Classic Itineraries
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The map had no contour lines—Xie Xin’s jog in Okinawa turned into mountain climbing
Xie Xin relies on jogging to maintain her figure. Recently, she set a goal to run 65 kilometers in 40 days. Recently, she took her family to Okinawa for a holiday during the New Year. Even though she was in Okinawa, she was determined to keep up with her running progress. She opened Google Maps and found an ancient site called Shuri Castle nearby. The map showed it was only 3.6 kilometers away, so she confidently said, “3.6 kilometers? At my level, I can run that in half an hour!” Unexpectedly, it ended up taking her two hours. She ran for over 40 minutes and still hadn’t reached the destination. Moreover, she became more and more out of breath and exhausted. When she looked back, she realized she was actually running up a slope. It turned out that Shuri Castle is located on a high hill in Naha City at an elevation of 120 meters. In the end, it took her nearly two hours to reach Shuri Castle. By the time she arrived, the visiting hours were already over, and the castle gates were mercilessly closed. She was devastated and said, “This is what happens when you don’t do your homework!”
Location Scan – A Tour Group Visits the Forget-Me-Not Forest, One Hiker Goes Missing
Nantou: A group of 75 tourists from Taipei visited the Forget-Me-Not Forest on the afternoon of the 19th. They were expected to return to the trailhead by 3 PM, but upon roll call, one woman was found missing. The Nantou County Fire Bureau was alerted and conducted an overnight mountain search, but no trace of her has been found so far.
Revitalizing Tourism at Taiping Bat Cave: Taichung to Develop Hiking Trails
To revive tourism around the Taiping District’s Bat Cave, the Taichung City Government invested NT$25 million two years ago to build the Hundred Bats Bridge. However, delays in subsequent construction have drawn complaints from visitors and local residents. City Councilor Chang Yu-? convened a site inspection with officials from the Tourism Bureau, calling for the development of hiking trails and a surrounding loop road network in hopes of retaining tourists. Pointing to the still stunning-looking Hundred Bats Bridge, Chang Yu-? expressed dissatisfaction, saying that although the bridge did attract many visitors after its inauguration—drawing over a thousand people on holidays—tourists became angry upon finding a “no entry ahead” sign, realizing the bridge led nowhere. They vented their frustration online, calling it deceptive, and visitor numbers have since declined. Residents noted that the Bat Cave was once famous for hosting a large bat population, making it a popular attraction in Taichung. However, environmental changes caused the bats to leave. In recent years, the community has been working on restoring the habitat, and sometimes in the evening, hundreds of bats can be spotted again. They hope the city government will plan the area properly—ideally installing lighting inside the cave and providing parking nearby—to restore the Bat Cave’s former glory.
Father Attacked by Bear While Hiking — His Ultimate Sacrifice to Protect Daughter Is Chilling!
In 2005, a father, Johan Otter, and his daughter Jenna were visiting Montana's Glacier National Park in the U.S. when they experienced the most terrifying attack. Even though more than 10 years have passed, recalling the incident still sends shivers down their spines. At that moment, a mother bear appeared out of nowhere, accompanied by her two cubs. As a parent, your first instinct is to rush forward to protect your child — and that’s exactly what he did. But he was immediately attacked by the mother bear. She tore off nearly 80% of his scalp, broke his neck, and injured his eyeball. Johan recalled that all he could see were her claws and teeth. Despite his severe injuries, he remained standing.
A hiker suffered from altitude sickness and was carried down the mountain for medical treatment
Taking advantage of the Lunar New Year holiday, a man surnamed Chen from Taichung City, along with two friends, went to Shei-Pa National Park to hike the Daxue Mountain Trail. However, on the evening of the 10th, he suddenly experienced symptoms of altitude sickness such as coughing up blood and shortness of breath. After receiving the report, firefighters dispatched personnel to carry him down the mountain to receive medical care. The Second Brigade of the Taichung City Fire Department stated that they received a report from the Wuling Management Station of Shei-Pa National Park around 22:00 on the 10th, saying that a hiker surnamed Chen staying at the 369 Mountain Hut on the Snow Mountain Trail suddenly felt unwell. Rescue personnel were immediately sent up the mountain to assist, and Mr. Chen, with the help of his teammates and another hiking group, began moving downhill. The two parties met midway. The fire department said the man reported experiencing shortness of breath, loss of balance, and coughing up blood. They immediately administered oxygen to temporarily alleviate his discomfort while helping him walk downhill.
