Chase the Snow on Hehuan Mountain: A Winter Wonderland of Endless Beauty

This year’s harsh winter has brought heavy snowfall to Hehuan Mountain, attracting countless visitors eager to experience its snowy landscapes. Beyond the stunning snow scenes, the Hehuan Mountain area, part of Taroko National Park, boasts incredibly rich alpine ecology, including alpine wildflowers, birds, butterflies, and high-altitude forests, each offering unique charm throughout the four seasons.

The commonly referred to Hehuan Mountain area actually includes five peaks of Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks: Hehuan Main Peak, Hehuan East Peak, Shimen Mountain, Hehuan North Peak, and Hehuan West Peak. The unique terrain and valleys often lead to cloud gathering in the afternoon, with layers of clouds continuously churning to form sea of clouds. As the clouds surge over the mountain ridges and then cascade down, they create spectacular cloud waterfalls. When night falls and temperatures drop sharply, the clouds slowly retreat back down the mountains. As winter deepens, this cloud-gathering phenomenon becomes even more pronounced, drawing many visitors specifically for Hehuan Mountain’s sea of clouds.

Since the Central Cross-Island Highway was opened and connected with the Wushe Branch Road, roads now directly lead to the peaks of Hehuan Mountain, making climbing these towering summits no longer a distant dream. Many peaks within the Hehuan Mountain range, such as Hehuan Main Peak, Hehuan East Peak, Shimen Mountain, and Hehuan Sharp Peak, stand over 3,000 meters above sea level and can be conquered in just half a day. Along the hiking trails, you can admire alpine plants like Taiwan juniper, Taiwan fir, and Yushan litsea, while shaded slopes reveal mosses and ferns—all worth close appreciation.

The most convenient way to reach Hehuan Mountain is usually via the Wushe Branch Road of the Central Cross-Island Highway from Nantou. After passing Wushe, you’ll arrive at Qingjing, known as the “Peach Blossom Land Above the Clouds.” There aren’t many places to eat or stay around Hehuan Mountain, but Qingjing has seen a boom in homestays in recent years, each with unique architectural styles and a strong holiday atmosphere. If you continue past Hehuan Mountain, you can head to Lishan, where you shouldn’t miss the premium-quality high-mountain fruits and vegetables. Winter visitors must prepare well for snow viewing—not only with proper cold-weather gear, but also by paying attention to driving safety and snow chain installation requirements.

Traffic Control Information for the Hehuan Mountain Area
Hehuan Police Station: (04)2599-1114
Cuifeng Police Station: (049)2802-603
Hehuan Mountain Management Station Visitor Information Hotline: (04)2599-1195

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