Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) Nature Trail

Taipei: Yangmingshan/Beitou Hot Springs, wait until the cherry blossoms are in full bloom Taipei Citywalk, start a day of admiring cherry blossoms at Yangmingshan, experiencing Beitou Hot Springs, and checking in at Taipei 101. Yangmingshan is Taipei's backyard, and every year from February to March is the season of blooming flowers, with colorful azaleas and early cherry blossoms competing for beauty. By the end of February, the Yaezakura cherry blossoms are blooming competitively, and when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the misty clouds surround the green hills, and soaking in a sulfur hot spring is like a springtime encounter. 🌸 Flower Viewing Spots: Yangmingshan Flower Clock (Pic 2-7) Yangmingshan Fountain (Pic 1) Yangmingshan Second Parking Lot (Pic 9) 🚍 How to get there: Take the small 8 bus from the Jiantan MRT station, or take the 129/small 9 bus from the Beitou MRT station to reach the above flower viewing spots. 📝 Flower Viewing Tips: 1⃣ The Yangmingshan Flower Clock is planted along the stream with colorful azaleas, which bloom at the end of February together with the early cherry blossoms, creating a layered effect. 2⃣ The Yangmingshan Fountain is tightly surrounded by Yaezakura cherry blossoms, resembling light pink clouds, and the combination with the fountain is very photogenic. 3⃣ The cherry blossoms at the Second Parking Lot bloom earlier, and by the time of visit, it is nearing the end of the flower season. 4⃣ The bus schedule provided by Google Maps for the Yangmingshan area is not accurate; wait for the bus based on the electronic display. 5⃣ Yangmingshan also has other nice attractions such as Xiaoyoukeng and Qixing Mountain (my visit failed due to heavy fog at the mountain top). You can take the 108 bus (circular mountain bus) from the Yangmingshan bus terminal, but pay attention to the schedule as there are not many buses. ♨️ Beitou Hot Springs: Yangmingshan is an active volcano with abundant geothermal resources. The hot springs in the Beitou area are natural green sulfur springs, which are said to contain trace amounts of radium and have healing effects, one of only two in the world. In addition to hot spring hotels, you can also choose specialized hot spring shops. I chose the 'Emperor Pool Hot Spring Royal Meal Pavilion', which can be reached by the small 8/small 9 bus. The hot spring is located in the sulfur stream of Yangmingshan, surrounded by numerous spring eyes steaming with sulfur vapor. After soaking in the sulfur spring, the skin really becomes more delicate, worth a try. ⭕️ The private bathhouse requires at least two people (500 Taiwan dollars), with a 30-minute limit on holidays and 40 minutes on weekdays; the public pool is not time-limited (250), and the locker requires a 20 coin. ❗️ If you choose the mixed public pool, bring a swimsuit. ‼️ There is a restaurant inside, and if you spend more than 400 on a meal, you can soak in the public pool for free. 🗻 Sulfur Valley: After soaking in the hot springs, I checked in at Sulfur Valley (Pic 10-11), a 15-minute walk from the Emperor Pool Hot Springs. A large amount of sulfur vapor spews from the ground, accompanied by boiling and erupting spring water, making a hissing sound, a spectacular scene. 🏢 Taipei 101: After the tour, I checked in at several classic spots of Taipei 101. 1⃣ Takeuchi Izakaya (Pic 12-13), walk south for 10 minutes from Exit 2 of the Xiangshan MRT station to compress the towering skyscraper and old house into one picture, creating a beauty of old and new integration. 2⃣ Xiangshan (Pic 14-16), enter the mountain from the 'Xiangshan Trail' entrance on Google Maps, choose the right path at the first fork, and reach the photography platform in 15 minutes. But it is recommended to continue walking up for 10 minutes to the Six Giant Rocks viewing platform, where the view is more open. The mountain trail is all stone steps with handrails and street lights, making climbing effortless.

Among the many ways to admire the magnificent Taipei 101, viewing it from afar would be my personal favorite. It is popular amongst tourists, be it visiting in the morning or sunset, the trail is always packed with tourists and locals. We chose the shortest route up, which took about 20minutes, but boy the steps were steep! There are many viewpoints, but if you are feeling adventurous, you can climb up one of the huge rocks to watch the sun fall. There is an Arabica across the street from the entrance of the trail, perfect to cool down after the sweaty hike. How to get there: MRT Xiangshan (Red line) - follow the pedestrain and walk along the perimeter of Xiang Shan Park, then on the uphill turn right when you see a condo. Upon turning right, you’ll see a temple then continue walking in the alley. You will see the entrance on your left after a short walk. PS: bring along mosquito repellent as the mosquitoes there are relentless. Difficulty of trail: 2/5 View: 5/5 #Taipei #Taiwan #couplestrip #hike #Coffee #view #Xiangshan