Explore Taiwan – See Waterfalls, Hike Mountains, Soak in Hot Springs: Qiaoxi is Loads of Fun
Blessed with natural advantages, Qiaoxi not only boasts one of the few plains hot springs in Taiwan but also has rich mountain and forest resources in its suburbs. What’s more, you can get there without driving—just use public transportation. Choose from the challenging Our Lady’s Mountain Villa National Trail, the more athletic Pao Ma Ancient Trail, or the beginner-friendly Wufengqi Waterfall. Pick a route based on your fitness level, work up a sweat, and then unwind in the hot springs for an extra refreshing experience.
Spring Hiking Without Gaining Weight: 8 Mountain Trails Along Taipei MRT Lines
The nine-day Lunar New Year holiday is coming up—have you decided where to go for your vacation? Speaking of which, the festive season often involves lots of eating and drinking, which can easily lead to weight gain. Surrounded by mountains, the Taipei Basin boasts rich and beautiful natural ecology as well as cultural landscapes, with many hiking trails crisscrossing the area, creating a unique scenic charm for the city. For your spring outings during the New Year, why not take the MRT on a journey of exploration and choose a mountain trail that suits you? Breathe in the fresh air of the suburbs, enjoy the warm sunlight filtering through the woods, and welcome a brand-new start for the year ahead! Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation has carefully selected 5 mountain trails and scenic areas along MRT lines for your reference:
Zhongzhong Bicycle Network Plans 100km Hiking Trail to Boost Tourism
Cycling in Taichung for fitness and leisure can now also connect you to the neighboring counties of Changhua, Nantou, and Miaoli. The city government announced today (1st) that it will build a comprehensive bicycle network linked to tourism resources, extending to the three nearby counties. Over the next four years, 207.59 kilometers of new bike lanes are planned, along with a 100km hiking trail system. This will add 25km of trails—focused on natural landscapes, ecological experiences, and cultural history—to the existing 75km under management, enriching Taichung’s travel offerings and attracting international tourists. Chen Sheng-shan, Director of the Tourism Bureau, said the bicycle network plan is divided into two phases. The first phase, from 2015 to 2018, involves creating the “Greater Taichung Ring Bike Path” and the “Central Taiwan Cross-Region Bike Path Connection Project.” The ring bike path includes the Mega Loop (Mountain-Sea Line + Jiahou Line + Huhe Bike Path from Dali to Wuri), the Small Loop (Fengyuan Boulevard), the Medium Loop (Huhe Bike Path from Fengyuan to Shengan Section + TanYashen Greenway), and the Large Loop (Huhe Bike Path), among four loops. These cater to cyclists of all levels, making the bike network more complete.
Every corpse on Mount Everest is a chilling secret.
What does it cost to summit Everest and stand on top of the world? In addition to sufficient physical training and $25,000 to $60,000 in funding, you might also have to pay with your life. Currently, there are over 200 known mummified corpses along the climbing routes of Mount Everest, each carrying a secret more terrifying than any screenplay. On Everest’s climbing paths, these bodies can only be left where they are, and successive climbers have given them nicknames as landmarks — this is the only memorial for the deceased for now, because under extreme conditions, recovering the bodies would mean risking even more lives...
