Classic Itineraries
Teenage boy dresses as girl, forges personal info to illegally lead hiking trips
A 17-year-old surnamed Zhang in New Taipei City dressed as a girl and formed hiking groups online using forged personal information. His long-haired look also earned him a reputation in the hiking community. Over the past two years, he led groups to climb numerous peaks, including Yushan, Snow Mountain, and Taroko’s high mountains. However, police discovered that not only was Zhang cross-dressing, but he also allegedly declared one hiking route (Route A) while leading groups on another (Route B), potentially putting hikers in dangerous situations. After questioning, he was charged with forgery and making false statements to public officials. Zhang was also involved in April this year in a case where Bai Lin, a leader of the Vocaloid King group, lured a girl surnamed Kong to climb Qilai Mountain. His unique behavior caught the attention of the Fifth Brigade of the Seventh Protection Corps. This time, in cooperation with the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters, they found he was again leading a group up Snow Mountain. On the evening of the 10th, he was arrested 1.2 kilometers along the Snow Mountain Main and East Peak trails, marking the first case in Taiwan of a male dressing as a female and forging personal information to hike.
Elderly Hiking Craze Leads to Record High in Japan’s Mountain Accidents for 4th Year
Japan’s National Police Agency released statistics on the 10th, showing that a total of 647 mountain accidents occurred between July and August this year, an increase of 64 from the same period last year, marking the highest number for four consecutive years. The number of people in distress rose by 83 to 782, surpassing last year’s figure and setting a new record since data collection began in 1968. Deaths and missing persons increased by 13 to 65. According to a report by Kyodo News, the surge in hiking popularity among middle-aged and elderly individuals is the main reason. A spokesperson from the National Police Agency warned: “We hope people do not overestimate their physical strength and plan their hikes reasonably.” By prefecture, Nagano had the most accidents, with 108 incidents, followed by Toyama with 69 and Shizuoka with 62. In terms of age groups among those in distress, people aged 40 and above accounted for 72.1% of the total,
Wang Dalu & Li Yuxi: My Mountaineering Era
In recent years, mountaineering has become a major trend, and there are plenty of functional mountaineering clothing and gear options to choose from. These pieces not only provide warmth and protection in high altitudes but also block wind, rain, and offer breathability in urban environments. However, when it comes to pulling off stylish mountaineering-inspired outfits, many people still hesitate, fearing they might end up with an awkward look. We invited Wang Dalu and Li Yuxi—new-generation heartthrobs made famous by *My Youth*—to don a variety of vibrant mountaineering gear and mix it with luxury fashion for a surprising crossover. Together, they showcase an urban outdoor vibe that proves mountain-style guys can be super fashionable.
Teenage Boy Dresses as Girl to Lead Mountain Hikes; Police Urge Self-Discipline Among Climbers
A 17-year-old boy surnamed Zhang from New Taipei City used forged personal information to organize mountain hikes online. Over the past two years, he has climbed high-altitude mountains such as Yushan, Snow Mountain, and Taroko. Identifying as female, the teenager always wore a long-braided wig during hikes. In April this year, he was also involved in a case where a virtual singer character known as "Kagamine King" allegedly lured a girl to climb Qilai Mountain. The Fifth Brigade of the Seventh Precinct and the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters discovered that Zhang had repeatedly used fake identification to register and enter lottery draws for hikes. He would declare one route (Route A) but lead groups on another (Route B), potentially putting hikers in dangerous situations. As a result, they jointly launched a special operation to arrest the teenager and charged him with forgery and making false entries to public officials. They also called on hikers to exercise self-discipline.
Lin Chia-lung’s Mountain Hiking: Building Another Hundred-Mile Trail
On the morning of the 6th, Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung, accompanied by Tourism Bureau Director Chen Sheng-shan and others, inspected the Dajia Great Wall Hiking Trail. He exchanged greetings with hikers and pledged to improve various facilities such as the wooden platform at the trailhead plaza and the expansion of temporary restrooms, aiming to provide hikers with a better mountain experience. He also announced plans to develop an additional 25 kilometers of trails, on top of the existing 75 in Taichung, to create a hundred-mile hiking network. The Dajia Great Wall Hiking Trail is located in the forested area southwest of the Dajia Plateau, with its highest point reaching about 300 meters above sea level. It earned its name because the ridgeline resembles the Great Wall when viewed from above. The trail starts at the Xinxing Village trailhead and ends at the Taichung Motor Vehicle Office, spanning approximately 3.2 kilometers in total. Lin Chia-lung set off from the entrance of the Dajia Great Wall Hiking Trail and inspected the current condition of the path. He emphasized...
