Shetoushan

Shetoushan is a mountain summit in Penghu County, Taiwan, rising from the islands and offering views across the Taiwan Strait toward the mainland. The peak is accessible through hiking trails that wind through the surrounding landscape and provide access to various vantage points.

The summit has long been connected to local fishing communities who worked the waters around it and became familiar with the hill's distinctive outline. The name developed from generations of observation by those who lived and worked with this landscape daily.

The summit's name comes from its shape, which resembles a snake's head when viewed from certain angles, showing how locals perceive their landscape. This naming tradition is rooted in how people have long connected the land's natural features to familiar animals and objects.

The summit is reachable year-round, though spring and fall offer the most comfortable hiking conditions with stable weather and moderate temperatures. Wearing proper footwear and bringing water is advisable, as trails can be steep and exposed to direct sun in places.

The hill hosts special geological formations that create habitats for plant species found nowhere else in Taiwan. These rare plants are adapted to the specific conditions at this location and attract those interested in native flora.