Local Report – Hong Kong Hiker Suffers from Hypothermia; Rangers Launch Rescue Mission
Miaoli: A Hong Kong national surnamed Yu, residing in New Taipei City, entered the mountain on the 15th via Wuling Farm to attempt a one-day round trip to Snow Mountain East Peak via the Snow East Trail. On the descent, he was spotted by fellow hikers who noticed he was lightly dressed and showing signs of hypothermia. After contacting the Wuling Patrol Team of the Snow Mountain Branch, Fifth Brigade, Seventh Battalion of the National Police Agency, seven personnel were dispatched to rescue him from Qika Lodge to the Wuling Patrol Team. After regaining his strength, he safely returned home.
Health & Wellness – Deputy Finance Minister Wu Dang-jie Challenges Limits as a Versatile Sports Enthusiast
As Deputy Minister of Finance, operator of the National Stabilization Fund, and now Chairman of the Land Bank of Taiwan, Wu Dang-jie is arguably the busiest figure
The 19th Dawushan Coming-of-Age Ceremony Sets Off in Cold Snap
The 19th Dawushan Coming-of-Age Ceremony kicked off on the 26th, with 60 participants holding a departure ceremony in front of the county government building in the morning. After being driven to the trailhead, they were led by tribal high priest He Chunsheng in a prayer to the gods and thanks to the mountain before embarking on their three-day, two-night trek up North Dawu Mountain. Despite the wet and cold weather, the petite female participants shouted confidently that they would complete the journey. The 19th Dawushan Coming-of-Age Ceremony was jointly organized by Pingtung County Government, the Pingtung Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau, and the Pingtung Mountain and Forest Academy’s Ecology and Humanities Association. At 9 a.m. on the 26th, they arrived promptly at the Tawu Village archway, where Paiwan high priest He Chunsheng, who has led the ceremony for 18 years, dipped his finger in wine to honor the ancestral spirits and announced the significance of the journey to the spirits of Dawu Mountain in the native language. With a recent cold snap and consecutive days of rain, the chairman of the Mountain and Forest Academy, Zhang Tengyuan, even went to the temple to pray beforehand.
What do psychiatrists think? Delirium may be a possible cause.
Regarding the bizarre hanging death on Guandao Mountain, psychiatrist Shen Zhengnan from Caotun Sanatorium shared his views on Facebook. He pointed out that there are two possible reasons why the will to live turns into the will to die: one is the onset of a delirious state, and the other is that the deceased already intended to end their life and used the mountain climb as a means to do so.
Body of missing hiker on Guandao Mountain found
A 62-year-old man surnamed Lin and his wife, surnamed Lai, recently went hiking on Guandao Mountain in Puli Township. After getting lost, Lin left his wife behind and attempted to descend into a valley to seek help but went missing. After four days of searching, rescuers found Lin’s body in the Shouguan Mountain valley. However, due to poor weather conditions, helicopters were unable to fly for a hoisting operation, so rescuers will carry the body down the mountain manually. The couple, who live in Caotun Township, are avid hikers. They entered the mountains on the 18th intending to climb only Guandao Mountain. But on their descent near Shouguan Mountain at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters, they got lost. On the afternoon of the 19th, Lin used his mobile phone to call the Nantou County Government Fire Bureau for help. Dozens of rescuers gathered at the Puli Township Central Monument and Puli Branch to begin the search. Spotting lights in the distance down the mountain, Lin insisted on descending to find a way out, leaving his wife, Lai, behind to spend the night alone in the mountains.