Lin Chia-lung vows to build a 100-kilometer hiking trail in Taichung
Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung, accompanied by Tourism Bureau Director Chen Sheng-shan and others, inspected the Dajhu Great Wall Hiking Trail this (6th) morning at dawn. He exchanged good mornings with hikers and pledged to improve various facilities such as the wooden platform at the trailhead plaza and the expansion of temporary restrooms, aiming to provide hikers with a better mountaineering environment. He also announced plans to develop an additional 25 kilometers of trails on top of the existing 75 in Taichung, creating a 100-kilometer hiking network. The Dajhu Great Wall Hiking Trail is located in the forested conservation area on the southwestern side of the Dajhu Plateau, with its highest point about 300 meters above sea level. It earned its name because the ridge line resembles the Great Wall when viewed from above. The trail starts at the Xinxing Village trailhead and ends at the Taichung Motor Vehicle Office, spanning approximately 3.2 kilometers in total. In addition to being accompanied by Chen Sheng-shan, Agriculture Bureau Director Wang Chun-hsiung, and Legislative Yuan
Japanese hiker lost in mountains rescued after using gestures
Gestures work wonders too！ At around 5 p.m. on the 5th, the Sanxia Fire Brigade in New Taipei City received a mountain rescue case. A Japanese hiker had gone hiking alone at Yunshen Waterfall in Sanxia District but got lost due to the darkening sky and urgently called for help. After arriving at the scene, the brigade communicated with the hiker using simple Japanese and English words, while also using gestures to remind him of important precautions, and successfully guided him down the mountain. Firefighters noted that the Japanese tourist may have been unfamiliar with the mountainous terrain and was stranded because he descended later than planned. Fortunately, when the firefighters received the report, the tourist had provided the GPS coordinates from his mobile phone, and one of the volunteer firefighters in the Sanxia Brigade happened to be a Japanese language teacher. They quickly asked him to stay put and wait for rescue, along with other safety instructions. When police and firefighters arrived at the stranded location, they promptly used simple Japanese and English words to ask if he needed anything, such as
City Councilors Join Forces to Upgrade Hiking Trails
The Beikeng hiking trail in Gonglaoping, Fengyuan District, is narrow with insufficient parking space, and residents have set up private fences. Yesterday, Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung visited the site. He instructed the Construction Bureau to create additional parking lots, widen the trail, and enhance greening and beautification efforts. Next year, the city government will allocate additional funds to conduct a comprehensive review of Taichung’s hiking trails, providing citizens with better recreational spaces. The Zhongzheng Park parking lot can only accommodate 50 passenger cars, and it fills up during holidays, forcing hikers to park along mountain roads, leading to traffic congestion. Legislator Chiang Chi-chen inspected the area twice, in April and June this year, and identified an unused public plot at the entrance of Beikeng Lane that could serve as a rest and parking area for the public. Chiang said he had lobbied the National Property Administration to allocate the land to the Taichung City Government, and all related procedures were complete, though the land, currently designated for agricultural use, requires a change in zoning. The Construction Bureau stated that the site covers approximately 0.
The Dusheng Trail in Taichung’s Dakeng is infested with biting midges—take protective measures
With recent continuous rainfall making the environment humid, the Dusheng hiking trail in Taichung has seen a surge in biting midges, causing distress among hikers. The city government stated that there is currently no record of biting midges transmitting diseases, so there is no need for excessive worry. The city will coordinate with various agencies to step up cleaning efforts in public spaces such as parks, schools, and drains, and has asked farmers to clear weeds from farmland to reduce breeding grounds for the insects, aiming for effective control. The city government also urges the public to take personal protective measures, such as wearing long sleeves and pants or applying insect repellent approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on exposed skin, both of which can help avoid bites from biting midges or dengue-carrying mosquitoes. The Agriculture Bureau noted that based on the adult biting habits of these midges, they are most active between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., targeting people who are resting or stationary. While there is no need to worry about disease transmission from biting midges, their bites can cause intense itching. Personal protection remains the only viable solution for now—such as using mosquito repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and installing fine mesh screens on windows and doors at home—to cut off the adults’ food sources and effectively reduce their population density.
