Nanzihlin Mt Hiking Trail in Taipei

Nanzihlin Mt (南子吝山)  is a small mountain in the northern Taiwan coastal area. Although it is not very high (elev 196m), its view is awesome.

View of the Nanzihlin Mt top

Although the mountain is near Jiufen/Jinguashi ,  it is not a popular place for the foreigners because of the bad public traffic accessibility. If you are in Jiufen, you can take Bus 856 to the Nanya 南雅 (South Xing Temple) stop, or just hail a taxi. If you just want to visit the north-east coastal region of Taiwan , including this trail, taking the Bus 886 from the Ruyfang rail station is more efficient. 

There is a big parking lot by the sea near the entrance of the trail. Go through the two temples, follow the road signs, and you will find the trail entrance about 100 meters away.

The trail is only 990m in length, but steep. A pavilion is located in the middle of the trail.It takes you 30 mins to go up and 20 mins to go down. It may be hot under the sun, thus wearing a hat is strongly recommended.

Go through the two temples

The trail head

The Nanya fishing village

On the trail

One of my best photo 

It's easy for girls, too.

A 360 degree view on the summit of Nanzihlin Mt.

Butterflies are everywhere in Taiwan, even in such a windy area. Many of them are not afraid of predators, because they have special strategies, that means you can take close-up photos. The monarch butterflies are common here, and they warn the predators "poisonous" by the opened brilliant wings. The butterfly (Heliophorus ila) likes to close the wings, which look like a vividly poisonous caterpillar. The moth (Amata spp) has yellow and back stripes over the body and  transparent wings; he is saying" Don't bother me, I'm a fierce wasp". The butterfly (Abraxas spp) looks having no special strategy for human beings, but its wings looks like a bird's poo. Ha ha, birds don't like to eat anything like their poo, either.

The monarch butterfly

Heliophorus ila

Amata spp

Abraxas spp

Nanya is famous for its coastal view. Since the mountainous coast has been eroded by the sea water for million years, a fantastic rocky coastal scenery was created. If you go there, be sure to visit the Nanya rocky formation (南雅奇岩) , which is about 500 meters from the parking lot. There is a restroom in the temple, and a family-owned convenience store near the road. No restaurant is available in this small fishing village. 

The photos of hiking on a misty day:

The nearby Banping Mt. in the mist

Simple info:

Nanzihlin trail head , (elev 0 m )

Trail length 990m ,  summit (elev 196m)

30 mins up, 20 mins down

Bus 856  Ruyfang rail station - Fulong tourist center ( through Jiufen, time-consuming)

Bus 886  Ruyfang rail station - Rongdongwan park