Classic Itineraries
Kaohsiung Yongsheng Travel Agency: 11 Hikers in Nepal
An earthquake struck Nepal, and 11 Taiwanese hikers had entrusted Yongsheng Travel Agency’s Kaohsiung branch to arrange their flights. The agency managed to contact them via Facebook and has confirmed that all 11 are safe. However, due to intermittent mobile phone signals in the area, long conversations were not possible. Kaohsiung Yongsheng Travel Agency manager Chien Ching-pin said that 11 mountain-climbing enthusiasts had asked the agency to book their flights. They departed on April 13 and were scheduled to return on May 3. Eight of them left from Kaohsiung, and three from Taipei. They hired their own guide but only entrusted the agency with purchasing their plane tickets. After the strong earthquake hit Nepal on the 25th, the agency made every effort to get in touch with the travelers, but searches through the Tourism Bureau and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ emergency center yielded no results. The local airport was closed, and there was no mobile phone signal.
April Snow Trail: Hiking and Making Flower Wreaths
In Sanyi’s countryside in April, it’s not hard to chase the falling blooms of tung blossoms like snow, but to truly catch a hint of their delicate fragrance, you’ll need quite a few. The April Snow Trail, located at the northern end of the Old Mountain Line and next to the Woodcarving Museum, is a short hiking path. The lushness of the tall tung trees at the entrance already hints at how fruitful your trip will be. Walking along the forest trail, shaded by greenery, you won’t feel stuffy even on sunny days. For those feeling playful, bring a piece of wire to gather fallen petals and string them into flower wreaths. The round trip takes about an hour. If you’re not in a rush, you can also visit the Woodcarving Museum to enjoy the fragrant baptism of essential oils released from raw wood in the air. ★ Side Trip: Shengxing Station – Once the highest point on the Western Trunk Line railway, Shengxing Station has entered history along with the closure of the Old Mountain Line, but
Location Scan – Guide and 5 Others Acquitted After Hiker Dies from Being Left Behind
Qianjin: A 66-year-old hiker, Yu Jinhé, and six others embarked on a traverse of the southern section of the Central Mountain Range in January two years ago. Yu later died from abdominal pain in the Taoyuan mountain area. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office accused Shen, the trip leader, and five others of failing to provide aid, charging them with negligent homicide. The Kaohsiung District Court found that the defendants could not have foreseen the fatal outcome and acquitted them. The Kaohsiung High Court upheld the first-instance ruling, finalizing the case.
Refused to help in mountain climbing death? No crime as death was unforeseeable
A 66-year-old hiker, Yu Jinhé, died of abdominal pain in the Taoyuan mountain area in January 2013 while on a trekking trip with six others in the southern section of the Central Mountain Range. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office accused Shen, the team leader, and five others of failing to render aid and charged them with negligent homicide. The Kaohsiung District Court ruled that the defendants could not have foreseen the death and acquitted all of them. The Kaohsiung High Court upheld the first-instance verdict, and the case is now finalized.
Hike by day, admire fireflies by night – Meiling in Nansi is a blast
The Nansi Meiling Firefly Season is set to kick off on the 25th and run until May 10. The Nansi District Office urges visitors to ensure nighttime safety by entering the mountains only during the official firefly-viewing hours and following all relevant guidelines to protect the natural habitat of the fireflies.
