Erzihping (二子坪) is the most popular place in Yangmingshan National Park (YMS NP)‧
It is easy to go to Erzihping; you can take Bus 260 from Jiantan MRT station to the Yagmingshan terminal, and then Bus 108 to Erzihping visitor center. Both of the 2 bus lines operate frequently. The entrance of Erzihping trail is near the visitor center.
 |
| Erzihping |
 |
| Water lily |
The Erzihping trail (1800m) is not steep at all, and it is OK for wheel chairs. The trail is about 800 m elevation above the sea; the trail is in the forest; it is cool in summer. That's no wonder why people like this trail so much, because it is so comfortable to hike here.
 |
| The smooth Erzihping trail |
 |
| Shuyagiao |
The Erzihping trail is also called the Butterfly trail. You can find a lot of butterflies and insects along the trail. Shuyagiao (水鴨腳) ,which is a kind of begonias, is apparently the most beautiful plant with pink flowers on the trail. If you stop to observe the flowers, you can see the difference between the stamen and pistol. If you are lucky, you may see a bumblebee harvesting between the flowers busily and happily.
 |
| The entrance of Miantian/Xiangtian trail |
Erzihping is a small basin with an artificial pond inside. Water lily is the most beautiful plant in the pond. In sunny day, you may see the reflection of the sky in the pond. Erzihping is a good place for young children, and you can go for a picnic there.
 |
| Erzihping in misty day |
You can see several mountains around Erzihping. The highest mountain is Datun main peak; that is another story. Our goal is Miantian (面天山) and Xiangtian (向天山) trail.
The trail beyond Erzihping leads to Miantian and Xiangtian Mts. About 15 mins later you can find the entrance of the Miantian trail (about elev 750m). The trail is only 600m but very steep, and it may take you 30 mins to the top of Miantian Mt ( elev 977m). There is a viewpoint on the mountain top. In my view, the view here is the best in Taipei, and you can see not only the whole of the city, but also the eastern and northern part of Taiwan island. You can see the Tamsui river emptying into the Taiwan strait.
 |
| Initial part of Miantian trail |
 |
| Miantian trial |
 |
| Miantian Mt top, you can feel the cloud is so close . |
 |
| The view of Taipei basin from Miantian Mt top |
 |
| The neighboring Xiangtian Mt, and the far away Gaun-in Mt. |
 |
| Tamsui river emptying into Taiwan strait |
 |
| The northern part of Taiwan island |
It takes 10 mins to go to the neighboring Xiantian Mt ( elev 947) where has no viewpoint. All that you can see is silvergrass there. You will go into a forest soon after leaving the mountain top, and will meet a small basin named Xiangtian pond, which ,per se, is a caldera. The pond only exists transiently after heavy rain, because the soil of the caldera base is hyper-permeable to water.
 |
| My wife and my son on the the Xiangtian Mt top |
 |
| In the forest of Xiangtian Mt |
 |
| The dry Xiangtian pond. |
 |
| In the bamboo forest of Xiangtian Mt |
Although there are many side ways on the trail, it is very safe to hike in the YMS NP due to the road signs everywhere, and there are many hikers on the trails in YMS NP. If you have any question, don't hesitate to ask for help; Taiwanese are always friendly. In Taiwan, most hiking trails are steep, therefore, the information of altitude difference is more important than the length.
After visiting the Xiangtian pond, you can go to Miantianping (面天坪) pavilion and then go back to Erzihping. Many hikers would like to go to Qingtian Temple (清天宮) ,where you can take Bus S6 to MRT Beitou station ( every 30 mins ). Mosquitoes are bothersome in summer near Qingtian Temple (elev 477 m), so do not forget to have repellents with you.
 |
| Miantianping pavilion |
 |
| The trail system of western YMS NP |
 |
| If this butterfly close her wings, it looks like a brown leaf. |
If you are an ultimate hiker, from the Miantianping pavilion, you can go to the Datun south, west, and main peaks, then return to Erzihping. That will take you more 3 hours.
Be sure to have enough water and food with you. Food and water is only available at the Erzihping visitor center.
Simple info:
Miantian Mt, elev 977 m.
Xiantian Mt , elev 947 m,
Erzihping trail entrance , elev 800 m
Qingtian Temple, elev 477 m
A journey of 3-4 hours
Bus 260 from Jiantan to YMS terminal then bus 108 to Erzihping visitor center.
Bus S6 runs between Qingtian Temple and MRT Beitou station.
沒有留言:
張貼留言