VIBE

This lovely nature reserve in the mountains of the BeiTou and ShiLin districts attracts nature lovers and hot springs aficionados with hiking trails, waterfalls, a striking volcanic landscape, and sulfuric hot springs. There are also formal gardens (including a giant clock made out of flowers), two historic buildings (the home of famous scholar Lin Yutang and Yangming Villa, where Chiang Kai-shek entertained dignitaries), and several hot springs resorts.

GO HERE WITH

Nature enthusiasts; friends; family

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s such a treat to have this much greenery and interesting topography so close to the city. When we’re feeling sporty, we like hiking through the hills and drinking in the spectacular scenery (the views of Taipei from ZhiZhu Lake are particularly fetching). And of course, we’re never averse to a soak in a hot spring, either. (That said, the hot springs resorts in Yangmingshan are a bit more spartan than those in BeiTou proper because no new construction is allowed in the park.)

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

It can be a bit tricky to get to (although it’s only 20 minutes from central Taipei by car). Beware of taxi drivers offering to take you around the park or back to the city center for exorbitant fares; don’t be afraid to negotiate with them.

GOOD TO KNOW

A bit of Yangmingshan trivia: the highest peak, QiXingShan, has an elevation of 1,120 meters and is the highest point in Taipei. The park used to be known as Caoshan (grass mountain), but Chiang Kai-shek renamed it after his favorite philosopher, Wang Yang-ming. There are no metro stations nearby, but Yangmingshan can be reached by bus from BeiTou Station (Bus 230), JianNan Station (Bus Red 5), ZhiShan Station (Bus 220), ShiLin Station (Bus Red 30), and JinTian Station (Bus Red 15). Bus 108 makes a circuit of the park. All hiking trails are marked in English. If you’re coming for a long hike, make sure to pack water and snacks as they can be pricey in the park. Check out the Yangmingshan website or the visitor center for hiking safety tips.

CLOSEST COMPS

Taroko National Park (Taiwan); Zhishan Cultural and Ecological Garden (Taipei)