Xiangshan (Chinese: 象山), also known as Elephant Mountain[1] or Mount Elephant,[2] is a mountain in Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan. It is close to the Taipei Metro Xiangshan Station. It is 183 m (600 ft) high and has a hiking trail to the peak, covering a distance of about 1.5 km (0.93 mi).[3] Taipei 101 can be seen from the trail.[1] The Six Giant Rocks on the peak are a tourist attraction in Xiangshan,[2] and there are platforms for photographers.[4]
| Xiangshan | |
|---|---|
| Elephant Mountain | |
 Xiangshan as viewed from Taipei 101's observation deck | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 183 metres (600 ft) |
| Coordinates | 25°01′37″N 121°34′36″E / 25.0269°N 121.5766°E |
| Geography | |
  Xiangshan The location of Xiangshan | |
| Location | Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking trail |
Name edit
"Xiangshan" means "Elephant Mountain" in Chinese. Xiangshan's name comes from its elephant-like shape.[3]
Geology edit
Xiangshan is one of the Four Beast Mountains (四獸山),[1] which also include Lion (獅山), Leopard (豹山), and Tiger (虎山) mountains in the Nangang Mountain System. It is mainly composed of sandstone. Plants include the ferns Cibotium cumingii and Cyathea lepifera.[2]
Transportation edit
The trail to the mountain summit and observation platforms is accessible by walking south from Exit 2 of Xiangshan Station of the Taipei Metro, proceeding along Xiangshan Park to the western trailhead next to Daitiandian Lingyun Temple.[5]
As an alternative, hikers may proceed from the eastern end, starting from the trailhead behind Songshan Fengtian Temple, which is a short walk south from the Houshanpi station.[1]
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View of the Taipei Basin from the Six Giant Rocks, 2013
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Xiangshan hiking trail -
Taipei skyline viewed from Xiangshan, including Taipei 101, illuminated at dusk (2015) -
Trail map -
Western trailhead near Daitiandian Lingyun Temple with steep, narrow stairways -
Summit marker -
Observation deck -
Hikers descending through cut in massive boulders -
Taipei 101, framed in elephant-shaped bench at summit
_20240114_02.jpg)
- Panoramic views from Xiangshan
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Panorama (day) -
Panorama (sunset) -
Panorama (night)
References edit
- ^ a b c d Saunders, Richard (February 2, 2018). "Off the Beaten Track: On the Trail of the Four Beasts". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
- ^ a b c "Nangang Mountain System: Xiangshan (Mt. Elephant) Hiking Trail". Travel.Taipei. Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
- ^ a b "Mt. Elephant Trail (Xiangshan)". Hikingbook Inc. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ Liao, George (December 28, 2017). "Xiangshan good for watching Taipei 101 fireworks display but not for light show: GEO". Taiwan News. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
- ^ "Elephant Mountain (Taipei) - The adventurer's guide to conquering Xiangshan". Big Little Island. 18 September 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
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