Cross-Strait Historical Accounts – The Traitorous Path of a Pro-Japanese Literati
Jin Xiongba’s identity as a collaborator may be debated, but his merit in preserving and uncovering historical materials of the Wang Jingwei regime is indisputable. When I first submitted my manuscript to him, out of sheer disinterest, I neither added a title nor decided on a pen name. Unexpectedly, after publication, I discovered he had arbitrarily titled it “The Beginning and End of the Wang Regime”—a most inappropriate heading—and bestowed upon me the pen name “Zhu Zijia.” Truly, I was caught between laughter and tears. But what’s printed in black ink on white paper is set in stone; there was no way to change it. A Life of Rich Experience and Prolific Writing The first standalone volumes were published starting July 19
Rude hikers tie ribbons to claim territory
The Hengchun Traverse is a newly developed, off-the-beaten-path route introduced by eco-tourism guides over the past two years, gaining popularity due to its rich biodiversity. However, once hikers learned about this trail, they invited friends to join them for hikes. Not only did they trample the grass bare, but they also tied ribbons along the way—around 300 to 400 ribbons in just a 7–8 km stretch. Volunteers would remove the ribbons, only for hikers to tie more, which has been incredibly frustrating. The Hengchun Traverse is a north-south route that goes from Chiniuling through Dashanmu Mountain to Dajianshan in Kenting. It was originally a mountain path used by local Hengchun residents, but fell into disuse as road transportation became more convenient, gradually becoming overgrown. Li Dongfang, head of the Oriental Footprints Interpretation Team, rediscovered this trail two years ago and began offering guided tours. Thanks to its pristine ecology, the route quickly gained popularity. Li Dongfang said that to prevent excessive visitor impact on the original environment, they only organize one tour group every one to two months. Because grass and vegetation grow back quickly, the team has to clear the trail before each trip. Later, after several hikers came to experience the trail, they started inviting friends, even chartering tour buses to share their discovery of this hidden gem.
Youduoduo Travel Inn Network Marketing Seminar kicks off in Xiamen on June 25
Organized by Youduoduo Travel Network and co-hosted by Duoduo Hostel, the first Youduoduo Travel Inn Network Marketing Seminar will officially commence at 2:00 PM on June 25, 2013, at Gulangyu Villa Hotel in Xiamen. At that time, Miao Wan’er, CEO of Youduoduo Travel Network, along with seasoned tourism market experts and online marketing professionals, will gather to...
Missing hiker on Qianzhuowan Mountain found — fell to death
The 66-year-old Lin, a hiker who went missing while climbing Qianzhuowan Mountain, was finally found today (the 29th) after 10 days of active search efforts by the Ren'ai Fire Brigade and rescue personnel. Unfortunately, he had fallen off a cliff and died. Rescue workers took turns carrying his body to the road before it was successfully airlifted down the mountain by helicopter. The Ren'ai Fire Brigade and mountain rescue team members, including youth volunteers, mobilized in three rescue phases. Around 9 a.m. today, they discovered the body of the Lin at the foot of a cliff near a fork on Qianzhuowan Mountain. After risking their lives to climb down the cliff and carry the body up to the road, they reported back to the Nantou County Fire Bureau. The emergency operations center then requested a helicopter to hoist the body off the mountain. Due to the impact of the national compensation lawsuit following the Zhang Bowei mountain tragedy, members of the Ren'ai Fire Brigade are under immense pressure during rescue missions, fearing they might once again be blamed for “ineffective rescue efforts.” Today’s discovery of the missing hiker brought a collective sigh of relief.
Book Review – The Lesser-Known Ye Gongchao
Following the publication of The First Literary Genius of the Republican Era: Qian Zhongshu (Times Publishing), biographer Tang Yan is set to release The Two Worlds of Ye Gongchao. Qian Zhongshu, with his prolific writings and numerous commentators, posed the challenge of how to write a biography that stands out; Ye Gongchao, on the other hand, left few written works and limited materials, making the task of uncovering hidden aspects equally demanding. Yet Tang Yan not only draws on deep research but also completes these two remarkable biographies in a distinctive style. This showcases not only his talent and historical writing skill but also his solid academic foundation.
