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Mt. Chihsing, Taiwan

Edi McFerrin

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Mt. Chihsing is the tallest in the parks, with a main peak standing 1,120 meters (3739.2 ft). A climb up Mt. Chihsing starts at Hsiaoyukeng Mountain Entrance (alternatives are Menghuan Lake, Lengshuikeng, and Miaopu, but these take longer). From Hsiaoyukeng to the Main Peak is a distance of 1.5 km, and takes about 40 minutes to walk. From the Main Peak you can see for miles in all directions. There are plaques on the top of both the Main and East Peak of Mt. Chihsing, giving information on the views. The path descending the mountain is quite steep and care should be taken in wet weather, when the stone steps become slippery. Mt. Tatun takes its name from its shape, said to look like a pig lying down; it has a total of 10 peaks and is the third largest mountain in tbe park. The Main Peak is 1,081 meters (3,545 ft). The birds, plants, and buttertlies in the area around Mt. Tatun are particularly abundant; besides forming part of Butterfly Corridor, the mountain has the Tatun Natural Park at its base. It takes about one hour to climb the mountain, and the trail is bordered by bamboo and pampas grass on both sides. During May and June a large population of milkweed butterflies is supported by the cow parsley that grows in profusion. The Main Peak is famous for its views, and from its pavilion on a clear day you can see Mt. Mientien and beyond it Mt. Hsiao kuanyin, and beyond that the mouth of the Tamsui River. The wind at the top of the mountain is strong and you should be prepared for the cold.