industry have flocked to the outdoor products market.
You really need a power bank when traveling abroad—take the hoox Magic Stone on your budget trip to Nepal!
Traveling is a process of rediscovering yourself. Amid a hectic job, complicated relationships, and noisy streets, in those late nights when you battle with your inner self, have you ever dreamed of letting it all go and embarking on a journey with no set destination? Smiling at strangers, capturing the most beautiful scenes of nature, or even counting the stars under an open sky...
Hiking and Collecting Sky Lanterns: Eco-Friendly and Healthy in Songguang Li
Hiking while collecting sky lanterns — killing multiple birds with one stone. For two consecutive years, Songguang Li in Xinyi District has teamed up with hiking clubs to organize mountain clean-ups after the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival. They venture into deep mountain areas that are hard for cleaning crews and elderly locals who rely on collecting lanterns to make a living to reach, picking up the remnants of fallen lanterns in the forests. They even made their own tools to help with the task and managed to collect over 500 lanterns in just one day, earning them the title of eco-warriors. Xu Yin-ying, who has been hiking for 20 years, established the “Dudu Hiking Club” seven years ago with fellow nature enthusiasts, most of whom are residents of Songguang Li. The group meets weekly for hikes and has long picked up lantern debris scattered across Pingxi’s mountains, seeing it as environmental damage. Last year, at the call of local chief Tsai Fu-lai, they launched an annual clean-up campaign. “We specialize in collecting sky lanterns from deep in the mountains!” said Tsai Fu-lai. To retrieve lanterns fallen into the forest...
Two mainland youths missing for 24 days during Yunnan mountain hike
Two young men from Hebi, Henan—Hao Shaoyue and Huang Xuening—have been missing for 24 days while hiking in Yunnan. Despite 2,148 police search deployments, they remain unaccounted for. Blue Sky Rescue Team Diqing branch members confirmed via phone with eyewitnesses that the two set off from Tuoluo Village at 7 a.m. on February 1, passed the Tuoluo Village dam at 10 a.m., and arrived at Namidi at 11 a.m. On the 22nd, Hao Shaoyue’s brother, Huang Xuening’s father, and brother-in-law—then in Fugong County—joined the rescue efforts out of growing concern. Hao Shaoyue’s brother said they had searched all accessible areas on foot, and areas further up were covered by an average of 1.5 meters of snow. As of the 24th, all accessible areas along the five identified search routes had been combed through, but no clues were found.
University Student Gratitude: Hiking to the Summit & Tutoring
The Miaoli Family Service Center will award college scholarships to help 180 university students ease their tuition and miscellaneous fees burden. Seven female university students under the center’s support participated in the “University Students I Can” program. Last year, they taught academic subjects and organized recreational group activities using self-made teaching materials at Donghe Elementary School in Nanzhuang Township. Although they were still students, they actively used their knowledge to give back to society. Take from society, give back to society. The seven female university students from the Miaoli Family Service Center felt grateful for the scholarships funded by kind-hearted members of the public, which allowed them to study with peace of mind. Starting last October, they went to Donghe Elementary School in Nanzhuang Township twice a month to care for seven children, providing free tutoring, preparing lessons themselves, creating teaching materials, and engaging the children from remote areas in various team activities. A social worker said that the university students took time off from school on weekends to serve in the mountains. While leading the activities, they observed the children’s teamwork interactions...
9 vocational high school students lost while hiking in Pingxi, firefighters rush to rescue
Nine 17-year-old vocational high school students, all second-year students at Taipei Municipal Songshan Industrial and Commercial Senior High School, went hiking on Fengtoujian Mountain in Pingxi District, New Taipei City, on the 23rd. They called the fire department around 5 p.m. after getting lost. The fire department has dispatched multiple rescue personnel to the scene, and they are expected to reach the location where the nine students are stranded by around 8 p.m. The fire department received a call around 5:30 p.m. from a person claiming to be a student from Songshan Industrial and Commercial Senior High School, who said that he and eight other classmates had set out to climb Fengtoujian Mountain at 11 a.m. When they tried to return home in the afternoon, they couldn’t find the way down and asked firefighters for help. They also used the LINE app to share their location with rescuers as a reference. Since the students reported that they had power banks, had phone signal, and no one was injured, but there were no nearby landmarks such as poles or high-voltage transmission towers, the fire department has advised the nine students to stay put at the reported location and not wander off. Rescue personnel are expected to arrive around 8 or 9 p.m. to guide them down the mountain. The school has also been notified to inform the parents, and the nine students are currently in good health.
