[Taitung Travel]Unveil the Mystique of Jiaping Lake: A Complete Hiking Route Guide

Tripbaa Funbaa!, Asia’s Free Travel Expert

When the summer heat hits, do you also feel like exploring Taitung’s hidden gems or visiting that vast, endless sea? This summer, head to Taitung’s hidden attractions not only to witness the breathtaking beauty of Angel’s Tears but also to escape the heat at Jiaping Lake Mountain Hut. It’s even a challenge to conquer one of Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks (Baekdu Mountains)!

Whether you’re a beginner to Jiaping Lake or an experienced hiker, come and discover this Taitung hidden gem—Jiaping Lake—together.

Since the Ice Age, Taitung has been home to a rare treasure on Earth—a cirque lake named Jiaping Lake. Never drying up, Jiaping Lake glistens under the sunlight every day, shining and dreamlike like Angel’s Tears, hence its nickname “Angel’s Tears.”

Jiaping Lake is not only famous for its serene environment and natural beauty but also for the many mysterious legends and stories born from its unique geographical setting.Due to its high altitude, Jiaping Lake’s weather is highly changeable, often shrouded in clouds and mist. Even seasoned hikers can easily get lost here.

But the greatest charm of Jiaping Lake lies precisely in this unpredictability. The ever-shifting alpine scenery means that slight changes in temperature, humidity, or sunlight can transform how the lake appears. The ethereal, dreamlike views of Jiaping Lake, veiled in mist, make it feel like stepping into a heavenly paradise untouched by humans. Even if you’ve seen countless photos of Jiaping Lake before your hike, the moment you see it in person, a deep sense of awe will well up inside you: “This is Jiaping Lake. I’m really standing before Jiaping Lake.”

Recommended Reading:

Located on the southern section of the Central Mountain Range, Jiaping Lake is the second-highest alpine lake in Taiwan, only after Snow Mountain’s Cui Pond. To witness this stunning scenery, there are two ways to go:

■ Self-Drive:

First, take Provincial Highway 9 toward Chihshang Township and turn onto Provincial Highway 20A (about 5 km drive), then turn right onto Provincial Highway 20 toward Yangguang National Forest Recreation Area (approximately 154.5 km drive), and finally begin hiking the Jiaping Lake Trail.

■ Join a Guided Hiking Tour:

In recent years, more and more people in Taiwan have developed an interest in hiking, but for beginners, just the physical training can be mentally exhausting. Therefore, consider joining a multi-day guided hiking tour that includes group transportation and professional guides. It offers greater convenience and safety.

Taitung Hidden Gem—Jiaping Lake. (Photo / Tripbaa Funbaa!, Asia’s Free Travel Expert)

To admire this moving Angel’s Tears, it is essential to prepare in advance and understand all trail information. Although the one-way length of the Jiaping Lake Trail is only 13 km, its altitude exceeds 3,300 m, and weather and environmental changes often occur.

Additionally, the sudden altitude increase may cause altitude sickness. Therefore, it is recommended that beginner hikers read the following suggestions and preparation tips carefully, ensuring both physical and mental readiness before setting off, so they can enjoy the beauty of Jiaping Lake while hiking.

Along the Jiaping Lake Trail, you’ll pass Yangguang Mountain and Sancha Mountain, where you’ll see Taiwan’s most ancient tree species—the evergreen and towering Taiwan juniper—struggling for survival. There’s also the dramatic Yangguang Cliff, which turns a striking red at sunset and is also known as Red Leaf Mountain, and the high-altitude grassland atop Sancha Mountain, offering lush, rolling meadows. Below is a breakdown of the conditions along each section, in order: Jiaping Lake Trailhead, Jiaping Lake Mountain Hut, and Jiaping Lake.

1. From the Jiaping Lake Trailhead to Yangguang Mountain Hut: This is a relatively gentle section of the trail, but don’t underestimate it. For beginners, carrying gear still makes the uphill climb quite tiring.

2. From Yangguang Mountain Hut to Jiaping Lake Mountain Hut: This section is very steep. The increasing altitude, coupled with uneven gravel paths, means you must pay extra attention to safety while enjoying the scenery.

3. From Jiaping Lake Mountain Hut to Jiaping Lake: Unlike other sections, this part has more downhill stretches, so the return journey is actually the most exhausting.

A typical complete Jiaping Lake hiking itinerary is a round trip from the Yangguang Recreation Area Trailhead to Jiaping Lake, usually spanning three days and two nights. However, to reduce the physical and mental burden on beginner hikers, many opt to adjust the plan to four days and three nights. This provides more time to adjust physically and mentally, allowing for a better appreciation of the beauty of Taitung’s hidden gem—Jiaping Lake.

The adjustment mainly involves slowing down the descent and spending an extra night at Jiaping Lake Mountain Hut. Although you carry less gear on the way back from Jiaping Lake to the hut, the continuous steep uphill journey is very tiring. For beginner hikers carrying gear and adapting to altitude sickness, it’s not advisable to cover too much distance in one go. This allows more time for adjustment.

Day 1: Yangguang Recreation Area Trailhead → Overnight at Yangguang Mountain Hut.

