Pintian Mountain

　　Pintian Mountain is situated between Hsinchu County and Taichung City in Taiwan, within Shei-Pa National Park. It is one of the “Ten Majestic Peaks” among Taiwan’s Hundred Mountains and the foremost of the Four Beauties of Wuling. With an elevation of 3,524 meters, on clear days visitors standing along the mountain ridge can clearly look north to the Taoyuan metropolitan area, east over the Lanyang Plain and Guishan Island, and even southward from the summit to enjoy the beautiful vistas of Yushan and Guan Mountain, offering an exceptionally wide panorama.

　　Pintian Mountain is long from east to west but narrow from north to south, and borders deep valleys. Its southern face features the Pintian Fold, while the northern cliffs mark the source of the Takeng River, the highest headstream of the Tamsui River system. The western side displays rugged Pintian Folds that form the Pintian Cliff—one of the most challenging obstacles along the Sacred Ridge. To the east, the mountain connects to Chiyou Mountain via a saddle, where several alpine lakes are scattered across fields of arrow bamboo. Hiking along the eastern ridge leads through mixed forests of fir and bamboo grass before reaching Pintian Forepeak (3,442 meters above sea level). The Forepeak and the main peak are separated by the Pintian Forepeak Cliff, which lies in the recess of the mountain’s major fold and serves as a formidable hurdle before ascending the main summit.

　　To climb Pintian Mountain, hikers mainly use the Four Beauties Route or the Sacred Ridge Route within the Shei-Pa National Park trail system. The Four Beauties Route begins at the Wuling Lodge trailhead, allowing ascents to either Taoshan or Chiyou Mountain, with optional detours to Kalayeh Mountain and Pintian Mountain. The Sacred Ridge Route also starts at the Wuling Trailhead, proceeding via Taoshan, Chiyou Mountain, and Pintian Mountain before turning toward Buxuelan Mountain. From there, trekkers can continue to Dabajianshan or the main peak of Snow Mountain, entering the standard Sacred Ridge itinerary.

　　Pintian Mountain Must-visit reason: One of Taiwan’s most majestic and striking peaks