Classic Itineraries
Redemption achieved！ Jiang Shengshan wins downhill mountain biking gold at the Asian Championships
The Chinese Taipei team competing in the Mountain Bike Asian Cup in Malaysia, having already secured a bronze medal in the team relay race yesterday, has struck gold again today. "A-Dan" Jiang Shengshan redeemed himself from last year’s disappointment of finishing eighth in the downhill event, beating a Japanese rider by just 0.29 seconds to claim a gold medal for Chinese Taipei. He also became the first Taiwanese rider to win gold in this discipline. Jiang was part of the team relay squad yesterday and today took on the downhill challenge. He had held back during the seeding run the day before, and started the finals in fifth position. But by making the most of his practice runs, repeatedly riding the course and mastering every key jump and acceleration, he managed to clinch the gold by a narrow margin. Chinese Taipei head coach Kuo Wen-chin emphasized that Jiang is extremely disciplined. Making the most of the two-day practice window, he ran extra laps—two to three more each time—to better familiarize himself with the course.
Asian Mountain Bike Championships: Chinese Taipei Team Wins Bronze
Led by coach Kuo Wen-chin of the Nan Pao Resin cycling team, the Chinese Taipei mountain bike squad competed in the Asian Mountain Bike Championships held in Malaysia. On the first day of competition, the team achieved an early victory in the inaugural team relay event. The relay team, composed of Lee Chi-cheng, Tsai Ya-yu, Huang Ho-hsün, and Chiang Sheng-shan, crossed the finish line just behind Thailand and Japan, securing a bronze medal for Chinese Taipei. The team relay event was introduced last year, featuring one rider each from the junior men’s, junior women’s, women’s elite, and men’s elite categories. Each rider completes a 4.5-kilometer segment. Chinese Taipei finished fourth in the event last year, but after addressing weaknesses, the team successfully reached the podium this year. The last time the Chinese Taipei team won a medal at the Asian Mountain Bike Championships was in 2013 in Lebanon, when Chiang Sheng-shan claimed bronze in the junior men’s category. This year, Chiang Sheng-shan once again contributed to the bronze-winning team.
Area Scan – Snow Mountain Hiking Trails Still Temporarily Closed
Miaoli: Due to the impact of Typhoon Soudelor, some hiking routes on the Snow Main East Peak Trail are obstructed by fallen trees, and the Qika Mountain Hut has also sustained partial damage. The Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters will conduct inspections and repairs on the park’s trails and hiking routes. Currently, entry activities to the ecological protection area remain temporarily suspended.
Defying the typhoon to hike is extremely dangerous—Taichung City plans strict legislation to punish offenders
During Typhoon Soudelor, when the entire city was on high alert, a family of three from Changhua—surnamed Xia—chose to risk climbing Nanhuda Mountain. They got trapped by rapidly rising river water and had to call for rescue. The city government mobilized nearly 20 police and firefighters from various districts and even deployed an excavator to successfully bring the trio down the mountain. Today (10th), Mayor Lin Chia-lung criticized the incident as a "negative example." While the Disaster Prevention and Rescue Act makes it difficult to impose penalties, Taichung City is considering drafting its own autonomous ordinance to ban hiking during typhoons, with stricter punishments for those who insist on climbing in such dangerous conditions. The goal is to prevent rescuers from being put in harm’s way while saving others.
Typhoon Soudelor hits Taiwan; hikers stranded on Nanhuda Mountain await rescue
Typhoon Soudelor struck last night, but reports emerged of hikers trapped on Nanhuda Mountain. A 51-year-old man surnamed Hsia, his 48-year-old wife, and their 11-year-old daughter from Changhua City had gone hiking on Nanhuda Mountain in Taichung’s Heping Mountain Area five days ago. They had planned to descend on the 8th, but due to the typhoon, they decided to come down a day early. However, just one kilometer from the trailhead, they were trapped by a sudden mudflow with no way forward or back, and called 119 for help. Taipei City Fire Department’s Second Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade Deputy Chief Liu Shiyong stated that after receiving the report on the evening of the 7th, rescue personnel were immediately dispatched. However, Provincial Highway 7A was completely closed due to heavy rain, and the creek upstream from the trailhead at Shengxi was swelling rapidly, preventing rescuers from advancing. They had to temporarily retreat to the Shengguang Police Station of the Heping Precinct and Wuling Farm. At 5 a.m. on the 8th, police and firefighters split into two teams—one heading from Wuling Farm toward Siyuan Pass, but found the entrance blocked by a fallen utility pole and impassable; the other team advanced from Zhangliang Bridge, clearing fallen trees along the way.
