Classic Itineraries
Rediscovering Historical Footnotes — A Personal Secretary’s Account Restores the True Du Yuesheng (Part 4)
During Du Yuesheng’s heyday, every large-scale industrial or commercial organization in Shanghai sought him as a director or chairman. He served in seventy to eighty such roles. How did an initially illiterate man command such prestige? It was all due to his unique approach to handling personnel matters — often resolving major organizational challenges with just a single remark. Many companies even moved their board meetings to his home to seek his counsel. Generally, he avoided minor issues but would speak up on significant matters. Given the immense influence of various factions in society at the time, any institution with him as chairman could see troubles dissolve instantly. Thus, he became the universally respected leader across Shanghai’s myriad industries. Chen Cunren’s perspective is undoubtedly more objective and truthful.
Cross-strait tales—The legendary Du Yuesheng, a name that commanded instant respect in Shanghai
Du Yuesheng often said: “One can be a person even without literacy, but not without understanding of reason.” When handling any matter, he would first decide on the best strategy, the medium strategy, and the worst strategy. He also considered the possible outcomes—how good things could get and how bad they could turn. He usually listened silently while others spoke, and by the time they finished, he had already made his decision. 薛观澜 said that the events he wrote about were, in nineteen out of twenty cases, personally experienced by him. He stated that the three essential qualities of an author are credibility, clarity, and elegance. As for readers of his work, they could only expect the first—credibility. 《What I Personally Witnessed of Mei Lanfang》 is a brilliant late-life work by the author, centered around Mei Lanfang, discussing the anecdotes of performers of the time and memorable plays, making it an important historical record in the history of Peking Opera. Shortly after completing the manuscript, the author passed away in Hong Kong, and the work was never published. After half...
Xia Boyu builds a climbing ladder on Everest, loses both feet
One of the most anticipated films during China’s National Day holiday season, *The Climbers*, is based on the thrilling 1975 expedition in which the Chinese mountaineering team successfully scaled Mount Everest, reached the summit for the first time, and measured the height of the world's highest peak. The story centers on Xia Boyu, one of the team members at the time. Due to harsh weather conditions, he didn’t reach the summit and lost both legs while saving his teammates. However, the "Chinese Ladder" he and his team installed on the north side of Everest has benefited countless climbers.
Hiking man lost and crying for help rescued quickly by police and firefighters
A man surnamed Zheng in New Taipei City went hiking alone on Section 3 of Xiwu Road in Xizhi on the afternoon of the 24th. However, he reportedly got lost due to unfamiliarity with the route and became stranded in the mountains. Fortunately, when the man shouted for help, nearby residents heard him and immediately called 110 to request police and firefighter assistance. A team of seven police and firefighters went up the mountain to search and successfully located the man surnamed Zheng around 7 p.m., safely guiding him down the mountain.
Temperatures in the Mingchi Mountain area dropped sharply; 2 hikers sought help for hypothermia
The Yilan County Fire Bureau said this evening (26th) that a hiking group of 10 people had planned to enter the mountains from Taman Mountain in Taoyuan City, then pass through Bapukulu Mountain at the border of Taoyuan City and Yilan County, and descend from Mingchi in Datong Township. However, due to poor weather conditions in the mountains, 8 members of the hiking group turned back, while 2 continued along the original route planning to descend from Mingchi. Due to a sudden drop in mountain temperatures and symptoms of hypothermia, the two hikers requested rescue. The fire bureau stated that the current location of the two hikers is at the 035 marker along the route from Bapukulu Mountain toward the second hiking trail entrance. After receiving the report, the bureau dispatched personnel and vehicles from the Datong branch and notified the Forestry Bureau to assist.
Twice as expensive as Gogoro? How Merida conquered the European market with electric mountain bikes
An electric mountain bike priced at around NT$160,000 could buy you two Gogoro electric scooters, yet Merida has managed to sell them like hotcakes in the European market—this series now accounts for over half of Merida’s total electric bike sales. ?In fact, over the past two years, Taiwan’s overall bicycle exports have been declining, and the rise of shared bikes has posed challenges to the traditional bicycle industry. However, the rapid growth of electric bikes has gradually offset the decline in traditional bike sales, with Merida being one of the standout performers. ?New breakthrough ! ?Largest share in electric bike exports ?Focusing on mid-to-high-end models ?Driving revenue surge??
