Xiangshan, Taipei

Xiangshan
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

Xiangshan (

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]

Name

"Xiangshan" means "Elephant Mountain" in Chinese. Xiangshan's name comes from its elephant-like shape.^[3]

Geology

300m
330yds

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Xinyi District, Taipei

1

Xiangshan MRT, Exit 2

2

Daitiandian Lingyun Temple

3

Xiangshan (Elephant) summit

4

Shishan (Lion) summit

5

Baoshan (Leopard) summit

6

Hushan (Tiger) summit

7

Songshan Fengtian Temple

8

Houshanpi MRT

Xiangshan is one of the Four Beast Mountains (四獸山),

Cyathea lepifera.^[2]

Transportation

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]

View of the Taipei Basin from the Six Giant Rocks, 2013
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