'''Yangmingshan National Park''' [http://www.ymsnp.gov.tw] (_z___R________); ''Yang Ming Shan Guoji? G?ngyuan'') is a collection of peaks in Taiwan, located to the northeast of Taipei.
Understand
Yangmingshan's original name was ''Caoshan'' (Grass Mountain in Mandarin), referring to the tall silvergrass that covers the highest slopes. Chiang Kai-shek renamed it Mount Yangming after his favorite Ming philosopher Wang Yang-ming (B.C 1472-1529).
The tallest peak, Mount Qixing (Seven Star Mountain), has an elevation of 1120 meters (3,674 ft), and its peak is the highest point in Taipei City. Trails leading throughout the entire park consist of basalt pavers, are steep in places, and can be fairly treacherous during periods of rain. Expect to be passed by septuagenarian locals who make the trip every week!
Below approximately 1000 meters (3,280 ft), the park is characterized by tropical rainforest, whereas above 1000 meters, scrub-like trees and tall clumping grasses are the main form of vegetation.
Getting in
Bus 260 leaves from Zhengzhou Road (the road directly behind Taipei Main Railway Station) for the park every ten minutes, traveling along Zhongshan North Road, and turning right onto Zhongzheng Road in Shilin. From Jiantan MRT Station, Bus Red 5 leaves for the park every 15 minutes. From Beitou, bus 230 plies the route every thirty minutes. It is a short walk from the bus terminal station to the cultivated area of the park. The journey from Taipei Main Station takes about forty minutes and costs NT$30.
Mini-bus number 15 departs hourly from Beitou for Judz-hu (also spelled Zhuzi Hu - refer to See section below).
Fees and Permits
There is no fee to enter the park.
Get around
By road
The mountains are covered in a network of roads, and there are several mini-buses that leave from Zhongzheng Road (directly in front of exit 1 at Shilin MRT Station) that traverse the mountains.
[http://www.ymsnp.gov.tw/HTML/ENG/07directions/dir_a01_list.asp For information on public transportation]
By foot
The mountains are connected by well maintained hiking trails.
See
Azaleas, cherry blossoms every spring, in '''Yangming Park''' (Houshan Park).
The panorama of Taipei (especially attractive at night) from an observation platform at the entrance to Zhuzi-hu (bamboo lake).
The fumaroles at '''Xiaoyoukeng'''.
The best grassland in Taipei, '''Qingtiangang'''. This area is popular with picnicking students and families.
''The Master of Humor'' - Lin Yutang (______) was one of the well-known scholars in China and Taiwan. His former residence is one of the most popular tourist spots in Yangmingshan. '''The Lin Yutang House''' 's address: 141 Yangde Blvd Sec. 2. Open: 10:00 - 21:00. [http://www.linyutang.org.tw/]
'''Yangming Shuwu'''. 12 Zhongxin Road, also often called Yangming Villa, is an historical building built by former President Chiang Kai-shek for receiving foreign dignitaries.
Do
Hiking
The mountain peaks are accessible by a network of well maintained hiking trails.
'''Tianmu Trail''' (_V______), a pathway up the side of Yangmingshan from Tianmu (_V__), the end of the Zhongshan North Road Sec. 7. The entrance is marked with a large signboard and map (in English). Up the trail about 1000 step stairway, you can see a historic water pipe line along the trail, built in 1940s. End of the steps, the trail becomes flat and comfortable, walk along in the forest and enjoy the clear air. Great! This trail is today one of Taipei's most popular day hiking destinations. You can take the MRT (Danshui line) to Zhishan Station and take the 220 bus from the intersection of Zhongshan North Rd and Zhongcheng Rd to the terminal station, then walk north up Zhongshan North Road past the circle about to the end of the road (about 5 minutes), and you can see the entrance with a large signboard.
'''Lengshuikeng''' (_____B), contains Taiwan's sole bed of precipitated sulfur. Sulfurous fumes vented in the bed of this marshy lake turn the water murky. After gradually precipitating, the sulfur forms whitish-yellow or pale gray layers in the lake bed. Popularly known as Milk Lake, the lake is only approximately 40__C (104__F) in temperature, and not the 90__C (194__F) or more found in some hot springs. For the convenience of visitors who wish to wash and relax, there are two hot springs pools and one foot-soaking pool. When you are in Lengshuikeng, be sure to go to the observation platform on the northeast side to enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding you. A milky white lake is below. This is the location of the explosion vent of Lengshuikeng. You will have a better view of it while walking down the trail from the Seven-Star Park to Lengshuikeng. thumb|300px|Jinbaoli TrailThe arrival of early spring in northern Taiwan is marked by the presence of migratory swallows. These can be seen behind the Lengshuikeng Visitor Center. Note that these birds eat on the wing. While on the ground they do not eat, but are busy gathering mud for nest building. There are two kinds of swallows in the Lengshuikeng area. The one with a snow-white belly is the summer migratory Barn Swallow, the other one with a brownish-gray belly is the resident Pacific Swallow. Due to the severe winter, they only appear in Lengshuikeng in the summer season to build their nests and breed. They are transit visitors.