Feng Jun-kai earns points at Tour of Japan cycling race climb
Feng Jun-kai, a professional cyclist riding for the WorldTour team Merida-Bianchi, competed in the Tour of Japan. After the first stage, an individual time trial, he delivered an impressive performance in the second stage in Ibaraki City. He earned 3 climbing points at the first climb of the day and also helped his teammate Pibernik secure third place in the stage according to team tactics, continuing to gain valuable experience racing against top-level competitors. The 18th Tour of Japan, a road cycling race spanning 8 days and 7 stages, travels from the Kansai region to the Kanto region, with the final stage taking place in Tokyo. The total race distance is 642.45 kilometers. The second stage of the Tour of Japan is a hill loop race, covering 9.1 kilometers per lap for a total of 8 laps, making up 130.7 kilometers in all. There are three climb points throughout the 8 laps. Right from the start of the race, Feng stayed at the front of the main peloton and smoothly took second place at the first climb,
Qinghai: The Gesar International Ski Mountaineering Exchange Conference Opens
On May 18, 2015, the Gesar International Ski Mountaineering Exchange Conference in Qinghai officially kicked off. The event attracted nearly 100 ski mountaineering enthusiasts from seven countries, including China, Spain, Canada, South Korea, and Germany, who gathered at the Gesar Snow Mountain to experience the thrill of the sport amidst snow-capped peaks with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters. In addition to ski mountaineering, team members will also learn comprehensive skills such as mountaineering, avalanche rescue, and mountain rescue under the guidance of professional coaches. Gesar Snow Mountain has an average altitude of 4,045 meters, with its highest peak reaching 5,254.5 meters, making it the highest peak in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains. From May to July, the average temperature on the snow mountain is 12 degrees Celsius, earning it the reputation among ski enthusiasts as a “ski mountaineering paradise in the height of summer.”
Elderly hiker lost in mountains found dead
An elderly man, around 80 years old, went hiking in the Quchi Mountain area of Xindian with friends on the 17th but got lost and went missing. His companions went down the mountain to report the incident and seek help. Police and firefighters located the man on the afternoon of the 18th, but he had been dead for some time. The exact cause of death is still pending further examination by the prosecutor's office.
Location Scan – Snow Mountain Hiking Routes Resume Entry Controls
Miaoli: With Typhoon Hongxia moving away from Taiwan, the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters has resumed entry controls for hiking routes within the park, including the Snow Mountain Main-East Peak Route, Wuling Four Beauties Route, Sacred Ridge O-shaped and Y-shaped Routes, Zhijiayang Route, Big and Small Sword Routes, and Daba North Ridge. Visitors and hikers are reminded to pay attention to their personal safety when entering the mountains after the typhoon.
Feature — Why Travel All the Way to Nepal for Mountaineering?
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, with the death toll tragically surpassing 7,000, drawing global mourning. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urgently searched for missing persons after the quake, continuously tallying travelers who were in Nepal at the time — nearly 300 in total, many of whom were part of organized mountaineering tours. Why climb mountains? And why go all the way to Nepal to scale Mount Everest? Mount Everest is a Tibetan term meaning “Goddess Mother of the World,” hence its commonly translated name — Mount Qomolangma, or as it’s more widely known in Taiwan, Mount Everest. It is the tallest peak on Earth, part of the Himalayas, situated on the border between mainland China and Nepal. It’s said that strolling at the foot of Everest and gazing up at the summit allows you to feel life being humbled by the desolation and silence, making you feel small yet clear amidst the purity of the universe. Every step closer to Everest demands an additional measure of effort and emotion. When you experience the confrontation and communication between human and mountain, spirit and nature — when you’re fortunate enough to see her with your own eyes, when your trembling heart feels her presence — then the scenery and the moment become absolutely real.
What attracts high achievers to Mount Everest?
