TiT Scenery:Jade Mountain

Jade Mountain

By Halima Dick and Kao Chieh-ju
Photos by Sung Chih-hsiung

Just southeast of Alishan is Taiwan's highest peak--Jade Mountain (玉山 ). This is also one of East Asia's highest peaks, and while it is possible to climb all the way to the summit, many tourists are content to view the beautiful mountain scenery from the Tatachia Visitor Center (塔塔加遊客中心). This viewing station, located at an elevation of 2,610 meters, can be reached conveniently along the New Central Cross-Island Highway (新中橫公路). The fact that this highway passes so close by makes Jade Mountain one of Taiwan's most accessible peaks.

Jade Mountain, visible in the distance, is Taiwan's highest peak, and accessible from Tatachia on the New Central Cross-Island Highway. Map of Jade Mountain Area
Jade Mountain, which is part of the Yushan National Park (玉山國家公園) is blessed with an amazing array of interesting plant species and it is a natural habitat to many of Taiwan's rarest animals. The area also offers a wide selection of beautiful hikes through some of the island's most magnificent scenery.

Near the end of the trek to Tungpu, hikers must pass the narrow Father and Son Cliff. The Climb to the Peak
To climb to the summit, a class A mountain pass, which can be attained only through a licensed mountaineering club, is required. If you decide to scale the heights with a club, make sure that it makes some arrangements for equipment; otherwise, bring your own. Either way, expect to carry a sleeping bag, wet weather gear, plenty of warm clothes, and an ample supply of food.

The usual approach to Jade Mountain begins at Tatachia. It is possible to rest the night before you make your ascent at the Tungpu Lodge (東埔山莊). The next day is spent climbing to Paiyun Hostel (排雲山莊). It takes around five and a half hours to reach the hostel at an elevation of 3,528 meters. Most hikers usually decide to spend a second night here before embarking on the pre-dawn hike to reach the peak of Jade Mountain in time for the sunrise. This stretch of the hike takes a little over two hours.

Most trekkers go back the way they came, but if you are fit and a good climber there is no reason why you shouldn't take the alternative route on to the forest recreation and hot springs area at Tungpu (東埔). The walk is long and strenuous. Be prepared to spend at least one day hiking. The rewards to doing this exciting trip, however, can be found in the spectacular scenery you will pass. It is a four-hour climb down to the lush, green alpine meadow at 3,000 meters altitude, known as Patungkuan (八通關). From there, it is another six hours' walk, or more, to Tungpu.

On the hike from Jade Mountain to Tungpu, walkers pass the steep cascade at Cloud Dragon Waterfall. Continue on down the old Patungkuan trail past Twin Pass (對關 ), to a couple of beautiful waterfalls. The 40-minute walk between Young Girl Waterfall (乙女瀑布) and Cloud Dragon Waterfall (雲龍瀑布) is lined with pink and white azaleas during spring. Both waterfalls are stunningly beautiful and well worth the long climb down from Jade Mountain. When you reach Father and Son Cliff (父子斷崖) you are nearly there. The path narrows to just a rocky ledge as you cross this dramatic, bare cliff. Various mountaineering clubs have widened the ledge, making it less dangerous than when it got its name--when father and son had to pass the precarious route alone, each being too preoccupied with his own route to take care of the other. Cross the narrow suspension bridge to Tungpu, where you can finally relax and soak your tired muscles in the local hot springs.

The ROC Alpine Association will organize a trip up Jade Mountain on April 5. For further details, please contact the association at 10F, 185 Chungshan North Rd., Section 2, tel: (02) 591-1498 / 594-2108.

The craggy, snow-capped beauty of Jade Mountain and Yushan National Park. Mountain Flora
The area around Jade Mountain ranges in elevation from 300 to 3,952 meters. Consequently, the plant life here is incredibly diverse, ranging from subtropical to alpine species. The gradual change in plant life is easily recognizable as visitors make their way up the mountain through broad-leafed forest through mixed forest and coniferous forest to frigid-zone forest. The area is heavily forested and is best known for its huge thickets of spruce firs, hemlock spruces, and other pine species. Many tourists flock to Jade Mountain during the spring to admire the area's pink and white spotted azaleas.