Classic Itineraries
60-year-old female hiker falls into valley in Qilai Mountain, rescue underway
The Hualien County Fire Bureau received a report at 2 p.m. on the 27th that a 60-year-old female hiker surnamed Peng had fallen into a valley near the main peak of Qilai Mountain and gone missing. A five-person rescue team has been dispatched to enter the mountain for emergency rescue. The first division chief of the Hualien County Fire Bureau, Li Longsheng, said that the three-person hiking team from Taipei City entered the mountain from Songxue Building in Hehuan Mountain on the 26th. They planned to climb the Qilai Mountain range and then return the same way. However, at around 2 p.m. on the 27th, while traveling from the main peak of Qilai toward Kaluolou Mountain, Ms. Peng is suspected to have slipped and fallen into a valley due to slippery terrain. Due to visibility in the mountain area being only 100 meters, her teammates could not see her and got no response despite calling out to her. Li Longsheng said that due to fog in the mountains, helicopter rescue was not possible. A five-person team has currently been sent into the mountain, hoping to reach the Qilai Mountain hut by evening to meet up with other hikers, and then proceed to the accident site for search and rescue the following morning.
Mountain accident: Female hiker surnamed Peng falls off cliff in Qilai Mountains
An accident occurred today (27th) in the Qilai Mountain area. A 44-year-old female hiker surnamed Peng accidentally fell into a valley while passing near a cliff close to Qilai Main Peak, and her injuries are currently unknown. Hualien County Fire Bureau stated that at 1:50 PM, they received a report forwarded from Nantou County Fire Bureau, indicating that a hiking team of two women and one man entered the mountains on the 26th from the Songxue Building trailhead of Hehuan Mountain. They had originally planned to descend on March 3rd via the Yuewangting trailhead on the Central Cross-Island Highway. Unexpectedly, when passing near Qilai Main Peak, hiker Peng fell into a ravine, and her condition is unknown. After assembling, rescue personnel will head to the site for rescue operations, and the National Search and Rescue Center has also been notified to deploy an air rescue helicopter depending on weather conditions.
Lee Shu-teh: Like Brothers Climbing a Mountain
Lee Shu-teh, chairman of the Financial Services Roundtable, pointed out yesterday that cross-strait financial and industrial cooperation and exchanges are “like brothers climbing a mountain — each striving on their own, yet supporting one another.” He also noted that Taiwan has ten major financial sectors, including banking, securities, insurance, as well as futures and investment trusts. By using finance to support industry and in turn invigorating finance through industry, a win-win situation can be achieved. Lee further stated that the development of industries on both sides of the strait requires a wide range of financial services. How the two sides seize opportunities and create competitive advantages is very important. Lee believes that only through cooperation can both sides unlock more new business opportunities. Regarding cross-strait cooperation in the securities and insurance sectors, Lee pointed out that securities serve as the window of the economy, with both trading volumes and outstanding amounts driving economic development. Cooperation between the two sides will generate more business opportunities. As for insurance, Lee also said that the insurance industry is not only involved in investment and wealth management in the market, but also possesses deeper core values and plays a role in social stability. The financial power it exerts has an impact on society, individuals, and the nation. He welcomes greater openness in the cross-strait insurance industry in the future, which would bring greater benefits to both sides.
Enforcing mountaineering regulations: Safety team stationed at Mount Everest
Dipendra Poudel, an official from Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, stated that a nine-member safety team will be stationed at the Everest base camp when the climbing season begins this April. The team includes one soldier, one police officer, and one military police officer each. This team will be responsible for providing emergency assistance to climbers, maintaining cleanliness in the mountain area, and strictly enforcing mountaineering regulations. Last April, a conflict broke out between three European climbers and local ethnic Sherpa people at an altitude of 7,470 meters on Mount Everest, raising concerns about the personal safety of climbers and climbing security.
Don’t panic or wander aimlessly if you get lost while hiking. Identify your direction, leave markers, and wait for rescue.
Recently, nine students got stranded in the Pingxi mountain area while hiking. Fortunately, thanks to a weak mobile phone signal and active rescue efforts by police and firefighters, they were successfully rescued without any injuries or fatalities. However, local police reminded hikers not to underestimate trails just because they appear simple. Essential gear should never be overlooked, and if lost, it’s important to stay calm, determine direction, seek help, and conserve resources. Change your phone to turn on for only five minutes every full hour to save battery, and ration food, water, and phone power. Never act rashly or panic, as this can make it harder for rescuers to find you. Nine vocational school students from New Taipei City recently went hiking in Pingxi but got lost in the mountains. They used a weak mobile signal to call for help, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation by Pingxi police and firefighters. After four hours, all nine were found safe and sound. The students later recalled the incident with lingering fear. As Ruifang District has many hiking routes, Wang Shunyi, head of the Ruifang Precinct, stated that although these trails are not highly challenging, essential safety precautions remain necessary.
