Top Things to do in Nantou
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Things to do in Nantou, Nantou: The Best Mountains
Taking in the breathtaking beauty of Nantou's Sun Moon Lake is truly an ethereal experience. The turquoise basin is shaped like the sun on the east side, a crescent moon on the west, and it reads like a rippling celestial journey. After a day of hiking the seven miles of trails in the lake's surrounding mountains, hop a cable car and whiz through the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village or take a soothing dip in one of the area's many hot springs. Local farms grow juicy drupe fruits, the perfect refreshment on a steamy day.
Restaurants in Nantou
1. Shuishe Great Mountain Nature Trail
2. Yushan National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By ronaldybl - Singapore, Singapore
Sharing some transport details for those visiting Taiwan and wish to trek the highest (Yushan) and 2nd highest (Xueshan) mountains in a trip. Applying of the relevant permits,details can be found easily online. I did a 2 days 1 night Mt Xueshan trek follow by a single days Mt Yushan trek in Dec 2018. Start from Taipei airport to Taipei train station by bus 1819 NT$125.Train to Yilan NT$218. From Yilan train station take a short walking distance to the bus station, take bus 1751 NT$285 (dep 1240hr) to Lishan. Get off at Wuling farm ( arr 1525hr). Check into Hoya hotel. 2nd day after breakfast walk to the police station apply for the mountain permit and start your trek to Mt Xueshan peak. Hitch-hike to the starting point if possible. Trek to 369 hut and rest for the day. 3rd day start trekking at 0130hr and catch the sunrise at Xueshan summit. Return back to visitor centre to catch bus to yilan, Last bus dep at 1410hr. We reach the visitor centre late as we cant hitch any car. So we change route and took the 1540hr bus to Lishan. Spend a night in Lishan, if you want save on hotel you could try a night stay in the temple for free. But we did not as we really need a good shower and sleep after the Mt Xueshan trekking. 4th day we took a 9 seaters van which cost NT$600 per person to bring us to Taichung speed rail station. (can be arranged once you arrive in Lishan, look for those vendors selling fruits at the bus station. They could help you to make the arrangement). Upon reaching Taichung, take a train to Chaiyi NT$215. Stay a night in Chaiyi. Remember to try the turkey rice which is a must try in Chaiyi. 5th day take the bus 7322 NT$240 to Alishan (2hr). Get the ticket at Alishan 7-11 to Sun moon lake, bus 6739 alighting at Upper Dongpu NT$60 (dep 1pm or 2pm). Check into Dongpu villa NT$300 ( You can ask the Yushan national park staff to assist in the reservation). 6th day start the trek at 2am. Proceed to drop the permit at the police station and trek to Yushan peak.. Return back to Dongpu villa. Last shuttle service at 5pm. Stay 1 more night Dongpu as last bus to Alishan is 11.30am 7th day take the 1st bus at 10.30am to Alishan NT$68 then by train to Chaiyi NT$240. From Chaiyi you could choose to return to Taipei or Kaoshiung by train. We choose Kaoshiung and spend another wonderful times at Kaoshiung night market. *bring enough food and water for the trekking. *water can be replenish at 369 hut for Xueshan trek and Paiyun lodge for Yushan trek. *bring own sleeping bag for 369 hut. *Xueshan trek is harder then Yushan trek.
3. Jinlong Mountain
4. Jilai Mountain
5. Vogai
6. Hehuanshan National Forest Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 555 reviews
The climate of the four seasons in Hehuanshan National Forest Recreation Area is distinct, and each season has very diverse scenery. In spring, you will see trees growing in green abundance with new leaves. In summer, the cool weather and beautiful sea of flowers of the blooming alpine plants is very attractive. In autumn, splendid red leaves glow, while the winter brings pure, white snow. If you stay in Song-Syue Lodge, you can enjoy the gorgeous glow of the ocean of stars. Transport to this location is convenient so it is a great place to enjoy the mountain scenery of Taiwan.
Reviewed By Shogaya - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Did a road trip from Hualien to Taroko Gorge and Hehuanshan before arriving at CingJing. It was long and winding road from Taroko gorge to Hehuanshan with my husband and i dozing off alternatively. There are few rest areas for toilet breaks, however we did not find much cafes or restaurants on the way so highly suggest to take fulfilling meal before or pack some bites. This is by far the tallest spot i have gone to, and i have no regrets. Mother Nature is beautiful, and the view from the top resonates this. Saw some snow on the way to the top also. For someone who loves nature as much as me, believe me when i say that this place is worth the trip as the surrounding is phenomenal!! Weather at the top can drop suddenly so it is advisable to bring thick jackets. It was 17 degrees when we reached, which soon dropped to 6.5degrees after 10mins. My only regret is not being able to watch the sunrise or sunset, but judging from multiple blogs i have read, the view would have spectacular during these times. However, we reached there almost evening and it was magical enough. I would definitely go again, just for the view and the cloud sea!
