Yangmingshan: The Ultimate Guide

𝗭𝗵𝘂𝘇𝗶𝗵𝘂 (lit. 𝘣𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘦) is a scenic farming village hidden away in the western reaches of Yangmingshan National Park, and one of my favourite places to cater to my floral obsession and escape from the sultry Taipei summers. Originally a lake created by lava from the surrounding volcanos, today Zhuzihu is home to an unique flora, delicious restaurants and attractions for all ages. Romantic flower gardens and ancient hiking trails abound, so choose your pick and start exploring! 📆 Spring to Autumn Distance: 🚍 2h 15min | 🚘 40min

• Zhuzihu Lake, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 112

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If you know me in real life or follow me on Instagram, you may be aware about my obsession with 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗮𝘀. The iconic flower that ushers in Japan's rainy season, these pompom blooms are enjoyed year round in Taiwan's subtropical climate, available for purchase at local markets as early as January. The area around 𝗭𝗵𝘂𝘇𝗶𝗵𝘂 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 is heaven for the hydrangea lover, exploding during summer with the full spectrum of the rainbow. 📸 Make a stop at one of the many insta-famous 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 while exploring the Zhuzihu area and you'll have a collection of beautiful photos you'll want to look back at over and over again. 📆 April (for calla lilies) - May (for hydrangeas) 🕐 1-2 hours 🎫 100元 (when the calla lilies are in bloom, rental boots and picking lilies included)

• +886 914 060 199

• 112, Taiwan, Taipei City, Beitou District, 竹子湖路67-7號

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Considering enjoying Zhuzihu's famous calla lilies or hydrangeas? Why not pair your photoshoot with a cappuccino and some homemade cookies at 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺. This café boasts both a cozy interior and a carefully landscaped garden with winding paths, a flower slope and a variety of photo-ops. The drink menu is extensive, offering varieties of coffee, milk and milk teas for all tastes. 📆 April for calla lilies - May for hydrangeas (if you plan on picking calla lilies, please note it can only be done in the morning) 🎫 100元 for either calla picking or consumption (you can go to Beitou's Farmer Association to buy discounted entrance tickets) https://www.facebook.com/minyangpu

• +886 2 2862 7639

• 竹子湖路(用google map搜尋名陽匍休閒農莊即可, 北投區台北市 Taiwan 112

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“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 ...” ... is covered in 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀. How would you like to enjoy an afternoon strolling through endless fields of these beautiful pure white flowers, with a scenic backdrop of steam-shrouded mountains? I know I’d be as happy as 6 year old in a playground! 📆 March to May 🕐 3 hours 🎫 While you can walk around the fields free of charge, entering the privately owned farms to get close and personal with the flowers will usually cost an admission ticket of 50~100元.

• +886 2 2892 4185#540

• 112, Taiwan, Taipei City, Beitou District, 竹子湖路67-8號

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If a hot dip is your favourite way to chase away the cold during the chilly months, you will find 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 to be a true haven. Beitou is the only hot spring village in Taipei, and the only metro-accessible one in Taiwan. It sits at the feet of Yangming mountain, a dormant volcano. Thermal valleys located uphill provide the hot springs with three kinds of sulphur-rich waters (white sulphur, green sulphur and iron sulfur).

• +886 2 2895 5418

• 112, Taiwan, Taipei City, Beitou District, Guangming Road, 283號台湾

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𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗴 literally translates as 𝘱𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳. Maybe the cartographers were just having a bad day, but don't let this name fool you, as it doesn't do these hot springs any justice. First of all, the water is not cold (just not as hot as that in the Beitou hot springs). Secondly, at Lengshuikeng you can experience hot springs in a National Park 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲. If you plan to hike Qixing mountain, this is where you should start, as many trails conveniently loop back to this visitor centre. Before heading out, take the time to visit the 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲, where sulphuric fumes turn the water murky white. On the way back, soak your weary feet in the 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗵 for instant relief. 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: the hot springs are gender-segregated, and you enter the baths in the nude.

• +886 2 2861 3601

• Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
  111台北市士林區

• https://www.ymsnp.gov.tw/index.php?option=com_tourmap&view=tourmap&id=6&gp=0&Itemid=127

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Despite being the highest peak in Yangminshan, 𝗠𝘁. 𝗤𝗶𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴) is a relatively easy hike that anyone can tackle. The mountain owes its name to its seven peaks, the result of time eroding the ancient volcanic crater that once crowned the top. The trailhead can be easily accessed by the Lengshuikeng Visitor Centre, which will first skirt 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 before starting the ascent proper. The path will take you through woodland staircases, bamboo corridors and grassy trails. Take your time to get personal with the local wildlife of bamboo partridges, iridescent lizards and huge butterflies. Once you summit the East Peak and then the Main Peak (approx. 1100m) you will be rewarded by sweeping 360 degrees vistas over Taipei and the surrounding mountain range. At this point it's up to you if you want to loop back to Lensuikeng through 𝗤𝗶𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 or make the full round trip that will take you all the way past 𝗭𝗵𝘂𝘇𝗶𝗵𝘂. 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁. Mt. Qixingn is the highest (dormant) volcano in Taiwan. 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁. Talking of biodiversity, the densely forested southern slope of Mt. Qixing is said to be inhabited by a spectrum of critters with the most interesting names: weevils, assassin bugs, darkling beetles and blister beetles, just to name a few. Now, who wants to hike that side of the mountain? 🕐 4 ~ 5 hours

• +886 2 2861 3601

• Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 112

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Expect to be enchanted by your visit to 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗼𝗻𝗱 (夢幻湖 literally translates as 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦). Much of this pond's fame comes from the extremely rare variety of aquatic fern that grows in it, thanks to which this location has been granted Ecological Protected Area status. You are not allowed down to the pond's shore or into the water, of course, but there is a viewing deck along the trail. 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁. The pond's former name was Yachi, or Duck Pond.

• +886 2 2861 3601

• Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 112

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