China's first detective mystery travel microfilm — "Detective Rugao" — Premieres
On May 19, 2013, China's first detective mystery travel microfilm "Detective Rugao" officially commenced filming in Rugao, Jiangsu Province, known as the "Land of Longevity," jointly produced by the People's Government of Rugao City and Shanghai Tianlai Communication Agency. Speech by Ms. Yu from Tianlai at the premiere. The premiere featured interactive exploration, mystery unveiling, film reviews, and more...
The 2nd Rugao Tourism and Culture Festival: "Beautiful Jiangsu, Longevity Rugao" Officially Opens
On May 19, Rugao — the World’s Longevity Township — held the launch ceremony of the 2nd "Beautiful Jiangsu, Longevity Rugao" Tourism and Culture Festival and the premiere of the tourism microfilm *Detective Rugao* at the Shuihui Garden Scenic Area. Representatives from major travel agencies in Shanghai, Nanjing, and other cities, along with tourists and local tourism industry stakeholders, ...
The Caofeidian Coastal Wetland Outdoor Sports Festival opens on June 10
In recent years, with the influx of amateur mountaineers, ordinary people only need to pay $50,000 to attempt climbing Mount Everest under the arrangement of a travel agency. Once considered an endeavor for only the bravest few, scaling the world’s highest peak...
Pathfinder Extreme Spirit Journey – The Exciting Qualifiers Kick Off
Recently, the mountain outdoor base in Ninghai, Zhejiang—the birthplace of outdoor sports in China—was bustling with energy. "Have the Courage to Live—2013 Pathfinder Extreme Spirit Places: Baima Snow Mountain Station Qualifying Round" was staged with great intensity here. Sixteen outdoor enthusiasts, who had gone through layers of challenges and tests, made their final push toward the Extreme Spirit Journey...
The first Wanda Changbai Mountain International Trail Running Challenge is about to kick off
The first Wanda Changbai Mountain International Trail Running Challenge will grandly commence on June 29, 2013, at the Wanda Changbai Mountain International Resort. This event is organized by the Wanda Changbai Mountain International Resort Management Company, and the race includes two categories: 50 kilometers and 30 kilometers. The entire trail run will take place within the resort, making this competition...
New York to Launch Bike-Sharing Program on the 27th
At a parking lot in Manhattan, New York City, 32-year-old engineer Adriana Attari pedaled a bicycle, mustered her courage, lifted her feet off the ground, and wobbled forward. Learning to ride a bike wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision for her — she was preparing for an upcoming bike-sharing initiative in New York...
The $310,000 Everest ticket fails to dampen climbers' enthusiasm
In recent years, as amateur mountaineers have flocked in, ordinary people only need to pay $50,000 to attempt Everest under the arrangement of a "tour company." As the world’s highest mountain, climbing Mount Everest was once considered an act of bravery by only a select few. But in recent years, with the influx of amateur mountaineers...
The “First Wanda Changbai Mountain International Trail Running Challenge” is about to kick off
The “First Wanda Changbai Mountain International Trail Running Challenge” will grandly commence on June 29, 2013, at the Wanda Changbai Mountain International Resort. This event is organized by the Wanda Changbai Mountain International Resort Management Company, and the race categories include 50 kilometers and 30 kilometers. The entire trail run will take place within the resort, making this the first large-scale international trail running event held in a mountain resort in China. Numerous renowned domestic and international athletes, along with over 300 trail runners from across the country, will gather here, sure to ignite a passionate wave of competitive trail running.
"On the road" friendships are forged through cycling — cycling is a way of life
Cycling fosters a positive and uplifting attitude toward life. "When you set off, you sing the ballads of borderlands; in your youth, you fear not the long journey over mountains and rivers." Cyclists love using this line as their tagline. Some say China is a country that only produces tourists but doesn’t know how to truly enjoy travel — this is not true, at least not for the cycling community...
American mountaineering expert challenges the world’s second-highest peak — fatality rate as high as 7:1
Jon Otto, this American mountaineering expert, has become a legend in China’s amateur mountaineering scene. Yesterday, the legendary son-in-law of Sichuan revealed in an exclusive interview: “I plan to tackle the most difficult mountain to climb in the world—the K2 (commonly known as K2 in professional circles), located on the border between China and Pakistan and the second highest peak in the world...”