Couple gets lost while hiking; wife rescued but husband dies by suicide
A couple from Nantou County got lost while hiking in the Shouguan Mountain area. The wife was rescued, but the husband, who insisted on finding his own way out, died. Initially thought to be a mountain accident, authorities today revealed that the man, surnamed Lin, was found hanging. The 62-year-old Mr. Lin and his 57-year-old wife, surnamed Lai, both residents of Caotun Township, had gone hiking in the Shouguan Mountain area near the border of Puli Township and Ren'ai Township, at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters. However, they got lost on their way back. The Nantou County Fire Bureau received a report on the afternoon of the 19th, and Ms. Lai was found on the morning of the 20th. But Mr. Lin insisted on finding his own way out. The search team discovered his body on the morning of the 23rd. More than 30 personnel, including volunteer firefighters and forest patrol officers from Nantou County’s forestry agency, found Mr. Lin’s body around 8 a.m. on the 23rd in a valley of the 115th Forest Compartment south of Shouguan Mountain. He showed no signs of life. The location where his body was found was approximately
Snow Season Mountain Climbing Restrictions to Be Lifted – Don’t Underestimate Lingering Snow
The snow season restrictions at Shei-Pa National Park are set to end, with general park entry applications resuming in April. However, some sections still have snow and ice, and the Shei-Pa Management Office today urged hikers to carry sufficient snow-climbing gear depending on their chosen route. The Shei-Pa National Park Management Office implemented snow season restrictions from January 20 to March 31 this year to ensure hiker safety. These restrictions required a certain level of snow-climbing experience and equipment for park entry and mountain climbing. The measures will end on April 1, when general entry applications will reopen. The Management Office noted that due to unstable mountain weather and large day-night temperature variations, some hiking trails still have lingering snow and ice. Additionally, with the arrival of a strong cold front, the section from Snow Mountain Main Peak to the Cirque as well as the Holy Ridge Line continue to experience snowfall and snow cover. Certain areas require snow-climbing equipment such as crampons, ice axes, and helmets to pass safely.
Hiker reported missing on Guandao Mountain found dead
A married couple surnamed Lin got lost while climbing Guandao Mountain in Puli Township. The 62-year-old husband sought help alone and then went missing. Police, volunteers, and firefighters launched a search operation. This morning at around 8 a.m., his body was found in the Shouguan Mountain Valley, about 300 meters from where his wife was located. Due to poor weather conditions, authorities assessed that the body would be carried down the mountain manually.
Couple gets lost while hiking; husband dies searching for exit while wife is rescued
A couple from Nantou County got lost in the Shouguan Mountain area. After reporting the incident on the 19th, the husband left his wife behind to wait for rescue and went to find a way out on his own. The wife was rescued on the 20th, and rescuers found the husband's body today. The husband, surnamed Lin, and wife, surnamed Lai, who live in Caotun Township, had gone hiking in the Shouguan Mountain area near the border of Puli Township and Ren'ai Township, at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters. However, they got lost on their way back. In the afternoon of the 19th, Mr. Lin used his mobile phone to call for help from the Nantou County Government Fire Bureau. Rescue centers and the Puli branch assembled dozens of people to search the mountain. Firefighters searched through the night to reach the stranded hikers. They set up camp in the mountains after 1 a.m. on the 20th, and in the darkness heard the call of a Formosan muntjac. Judging that there might be people nearby, the search team set out again early on the 20th, heading in a specific direction, and successfully found Ms. Lai on the southern side of Shouguan Mountain. However, Mr. Lin was nowhere to be found.
Snow Mountain National Park lifts snow season restrictions in April, but snow and ice remain
The Snow Mountain National Park Administration will lift snow season control measures on April 1, resuming general park entry applications. Currently, some sections still have snow and ice, so hikers are advised to carry snow climbing gear. Climbing the Holy Ridge Line requires a group of at least three people to apply. To ensure the safety of hikers during the snow season, the park implemented snow season controls from January 20 to March 31. Applicants needed to have certain snow climbing experience and equipment to be permitted to enter the park for hiking. These controls will end on April 1, and general entry applications will resume. Chen Chen-jung, director of the Snow Mountain National Park Administration, stated that some sections still have snow and ice, and hikers should carry sufficient snow climbing gear based on their chosen route. Climbing the Holy Ridge Line requires a group of at least three people, and they must also carry auxiliary ropes and safety helmets to proceed. Chen emphasized that there is still snowfall in the high mountains recently, and trails are prone to being icy and slippery. Hikers are urged to plan their trips carefully, assess risks, and choose locations that match their skill levels.