Nine trapped students in Pingxi Mountain area found safe and sound
Nine 17-year-old vocational high school sophomores from Songshan Industrial and Agricultural High School in Taipei City went hiking in the Fengtoujian Mountain area of Pingxi District, New Taipei City on the 23rd. They called the fire department around 5 p.m. after getting lost. The fire department dispatched multiple rescue personnel to the scene and reached the location where the nine students were stranded at 9:45 p.m. Fortunately, all nine are safe and in good health. Rescue personnel conducted a preliminary check on the nine students and found that none were injured or suffering from hypothermia. They are expected to be back at the Pingxi Fire Station around 1 a.m. on the 24th and will be handed over to their parents. The fire department received a call at 5:30 p.m. from someone claiming to be a student from Songshan Industrial and Agricultural High School, who said that he and eight classmates had set off from the hiking entrance next to Pingxi Junior High School at 11:30 a.m., hiked through Cihufeng to the Fengtoujian Mountain area, and when they wanted to return home in the afternoon, they couldn’t find the way down.
Travel Book Nook – Beginner’s Hiking: Reaching the Summit Is Easier Than You Think
Professional hiking photographer Xing Zhengkang has carefully selected 10 hiking routes, ranging from beginner to moderate difficulty, allowing newcomers to gradually enjoy the joy of hiking. ‘Taiwan—you can’t help but love hiking. Two-thirds of Taiwan’s land area consists of mountains and hills, making it one of the islands with the highest mountain density in the world. To truly see Taiwan, you have to climb its peaks step by step on foot. A lover of outdoor activities, Xing Zhengkang’s first hike during his student days was to Taiwan’s highest peak, Yushan, led by a senior. It was an exhausting but eye-opening experience that sparked his lifelong passion for hiking. Because of his love for the mountains, he wants more people to appreciate their beauty and treat the environment with care. That’s why he wrote “Classic High Mountain Routes in Taiwan – 10 Hundred Peaks Routes for Beginners,” using text and photos to guide newcomers on their hiking journeys.
Loving Taiwan means you can’t help but love mountain climbing.
Taiwan has two-thirds of its land area covered by mountains and hills, making it one of the islands with the highest mountain density in the world. To truly see Taiwan, you have to climb its peaks step by step on foot. Xing Zhengkang, who is passionate about outdoor activities, went on his first hike during his student days when a senior took him to Yushan, Taiwan’s highest peak. It was an exhausting yet eye-opening experience that sparked his lifelong love for mountain climbing. Because of this passion, he hopes to show more people the beauty of mountain landscapes and the importance of treating the ecological environment with care. That’s why he wrote “Taiwan Classic Highland Routes – 10 Suitable Hundred Peaks Trails for Beginners,” using text and photos to guide newcomers in their climbing journeys. Aside from hiking, Xing Zhengkang is also a professional photographer in his daily life. He has worked as a photographer for several travel magazines. Carrying several kilograms of photography gear up the mountains has become second nature to him.
Essential for Beginners – Don’t Overlook Hiking Gear
Beginners often face clothing challenges when hiking — bringing too much feels heavy, but bringing too little might not be enough. Xing Zhengkang says the trick is to wear less and avoid changing clothes. Some people pack a lot of clothes for hiking or layer up excessively, thinking more clothing is better. This is a misconception. During the hike, you’ll sweat, and wearing too much prevents moisture from evaporating, making your clothes heavier and you colder as a result. Also, don’t bring too many changes of clothes, as this adds unnecessary weight. He explains that the ideal hiking attire must first fit well. It should be lightweight, warm, quick-drying, and weather-resistant. In fact, such functional clothing is easy to find in Taiwan. Never underestimate the importance of proper clothing. “For multi-day hiking trips, casual dressing is even more unacceptable — it could put you in danger.”