Say No to Drugs and Corruption – Head Outdoors for a Treasure Hunt in Yilan
The five-in-one local government elections will be held on November 29, with candidates gearing up for campaign activities. To promote clean elections, the Yilan District Prosecutors Office has not only set up an anti-bribery investigation team to actively collect and investigate information on vote-buying, but has also partnered with the Yilan County Government and the Luodong Junior Chamber of Commerce to jointly organize the “329 Happy Yilan. Youth Against Drugs and Bribery – ‘Like’ It!” event at Yilan’s Renshan Botanical Garden on Saturday, the 29th. Idol singer Pan Yingzhu has been invited as the ambassador for the event. The day will feature energetic performances, a mountain treasure hunt, and a fun fair. The goal is to instill the values of anti-bribery through outdoor, educational, and entertaining activities. The Chief Prosecutor of the Yilan District Prosecutors Office, Lü Wenzhong, stated that only clean elections and selecting capable leaders can benefit the nation and its people. The Yilan District Prosecutors Office is rigorously investigating bribery cases, reminding the public not to break the law. If anyone has information about vote-buying or selling, they are encouraged to call the toll-free anti-bribery hotline 0800-024-099 (0800-24 hours-forever service) to report it. In addition to contributing to cleaner elections, informants may also receive substantial rewards.
Zhang Rongrong gives a mountain bike; Lin Yifang receives health supplements
The Formosa TV variety show "Three Stars Report?" was filming today, featuring veteran actor Lin Yifang and Taiwanese pop singer Zhang Rongrong discussing their close friendship. Loyal and generous, Lin Yifang has treated Zhang Rongrong like a younger sister since their days in the variety show circuit, always recommending her for acting roles and thus fostering over a decade of strong camaraderie. Zhang Rongrong also said: “Lin Yifang’s home is always lively with friends dropping by — it feels like one big family!” Today during the taping, Zhang Rongrong presented Lin Yifang with a mountain bike worth NT$40,000. She said she knows how hard Lin works on prime-time dramas and hopes he can use the bike to stay active and take care of his health during breaks. Lin Yifang immediately took the bike for a spin inside the studio. In return, Lin gave Zhang Rongrong some chicken essence from her family’s hometown. Their brother-sister-like bond was evident as both spontaneously chose gifts meant to help the other stay healthy.
New property insurance product FSC approves insurers to offer mountaineering insurance
The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) today approved the mountaineering comprehensive insurance products submitted by Fubon Insurance and Shin Kong Toyota Marine Insurance, providing mountaineering enthusiasts in the country with more comprehensive insurance coverage in the future. This approved mountaineering comprehensive insurance product is a type of personal insurance, but it is underwritten with a minimum of five people per policy. Its main coverage includes insurance for mountaineering accidents as well as emergency medical evacuation expenses, such as accidental injuries during mountaineering activities or specific incidents stipulated in the contract, such as heatstroke and altitude sickness. The FSC emphasized that this type of product is a new offering developed by insurers for mountaineering enthusiasts, and the industry currently has no relevant underwriting experience. Initially, it will only cover domestic mountaineering areas and will be underwritten through a co-insurance arrangement.
A new mountaineering insurance product is set to launch, premiering in Taiwan
To provide better insurance protection for Taiwanese who enjoy mountaineering, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) announced today that it has approved comprehensive mountaineering insurance products submitted by Fubon Insurance and Shin An Tokyo Marine Insurance. The FSC stated that mountaineering insurance is a type of personal insurance product but is issued under a group policy requiring at least five insured individuals. The main coverage includes insurance for mountaineering accidents and emergency medical evacuation expenses. The mountaineering accident insurance primarily covers accidental injuries or specific incidents stipulated in the policy that occur during mountaineering activities, such as heatstroke or altitude sickness. As for the emergency medical evacuation insurance, it mainly provides coverage for medical transport costs and body repatriation expenses resulting from mountaineering accidents.
Donnie Yen goes hiking with Chow Yun-fat as his companion
At 52, Donnie Yen not only maintains his fit physique through regular workouts but also takes hiking as a leisure activity. Recently, he posted several photos on Weibo showing him hiking along Hong Kong's Yu Tsuen Ancient Trail, with Chow Yun-fat joining him. In the post, he mentioned completing the 15-kilometer trail in five hours, proving that the combined near-century-old vigor of these two men is no less than that of young people.