Elephant mountain hiking trail. Taipei is a stunning metropolis and some of the best views of the sprawling city can be found up the Elephant mountain, a moderately steep hiking trail. The mountain takes it’s name from the shape of the mountain and has inspired lots of art and culture in the local area. It is very close to the Xiangshan metro stop and it’s on many bus routes, if you take an uber you can put in the Arabica coffee shop as your drop off point as that is at the bottom of the trail. There are toilets at the bottom of the trail that are free to use and there are plenty of places along the way to sit and take a breath, this is ideal as the trail is steep in parts and made up for big steps. The points at the top offer a stunning view of the city, especially at sunset and sunrise but get there early as the viewing points can get very busy with tourists and professional photographers. It’s an easy hike and can be done within an hour, it’s good to do it early morning to avoid the crowds and get a hike in before it gets too hot! #timetotravel #taiwan #taipei #trip #instatravel #hike #hiking #nature

Getting There - Travel to Xiangshan Hiking Trail💚 Attractions - Views of Taipei Skyline🏙️✈️ Hotels - Day Trip in Taipei🌿 Food & Restaurants - Try A Post-Hike Meal at the Infamous Din Tai Fung🥟🍜🍚 Shopping - Ximen District🌱🌃 Whilst spending a day in Taipei, you shouldn’t miss the short and enjoyable hike at Xiangshan Hiking Trail🌃 With the starting point near Taipei 101, this downtown location is easily accessible and offers great views all the way over Taipei city📸 The hike takes around 20-30minutes and consists of stairs all the way up - take it slow in the summer humidity and enjoy the views along the way!⭐️💛 #taipei101 #taipei #taipeitower #taipeitravel #taipei #hiking #cityview

#elephantmountain #taipei After a quick breakfast at a nearby 7-11 store, we took one of the earliest trains to 象山station, promptly starting the straightforward ascent via flights of numerous steps to the summit. There was a steady drizzle but it wasn’t anything to worry about - the weather was still perfect for a morning climb & we had almost the entire trail to ourselves. Before long, we reached the peak of Elephant Mountain with beautiful views of Taipei 101 towering above the bustling city, and out came the small Singapore flag 🇸🇬 as usual 😂

Xiangshan aka Elephant Mountain Taipei 101 is an iconic building in Taiwan, and in my opinion, the best place to view it will be at Elephant Moutain.Great view of Taipei City as well. This hiking trail is just a few minutes away from the MRT station, so it is quite accessible. The hike itself is just lots and lots of rock stairs, so just take your time and pace yourself. There are places to stop and rest along the way up What people like to when they reach the viewpoint - climb up the giant rock! Do be careful and stay safe! #mytripvlog

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” #hiking #travel #taipei #taiwan #elephantmountaintrail #hikingislife #nature #dayhike #easyhike #taipei101

Elephant Mountain. Take the MRT Red Line to Xiangshan Station. Take Exit 2 and you will see signs for the direction to the hiking trail outside. Use Google Maps or ask the locals for directions where the entrance is. I forgot the number of steps to rock point, i lost track because i was sweating too much, bringing a heavy jacket with me. The last count I could remember was 600+ and we were not even there yet. 😂 We did not get a chance to take photos on top of the rocks because I’m I was gonna blown up bu the wind. I guess the best time would be early in the morning or late at night. #happynewyear

Pictures from the hike to the top of Elephant mountain 🐘

Our department chose hiking for team building, and I really, really enjoy such activities. Not only can we appreciate the beautiful scenery along the way, but we also gather together, talking and laughing. Even the slight hardships on the road suddenly seem less noticeable.

Very cold weather in February but still nice views for taipei101 !

Traversing the enchanting Elephant Hike in Taipei, Taiwan, where the wilderness unfolds its wonders with each step. 🐘🏞️ Through verdant forests and winding paths, nature's symphony surrounds, with the chorus of birdsong and rustling foliage. 🌿 Towering trees stand sentinel, guardians of ancient secrets veiled in time. 🌳 As elevation rises, the urban bustle recedes, yielding to a tranquil solitude amidst nature's embrace. 🌄 At the peak, Taipei's skyline unfolds beneath the vast expanse of the sky, a harmonious blend of cityscape and wilderness. 🏙️ Beneath the canopy of clouds, simplicity reigns supreme, offering respite from life's complexities. ☁️ The mountain breeze whispers tales of old, echoing through rugged terrain and lush greenery. 🌬️ Here, amidst untamed landscapes, a deep connection to Earth's essence is forged, bridging the gap between humanity and the natural world. 🌍 The Elephant Hike is more than a mere journey; it's an odyssey beckoning us to rediscover the rhythm of existence. 🌱 With each descent, a renewed reverence for Taiwan's wilderness is carried forth, a testament to its boundless beauty. 🌺 As the sun sets on this memorable expedition, we're reminded that amidst life's clamor, nature's embrace offers the greatest treasures. #tripstars