Yu Shan

Coordinates: 23°28′12″N 120°57′26″E / 23.47000°N 120.95722°E / 23.47000; 120.95722
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Yushan
Jade Mountain
Coordinates23°28′12″N 120°57′26″E / 23.47000°N 120.95722°E / 23.47000; 120.95722
Geography
Yushan is located in Taiwan
Yushan
Yushan
The location of Yushan
(Yushan National Park
)
LocationThe border on
Taoyuan District, Kaohsiung/
Alishan, Chiayi County/
Xinyi, Nantou County, Taiwan
Parent rangeYushan Range
Climbing
First ascent1898 by German explorer Karl Theodor Stöpel
Easiest routeMaintained trail, snow/ice climb during some winter months
Yushan
Hanyu Pinyin
Yùshān
Gwoyeu RomatzyhYuhshan
Wade–GilesYü-shan
Hakka
RomanizationNgiu̍k-Sân
Southern Min
Hokkien POJGio̍k-san
Former names
Batongguan
Hanyu Pinyin
Mùgāngshān
Wade–GilesMu Kang-shan
Mount Niitaka
Chinese name
Hanyu Pinyin
Xīngāoshān
Wade–GilesHsin-kao Shan
Japanese nameKanji新高山Hiraganaにいたかやま

Yu Shan or Yushan, also known as Mount Jade, Jade Mountain, or Mount Niitaka during

above sea level, giving Taiwan the 4th-highest maximum elevation of any island in the world. It is the highest point in the western Pacific region outside of the Kamchatka Peninsula. Yushan and its surrounding mountains belong to the Yushan Range. The area was once in the ocean; it rose to its current height because of the Eurasian Plate's movement over the Philippine Sea Plate. Yushan is ranked 40th by topographic isolation
.

The mountains are now protected as the Yushan National Park. The national park is Taiwan's largest, highest, and least accessible national park. It contains the largest tract of wilderness remaining on the island.

Names

Yushan or Yu Shan is the

snow cover is thought to make its peak look like stainless jade.[1] "Yushan" or Jade Mountain was also the name of a location in ancient Chinese mythology, a paradise said to be the home of the Queen Mother of the West
.

During the

Qing Dynasty, Yushan was known in Chinese as Mugangshan ("Wooded Mountain") from its surrounding forests.[2] Other Chinese names included Batongguan, transcribing its native Tsou name "Patungkuonʉ"; Baiyushan ("White Jade Mountain"); and Xueshan ("Snowy Mountain").[1] It was previously known in English as Mount Morrison,[3] a name sometimes mistakenly thought to honor the missionary Robert Morrison, but simply the name of an American captain who sighted it.[2]

Other native names for the mountain include Saviah and Tongku Saveq (Bunun; the latter means "highest peak"), Tanungu'incu (Kanakanavu), and Kanasian (Paiwan).

During

rule in Taiwan, the mountain became known as Mount Niitaka or Niitakayama ("New High Mountain") because new surveying showed that it was 176 m (577 ft) higher than Mount Fuji in the Japanese archipelago.[3]

Geography and geology

Map of Yu Shan (labeled as NIITAKA-YAMA) and surrounding area (1944)
Map of the region including Yu Shan (labeled as TUNG SHAN (TŌ-ZAN) 東山) (1951)

The island of Taiwan is situated at the intersection of two tectonic plates – the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate. Even as “recently” as the late Paleozoic (some 250 million years ago), the land here was still but a sedimentary seabed layered with silt and sand. As the two plates began pressing against each other, the land buckled, bent, and created the landscape – 165 mountains higher than 3,000 m (9,800 ft) above sea level on a relatively small island (38th largest in the world).

Yushan is also notable in containing the highest point on the

Iztaccíhuatl
volcano.

The ocean waters off Taiwan's east coast are deep; in fact, submarine slopes plunge down to the Pacific Ocean at a grade of 1:10 and the ocean reaches a depth of more than 4,000 m (13,100 ft) about 50 km (30 mi) from the coast.[5]

Hiking

With panoramic views, overlapping mountains, and deep, plunging valleys, Yushan National Park is well known for its scenery, sunrises, sunsets, geological features, and views of the clouds from above. Sea of clouds often fill the valleys. Indisputably, Yushan itself is the focal point of the park.

