Yushan (Jade Mountain)
玉山
Taiwan's highest peak at 3,952 meters and the tallest mountain in Northeast Asia. The classic climb takes two days and one night from the Tataka trailhead.
The main summit of Yushan (Jade Mountain) rises to 3,952 meters, making it the highest peak in Taiwan and Northeast Asia. It lies within Yushan National Park, on the shared border of Chiayi, Nantou, and Kaohsiung counties. The classic summit route starts at the Tataka trailhead (about 2,610 meters above sea level, about a 40-minute drive from Alishan). The round trip covers roughly 24 kilometers. On day one, hike about 8.5 kilometers to Paiyun Lodge (5 to 6 hours) and spend the night. On day two, leave around 2:00 to 3:00 a.m., reach the summit in about 2.5 hours to see the sunrise, then return to the trailhead. The trail is well maintained and requires no rock climbing, but the high altitude means you should watch for altitude sickness. Permits must be arranged in advance: (1) a Yushan National Park entry permit, issued by lottery, since beds at Paiyun Lodge are extremely popular and the lottery is held about two months ahead; and (2) a mountain access permit from the “National Police Agency.” A separate quota is reserved for foreign visitors. If you do not summit, you can still see the Yushan peaks from the Tataka Visitor Center, Lulin Mountain Trail, or Linzhi Mountain Trail, or watch the sunrise over Yushan from Chushan or Mt. Ogasawara in Alishan. Note: From December to March, the summit may be icy and snow-covered, and crampons and other gear are needed, along with a permit. Weather changes quickly, so always carry warm, waterproof clothing.
Opening hours
Entry by application (Paiyun Villa beds allocated by lottery)
Nearby sights
- Tataka Recreation Area
- Tefuye Historic Trail
- Mt. Ogasawara Viewing Platform
- Zhushan Sunrise Viewing Platform
- Alishan Forest Recreation Area
- Zhaoping Park
- Sister Ponds
- Giant Tree Trail