Xiangshan Nature Trail — A Green Haven in the City
Auto-TranslationTaipei is a unique city where the hustle and bustle are in such close proximity to nature. Starting from Exit 2 of Xiangshan MRT Station, walk through Xiangshan Park and follow the signs uphill for about 10 minutes to reach the trailhead of Lingyun Temple. Here, it feels like a door opening to a hidden path, and stepping inside brings you into a different rhythm.
Xiangshan Trail is named for its mountain shape, which resembles the head of an elephant. Located near the bustling Xinyi district, it offers convenient transportation and a well-planned path, making it both safe and comfortable for walking. The trail is equipped with restrooms, viewing platforms, and pavilions, allowing for leisurely strolls from day to twilight. Xiangshan is not just a path for enjoying scenic views; it is also a green sanctuary in the city. Nearby attractions such as the Xinyi shopping district, Sisi Nan Village, Xiangshan Park, and Tonghua Night Market create a close-knit connection between urban life and nature.
Along the trail, shaded by trees and interwoven with rocky cliffs, the sounds of chirping birds accompany you. The contrast between the city's busyness and the tranquility of the path allows one to momentarily escape the hustle and experience a bit of greenery. In spring and summer, the tung flowers bloom, and as the gentle breeze flows through the forest, every step feels like stepping into a moving painting. As the highest point of the Four Beasts Mountain Trail, Xiangshan is an ideal spot for mountain hiking, outdoor excursions, and enjoying leisurely moments.
Exiting Xiangshan MRT Station leads you directly to Xiangshan Park (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
There are clear directional signs along the way (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
Lingyun Temple (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
Geographical Advantage and Natural Ecological Paradise
Xiangshan Trail stretches approximately 1.5 kilometers, quietly standing in the southeastern part of the Taipei Basin in the Xinyi District. Alongside Hushan, Shishan, and Baoshan, it is collectively known as the Four Beasts Mountain, making it a popular hiking route for residents of Taipei. With an elevation of only 183 meters, the mountain's landscape has no barriers in front, allowing for a panoramic view of the Xinyi business district and the Taipei Basin. As such, it has become the top choice for enjoying night views and New Year's fireworks. As night falls, the city lights scatter like stars in the sky, and the New Year's fireworks illuminate the mountain city, beautifully showcasing the contrast between urban life and nature.
Xiangshan is primarily composed of sandstone, featuring yellow-brown rock walls and rugged boulders that are remnants of tectonic movements. The mountain boasts diverse micro-environments, including ridges, rock faces, slopes, hollows, and valleys. This area nurtures dozens of fern species and various plants, with the golden doghair fern population thriving, making it the largest in Taipei City. The phenomenon of clusters of pencil pines can only be seen in northern Taiwan. The mountain ridges are characterized by massive boulders, supporting sun-loving plants such as golden silk, quercus suber, big mandarin, and tea plants. On the western side, the moist, shady hollows are dominated by pencil pines and Philippine banyans. In the valley area near Lingyun Temple, there is a forest of mountain ramie, and the underbrush is densely filled with Hainan bracken, creating a unique landscape.
Along the Xiangshan Trail, there are explanatory signs and rest facilities, allowing visitors to observe a variety of wildlife such as the Giant African Snail and the Smoky Snail, and personally experience the ecological charm of the suburban area. If you're lucky, you might also encounter colorful birds, verdant bush warblers, black-billed thrushes, or bamboo cicadas, enjoying an intimate experience of the vibrancy and wonders of nature.
Xiangshan Trailhead (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
Xiangshan is primarily a staircase-based hiking trail (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
Viewing Platforms and Rest Areas
The photography platform along the middle section of the trail offers breathtaking views: Taipei 101, Breeze Nanshan, and the distant mountain ranges create a layered scene, making it an ideal spot for photos and a brief rest. After another five minutes of walking, you will reach the majestic Six Giant Rocks. Also known as "Laolai Gorge," this is the most popular photo spot on the trail, where you can witness the awakening of Taipei 101 in the early morning and enjoy the sunset over the Xinyi business district with the city lights twinkling in the twilight, creating a picturesque interplay of light and shadow.
Continuing towards the summit of Xiangshan, you will arrive at the second viewing platform — the Photography Platform, which attracts photography enthusiasts each New Year's Eve. Further up, you will reach Yixian Pavilion, symbolizing the success of reaching the peak. Located at the top of Xiangshan, the hexagonal pavilion offers exceptional views from its platform, where the entire silhouette of Xiangshan can be seen, with the elephant's head and trunk distinctly identifiable. Along the trail, there are fitness facilities for hikers to stretch and enhance their cardiovascular health, while children run and play. The summit serves not only as a viewing point but also as a space where city dwellers can slow down and sync their breaths with nature.
Hidden along the ridge, Chaorun Pavilion is a favorite among seasoned hikers and photographers. With relatively fewer visitors, it offers expansive views overlooking the Xinyi Planning Area and distant vistas of Yuanshan, Guanyin Mountain, and the Datun Volcano Group. Whether during the day or at night, standing on Chaorun Pavilion allows you to calm your spirit, momentarily leaving the urban hustle behind and enjoying a moment of tranquility.
At the Photography Platform, "photographers" are waiting for the sunset (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
Six Giant Rocks (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
The Photography Platform also offers expansive views (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
Mysterious Path — A Narrow Sky
"A Narrow Sky" resembles the fingers of a giant, with the ridges on both sides closely intertwined. The rocks are piled in a haphazard manner, creating a natural passage that is narrow enough for only one person to pass through. Looking up at the sky, the gap is small yet profound, with dappled light casting shadows that reflect the rough textures of the rock walls and the traces of time. Each step taken brings a sense of new discoveries and surprises.
Along the trail, there is also a Stone Milk Garden, a unique landscape formed by the weathering of sandstone. The rock surfaces appear to droop like milk. When it rains, water seeps through the gaps, and the winding path runs through this area, allowing visitors to appreciate the rock walls up close while also overlooking the scenery of the Taipei Basin. It is an excellent spot for resting and taking photos during the hike.
The Impression Pavilion is equipped with impression stones and simple tools, allowing visitors to create impressions of the rock textures on paper, leaving behind a unique memory of their hike. Surrounded by lush greenery and with a gentle breeze blowing, it provides an opportunity to appreciate the natural ecology of Xiangshan while also gazing at the urban landscape, temporarily escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoying a leisurely moment.
Conclusion
Climbing Xiangshan is not just a form of exercise; it is a dialogue with the rhythm of the city. With stone steps beneath your feet and the city skyline before your eyes, the gentle breeze sweeps past as the noise fades away, leaving only the breath and the pulse of the mountains and forests. Every corner presents a tender conversation between the city and nature. This short trail can awaken a long-lost sense of tranquility and ease within your heart. By day, you can admire the green forests and distant mountains, while at dusk, you can overlook the twinkling city lights, and on New Year's Eve, you can share in the splendor of fireworks. Xiangshan blends urban vibrancy with nature, gently reminding us that beyond the city lies a green oasis where we can slow down and take a deep breath.
Standing halfway, it is more challenging than reaching the destination (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
Meeting at the Summit (Image source: Photograph by Wu Qiaoyun).
Public Transportation:
Xiangshan MRT Station
Nearby Attractions:
Taipei 101
Xinyi Shopping District
Sisi Nan Village
Jimny Moon Bus
Xiangshan Park
Linjiang Street Night Market
Tonghua Night Market
