#009 – Mt. Dongxiaonan 東小南山 – 3,709m

Mt. Dongxiaonan (東小南山) is one of the four “Rear” peaks of Jade Mountain, that is usually bunched in with Yushan South Peak (玉山南峰) and Lushan (鹿山) on the second or third day of the four-day rear peaks route.

Mt. Dongxiaonan is ranked #009 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

#008 – Mt. Nanhuda 南湖大山 – 3,741m

Mt. Nanhuda (南湖大山) is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful peaks in Taiwan. In fact, not only is it one of the top 5 “Must Hike” peaks of Taiwan, it was also immortalized in Taiwan’s 2,000NT currency bill.

Mt. Nanhuda is ranked #008 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

#007 – Mt. Mabolasi 馬博拉斯山 – 3,776m

If the name Mt. Mabolasi (馬博拉斯山) is mentioned to anyone in the hiking community, usually the reaction is one of incredulity and awe.

This peak is the namesake of the route it is on (Mabolasi Traverse (馬博橫斷)), which is considered one of the longest, most isolated, most difficult routes in Taiwan.

Mt. Mabolasi is ranked #007 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

#006 – Mt. Xiugulan 秀姑巒山 – 3,895m

Ranked at the C level (2nd highest difficulty level), the fifth of the ‘must-do’ mountains, Mt. Xiugulan (秀姑巒山) is on a whole other level. Standing at 3,895m, it’s the highest mountain on the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan, which is often referred to the “Spine” of Taiwan.

Listed as #006 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

#005 – Yushan South Peak 玉山南峰 – 3,852m

Yushan South Peak 玉山南峰 reaches 3,852m and is one of the nine peaks of Jade Mountain.

These can roughly be divided into five in the “front” and four in the “rear”.

Getting to the four “rear” peaks is considerably harder and allows for a visit to Yuanfeng Cabin (圓峰山屋), the highest mountain house in Taiwan.

Listed as #005 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

#004 – Yushan North Peak 玉山北峰 – 3,858m

The traditional trail to Jade Mountain’s main peak comes to a fork roughly 200m below the final summit.

For those wanting a special experience, they can opt to take the less-traveled road to Yushan North Peak (玉山北峰) at this fork.

From this junction, North Peak is roughly 2.5km away (one way), and starts (and finishes) with a very steep gravel field that all hikers must hike up and down.

The ridge itself is relatively easy and if done in the right season, hikers may be lucky enough to see fields of local Yushan Rhododendrons, the most famous mountain flower in Taiwan.

Listed as #004 on the Top 100 Mountains in Taiwan.

#001 – Yushan Main Peak (玉山) – 3,952m

Standing tall at 3,952m, Jade Mountain Main Peak (玉山), (aka Yushan Main Peak) is not only the tallest mountain in Taiwan, but also East Asia. Ingrained in Taiwanese popular consciousness and culture, this peak is the crown jewel of mountains in Taiwan and for many, a life-long goal to climb. Despite being the highest mountainContinue reading “#001 – Yushan Main Peak (玉山) – 3,952m”

Coastal Cycling: Longmen-Yanliao Bikeway in New Taipei City

Cycling along Taiwan’s 5.4km Longmen-Yanliao (龍門鹽寮自行車道) in northeastern Taiwan is a perfect day trip for families or couples – or anyone else who is looking to explore Taiwan by bike. is a great way to spend a day