Mountain climbing and stream tracing – Empowering youths to surpass themselves
Children lacking care from their biological families often have almost blank childhoods and tend to be withdrawn in interpersonal relationships. Over the summer vacation, the Kaohsiung ECKM Association led a group of youths—placed in orphanages or foster homes at a young age—on a challenge camp. They tackled stream tracing, scaled high mountains to surpass themselves, and even went up to the hills to experience farming and learn how to grow fruit, all in hopes of uncovering their potential, helping them recognize their self-worth, and building greater confidence. The 15-day challenge camp not only included training in independent living, stream tracing, pear planting up in the mountains, high mountain climbing, and rock climbing challenges, but also concluded with a “life path” walk where the teens engaged in self-reflection, built self-confidence, and stepped toward their next milestone. A 14-year-old named Ah Wen lost both parents at a young age and, being homeless, has always lived in an orphanage. He has never felt a sense of home, tends to be withdrawn, fears social interaction, and lacks confidence. He shared that it was his first time attempting to climb a high peak, and when he reached the summit and looked down from above, he realized just how vast the world really is—gradually opening up his heart.
Location Scan – 68-Year-Old Hiker Injures Ankle, Rescued After 3 Days Trapped
New Taipei: A 68-year-old man surnamed Liu went hiking alone in the Xindian mountain area on the morning of the 25th but lost contact. His family reported him missing to the police, and the New Taipei City Fire Department’s Fourth Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade formed a special search and rescue team. After three days of continuous searching, Liu was spotted around 9 p.m. on the 28th. Liu said he had accidentally slipped and twisted his ankle, which left him unable to descend the mountain, and expressed deep gratitude for the help from police and firefighters.
Man trapped for 3 days after twisting ankle while hiking; police and firefighters launch mountain rescue
A 68-year-old man surnamed Liu went hiking alone in the Xindian mountain area on the morning of the 25th but lost contact. His family, worried, reported the case to the police. The Fourth Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade of New Taipei City Fire Department formed a special search and rescue team. After three days of continuous searching, they found Liu around 9 p.m. on the 28th. Liu said he had accidentally slipped and twisted his ankle, making it impossible for him to walk down the mountain on his own, and expressed gratitude for the help from the police and firefighters. Liu had gone hiking alone in Xindian District on the 25th and had been out of contact since the afternoon of the 26th. His family reported the case to the Wufenpu Police Station in Taipei City. They noticed that Liu’s internet browsing history was all related to the Shuangkeng Mountain area in Xindian District, so they then reported the case to the Xindian Police Precinct. The Fourth Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade formed a special search and rescue team. On the 26th, five team members were sent up the mountain for the search but returned without success. On the 27th, 17 additional firefighters and seven civilian rescuers were deployed,
Mount Fuji to Control Hiker Numbers to Protect Environment
Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs held a Cultural Council meeting on the 28th, introducing a plan to roughly control the number of hikers on Mount Fuji — a World Heritage Site — from around 2017 to 2018 in order to protect the environment, as well as a plan to conduct research and studies on the history of Mount Fuji as an object of mountain worship. According to Kyodo News, the above plans will be included in the Mount Fuji conservation status report currently being prepared by Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, which is scheduled to be submitted to UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) by the end of February 2016. Due to concerns that increased tourism may lead to environmental degradation on Mount Fuji, UNESCO has urged Japan to take measures. The report will propose that starting in 2015, it will take about three years to study and set carrying capacities mainly for hiking trails above the Fifth Station (i.e., the mountain’s midpoint), and to implement related measures.
Protecting the Environment: Mount Fuji to Limit Number of Hikers
(Updated 20:14 with text) Kyodo News reported that due to concerns that increased tourist numbers could lead to environmental degradation on Japan’s Mount Fuji, UNESCO has urged Japan to take protective measures. In response, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs held a Cultural Council meeting yesterday and introduced a plan to limit the number of hikers on Mount Fuji from 2017 to 2018 in order to protect the environment. In the future, people who wish to climb Mount Fuji will be subject to visitor controls. Kyodo News also reported today that Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs held a Cultural Council meeting yesterday and outlined plans for the World Heritage Site Mount Fuji to begin limiting the number of hikers from around 2017 to 2018 to protect the environment, as well as to conduct research and studies on the history of Mount Fuji as an object of mountain worship. The above plans will be included in a report on the protection status of Mount Fuji currently being prepared by Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, which will be submitted to UNESCO by the end of February 2016.