One of the victims of the Nepal earthquake, Dan Fredinburg, was a senior executive at Google. He and his team specialized in taking photos in remote areas for use on Google Maps. During his trip to Nepal to climb Mount Everest, he tragically lost his life in an avalanche triggered by the earthquake. So why do people travel all the way to Nepal to climb mountains? And why are so-called high achievers so drawn to Everest? Lin Chien-fu, President of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research and a professor in the Department of Economics at National Taiwan University, wrote in a column for the China Times’ Forum on May 5. He stated that what brings happiness in mountaineering is not money or power, but the sense of achievement from adventure and the complete dedication involved in the process—akin to the Zen concept of focusing the mind, which allows one to control consciousness and achieve self-actualization. Lin Chien-fu said that being able to control consciousness and achieve self-actualization is
A hiker in Sichuan was injured in a fall during an unauthorized climb; 18 rescuers rushed to the scene
The management bureau of Mount Siguniang Scenic Area in Sichuan said on the 3rd that a Wang, a hiker from Chongqing University, slipped and was injured while descending from Yinggezui in Haizi Valley within the scenic area. Rescuers successfully saved the hiker after a 10-hour relay rescue operation. China News Service reported that at 11:42 a.m. on May 2, the management bureau of Mount Siguniang Scenic Area received a phone report stating that a Wang surnamed hiker from Hunan had slipped and been injured while descending from Yinggezui in Haizi Valley, and was in critical condition. After receiving the report, the scenic area management activated its emergency response plan and assembled a rescue team to carry out the rescue mission. Learning that the injured hiker was in serious condition, above the snow line, at a remote location, with rapidly changing weather and a lengthy rescue process, the Mount Siguniang Management Bureau dispatched three batches of rescuers totaling 18 people at 12:35, 13:15, and 15:30
Kinmen schoolkids dress as little triathletes, hike to receive graduation certificates
Shu-Mei Elementary School in Kinmen had only two graduates this year, but their grand graduation ceremony was rare even across Taiwan. In the morning, they were farewelled by all teachers and students, then completed an Iron Kids triathlon course spanning approximately 8 kilometers. They hiked up Taiwan’s highest peak on the island, Mount Taiwu, and received their diplomas at the main peak’s Xiaozhu Fort, from where their alma mater is visible. Cheerfully, they shouted: “Shu-Mei Elementary School, we’ve graduated!” Located in Jinsha Township on the eastern peninsula of Kinmen, Shu-Mei Elementary School has 22 faculty members, 54 elementary students, and 30 kindergarten kids. It’s a small rural school, but boasts a beautiful campus environment, especially notable for its approximately 100-meter-long sweetgum tree avenue. This year, the elementary school had just two graduates: Yang Haolong and Zhang Weishi. Yet the school still planned an Iron Kids triathlon challenge for them, carefully crafting the most distinctive and memorable graduation ceremony they’ll ever have.
Location Scan – Slipped While Hiking, Young Man Suffers Fractured Toe
Pingtung: A 23-year-old man surnamed Lin went hiking at Liangshan Waterfall on the afternoon of the 20th. Unfortunately, he slipped and fell near the second waterfall, resulting in an open fracture of his left little toe. Police, volunteers, and firefighters responded to the report, sending six personnel who carried the patient down the mountain using a relay method before rushing him to the hospital for emergency treatment. Fortunately, he is in stable condition.
Location Scan – Elderly Hiker Lost in Mountains Rescued with Help from Fellow Hikers
Taoyuan: A 73-year-old male hiker surnamed Lin went missing during a mountain hike on the 14th and was lost for two days, prompting rescue personnel to launch a land and air search operation. He was eventually found in the Chaken Mountain area of New Taipei City by two foreign members of the outdoor running group “Wild Runners” (跑山兽), who guided the rescuers to his location, allowing Mr. Lin to be safely rescued. Lin Guozhen, captain of the Balin Fire Station in Taoyuan City, said that Mr. Lin did not encounter any mysterious beings such as “mountain spirits” or “the girl in red,” but likely lost his way due to misreading trail signs. Since he survived by drinking stream water in the mountains and the nighttime summer temperatures in the highlands still reached around 16 degrees Celsius, he did not suffer from hypothermia and was ultimately rescued unharmed.