Day 2: Yangguang Mountain Hut → Heishuitang Campsite → Sancha Mountain → Jiaping Lake → Jiaping Lake Mountain Hut.

Day 3: Jiaping Lake Mountain Hut → Yangguang Recreation Area Trailhead.

Day 1: From the Xiangyang Recreation Area trailhead to Xiangyang Mountain Hut for an overnight stay.

Day 2: From Xiangyang Mountain Hut to Ridge Campsite, then to Xiangyang Mountain Junction, then up to Xiangyang Mountain (3602m), then back to Xiangyang Junction, and finally to Jioming Lake Mountain Hut for an overnight stay.

Day 3: From Jioming Lake Mountain Hut to the Junction, then to Jioming Lake, then to Sancha Mountain (a member of the Taiwan 100 Peaks at 3496m), and back to Jioming Lake Mountain Hut.

Day 4: From Jioming Lake Mountain Hut to the Junction, then to Xiangyang Mountain Hut, and finally to the Xiangyang Mountain Forest Recreation Area trailhead.

Recommended Reading:

The Jioming Lake Hiking Trail does not require a mountain entry permit, but if you wish to stay in either the Xiangyang or Jioming Lake Mountain Huts, you must apply in advance.

Fee Structure:Weekends (Friday, Saturday, and the day before a long holiday until the day before the holiday ends): 600 NTD per bed. Weekdays: 400 NTD per bed.

Application Rules:Applications can be submitted between 45 and 8 days before your intended stay. There is a limit of 2011 people, and you may form your own group.

Application Method:

Phase 1:During the open application period, apply via the Mountain Hut Application Website. Successful applicants will be notified by email.

Phase 2:Starting at 3 PM on the 30th day before your intended stay date, the first bed lottery will take place. Results will be sent via email. Successful applicants will be notified by SMS and announced on the website.

Phase 3:From 7 to 29 days before your stay date, a daily lottery for remaining beds will be held at 3 PM. Results and announcement methods are the same as above.

For consecutive stays, you must win a “daily bed” in your application. Camping options are also available. For more details, please visit the official Jioming Lake National Trail website.

A: To avoid heavy rain, the peak hiking season for Jioming Lake is from early October to April. Always check the weather before your trip to prevent disappointment or danger caused by severe rainfall.

1. Spring: During the transition from spring to summer, be cautious of heavy rain and thunderstorms during the plum rain season.

2. Summer: With pleasant temperatures around 16–19°C, it's a great place to escape the heat, although occasional afternoon thunderstorms occur. However, avoid hiking during typhoon season.

3. Autumn: The cool climate is suitable for hiking, but avoid hiking during typhoon season.

4. Winter: Temperatures often drop between -3 and -4°C, with frequent fog. Snowfall usually begins by the end of October, so ensure you have adequate warm clothing.

A: Due to the moderate difficulty level of the Jioming Lake hiking route and the potential for altitude sickness at high elevations, hikers must be between 18 and 65 years old.

A: First-time hikers are not recommended to attempt the Jioming Lake Trail, as it requires carrying approximately 10 kg of gear and includes steep ascents and rugged sections. Beginners should engage in regular physical and weight training before the trip.

A: Physical preparation before hiking Jioming Lake is crucial. Start with simple exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming, then gradually focus on targeted muscle training. Emphasize improving cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength, and don’t forget to include weight training—be fully prepared to take on the challenge of Jioming Lake.

A: To fully enjoy the beauty of Jioming Lake, an overnight stay is necessary. You’ll need to carry everything yourself, including shoes, warm clothing, first aid supplies, a sleeping bag, food for energy, and fuel for cooking. Carefully check your gear before departure.

Mountain huts that offer application-based lotteries require applications to be submitted one month in advance. For more details, refer to the Jioming Lake National Trail official website or use the application and lottery service provided by Tripbaa. If you’re not selected for a hut, you will automatically be entered into the campground + tent lottery.

A: Generally, about 10–20% of people may experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness. Usually, rest and hydration will help your body adjust. If you’ve been staying up late or are not in good health before the hike, it is strongly recommended to purchase Acetazolamide 250mg (Diamox) in advance, but be sure to consult a professional pharmacist and understand the correct usage.

During the hike to Jioming Lake, if you experience symptoms A + B: “A: Dizziness/headache/pressure in the head” and “B: General weakness/nausea/vomiting/persistent shortness of breath or insomnia even after resting,” it may be acute mountain sickness. Please stop ascending immediately or descend in altitude, and be sure to notify your guide right away.

After reading the above preparation tips and route suggestions for hiking Jioming Lake, do you feel like you know more about it now? Taiwan is home to many beautiful high mountains waiting for us to explore. Although the journey may be tough, seeing the stunning views of these hundred peaks is like checking off one of life’s must-do items—the sense of fulfillment is absolutely worth the effort.

[Authorized Repost from Tripbaa]Original source: [Hidden Gem in Taitung: Jioming Lake Beginner's Must-Read | Complete Guide to Jioming Lake Mountain Hut & Hiking Routes]

Recommended Reading