Woman survives 9 days without food after getting lost and fracturing her leg during mountain hike
A woman in the United States recently went hiking in California but unfortunately suffered a leg fracture during the trip. With no rescue available, she went without food for 9 days, surviving only on stream water, before finally being found by search and rescue teams in a miraculous survival story. A 62-year-old Asian-American woman named Miyuki Harwood from California was camping at a remote mountain lake in the Sierra Nevada on the 20th of this month. After becoming separated from her group, she suffered a leg fracture and had to survive alone in the wilderness. For 9 days without any food, she stayed alive by drinking water from a nearby stream. After receiving the report, search and rescue teams deployed 2 helicopters, 1 drone, over 50 rescuers, and multiple search dogs. Despite searching for 9 days with no sign of her, and with a forest fire breaking out in the area adding thick smoke and further complicating the rescue efforts, rescuers unexpectedly heard a whistle yesterday morning and finally found her near a stream in the Sierra Nevada. Harwood was rescued and taken to hospital, where she is now in stable condition.
New Watches – A Sunny New Look for Stylish Men with Strong Sports & Hiking Features
Known for its suave and gentlemanly style, Emporio Armani has transformed into a sunny, energetic persona this year. Its newly launched Sigma men’s watch series features a sporty watch silhouette, paired with an independent bezel and crown protection device. The small three-eye chronograph on the dial perfectly serves sports timing functions. The interplay of rubber, aluminum, and stainless steel materials, along with color options such as amber, black, gold, and the currently popular blue, all exude unique charm. With 200-meter water resistance, the prices range from NT$13,980 to NT$17,880. Watch brand SEIKO introduces new models that take watch enthusiasts on a visual journey to Mount Fuji. Two limited-edition PROSPEX climbing watches, “Summer Fuji” and “Red Fuji,” use red and green tones inspired by the vibrant natural scenery at the foot of Mount Fuji. The brand also decorates the area where the watch lugs connect with patterns of Mount Fuji and its Five Lakes, allowing wearers to appreciate a miniature version of Mount Fuji’s beauty.
Essential for Mountaineering Adventures: Seiko’s Mount Fuji-Inspired Timepieces
Reported by / Huang Weixi To the Japanese, Mount Fuji holds more spiritual and national significance than its physical appearance, which is why it is revered as a sacred mountain. This time, Seiko has launched a new Prospex watch themed around Mount Fuji, with color schemes and watch bands that exude a strong essence of Japanese spirit. To the Japanese, Mount Fuji is an image of great reverence, and there is no shortage of works inspired by it. Two ukiyo-e masterpieces by Katsushika Hokusai—“Fine Wind, Clear Morning” and “South Wind, Clear Sky”—both feature Mount Fuji as the central subject, and many poems in Japan’s ancient poetry collection, the Man’yōshū, also draw inspiration from the mountain. The Japanese brand Seiko’s mountaineering watch, Prospex, also shares a bond with Mount Fuji, having released a limited-edition climbing watch called “Summer Fuji” and “Red Fuji.” In addition to offering essential features for a professional mountaineering watch—such as altitude, air pressure, temperature, and direction measurement—the watch also bears the imprint of Mount Fuji on its case and band. The design of this timepiece was jointly supervised by Seiko and renowned Japanese adventurer Gota Miura. The color scheme of “Summer Fuji” draws inspiration from the lush green scenery at the foot of Mount Fuji during summer, while “Red Fuji” is based on the breathtaking red hues atop the mountain in the early morning hours of summer. The connection between the lugs and the watch band features an image of Mount Fuji and its Five Lakes, and the band itself is made of climbing rope, embodying a bold spirit of adventure.
Nepal to reopen Mount Everest four months after earthquake
After a gap of four months, the Nepalese government will reopen Mount Everest. Previously, an 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in April, triggering an avalanche on Mount Everest that buried many climbers on the spot, resulting in significant casualties. A series of aftershocks followed, severely impacting the local tourism industry.
Location Scan – Follow the Navigation to the Car Card Hiking Trail
Taichung: A 40-year-old woman surnamed Pan recently drove her husband and friends to Dakeng late at night. They had intended to take a walk at Guanyin Pavilion, but relying on the car’s navigation system, they ended up on Trail No. 9. They got stuck on the narrow hiking path and were unable to move, so they had to call the police to guide them down the mountain. But how the car got up there in the first place? Pan had no idea.
Misled by navigation into a mountain hiking trail trap, the Taichung City Government will install warning signs
Recently, tourists driving to the Guanyin Pavilion in Dakeng Scenic Area got stuck on Trail No. 9 due to relying on incorrect navigation. In response, the city government’s Scenic Area Management Office advised that when planning to hike or enjoy the scenery on these trails, it’s better to park vehicles at nearby parking lots. The Scenic Area Management Office will also promptly install additional warning signs and lighting at relevant intersections to remind visitors to pay attention to directions. The office pointed out that trails such as Guanyin Pavilion on Trail No. 6 are located in mountainous areas with narrow roads and limited parking. Those wishing to hike or sightsee are advised to park at Parking Lot No. 6 and then walk to the trails. For those planning to visit Trails No. 9 and 10, it is recommended to park at the Jingbuku Parking Lot and the Earthquake Park Parking Lot. To help the public better understand local directions, the Scenic Area Management Office will also coordinate with the Construction Bureau to enhance warning signs and lighting along relevant roads.