Torrential rain swells streams; anglers and hikers rescued
Torrential rains hit the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli area in the afternoon of the 19th. Thirty-nine hikers from Taipei City were returning from a climb up Nanche Tian Mountain in Fuxing, Taoyuan, when they became trapped due to the sudden rise of the Yu’nei Stream. Police and firefighters set up ropes to help them cross the river to safety. In Sanwan, Miaoli, a couple was trapped on the riverbed of the Zhonggang Stream, but both incidents ended without casualties thanks to timely rescue efforts by firefighters. The Shimen Reservoir in Taoyuan also began its first water release for regulation purposes this year at 11 p.m. last night. Wang Guoliang, deputy director of the North Region Water Resources Bureau, said that after the heavy afternoon rains, the reservoir’s inflow surged, reaching a water level of 243.53 meters by 7 p.m. Therefore, starting at 11 p.m., a regulated water release of 200 cubic meters per second was initiated, aiming to bring the water level down below 243 meters. Qiu Yongshang, deputy head of the Fourth Division of the Taoyuan City Fire Department, said that the 39 hikers were descending Nanche Tian Mountain yesterday afternoon when they encountered a sudden downpour.
Flash flood strands 39 hikers on Nanche Tian Mountain in southern Taiwan; all rescued
(Updated 19:39, 39 hikers rescued) Around 3:30 p.m., 39 hikers from New Taipei City were climbing Nanche Tian Mountain on the North Cross-Island Highway in Fuxing District, Taoyuan City, when they were suddenly caught in heavy rain. The Yu'nei Creek in the area swelled rapidly due to the downpour, stranding the hikers on the mountain trail and preventing them from continuing. The Taoyuan City Fire Department received a distress call and is currently guiding the hikers down the mountain. All 39 are out of immediate danger. After the Taoyuan City Fire Department set up ropes to help the hikers cross the swollen creek, all 39 have now been successfully evacuated.
Lost Hiking Scenery, Wang Chuan Yi Dubbed as Goo Ji Ming
The CTi Variety idol drama "The Day I Lost You," based on the true story of a person with spinocerebellar ataxia, held its premiere in Taipei on the 16th. Director Zero Chou led the main cast including Wang Chuan-yi, Li Qian-na, Chen Yi, Mo Yun-wen, Liu Rui-qi, Gu Bin, Lu Jia-xin, and Lin Wei-li to attend, sharing anecdotes about their hike up to Lake Kajin at an altitude of 3,310 meters and filming in the mountain tribe of Smangus in Hsinchu. They also emphasized that the drama’s message is to face life with optimism and bravely pursue dreams. The drama will premiere at 10 p.m. on the 19th, while China Television’s comprehensive channel will air it at 11 p.m. on the 25th. A 15-minute trailer was also unveiled at the premiere. Wang Chuan-yi plays Meng Ze-ming, a patient with spinocerebellar ataxia. In the drama, he shares warm, touching, and supportive family bonds with his mother who is a school principal (Liu Rui-qi) and his younger brother Meng Ze-qing (Chen Yi), as well as complicated emotions with his girlfriend He Xuan (Li Qian-na) and best friend Han Yi (Mo Yun-wen).
The King of Mountain Biking Challenge Experience Kicks Off on the 25th
Organized by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the 2015 Taiwan Cycling Festival features a series of events, with the 2015 Taiwan King of Mountain Biking Challenge Experience taking place this Saturday, the 25th (of the month). Riders aged 16 and above who are interested are welcome to sign up (limited to 300 participants). The King of Mountain Biking Challenge route is distinguished by its 105-kilometer climb from sea level (0 meters) to an altitude of 3,275 meters, and has been recognized by France’s Le Cycle as a classic event on par with those in the European Alps. The official King of Mountain Biking Challenge will commence on Friday, October 30th, attracting top cyclists from around the world. Registration is now open and will close once capacity is reached, with the final registration deadline on September 30th. Total participation is limited to 600 riders, including 300 domestic and 300 international participants. For details, please visit the official event website (http://www.taiwankom.org/events-1.asp?pno=3) and Facebook fan page (https://fb.me/taiwankom).
Controversy over NTU students' mountain-climbing fundraiser; Academia Sinica academician: Much ado about nothing
Recently, a team learning and outdoor leadership course at National Taiwan University (NTU) raised funds externally for a mountain-climbing trip, sparking skepticism. However, Shing-Tung Yau, a Harvard University chair professor and Academician of Academia Sinica, frankly stated that he found it very strange and surprising, and did not understand why the public in Taiwan was making such a fuss. Shing-Tung Yau, the namesake of the Yau Mathematics Awards, attended the award ceremony today. He voluntarily brought up the recent controversy over NTU students raising funds for mountain climbing. He said that mountain climbing can train students in group interaction, and he does not believe it is simply about having fun, but rather a process of growth and learning. Shing-Tung Yau pointed out that NTU only raised 500,000 New Taiwan dollars, and if Harvard students were to raise 50 million, no one would object. Letting Harvard students travel to South America, go diving, or go boating would all be fine — it’s very common for students to fundraise externally.
