Qixingshan by night, Yangmingshan – 七星山

The moon was exceptionally bright and we didn't even need torches to walk up the trail

Qixingshan, otherwise known as Seven Star mountain, is the highest peak in the Yangmingshan national park.  This area is very different to most mountains around Taipei because there are very few trees and the trail is almost entirely exposed to the elements.  This means it can be a painful hike to do in the heat of the summer but it also means that you get fantastic 360° views from the peak.

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The Four Beasts and others – 四獸山

The Four Beasts 四獸山 are four small mountains in the Xinyi district that overlook Taipei city and Taipei 101. Separately they’re called Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Tiger mountain (象山、豹山、獅山、虎山). Rising up higher and behind the beasts are the peaks of Nangang mountain and Jiuwufeng.

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Jiuwufeng – 九五峯

Taipei is both blessed and cursed. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides which means that the pollution in the city can be terrible, but it also means you are never far from a hiking trail. The ones around the four beasts are almost all of the paved variety and are lit up at night, which means they can be tackled anytime.

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