44 world-class rock climbing athletes will stage a "rock wall ballet"
From June 29 to 30, 44 world-class rock climbing athletes from five countries and regions — the United States, Poland, Mexico, France, and China — will gather at the Datong County International Rock Climbing Arena in Xining City, Qinghai Province, to deliver a competition that combines athleticism, fitness, and visual spectacle for outdoor sports enthusiasts. The 2013 China Datong · Qinghai Plateau International Rock Climbing Elite Competition will officially kick off then.
Top International Cyclists Compete in Taiwan’s King of the Mountain Cycling Challenge
The fourth edition of the Taiwan KOM Challenge will ignite once again on October 30th by Qixingtan in Hualien. While the total prize money of NT$2.41 million is certainly enticing, it’s this world-rare route that cyclists dream of and simply can’t miss. Cyclists who have taken part in prestigious races such as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, and Tour of California will tackle a direct climb from sea level to 3,275 meters, navigating through the Taroko Gorge and twisting, treacherous mountain roads. Especially challenging are the final 10 kilometers above Dayuling, which resemble climbing a wall with their steep gradients. These unforgettable segments have drawn riders back time and again, making this beautiful Taiwanese road one of the top 10 toughest routes in the world and earning it international fame. For more exciting content, see
Queen of Mountain Biking Huang Hexun Achieves Five-Peat at National Games
Huang Hexun, a talented cyclist currently teaching at Gangming High School, competed in the mountain biking event at this year's National Games. Despite her busy schedule and being 35 years old, she demonstrated exceptional skills and strength, making it difficult for emerging riders to keep up. She secured her fifth consecutive victory in the women's mountain biking event at the National Games with a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 25 seconds, finishing nearly five minutes ahead of the second-place rider. Huang, who usually works as a physical education teacher at Gangming High School and also attends graduate courses at Kaohsiung Normal University on Saturdays, has not neglected her training despite her hectic life. She continues to dominate Taiwan’s women’s mountain biking scene, an achievement that speaks volumes about her hard work and dedication behind the scenes. On the men’s side, Jiang Shengshan, who won the downhill gold medal at the Mountain Bike Asian Championships just this August, also displayed remarkable strength. He crossed the finish line first with a time of 1 hour, 26 minutes, and 43 seconds, earning a gold medal for Taoyuan City and finishing nearly five minutes ahead of the second-place competitor.
The 11th Mainland Huangshan International Mountaineering Festival to be Held in November
The 2015 National Mass Mountaineering and Fitness Conference and the 11th Mainland Huangshan International Mountaineering Festival will be held on November 16 in the Huangshan Scenic Area. Xinhua News Agency reports that the race route for this mountaineering festival starts at the Multi-functional Plaza of the South Gate of the Huangshan Scenic Area, passes through Yungu Temple, and ends at the Plaza of the North Sea Scenic Area, covering a total distance of approximately 16 kilometers. Domestic and international mountaineering enthusiasts participating in the event will be divided into a competitive group and a mass fitness group. The competitive group is further divided by gender into five categories: foreign participants, domestic middle-aged and elderly, domestic youth, university students, and Huangshan City residents. Participants in the fitness group who complete the full 16-kilometer course will be awarded a summit certificate, encouraging widespread participation among mountaineering enthusiasts.
Hiker’s Walking Stick Accidentally Hits Woman’s Hip; She Files Sexual Harassment Complaint
Be careful not to swing your hiking stick wildly while climbing mountains. A man surnamed Qiu was hiking on the Zhongyong Mountain Trail in Neihu District on the afternoon of June 28 this year when his walking stick accidentally brushed against a female hiker who was passing by. The incident was misconstrued as Qiu pinching the woman’s hip. The female hiker did not speak up at the time, but after going home, she felt increasingly uncomfortable and angrily filed a sexual harassment complaint at the police station. Qiu only learned about the complaint when he received a notice from the police station and protested his innocence. Qiu’s wife, who had accompanied him on the hike, also appeared in court to clarify that the two were hiking together, with her walking behind. She saw that her husband was holding a walking stick in his right hand and had no capacity whatsoever to pinch someone else’s hip. She speculated that the walking stick had accidentally brushed against the woman, leading her to mistakenly interpret the resulting sting as a pinch. After an investigation, the prosecutor’s office found no concrete evidence and decided not to press charges.