Trash Littering Beside Hiking Trail in Central District; Environmental Bureau to Step Up Enforcement
The Great Wall Hiking Trail in Dajia District is a popular weekend hiking spot, but a nearby vacant lot has been piled with waste. The Environmental Protection Bureau stated that the land belongs to Taiwan Water Corporation, which plans to build an elevated water reservoir there. The city government has already notified the company to remove the waste and will send a letter requiring them to take responsibility for land maintenance and follow up on the issue. A vacant lot beside the Great Wall Hiking Trail on Dajia Mountain has been illegally dumped with garbage. The Environmental Protection Bureau said the land is owned by Taiwan Water Corporation, which intends to construct an elevated water reservoir for the Dajia and Longjing highland area supervision offices here. However, the site is currently covered in waste. In response, the city government has first informed the Taichung Water Supply Office in Shalu to dispatch personnel for cleanup. At the same time, a letter will be sent to the water company urging it to take responsibility for land upkeep.
Police Officer Missing During Mountain Climb; Kaohsiung Police Chief: Rescue Is Urgent
After senior police officer Ko Yu-kun went missing while climbing Yünfeng, one of Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks, search and rescue teams from Taitung and Kaohsiung split up to advance into the mountainous area. Today, rescuers reached the Lakuyin Creek Mountain Hut and discovered equipment left behind by Ko Yu-kun, including a sleeping bag and cooking gear, but his whereabouts remain unknown. Kaohsiung City Police Commissioner Chen Chia-chin expressed deep concern, stressing that the rescue operation is urgent and praying for Ko’s safe return. Search personnel from the Taitung Fire Bureau had originally planned to take a helicopter to Jiayi Lake for the rescue mission yesterday, but due to poor weather, they returned on the same flight. The first group of four rescuers switched to a ground approach. With improved weather today, the second batch of four rescuers flew into the mountains, landing at Jiayi Lake Helipad and were the first to arrive at the Lakuyin Creek Mountain Hut. Rescuers at the hut found equipment left by Ko Yu-kun, including a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, cooking utensils, changes of clothes, and food supplies.
Cecilia Cheung’s Mountain Hike Turns Awkward as She Crashes Celebrity Couple’s PDA Moment
Actress Cecilia Cheung had been busy filming in the UK and promoting her movie *Run for Love*. After wrapping up work, the Hong Kong-based star, who recently shared photos of herself receiving acupuncture treatments, posted mountain hiking photos yesterday (the 16th). In the images, she is seen holding trekking poles with a playful expression — but the highlight is in the background: none other than “Big Brother Hung Nam” (a nickname for) Ekin Cheng and his wife Maggie Cheung. Cecilia Cheung, who starred in the *Young and Dangerous* film series, shares a close friendship with Ekin Cheng. The rare hiking outing between the two took an amusing turn when Cecilia seemed to become the proverbial “third wheel,” accompanying the couple on their adventure. Fans couldn’t help but envy this classic reunion and jokingly urged Cecilia to invite Stephen Fung next time.
Expert Fax — The Zero-Energy Vision for Pyi Yun Lodge
Recently, to address concerns raised by hikers about insufficient power supply at Pyi Yun Lodge, located at an altitude of 3,402 meters, Yushan National Park commissioned architects and electrical engineers to conduct a feasibility assessment and improvement plan for increasing power supply. The architects proposed various methods to enhance power supply, including the installation of grid electricity by Taipower, solar power, wind power, and even run-of-the-river hydroelectric power. Information sessions were held in northern, central, and southern Taiwan, drawing widespread attention and discussion from all sectors of society and hiking enthusiasts. There is no hiker who has scaled Yushan who doesn’t know that the mountain trail from Tatachia to the Yushan Main Peak to Pyi Yun Lodge spans approximately 8.5 kilometers, featuring 83 wooden boardwalks, rocky paths, and earthen trails. The stretch from the ridgeline of Yushan’s Front Peak and West Peak to Pyi Yun Lodge is about 7.0 kilometers, mostly comprised of rugged rock faces, bamboo thickets, and fir forests, among other broken terrains.
One-legged, one-armed man rides a bicycle up a mountain — the reason behind it is truly touching…
The man in the video has only one hand and one leg, yet he is actually riding a bicycle — and not at a slower pace than most people. It turns out he is participating in a high-altitude cycling race across the Alps. This race spans approximately 2,500 kilometers in total and is known as the most challenging amateur cycling event in the world, making his perseverance and courage to challenge himself truly admirable. He is 54-year-old Frenchman Christian. At the age of 15, he lost his left leg and left arm in a car accident. However, because his wife loves cycling and encouraged him to get out more, she also spent a lot of time teaching him how to ride this specially designed bicycle. He was deeply moved by his wife’s care and encouragement, so he made up his mind to complete the race. In the end, he spent three weeks finishing the race.