Yushan is one of the favorites among

mountain climbers. International peak baggers Yushan is ranked as the 4th World Island Highpoints and the 3rd Asian Island Highpoints. After Puncak Jaya (4,884 m (16,024 ft)) in Indonesia and Mount Kinabalu (4,095 m (13,435 ft)) in Malaysia to form an "Asian Trilogy" hiking experience.[6][7]

Yushan has five main peaks with the Main Peak being the most popular:

  • Main Peak (玉山主峰), 3,952 m (12,966 ft)[8]
  • Eastern Peak (玉山東峰), 3,869 m (12,694 ft) – 1.2 km (0.7 mi) from Main Peak[9]
  • Northern Peak (玉山北峰), 3,858 m (12,657 ft) – 2.2 km (1.4 mi) from Wind Tunnel (風口)[9]
  • Southern Peak (玉山南峰), 3,844 m (12,612 ft) – 3.1 km (1.9 mi) from Paiyun Lodge (排雲山莊)[9]
  • Western Peak (玉山西峰), 3,467 m (11,375 ft) – 4 km (2.5 mi) from Paiyun Lodge (排雲山莊)[9]

The east, west, north, and south peaks surround the main summit. The east peak rises to a height of 3,869 m (12,694 ft) and is considered one of Taiwan's Ten Major Summits (十峻). The south peak is a sharp pinnacle of black shale. The relatively accessible west side of Yushan is covered with thick forests. The north peak is part of a long, gently-rising ridge; this peak consists of two high points that resemble a camel's humps. The North Peak is also home to Taiwan's highest permanently occupied building, the Yushan Weather Station, where the occasional visitors are warmly welcomed.

  • Sea of Clouds at Yushan
    Sea of Clouds
    at Yushan
  • Sunrise at Yushan
    Sunrise at Yushan
  • Sea of Clouds on Yushan Trail
    Sea of Clouds on Yushan Trail

Flora and fauna

forest fire
Yushan (玉山) Chamomile, Anthemis arvensis blossoms on the peak

coniferous forests. At mountain peaks with alpine conditions, only mosses, liverworts and occasionally grasses can be found on the ground.[10]

All of the above vegetation variations can be seen in the Yushan area from low foothills to high summits with an elevation difference of 3.6 km (2.2 mi). Because of these wide climatic and vegetation variations, this environment nurtures the richest and most diversified

ecological systems, a geological museum and an important habitat of one-third of Taiwan's endemic
species, such as:

History

Under the

Anping, Tainan) in 1857. His log was the first western mention of the mountain, which took his name in European accounts.[2][11]
European mountaineers couldn't access the mountain at the time due to hostile relations of local aborigines to both Qing authorities and Europeans.

Under

its base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 7 December 1941 (8 December [1208] in Japanese calendar). [a][12]

The Yushan weather station on the north peak was finished in 1943.[13]

Under the

Taiwan independence in 1996.[14]

In recent years, Yushan has played an important role in a new focus on Taiwan's identity. Because of its iconic status, Yushan has been chosen to be the background of the newly-issued

NT$1,000 notes on 20 July 2005.[15] Similarly, a newly-found asteroid by Lulin Observatory of National Central University was named after Yushan on 28 December 2007.[16]

Climate

Yushan has an alpine climate (Köppen ET). The tip of Yushan is usually covered with frost from November to March. Elevations above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) may sometimes see snow during the winter months, and there are four consecutive months of snow accumulation at places with elevations higher than 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). The first snow may appear in October and completely melts by May. Snow falls 24.3 days per year on average on Yushan, and the number is gradually decreasing. Yushan receives around 3,100 mm (120 in) of precipitation annually. It rains an average of 140 days per year, with the greatest frequency between May and August. From May until the first part of June is plum rain season or monsoon season. Taiwan's typhoon season roughly falls between July and September. The peak month is in August, which sees 520 mm (20 in) of precipitation on average, compared to 70 mm (2.8 in) in December, the driest month.

Climate data for Yushan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1943–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.9
(66.0)
23.4
(74.1)
20.9
(69.6)
23.2
(73.8)
24.8
(76.6)
26.2
(79.2)
25.9
(78.6)
22.6
(72.7)
23.6
(74.5)
24.2
(75.6)
20.2
(68.4)
16.8
(62.2)
26.2
(79.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 4.6
(40.3)
4.5
(40.1)
6.4
(43.5)
8.7
(47.7)
11.2
(52.2)
12.9
(55.2)
14.4
(57.9)
14.0
(57.2)
14.0
(57.2)
13.9
(57.0)
10.6
(51.1)
6.7
(44.1)
10.2
(50.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.5
(31.1)
−0.2
(31.6)
1.4
(34.5)
3.6
(38.5)
6.0
(42.8)
7.4
(45.3)
8.0
(46.4)
7.8
(46.0)
7.4
(45.3)
6.6
(43.9)
4.1
(39.4)
1.2
(34.2)
4.4
(39.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −4.0
(24.8)
−3.4
(25.9)
−1.7
(28.9)
0.6
(33.1)
3.0
(37.4)
4.5
(40.1)
4.6
(40.3)
4.6
(40.3)
4.1
(39.4)
2.8
(37.0)
0.7
(33.3)
−2.1
(28.2)
1.1
(34.0)
Record low °C (°F) −18.4
(−1.1)
−14.8
(5.4)
−15.2
(4.6)
−10.1
(13.8)
−3.9
(25.0)
−1.9
(28.6)
−3.2
(26.2)
−0.4
(31.3)
−2.4
(27.7)
−6.1
(21.0)
−10.6
(12.9)
−15.0
(5.0)
−18.4
(−1.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 83.7
(3.30)
67.2
(2.65)
94.8
(3.73)
201.2
(7.92)
423.6
(16.68)
459.6
(18.09)
434.2
(17.09)
516.0
(20.31)
297.2
(11.70)
145.1
(5.71)
98.3
(3.87)
81.6
(3.21)
2,902.5
(114.27)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 6.8 6.9 7.8 13.1 18.7 18.0 18.1 18.4 14.4 10.1 8.2 6.5 147.0
Average
relative humidity
(%)
62.3 70.7 76.2 80.0 81.5 80.8 77.7 81.0 77.4 66.4 65.9 63.1 73.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours 207.0 158.7 151.0 139.4 133.8 135.9 171.3 150.8 158.5 213.6 199.7 197.1 2,016.8
Percent possible sunshine 62 51 41 37 33 34 42 38 44 60 61 60 46
Source: Central Weather Bureau[17][18][19][20][21]

