Anbu

Most people are surprised when they hear just how close Taipei City is to a dormant volcano. By public transport, it takes only an hour to reach the simmering mountain of fire (in Mandarin, the literal translation of volcano is “fire mountain”!). Xiaoyoukeng, located in Yangmingshan National Park, is probably one of the best places to feel the pulsation of the volcano under your feet. It is a scenic area full of volcanic geological features and is situated about 805 meters high. Fumaroles have been formed here as a result of the effects of volcanism, and sulfur crystal and collapsed terrain are characteristic of the area. To the delight of many visitors, it is even possible to see streams of fumes coming from fumaroles in the distance. The smell of sulfur here is very intense and the geothermal heat can be easily felt as you draw closer to the fumaroles. You will even see bubbling puddles by the side of footpath, which contain a very high temperature and cannot be touched with your hands. Walking uphill along the footpath, you will find yourself met with a view overlooking the entire Xiaoyoukeng. In addition, you can also see the volcanic cones of Qixingshan (七星山) and Bamboo Mountain (竹子山) at the platform nearby. Next time you visit Yangmingshan National Park, don’t forget to experience the charm and suspense of Taipei’s very own dormant volcano.

Located in the outskirts of Taipei, Yangmingshan National Park can be one of the favorite spots of urban dwellers who suffer from “nature deprivation.” As the backyard of Taipei, Yangmingshan is a child-friendly place as kids are allowed to explore the vast grassland of Qingtiangang and interact closely with the cattle. It is also a nice location to have a family picnic or to just sit back and enjoy the surrounding lushness. In the afternoon, the grassland is often shrouded in a thick blanket of fog, and visitors get to take in an enchanting view. If you happen to be visiting in autumn, Qingtiangang will tantalize your eyes with the spectacular views of the golden fields of silver grass.

Qingtiangang can be easily accessible by car or bus. Your first stop should be the visitor center as it is where the free guided tours start (twice a day: 9:30 and 13:30). Then follow the 2.4-kilometer-long circular trail to meet those grazing cattle on the grassland as well as a number of historic ruins on the way. When the sky is clear enough, the Jinshan plain and the Taipei basin will greet you from far off as there is no obstruction of views at all. So what is the best time of the year to visit Qingtiangang, you ask? Well, spring and autumn for sure.

Qixingshan (literally “seven star mountain”) is the highest peak within Yangmingshan National Park. It is also on the list of the 100 minor peaks, which means that everyone regardless of age is physically capable of going out on a hike up on Qixingshan. Approximately 5.7 kilometers long, Qixingshan Trail has an average grade of 11° along its entire length and can be accessed from four different points: Miaopu (苗圃) next to the visitor center, Xiaoyukeng, Lengshuikeng and the parking lot of Dream Lake (夢幻湖). The entire journey will take you about 3 hours and 15 minutes.

In the middle portions of the trail, you will encounter the popular Xiaoyoukeng that boasts volcanic geological landforms as its main types of geological heritages. Soon after this, you will summit Qixingshan Main Peak and Qixingshan East Peak respectively at the altitudes of 1,120m and 1,107m. The panoramic view of the surrounding mountainous area is truly rewarding. You can even take in Xueshan (Snow Mountain, the second tallest mountain in Taiwan) and the whole Taipei City from up there!

Notice:

Never forget to bring enough water and food for the hike.

Located on the east side of Qixingshan, Lengshuikeng (literally “cold water pit”) used to be a barrier lake formed by volcanic lava flowing down from the mountain. As the lake's waters drained out, it took the form of the landscape we see today. If the hike up to the mountain wears you out, a public foot bath allows you to wash away all your fatigue by dipping your feet into the pool. There are even indoor hot springs entered while fully in the nude (men and women are separated). All facilities are free of charge.

With a mildly-acid to neutral pH of 6.5, Lengshuikeng is a sodium bicarbonate spring that provides innumerable benefits to the skin and to general health. The water temperature here is around 40℃, which is far below those of other hot springs, hence the name “cold water pit.” Lengshuikeng is also home to the one and only lake of precipitated sulfur in Taiwan. If you are around, be sure to visit the marvelous Milk Lake where sulfurous fumes in the lake bed turn the water milky white!

Notice:

Closed on the last Monday of each month (if a national holiday falls on a Monday, it remains open that Monday but is closed the next day) and Chinese New Year's Eve.

As one of the favorite spots of urban dwellers who suffer from “nature deprivation,” Yangmingshan is full of natural wonders. For example, Lengshuikeng (冷水坑) is home to the one and only lake of precipitated sulfur in Taiwan. As the post-volcanic activities are still active in the area and sulfurous fumes in the lake bed turn the water milky white, it is therefore known as Milk Pond. No need to climb all the steps as you will find it right next to the parking lot.

However, Yangmingshan National Park management decided it would be best to protect the pond from tourists. Currently, there is no single path that leads you to the very edge of Milk Pond. The only way to behold such a marvelous sight is to view from the high level or simply stay on the walking trail.

Originally known as Caoshan (literally “Grass Mountain”), Yangmingshan is laden with lush greenery and can be one of the favorite spots of urban dwellers who suffer from “nature deprivation.” Tucked away on the mountain slope, Grass Mountain Chateau was first established in the early 1920s and served as a guesthouse belonging to Taiwan Sugar Corporation during the Japanese Colonial Era.

Back in 1949, Grass Mountain Chateau was also Chiang Kai-shek’s first home in Taiwan, which makes it the very first presidential residence in Taiwan. In 1950, in order to commemorate the celebrated Chinese philosopher Wang Yang-ming, Grass Mountain was therefore changed to the present name, "Yangmingshan."

Around the main chateau, there are four subsidiary buildings that were reserved for then-President Chiang’s retinues. After his death, Grass Mountain Chateau went into severe decline until the government decided to renovate such a historical asset. Today, the main chateau has been converted into an art exhibition hall, while the four others are now artists’ studios. For locals and tourists alike, Grass Mountain Chateau is very well worth a visit as it is both historically and culturally fascinating. During your escape to Yangmingshan from the chaos of urban living, be sure to swing by Grass Mountain Chateau for a nice cup of tea in the most natural setting possible.