陽明山
Country: Taipei, Taiwan
Itinerary: Day 4 - #1 stop
How Did I Get There: Bus 260 from Taipei Main Station
Based on our initial research, we planned to take the bus from Jiantan station. But (thankfully) upon researching on the night before, we discovered that we could take the bus from Taipei Main Station as well. Even though we had to stand throughout the bus ride, I'm still thankful for the change of boarding point. As the bus goes towards Jiantan Station, we would not be able to board the bus as there were already a long queue at Taipei Main Station. By the time at the latter station, the bus was already full.
At Yangmingshan, there are many scenic sights to explore, name Xiaoyoukeng, Lengshuikeng, Qingtiangang, Zhuzihu, Yangming Park Flower Clock, Mount Qixing and Erziping (and more if I'm not mistaken). Due to time constraints, we only managed to go to the following:
Zhuzihu
Upon seeing a sign saying Zhuzihu, we alighted together with some locals - although majority remained on the bus, which was probably heading towards the Flower Clock.
But, there was one problem. We did not see any calla lily anywhere.
With the mindset that it is impossible to miss a field of white calla lilies, we attempted to google map and wander around. There was a lot of walking up and down, to and fro, until we followed a group of lost tourists to a hut that seems to be an entrance. But we did not went into the field through the hut, but to a pathway that is beside the hut. I cannot be sure that this is allowed but the staffs from the hut saw the whole bunch of us walking through the pathway and did not stop us.
Then again, the calla lilies were not blooming in abundance. Most of them were condensed in an area that is fenced up, which you need to pay to enter. Your entrance fee includes permission to harvest some lilies to bring home too.
Luckily for us, there were a patch growing behind the fence so we crossed some muddy path and broken tiles to this area.
After some lone time, a group of middle-aged ladies found our secret spot and squeezed in. So after some final shots, we left to the next spot. Overall, I cannot be certain if this is where everyone on IG went. We initially followed Google Maps but ended up nowhere. Nonetheless, we got some photo so oh well.
Xiaoyoukeng
At this point, most of our time spent at Yangmingshan so far was to locate the bus stop and wait for the actual bus. Somehow, the different buses that goes around the mountain does not stop at every bus stop. We were literally trying our luck at every path but thanks to some miracle, we got on a bus that goes to Xiaoyoukeng.
Not sure what I was expecting because my friend had been there before and warned me about a smell. I mean, having been through science experiments in the school lab, I thought I got it but DAMN. It was quite... something.
We spot a hidden flight of stairs behind the visitor center and climbed it out of pure curiosity to where it leads to. It ended up on a raised platform where we could admire the far away mountains and the Xiaoyoukeng from a distance. It was not much of a hike but the stairs just felt like forever because we could not see the end of stairs once we started.
Mount Qixing
To the side of Xiaoyoukeng was the entrance of Mount Qixing. My friend was feeling under the weather hence I went up alone. The total distance was about 5.7 km (according to Google), which I overestimated myself and ended up taking more than 3 hours to hike up and down.
There were several viewing platforms which served as a resting stop. There were many times that I wanted to just stop there and go back down. Well, mainly because I did not want my friend to wait too long and the way up was very steep at several point without the help of any handles. Since I was unprepared and hiking with my Airforce sneakers, I was really afraid of slipping because of the lack of friction or loose rocks.
I remembered at one point, I was literally climbing up an extremely steep flight of stairs made out of rocks. Out of all places, I just had to stop there and look back and down - frozen in fear to go up or down because there was nothing behind me and I was thinking of all the possibilities that could happen. I was alone there and then too as there were no one passing by so I had to push myself.
Thankfully, I made it up and down in one piece. Not forgetting some of the friendly hikers that striked conversations on why I was alone, it was truly an experience which I can say that I am proud to achieve. One of the solo hikers also, very kindly, helped to snap a photo for me.
Going down was easier but I was still wary of the friction I had and my worries of tumbling down. At some point, I was talking to myself to motivate and hurry myself to meet my friend. And of course, when I looked up after I nearly slipped, there was a guy strugglingly on his way up the mountain. We exchanged a mutual smile and carried on our way. It's ok, I feel you sir.
Qingtiangang
From Xiaoyoukeng/ Mount Qixing bus stop, we chose Qingtiangang instead of Menghuan Pond as our last stop. Unfortunately, the iconic pathway to i-don't-know-where was under maintenance hence we could only snap photos from the entrance.
The view around area was still really soothing to take in and the weather was really something I would prefer anytime over humid-o-Singapore.
As everyone was trying to make it to the last few bus, we quickly queued up and went on a wild speedy ride to the entrance of Yangmingshan. No joke on the word speedy. It was quite a ride in a packed mini-bus, with us barely holding on to whatever we can for support.
Following that, we initially had another plan to stop at the Oia Art Alpaca Cafe because our Google-based research stated that it was a 20-minute drive. Or at least that was what it seemed, because our cab driver said that it was a 3-hour drive. So we googled again and our 20-minutes route was replaced with a 3-hour route. Ok ok abort.
I was proud of myself for the hike up Mount Qixing. Thankfully for my friend's leather jacket, I could brave through the temperature drop and strong winds. If I could return, I would definitely spend more time up there and perhaps be more prepared in terms of attire. Otherwise, maybe explore other parts of Yangmingshan as well.
Check out my Taiwan video below!
Travel Period: March 2019
Next Stop: Yehliu Geopark, Shifen, Jiufen
*Kindly note that all information are correct as of date of publish. Always do your own research prior to heading down to avoid disappointment during your trip! :)
**All photographs are taken by myself unless stated. Hence, please do not use without permission. Thank you.
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