Yangmingshan National Park, National park in northern Taipei, Taiwan
Yangmingshan National Park is a nature reserve in northern Taipei, Taiwan, featuring volcanic formations, hot springs, grasslands, and forests. The mountains cover more than 11,000 hectares and hold plant species ranging from subtropical ferns to pines adapted to higher elevations.
The region was called Caoshan during the Qing Dynasty and was renamed Yangmingshan by Taiwan's leader Chiang Kai-shek in 1950. The park was officially established in 1985 to protect volcanic landscapes that have been active for thousands of years.
The name Yangmingshan honors Ming Dynasty scholar Wang Yangming, and many visitors come here to see cherry blossoms bloom in spring or watch azaleas in later months. Local residents often hike the trails early in the morning, treating the slopes as a place for exercise and quiet reflection before the day begins.
Several bus routes run from Taipei Main Station and Jiantan MRT Station to the visitor center, making the journey possible without a car. Weather changes quickly in the mountains, so visitors should wear layers and be prepared for fog or rain, especially in higher sections.
The Xiaoyoukeng area shows active fumaroles and sulfur deposits, and hikers can take a trail from there to the summit of Mount Qixing. From the top, you see Taipei spread out below, and on clear days the view reaches the coast.
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