Attraction
Taipei 101 Observatory
The observation floors of Taipei 101, the 508-metre Xinyi tower, offer views across the Taipei Basin and a close look at its giant tuned mass damper.
Yangmingshan National Park
A volcanic national park on Taipei's northern edge, with fumaroles, hot springs, seasonal flowers and the 1,120-metre Qixing Mountain.
At a glance
- Type
- Volcanic national park
- Area
- Beitou / Shilin hills, Taipei, Taiwan
Good to know
- Hiking trails
- Hot springs
- Seasonal flowers
- Free entry
Why we recommend it
Yangmingshan National Park is the green, volcanic backdrop to Taipei, and no other national park in Taiwan sits so close to a major city. It was established on 16 September 1985 and covers about 11,338 hectares of mountains, grassland and forest, including the Tatun volcanic group. For visitors it offers a completely different side of the capital: Yangming Park, one of its best-known areas, is only about 17 kilometres from the city centre.
The volcanic landscape is the main reason to go. Qixing, or Seven Star, Mountain rises to 1,120 metres and is Taiwan's tallest dormant volcano; its trail starts from the Xiaoyoukeng parking area. Xiaoyoukeng itself, at around 805 metres, is a post-volcanic area of steaming fumaroles and sulphur crystals, and the smell of sulphur hangs in the air. Other well-known spots include Lengshuikeng, Qingtiangang with its open grassland, and the Yangming Archive House. Yangming Park, a 107-hectare area named in 1950 after the Ming dynasty scholar Wang Yangming, is known for its flower clock and spring cherry blossoms, and calla lilies bloom at Zhuzihu, or Bamboo Lake, after the cherry season, around mid-March.
The park changes with the seasons: flowers in spring, cooler air than the city in summer, silver grass and red maple leaves in autumn, and hot springs in winter. Birdwatchers look out for the Formosan blue magpie, a species found only in Taiwan. The park suits hikers, families who want an easy walk among flowers, and anyone who simply wants to escape the heat of the basin. Hot springs are scattered across the area, and some restaurants on Xingyi Road in Beitou serve meals with hot spring bathing.
Plan your day around the weather. The mountains are often wetter and cooler than central Taipei, and cloud can roll in quickly, so bring a waterproof, a warm layer and sturdy shoes, and start early if you want to climb Qixing Mountain. Weekends during flower season are very busy, so a weekday visit is more relaxed. A half day covers one or two sights; a full day lets you combine a summit hike with Xiaoyoukeng and a hot spring.
The park lies north of the city, partly within the Beitou District, and is reached by road through the hills. The Yangmingshan Bus Station is one of the hubs inside the park, with trails linking it to the visitor centre, the second parking lot and Xiaoyoukeng, and the Beitou hot spring district makes a natural place to finish the day.
Yangmingshan National Park FAQs
How high is Qixing Mountain?
Qixing, or Seven Star, Mountain is 1,120 metres high and is Taiwan's tallest dormant volcano.
When was the national park established?
Yangmingshan National Park was established on 16 September 1985.
Where does the Qixing Mountain trail start?
A main trailhead is at the Xiaoyoukeng parking area.
What is Xiaoyoukeng?
It is a post-volcanic area at around 805 metres with fumaroles and sulphur crystals.
When is the best time to visit?
The park is worth visiting all year: flowers in spring, cooler air in summer, silver grass and maple in autumn, and hot springs in winter.
When do the calla lilies bloom?
Calla lilies at Zhuzihu (Bamboo Lake) bloom after the cherry blossom season, around mid-March.
What should you bring?
Bring a waterproof, a warm layer, water and sturdy shoes, as the weather in the mountains can change quickly.
Is there wildlife to see?
Yes, birdwatchers look for the Formosan blue magpie, a species found only in Taiwan.