Most Popular Exercise Among Chinese: Xie Zheqing Exposes Three Big Lies About Hiking
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather gradually cools down. With the arrival of various floral seasons in October—such as silvergrass and beech—you might also want to take advantage of the crisp autumn air and head outdoors for some activity? Taiwan’s rich mountainous landscapes and resources are a national treasure, and hiking and walking are among the most popular national exercises. According to the Sports Administration's 2017 Physical Activity Survey, the most common forms of exercise among active individuals in Taiwan are “walking/brisk walking” (53.2%), “jogging” (24.4%), and “mountain climbing” (11.6%). This shows that hiking and walking have become widely embraced activities in the country. To encourage people
Ironic ! Hiking enthusiast from Nansanhuan may face a 2.2 million NT$ compensation after fleeing rescue ; his own younger brother is also a firefighter
A hiker surnamed Ye from Changhua County recently climbed the Nansanhuan section of the Central Mountain Range . After calling for help and being rescued , he actually fled , leaving seven rescuers stranded because of him . The Air Rescue Squadron had to deploy five missions , with an estimated cost of around 2.075 million NT$ , plus a 130,000 NT$ fine issued by the Nantou County Fire Bureau . The hiker surnamed Ye may have to pay up to 2.2 million NT$ for his “ call - out ” behavior . Ironically , the hiker ’ s own younger brother is also a firefighter . The man hiked Nansanhuan alone and called for help through his wife on the 12th ; the Nantou County Fire Bureau dispatched personnel for the search and rescue operation . They found him on the 14th on Wushuang Mountain , where they camped overnight that evening . Unexpectedly , at 6 p.m. the next day , the man surnamed Ye struck camp and “ fled , ” disappearing without a trace ! His wife called for help again on the 17th , and the Air Rescue Squadron helicopter rescued him by hoist on the 18th . The man ’ s outrageous behavior didn ’ t stop there
Frequent false emergency caller goes missing after fleeing rescue; runaway hiker faces massive compensation claim
A runaway hiker surnamed Ye, who climbed the Central Mountain Range alone and twice requested rescue before fleeing, caused seven rescuers to be trapped due to Typhoon Mangkhut during the search efforts. Air force helicopters were deployed on five separate missions. The Nantou County Fire Bureau issued him a citation along with related personnel and mission cost invoices, and the total compensation amount was announced today (20th), reaching over 2.07 million New Taiwan Dollars. However, according to Apple Daily, Ye and his daughter apologized yesterday (19th) but have not answered any calls since, and his employer, the Taiwan Power Company, also stated they are unable to reach him. The Nantou County Fire Bureau explained that the five helicopter missions, including fuel, maintenance, and crew salaries, amounted to 1.96 million NTD. In addition, 17 rescuers from the bureau, including police, firefighters, and volunteers, incurred operational costs, execution fees, and supplies totaling 115,000 NTD. The combined air and ground rescue expenses reached 2.075 million NTD.
Hikers and Kansai Airport | Lawyer Lin Chih-chun: The 'all-you-can-eat' tax mentality!
Recently, a hiker was suspected of abusing rescue resources by treating a rescue helicopter like a taxi; also earlier this month, Typhoon Jebi battered Kansai Airport in Japan, leaving Taiwanese tourists stranded and helpless, with the Japanese office of Taiwan’s representative body being criticized for inaction. Lawyer Lin Chih-chun believes these two news stories are actually about the same thing: I pay taxes, so I deserve an all-you-can-eat service!
Mountain climber in distress calls for rescue but then vanishes—puts police and firefighters at risk; NT$1.5 million rescue cost may be borne by taxpayers
A 51-year-old Taipower employee from Changhua County, Yeh Sheng-chin, recently went hiking in the Southern Section 3 of the Central Mountain Range but had an accident. Emergency services deployed a large team for a mountain rescue and finally located Yeh. However, he unexpectedly struck camp and left without notifying anyone, stranding the rescuers in the mountains and nearly costing them their lives. Later, he sought help again, was taken to hospital, but refused medical checks and went home on his own. What’s infuriating is that the NT$1.5 million rescue cost involving personnel and helicopters may be paid by the public. Yeh Sheng-chin started his climb from Ruisui, Hualien, on the 1st of this month and was expected to descend on the 10th. On the 12th, his wife called for help. The Nantou County Fire Bureau dispatched a large number of personnel for the rescue mission. On the 14th, they found Yeh on Wushuang Mountain. Due to the outer circulation of Typhoon Mangkhut affecting the area, the weather on the mountain was severe, so the team set up camp for the night. The next day, however, they discovered that Yeh had struck camp and fled.