Health & Wellness – Mountain Climbing & Open Water Swimming to Challenge Yourself
At 10 a.m. on January 7, 2014, over 400 people in sportswear poured into the National Taiwan University Gymnasium, where cheerleaders performed on stage. This wasn’t a school PE class but the annual year-end party of A-Shoe Group (阿瘦集团)! Taiwan’s largest shoe retail chain, A-Shoe Group, held its first-ever sports-themed year-end party under the theme “A-Shoe Fun Run Day,” aiming to encourage employees to get active, develop good exercise habits, strengthen teamwork through friendly competition, and look forward to providing better service to customers in the new year. This was not only the first sports-themed year-end event for A-Shoe, but possibly an industry first, and the mastermind behind it is none other than A-Shoe Group Chairman Lo Jung-Yueh. Passionate about swimming and mountain climbing Developed a diverse exercise routine at age 35 Born in 1957 (Year 46 of the Republic of China), he is now 57 years old. He started developing a regular exercise habit at the age of 35.
The central government plans to amend laws to mandate hikers carry GPS satellite locators
Last year, Hualien County saw 16 hiking accidents, resulting in 4 deaths and 16 injuries, with rescue efforts costing NT$1.5 million and putting immense strain on search and rescue teams. The Hualien County Fire Bureau has proposed to the central government that legislation be amended to require hikers to carry GPS satellite locators when applying for mountain entry permits, and only then will they be allowed access. The bureau also offers free applications to borrow GPS satellite locators. Many well-known mountains in the Hualien area attract large numbers of hikers, but this has also led to frequent accidents in the mountains, exhausting rescue personnel. Especially, just confirming the location of an accident requires expanding the search area, posing significant challenges in terms of manpower and resources. In light of this, Hualien County Councilor Liu Xiaomei donated nine GPS satellite locators to the Hualien County Fire Bureau in March last year, which were available for hikers to borrow free of charge.
Climbing Everest for $10,000? Nepal Hopes to Attract More Mountaineers
Nepal is preparing to halve mountaineering fees in an effort to attract more foreign climbers. Every year, many foreign mountaineering enthusiasts climb Mount Everest from the Nepalese side, and they must obtain a permit to do so, with each permit costing $25,000. The Nepal Tourism Board stated that starting from next spring’s climbing season, the fee for foreign climbers using the main climbing route will be reduced from $25,000 to $11,000, a decrease of $14,000 from the past; if they do not use the main climbing route, the fee will be just $10,000.
Snow blocks Jioming Lake Trail; hiking temporarily suspended
Due to several consecutive cold fronts bringing sub-zero temperatures to the highlands, Jioming Lake has been snowed in over the past few days, with snow accumulation on parts of the trail reaching knee height. The Xiangyang Police Station is urging hikers to postpone their climbs. The Yushan juniper needs to go on a diet, and Grandpa Yushan needs a heater, said Mr. Yu, director of the Indigenous Jioming Lake Rescue Association. He described the area around Jioming Lake these past few days as nothing short of freezing cold, with snow covering the Yushan junipers and the Jioming Lake Couple Trees. Hikers noted that the once lush and sturdy Yushan junipers are now completely buried. What used to be "Grandpa" now looks like the "White-Haired Witch of the Mountain," so plump it needs to shed some weight. Meanwhile, the Couple Trees in front of Jioming Lake have also donned a snowy white outfit, appearing pure and pristine against the blue sky. Xiangyang Police Station Chief Chang Nengwei stated that hikers who descended in the past two days reported heavy snow on the Jioming Lake Trail. Currently, hikers can only advance as far as the Xiangyang Shelter. Beyond that, toward Blackwater Pond, snow has accumulated up to 10...