Gallery

  • Yushan (玉山) during winter season
    Yushan (玉山) during winter season
  • Yushan (玉山) during winter season
    Yushan (玉山) during winter season
  • Yushan (玉山) during winter season
    Yushan (玉山) during winter season
  • Yushan (玉山) during winter season
    Yushan (玉山) during winter season
  • Yushan (玉山) during winter season
    Yushan (玉山) during winter season
  • Yushan Trail signage
    Yushan Trail signage
  • Yushan (玉山)
    Yushan (玉山)
  • Laonung River at the northeastern side of Yushan
    Laonung River at the northeastern side of Yushan
  • Sea of clouds on Yushan Trail
    Sea of clouds on Yushan Trail
  • Sea of clouds on Yushan Trail
    Sea of clouds on Yushan Trail
  • Sea of clouds on Yushan Trail
    Sea of clouds on Yushan Trail
  • Sea of clouds near Tatajia Anbu on Yushan Trail
    Sea of clouds near Tatajia Anbu on Yushan Trail
  • Mountain in the morning
    Mountain in the morning
  • Sunrise at Yushan
    Sunrise at Yushan
  • Sunrise at Yushan
    Sunrise at Yushan
  • Sunrise at Yushan
    Sunrise at Yushan
  • Sunrise at Yushan
    Sunrise at Yushan
  • Mountain with sunset
    Mountain with sunset
  • Hikers at the summit
    Hikers at the summit
  • Formosan rock macaque found on Yushan Trail
    Formosan rock macaque found on Yushan Trail
  • Yushan Range, eastern side view
    Yushan Range, eastern side view
  • Yushan on November 1, 1935
    Yushan on November 1, 1935
  • Painting of Yushan by Nasu Masaki (那須雅城)
    Painting of Yushan by Nasu Masaki (那須雅城)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The "Go" signal was first issued by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. The signal was extended and used throughout the exercises and the course of the operation. On the other hand, the "No Go" signal, if needed, would be TSUKUBAYAMAHARE (ツクバヤマハレ [Kanji: 筑波山晴れ]), meaning "Mount Tsukuba is sunny".

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Han Cheung (November 25, 2018). "Taiwan in Time: Great Floods, an Imperial Edict, and a Defaced Statue". Taipei Times. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c EB (1879), p. 415.
  3. ^ a b Chamberlain & al. (1903), p. 554.
  4. ^ Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene Glacial Landforms of Yushan Area, Taiwan
  5. ^ Central Geological Survey, MOEA. Archived May 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "World Island Highpoints above 3000m". World Island Highpoints above 3000m. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  7. ^ Yushan
  8. ^ "Mt. Jade Main Peak Trail". Hikingbook Inc. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d "Northern 5 Peaks of Mt. Jade Trails". Hikingbook Inc. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  10. ^ Flora of China
  11. ^ Cheng, Zoe (March 1, 2007), "Taiwan Looks for Its Roots", Taiwan Today, Taiwan: ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  12. ^ MacDonald, Scot (October 1962). Evolution of Aircraft Carriers – the Japanese Developments (PDF). Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, DC. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  13. ^ Jones, Edward (November 7, 2021). "'Your coffee is served, sir' — Exclusive 'cafe' opens 3,858m above sea level on Yushan's north peak 玉山驚見「3858咖啡吧」 北峰氣象站:非請勿入". www.taipeitimes.com. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  14. ^ 1.
  15. ^ Bulletin Board of Central Bank of the Republic of China.
  16. ^ Yushan Asteroid. Archived September 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  17. Central Weather Bureau. Archived from the original
    on May 21, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  18. ^ "氣象站各月份最高氣溫統計" (PDF) (in Chinese). Central Weather Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "氣象站各月份最高氣溫統計(續)" (PDF) (in Chinese). Central Weather Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  20. ^ "氣象站各月份最低氣溫統計" (PDF) (in Chinese). Central Weather Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  21. ^ "氣象站各月份最低氣溫統計(續)" (PDF) (in Chinese). Central Weather Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.

Bibliography

  • "Formosa" , Encyclopaedia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. IX, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1879, pp. 415–17.
  • .

External links