More thrilling than the Taiping Cloud Ladder — a tea plantation version of Eagle Rock Peak lies here

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Taiwan’s highest and longest cloud ladder, the Taiping Cloud Ladder in Chiayi, sparked widespread discussion upon its opening and attracted many visitors. However, apart from the Taiping Cloud Ladder, the nearby Dajianshan and Erjianshan trails in Meishan Township are also among the favorite spots for many hikers, featuring breathtaking views of expansive tea plantations interwoven with mountain ranges and sea of clouds, as well as a trail scenery hailed as the “tea plantation version of Eagle Rock Peak.”

Erjianshan is located in Longyan Village, Meishan Township, Chiayi County, and is a subsidiary peak of Dajianshan, standing at an elevation of 1,274 meters. Starting the hike from Zhuzai Cen, you follow along the ridge line of Dajianshan, pass the highest triangulation point of Dajianshan, then gradually descend to a great resting spot for hikers. Looking toward Gukeng, you can overlook the Chianan Plain and rows of betel nut trees; looking toward Meishan, you can gaze into the valley and tea plantations while also having a distant view of Caoling, offering an exceptional vantage point.

Another hiking entrance is from behind Longxing Temple, where you ascend along a wooden-plank trail. Along the way, besides dense bamboo and cedar forests, you’ll occasionally walk through tea plantations, which adds a unique charm to the journey. When cold fronts hit during autumn and winter each year, you may even have the chance to witness the magnificent sea of clouds. Walking along the trail feels like being in a paradise on earth.