Yangmingshan (formerly known as Caoshan and named for the abundance of thatch grass) is the largest and most scenic national park in Taiwan, with an elevation of 443 meters (1,453 feet). It takes about 40 minutes to drive there from Taipei.
After the restoration of Taiwan, it was renamed "Yangmingshan" in honor of Wang Yangming, a scholar of the Ming Dynasty. Nowadays, when Yangmingshan National Park is mentioned, it generally refers to the mountainous area around the Datun and Qixing mountains.
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Top Things to Do in Yangmingshan National Park
Yangmingshan is famous for its natural streams and valleys, hot springs, waterfalls, and forest park. It is the only area in Taiwan with complete volcanic characteristics. If you're traveling from Taipei, we would advise you to arrange a day trip.
There are three main ways to explore Yangmingshan: hiking, taking the park bus, or by private car. Most attractions are accessible by using these ways.
Bus routes on Yangmingshan are complicated, with different stops and departures for each bus. It also usually takes 20–30 minutes to wait for a bus. The buses are usually crowded and you have to wait in line to get on a bus during weekends and holidays since Yangmingshan is also one of the most popular attractions for locals. For a more comfortable experience, we could offer a private tour, which helps you to save time on transportation, leaving you with more time for sightseeing.
Take Nice Photos with Flowers
Yangmingshan is a great place to enjoy flowers in bloom throughout the year. The Flower Clock (花钟), a 7-meter (22-foot) diameter clock made of flowers that bloom all year round in Yangming Park, is the best place to enjoy the cherry blossoms (February–March).
Calla lilies (March–April) and hydrangeas (May–June) at Bamboo Lake (竹子湖) are attractive and you could even buy some and take them away.
Yangmingshan, Calla LiliesEnjoy Nature by Walking or Taking a Private Car
Yangmingshan has many trails that are perfect for exploring on foot. One of the most recommended routes starts from Xiaoyoukeng (小油坑) to Qingtiangang (擎天岗), passing by Menghuanhu (梦幻湖) and Lengshuikeng (冷水坑) on the way. This route is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) long and takes 20 minutes by car and 1½ hours on foot. From October to December, you could see large expanses of silvergrasses in these places.
*It takes about 15 minutes to drive from the Flower Clock to Xiaoyoukeng.
You could observe the white smoke rising from the caves and smell the special odor of sulfur in Xiaoyoukeng (30 minutes), admire the calm lake shrouded in mist and feel the mysterious and dreamy scenery in Menghuanhu (20 minutes), and relax your feet or body in the hot springs of Lengshuikeng (30–40 minutes). The final stop is Qingtiangang (1 hour), where you could wander through the poetic and vast grassland and find lovely buffaloes enjoying the sunshine.
Water buffalo at Qingtiangang GrasslandTip: Lengshuikeng offers no hot spring hotels but only pools. While there are a few hot spring hotels in Yangmingshan National Park, they often have limited rooms and higher prices.
For a better hot spring hotel experience, you're advised to go to Beitou which is a 20-minute drive from Yangmingshan for an overnight stay. There are dozens of hot spring hotels in Beitou District to choose from.
Go Hiking
Yangmingshan is ideal for hiking and climbing, and the most popular hiking option is Qixing Mountain (七星山). Qixing Mountain is the highest peak in Yangmingshan National Park and you could overlook Taipei City from the top. It takes more than an hour to reach the top and about 2–3 hours for the entire hike. The ascent is steep and mostly comprised of stairs.
Qixing Mountain TrailIf you're planning a day trip that includes hiking on Qixing Mountain plus other attractions, we suggest that you only visit 2 to 3 nearby spots, such as Xiaoyoukeng and Lengshuikeng, while considering the physical strain of mountaineering.
A 2-day Itinerary Including Yangmingshan and Beitou
Combining a trip to Yangmingshan with Beitou is a popular choice. Overnight stays within Yangmingshan National Park are not advisable due to the limited options of hotels and most of them are far from popular attractions.
Beitou District is part of Taipei City and is famous for its hot springs. We would suggest you stay the night in Beitou because it is close to Yangmingshan — about 20 minutes by car. You could find hotels with natural hot springs and a hot spring museum in Beitou.
Day 1: Drive from Taipei to Yangmingshan National Park, spend a day in the park, then go downhill to Beitou, and stay in a hot spring hotel.
Day 2: After breakfast in Beitou, explore Beitou Hot Spring Museum and Thermal Valley (a beautiful hot springs lake and an area filled with mist). Then, leave for your next destination.
Thermal valley at beitouHow to Get to Yangmingshan from Taipei
There is no direct train from Taipei to Yangmingshan. The most convenient and fastest transport is by car and it takes about 40 minutes.
If you want to take the bus, there are two stations in Taipei providing buses to Yangmingshan.
- Jiantan MRT Station: the R5 bus, 40 minutes
- Taipei Main Station: bus number 260, 1 hour
Best Times to Visit Yangmingshan National Park
The best times to visit Yangmingshan are spring (February–March) and autumn (October–November).
- In spring, the temperature is 11–19℃/52–66℉. This is the best time for enjoying flowers and feeling the balmy spring breeze and warm sunshine. Flowers could be seen blooming on Yangmingshan throughout the year, but the cherry blossoms are the most spectacular and beautiful from February to March. It makes Yangmingshan one of the most popular viewing spots for cherry blossoms in Taiwan.
- In autumn, the climate is dry and cool (15–24℃/59–75℉). It is the best time for outdoor activities. There is less rainfall with a clear sky, and the richly colored autumn leaves and silvergrasses decorate Yangmingshan gorgeously.
Silvergrass in sunset at Yangmingshan National ParkThe rainy season from May to September (average precipitation > 300 mm/12 in, except for July) is comparatively less recommended. The rainfall in the mountainous region could lead to slippery roads, which are dangerous. If you visit Yangmingshan during these months, you're advised to take a scenic bus or a private car, avoiding doing much walking along the route.
In winter (December–January), it is very cold (9–11℃/48–52℉) in Yangmingshan and sometimes snowy due to the high altitude. The visibility and travel safety are also affected. However, the snow adds a touch of serene beauty and you could soak in cozy hot springs while admiring the snow and glazed frost on Yangmingshan.
Other Tips
- Don't put too much faith in the weather forecasts and be prepared for both sun and rain. The weather on the mountain is quite different from that in the downtown area of Taipei, and the weather around Yangmingshan is unpredictable with frequent rainfall.
- Visit Yangmingshan in the morning. There are fewer tourists in Yangmingshan and the air is fresh in the morning. The weather is usually not too hot at this time and it rarely rains, which makes it perfect for outdoor activities.
- It's essential to take food and water. There are usually no stores or restaurants near the walking trails and other attractions.
- Take mosquito repellent. The mosquitoes there are very vicious.
- Visit with a professional guide. The map information is written in Chinese (you could get English map at the Visitor Center), the staff do not speak English, and most places lack English road signs.
- The Visitor Center is open from 9am to 4:30pm (closed on Thursdays). But you could visit the park at all times of the day (including evenings).