Hualien Issues First Bill for Mountain Rescue Costs: Illegal Hiking Team Fined NT$920,000
Pay for Illegal Hikes Yourself: With the increasing number of mountain accidents in Hualien in recent years, rescuers have been stretched thin. On the 17th, the county government issued the nation’s first helicopter rescue bill of NT$920,000 to a hiking team that trespassed into the restricted area of the Batongguan Historic Trail in February this year, resulting in one fatality. This enforces the "user pays" principle. Hualien is home to numerous high mountains and famous peaks. In the past, when people hiked illegally ("black hiking") without following regulations and got injured or faced emergencies, they often called police or firefighters for help. Just one helicopter mission could cost hundreds of thousands in fuel alone, sparking public criticism about people "taking advantage of free helicopter rides" and leaving taxpayers to foot the rescue bill. The Hualien County Fire Bureau stated that at the end of February this year, a six-person hiking team entered the mountains from Dongpu in Nantou. However, after
Get a Sneak Peek at the Taipei Grand Hike in VR
Eco-tourism is gaining popularity, and the Taipei City Department of Civil Affairs has planned a hiking trail route stretching approximately 92 kilometers, offering stunning views of Guizi Pit, Qixing Mountain, Datun Mountain, and more. From now until September 16, 2019, collect photos with yourself at 12 designated locations featuring special stamps, and you can exchange them for a free sports towel. Additionally, a VR panoramic experience has been set up in the city hall lobby, open to the public for free until September 20, allowing you to feel as if you're standing on the edge of Scissors Rock at Golden Face Mountain, taking in the magnificent scenery. "Taipei has as many as 135 hiking trails. This year, the route of the Taipei Grand Hike, which encircles the city, has been completed. Spanning 92 kilometers with an elevation change of 1,120 meters, the trail offers views of mountain ridges, ancient paths, and urban landscapes. Due to its length, it is recommended to complete it over 7 to 8 days. Mayor Ko Wen-je, who attended the event yesterday, said in his speech that hiking and trekking are becoming increasingly popular..."
Taipei City Launches 7- to 8-Day Hiking Trail Routes — Experience VR First
Ecotourism is gaining popularity, and Taipei City’s Department of Civil Affairs has streamlined its hiking trail system, planning a route spanning approximately 92 kilometers that offers panoramic views of scenic spots such as Guizikeng, Qixing Mountain, and Datun Mountain. To encourage the public to experience this Taipei Trail Adventure, from now until September 16, 2019, participants can collect and take photos with stamped pillars featuring the characters “台、北、东、西、南、北、大、纵、走、壮、游、趣” along the Northern Ridge Line and Southern Tea Countryside Long-Distance Hiking Routes, and redeem a free sports towel. Taipei City boasts up to 135 hiking trails with a well-connected system. In recent years, the municipal government has been actively developing handcrafted trails and taking stock of overall resources. The planned 92-kilometer Taipei Trail Adventure features an elevation change of 1,120 meters, traversing mountain ridgelines, ancient paths, hiking trails, and urban roads, allowing hikers to enjoy diverse landscapes from plains to high mountains — the entire journey can be completed in 7 to 8 days.
Taipei » Yao Wen-chih’s Polls Below 15% Prompt Calls to Withdraw? Ko Wen-je Exclaims: No Way!
The battle for Taipei’s mayoral seat is heating up. According to the latest media polls, Ko Wen-je has 34.9% support, while Ting Shou-chung has 30.8%, showing a neck-and-neck race between the two. Yao Wen-chih, meanwhile, continues to trail with just 10.4% support. Although 21.9% of voters remain undecided, there are rumors that Yao may be urged to withdraw by his party if his poll numbers do not exceed 15%. In response, Ko Wen-je said in an interview today, “No way, absolutely not!”
