The peaks here draw nature-lovers, hikers and climbers from all over the world. So, courtesy of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau (www.go2taiwan.com), here are some of the "high points" of Taiwan:
Yushan
Located in central Taiwan, Yushan (Mt. Jade) is Northeast Asia's highest peak at a height of 13,000 feet. The climate changes from subtropical to alpine as one ascends, which makes Yushan one of the best places in Taiwan to see a wide range of indigenous animals and plants.
Tri Mountain National Scenic Area
Southwest of Taipei, this area is home to three of the island's famous mountains: Lion's Head Mountain, Li Mountain and Bagua Mountain. Lion's Head Mountain is home to many Buddhist monasteries and retreats. The mountain is riddled with caves, and many of the Buddhist temples here were originally inside the caves. There are many vegetarian restaurants here and a number of easy walking trails.
Li Mountain is home to one of Taiwan's aboriginal tribes, the Atayal, and visitors should try to catch a colorful Atayal festival if possible. Li Mountain is a staging post for visitors on their way to Syue Mountain, Taiwan's second-highest peak, which is covered in snow in the winter months.
Bagua Mountain is really a gentle hill situated south of Taiwan's third-largest city, Taichung. Bagua is home to a large statue of Buddha, the biggest in Taiwan and one of the biggest in Asia. The area is well developed for tourists, with a multimedia exhibition center, gift shops and cultural centers. It's also one of the best places in Taiwan to learn about the variety of island's religious practices.
Yangming
Located 30 minutes by car from downtown Taipei, Yangming Mountain is a dormant volcano. Thanks to the geothermal activity still bubbling under the mountain, there are a large number of hot springs here. Hot spring resorts here offer a variety of pools--with different temperatures and mineral compositions--and usually have good restaurants.