Play Guide – Off-Road ATVs: Conquer Leshan in Style
The trails in Leshan are industrial roads, making it a bit tough to explore on foot, yet driving through too fast means missing out on the beautiful scenery. To help travelers experience the charm of Leshan, Chi Han, the director of the Leshan Leisure Agriculture Development Association, introduced all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Each ATV, originally worth NT$120,000, has been customized into an off-road mountain bike capable of tackling slopes. He said, “These vehicles aren’t fast and are very easy to handle, so most people can ride them with ease.” With his guidance, travelers can explore Leshan’s ecology and nature on these mountain bikes. Along the way, you’ll see waterfalls, cliffs, and dense forests. Since few vehicles venture here, it’s a truly relaxing experience cruising on these off-road ATVs. Ascending a gentle slope leads to the now-closed Leshan Elementary School, which is like a time capsule preserving...
GPS satellite positioning device: Your safety net for mountain hiking
Hualien County Fire Bureau said today that mountain rescues involving hikers require significant firefighting resources, and advised the public to carry GPS satellite positioning devices when hiking. The bureau has nine such devices available for loan to hikers. The bureau stated that in recent years, there has been a frequent and rising number of accidents among hikers in national parks such as Taroko and Yushan. Statistics show that last year there were about 22 mountain rescue incidents, involving over 200 personnel and more than ten helicopter sorties, costing approximately NT$1.5 million. Fire Bureau Chief Yan Xinzhang noted that Hualien is a major tourist county with many mountains and few plains, attracting numerous hikers every year. However, in the event of an accident, rescue teams often struggle to pinpoint the location, leading to missed golden hours for rescue. He recommended that hikers borrow a GPS satellite positioning device from the fire bureau before their trip as a precaution.
Huang Nubo: Real Estate Mogul + Poet + Mountaineer
Huang Nubo, Chairman of Zhongkun Investment Group, who bought back the Yuanmingyuan stone pillars, is perhaps best known overseas for his 2011 attempt to purchase land in Iceland to build a golf course (later changed to leasing the land). But Huang’s identity goes far beyond that: he is a renowned mountaineering explorer who completed the 7+2 challenge (climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents and trekking to both the North and South Poles); he is also a poet who has visited Taiwan. ∈ Also known by his pen name Luo Ying, Huang Nubo published the poetry collection The Ninth Night in early 2012 and came to Taiwan to attend the Luo Ying Poetry Symposium and Cross-Strait Poetry Conference. He recited poems accompanied by African drums alongside famous poets such as Zhang Mo, Lo Fu, and Xin Yu, displaying such emotional depth that it was hard to associate him with the image of a shrewd businessman. He is also a mountaineer. Born in Lanzhou and raised in Yinchuan, Ningxia, Huang Nubo, whose business has grown ever larger, says that he feels stressed the moment he returns to big cities and must "escape."
A student from National Chung Hsing University was injured while hiking; rescued by helicopter and brought down the mountain
Ten students from the National Chung Hsing University Mountaineering Club were hiking together in the Taiping Mountain area of Yilan County. Yesterday, as they passed the Cui Feng Mountain Hut en route to near Tongshan, a team member surnamed Zheng accidentally fell and suffered a deep gash on his right lower leg from shattered rocks, leaving him unable to walk. After being stranded in the mountains for a day and a night, the injured student was rescued today by helicopter arranged by the Yilan County Fire Bureau and transported to Luye Christian Hospital for treatment. The incident occurred yesterday morning in the Cui Feng Lake area of Taiping Mountain, which sits nearly 1,900 meters above sea level in Yilan County. After receiving the report, the Yilan County Fire Bureau, in coordination with the Sanchong Police Precinct, dispatched experienced mountain rescue personnel to search for the hikers. The injured student was located around 6 p.m. yesterday, but due to the late hour, the team opted to set up camp in the mountains for the night. This morning, after daybreak, the Yilan County Fire Bureau requested a rescue helicopter to take off from Hualien Airport, successfully evacuating the injured hiker for medical care.