7. Ali Mountain (Alishan)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 666 reviews
Reviewed By DanielL11978
Beautiful scenery, enchanted forest and looks like a movie scene. Take your time to stroll and immersed in the nature & the stillness of the surroundings. Take the trains back in time for a enhanced experience and breath-taking views. Be prepared for a lot of stairs too. Visit Ailshan to make your Taiwan trip complete!
8. Wuling
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By OrderintheHouse
In January 2020 my wife and I included a 6 night Wendy Wu private tour of Taiwan as part of our 18 day Asian trip we arranged to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Our tour took in Taipei, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan and Kaohsiung. A most enjoyable travel day was day two of our tour when we departed the Taroko Village Hotel where we stayed overnight, toured the iconic Taroko Gorge and then took Highway 8 – the Central Cross Island Highway on a most exhilarating drive up and down the mountain range to our destination at the Sun Moon Lake. On the way up at the point on the highway 128km from Hualien City we called to view the amazing 3200 year old Bilu Sacred Tree (reviewed separately). The culmination of our mountain climb was the Hehuan Wuling Summit which is being reviewed here. Then on the way down the mountain we made a pleasant call for lunch at the Lumama Restaurant at the CingJing Farm. (also reviewed separately). Travelling on the Highway to Hehuan Wuling Summit after the visit to the Taroko Gorge on our way to Sun Moon Lake we really appreciated just what an amazing feat the construction of the highway represented. The road was constantly winding as we cut through the Central Mountain Ranges. Our tour driver/guide was superb negotiating the many blind curves, sharp turns, and narrow paths leading through cliffs and mountains. He certainly earned his breaks from such intense driving at the Bilu Tree, the Wuling Summit and the CingJing Farm. Hehuan Wuling with an altitude of 3275 metres is the highest point in the Taiwanese highway system and sits between the Main Peak and the East Peak. The Summit has cool temperatures due to the high altitude. The summit commands the most majestic of 360 degree panoramic views of the Central Mountain Ranges. There is a small covered seat with a very decorative red roof and basic wooden seating which has a sign which has Chinese lettering and the number 3275 to signify the altitude level. Everyone it seems wants to have their photo taken beside this seat. There is also an information sign directly opposite showing a map indicating where the main mountains in the distance are located including Mt Hehuan East Peak (3461m), Mt Cilai (3560m), Mt Kaluolou (3413m) and Mt Cilaili (3380m). This map demonstrates the magnificence of the mountain vista before our eyes. Wonderful, majestic and awesome are just three words that spring to mind to describe this panoramic experience. Our driver/guide gave us a good 30 minutes here to soak up the incredible scenery which we really appreciated. Also worth a look at the Summit is another information sign providing insight into the Taroko War which occurred in an eighteen year period from 1898 to 1916 where Japanese occupying forces attacked the Taroko people. The text and illustration plates describing this rather one sided War make for interesting reading. The road down the mountain to the CingJing Farm was much easier for our driver to negotiate than the climb up yet still provided for some great views of the mountainous country being traversed. It was wonderful that the route chosen to take us from Taroko Gorge to Sun Moon Lake was via Hehuan Wuling just so we could gain a true appreciation of the wonderful mountainous terrain that Taiwan has to offer. This was indeed a touring day to remember.
9. Hutou Mountain
10. Hehuanshan North Peak Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Mt. Hehuan North Peak has an altitude of 3,422m, making it the tallest among the Hehuanshan group. From the trailhead, the hike to the peak and back takes 4-5 hours. The North Peak is Hehuanshan’s premier place for the viewing the Red-hairy Rhododendron; once past the trailhead you’ll find yourself amidst a sea of flowers, in a spectacular Red-hairy Rhododendron world.
Reviewed By dorisngkb - Hong Kong, China
Visited there during weekday Took us 1-hour motorcycle ride fm guest house to the starting point During our morning ride in 8am+, scenery was stunning. Arrived starting point at 9am Due to height attitude, we hiked slower in the beginning. Took us 1.5 hour to finish the first 2km and reached north peak. Trail to north peak was not too difficult - easy to medium range. The challenge started on the trail between north peak and west peak. We were hiking in a very moist, steep and long down hill valley. When time reached 1130 am and we was about 1.4 km away from the west peak, fog was getting heavier and heavier. We decided to return without attaining the west peak for safety reason. Highly recommended trail. Will do it again next time - start the trail at 6 am as the mountain started to get foggy by noon (in early sep). Allow 7-8 hours of hiking and no replenishment along the trail - bring enough water is a key.