Only with a strong physique can you fight fires and respond to disasters. The Taipei City Fire Department strengthens fitness through mountain hiking.
Today, the Taipei City Government Fire Bureau, the Volunteer Firefighters Corps, and Songshan Cihui Temple held a national disaster prevention day mountain hiking and disaster prevention promotional event, inviting civil groups, volunteer firefighters, and their families to participate. The Hushan Nature Trail was chosen as the hiking route, aiming to build a strong physique through hiking while promoting disaster preparedness concepts.
Hiking trail cleanup in Taichung’s Dakeng clears 100 kg of trash in 3 hours
Dakeng Scenic Area is hailed as the “Yangmingshan of Taichung,” and its hiking trails are popular spots for fitness and leisure. To enhance the hiking experience, the Taichung City Government has promoted corporate adoption of trails, receiving strong support from businesses. The Tourism Bureau collaborated with the Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Education Foundation to host an “Earth-Loving – Trail Cleanup” event on Dakeng Trail No. 9 during the holiday. Hundreds of enthusiastic participants cleared over 100 kilograms of trash in just three hours, aiming to promote the idea of taking trash off the mountain and raise environmental awareness to jointly preserve these beautiful hiking paths. Wow, the most common trash found on hiking trails turns out to be plastic bottles and drink cans. During the cleanup at Dakeng hiking trails, the Tourism Bureau and the Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Education Foundation discovered that hikers often bring drinks up the mountain but casually discard empty beverage bottles and cans along the trail, creating unsightly litter spots.
The three big lies of the mountaineering world reveal why we just can’t quit hiking
The series of events for the 107th National Hiking Day, jointly organized by the Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education and the Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, took place across Taiwan from September 9 to October 21, featuring over 200 in-person activities as well as online hiking events. These initiatives allow people nationwide to earn rewards and improve their health through exercise anytime, anywhere. Taiwan boasts abundant mountain and forest landscapes. To increase public participation and promote the Leave No Trace philosophy, the 107th National Hiking Day specially organized online hiking activities on the “Hiking Notebook” platform. It launched five major themed routes: the “10,000-Person Mountain Cleanup Operation,” “Let’s Collect Small Hundred Peaks,” “Join the Hiking Photography Scene,” “Mountain Closeness · Coolness · Light Trails,” and “40 Classic Must-Visit Trails Across Taiwan.” Whether enthusiasts prefer suburban mountains, mountain cleanups, or sports photography, they can find an online mission that suits their interests. By uploading hiking photos or scenic mountain views to the event website according to specified guidelines, participants have the chance to win prizes.
An elderly man grew too weak to continue hiking; police officer carried him down the mountain
A 69-year-old surnamed Lin recently went hiking in the Muzha Maokong area of Taipei City but became too exhausted and lost his way, leaving him unable to descend. He called the Zhinan Police Station of the Wenshan Precinct 1 Branch for help. Police Officer Liu Gaohong responded to the call, located Mr. Lin in the mountains, carried him down, and ensured he returned home safely. Police Officer Liu Gaohong of the Zhinan Police Station under the Wenshan Precinct 1 Branch was on patrol duty when he received a report from the public stating that an elderly man was believed to be suffering from overexertion while hiking deep in the mountains along Section 3 of Zhinan Road in Maokong and was unable to get down. Officer Liu immediately rushed to the scene. After arriving in the mountainous area, Officer Liu trekked along the mountain trail into the forest and found the 69-year-old Mr. Lin trembling and slumped on the ground. The officer promptly approached to check on him. According to Mr. Lin, he resides at a care center in Wenshan District and had gone out for a hike early in the morning around 3 or 4 a.m.
Heavy rain continues, over 80mm in Yangmingshan. Taipei City Government urges public not to force mountain hikes.
Torrential rain hits northern Taiwan. The Taipei City Government stated that as the Central Weather Bureau issued a special warning for heavy rain and torrential rain across eight counties and cities early on the 9th, local areas in Taipei City, as well as mountainous and plain regions of New Taipei City, need to be cautious of localized extremely heavy rain and heavy rain. Currently, the hourly rainfall at the saddle of Yangmingshan has exceeded 80mm. The weather bureau has issued a warning, and the Taipei City Government urges the public not to force mountain hikes to ensure safety.