'''Qingtiangang''' (___V__), is a terrace formed by lava flowing to the north from Mt.Zhugao. This flat area is today an undulating grassland several kilometers across surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks higher than 800 meters (2,624 ft) in elevation. thumb|225px|ErzihpingThe area was once used for grazing cattle under the administration of the Taipei City Agricultural Association, and private individuals could send their cattle to graze here, and popular with picnicking students and families.
'''Jinbaoli Trail''' (___H____), was built long ago as a shortcut over the mountains of Yangmingshan, enabling deliveries of fish from the sea. Starting at Jinshan, the route passes Payen, Qingtienkang, and Zhishanyen before eventually reaching Shilin, Dalongdong, and Dadaocheng, where the fish were sold in local markets. It is also known as the "Old Fish Trail." Still in good condition, the trail is surrounded by old cultural sites and splendid natural scenery. Walking the trail allows one to really appreciate the spirit of the long-ago Chinese settlers who opened up Taiwan.
'''Erzihping Trail''' (___q__?__), facilities in the recreation area include a 1,700 m-long (5,577 ft) obstacle-free trail, trail explanations, a wooden plank path, an ecological pond, explanation boards, gazebos, picnic benches and chairs, public toilets, and free wheelchair and baby trolley borrowing service. Opening hours of the obstacle-free trail: 8:00am to 6:00pm. Unauthorized vehicles are not allowed to enter the Erzihping area. No bicycles or motorcycles are allowed in the area.
'''Xiaoyukeng''' (_____B) is the best-known recreation area in Yangmingshan National Park, and offers some of the most typical scenery. Located above the Datong Bridge along the Yangmingshan-Jinshan Highway, Xiaoyukeng is at an elevation of 800 meters (2,624 ft) and contains a host of volcanically-created fumaroles, sulfur crystals, hot springs, and landslides. Sulfur vents noisily spew forth gases, and hot springs discharge endless streams of boiling water. The bright yellow sulfur crystals that can be seen here are exceptionally lovely. Mt. Cising provides breathtaking views in all directions.
'''Mt. Cising (Qixing)''' (_____R), is the highest peak in the Datun Volcano Group. Because Mt. Cising's main and subordinate peaks are in the form of the Chinese character for "mountain," it is especially majestic and easy to recognize. Located in the center of Yangmingshan National Park, Mt. Cising is the highest peak in the administrative area of Taipei City. Cising Park is to the south of the mountain's eastern summit. This park contains four pavilions of different sizes, plus stone tables and chairs. It is a popular rest stop for people climbing Mt. Cising. Trails lead from Cising Park to Menghuan Lake, Lengshuikeng, and the eastern and main summits of Mt. Cising.
'''Mt. Datun''' (_____R), is a volcanic basin popularly known as '''Datun Nature Park'''. It is defined as an area in the western section of Yangmingshan National Park, extending from Mt. Datun northward to Mt. Tsaikungkang. Located on a broad saddle between two mountains, the area contains the marshy Datun Pond. Wooden boardwalks around the pond makes it convenient for visitors to see the scenery and lush aquatic vegetation. The area includes an azalea restoration area where the spectacular blossoms of various kinds of rhododendron and azaleas can be seen in the spring.
Hot Springs
Soak in sulphur hot spring baths - Yangmingshan is dotted with hot spring resorts. There are also a few free baths maintained by the city government.
Relax
Yangmingshan is all about relaxation and recuperation. It is the first place Taipei citizens think of when stressed out or feeling run down. Fill your lungs full of fresh mountain air, let your eyes rest on miles of lush green hills, and let your body melt away in a milky sulphur bath.
Places to bathe
'''Lengshuikeng Public Baths''' - Open: 24 hours, Free.
Eat
Mid Range
Lavander Garden[http://lavender.so-buy.com] Tel:'''+886 2''' 28737581. This vegetarian restaurant is located in Tianmu directly at the base of the Tianmu trail. Good place to go when starting on a hike up or to relax when finishing a hike down.
Splurge
'''Shiyang Culture Restaurant''' (_H_{_R_[_`_K), 160 Lane 101 Jinshan Road ,Tel:''+886 2'' 2862-0078. Taipei's classiest creative cuisine, near Lengshuikeng area.
Sleep
Budget
'''International Hotel''' (__________), 7 Hushan Road Sec. 1. Tel:''+886 2'' 2861-7100. [http://www.ihhotel.com.tw/National/Default.aspx], An old hot spring hotel in Yangmingshan since 1952. Many rooms have ''tatami'', the Japanese style floor.
Splurge
'''Landis Resort Yangmingshan''' (_z___R_______k___X), 237 Gezhi Road Tel:''+886 2'' 2861-6661. [http://www.landisresort.com.tw/], Near the Chinese Culture University. Hot spring soaking pool and swimming pool are the best.
Stay safe
Besides beautiful scenery, Yangmingshan is also famous for its poisonous snakes. '''Don't''' go wandering off into scrub land.
People with high blood pressure, heart disease or open wounds should not enter the hot springs.
Respect
It is illegal to pick flowers.
It is illegal to kill or disturb wild-life.
Obviously, don't litter.
Public hot spring etiquette requires that bathers thoroughly wash and rinse off their bodies before entering the bath, do not wear clothing (including swim wear) in some of the baths, and tie up their hair so that it does not touch the water.
Link
[http://www.ymsnp.gov.tw/ Yangmingshan National Park Offical Website]