4D3N Mt YuShan, Taiwan 14-17 May 2025

Name: 4D3N Mt YuShan, Taiwan 14-17 May 2025
Start: 2025-05-14T08:00:00+08:00
End: 2025-05-17T10:00:00+08:00
Location: Kaohsiung City

Schedule

Wed, 14 May, 2025 at 08:00 am to Sat, 17 May, 2025 at 10:00 am

UTC+08:00

Location

Kaohsiung City | Kaohsiung, KH

Established in 1985, Yushan National Park is the largest and highest of Taiwan’s 6 national parks. Yushan (Jade Mountain) is the most famous and popular high-mountain hike in Taiwan. Being the highest mountain in Taiwan and east Asia, it attracts visitors from all over the world and competition for hiking permits is fierce year round. We usually need to apply for permits four months in advance to secure one. Yushan “sleeps” for a month each winter (usually February), when the mountain is closed to hikers and the trails are given time to recover. Yushan is a wonderful hike year-round and the easiest of Taiwan’s high mountains, making it a great mountain for just about anyone to explore!
May, June, October and November is best season to visit Mt YuShan
Hike difficulty level: Hard
Hike distance: 22km
Elevation Gained: 1400m
River Crossing: No
Leech Probability: No
Suitability for kids (<12yo): No
Leader: Calvin
Itinerary
Months before the climb, we will schedule physical group training (minimal charges applies) and altitude training. Plan for individual training as well as in a group will be arranged. Some of these training will include high altitude training such as Fraser Hills and Cameron Highlands. WhatsApp group will be created to discuss on preparation (Flights Booking, Packing List, Altitude Sickness, Attire, Insurance, etc)
1 month before the climb we will have a pre-departure meetup for a 1-2hrs briefing where we will meetup to finalize on the necessary and discuss on final preparation.
Day 1
Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Koahsiung then proceed to hotel
2,600m asl
We’ll pick you up at Koahsiung Airport . From there, it’s about a 4 hours drive to our accommodation, a basic but comfortable hotel near the trailhead. We’ll stop along the way for a nice lunch and dinner and a few bathroom breaks and 7-11 light shopping. We will need to pack light food to be eaten during the hike (Day2 and Day3 lunch). The hotel is located at a 2,000m elevation. Sleeping here helps everyone acclimate to the higher elevations we’ll be going to later, and helps stave off any chance of getting elevations sickness.
Day 2
1.8km, 3,239m asl
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the trailhead at Tatajia, register at the ranger station, and begin the hike. The entire trail climbs steadily and follows the valley for around 5-6 hours. After just over an hour we pass the Monroe Pavilion and the first eco toilet. The entrance to Yushan Front Peak is soon after that, as the trail continues on its steady climb.
Lunch Platform to Paiyun Cabin: 6.7km, 3,402m asl
The section between the lunch platform and Paiyun Cabin has some of the most scenic forests and bamboo groves. We’ll also pass The Great Precipice, a tall, sheer cliff with fossils of ancient marine species and wavy sedimentary deposits that were formed on the ocean floor millions of years ago.
Arrival at Paiyun Cabin, sits at 3402m above sea level and was originally a basic shelter with a kitchen area and wooden dorm beds. It was closed for renovations in 2011 and reopen in 2013. The new cabin is double the size of the old one, with group dorm rooms that sleep about 12 people each, a restaurant/seating area, bathroom facilities (no showers), and a capacity of 92 hikers. There is a very limited amount of electricity available. The cooks will provide food at fixed times and it’s usually lights out at about 7pm. There are no snacks, beverages, or anything else available for purchase. Do carry down any trash that you make and bring with you.
Day 3
Paiyun Cabin to the Peak
2.4km, 3,952m asl
We’ll leave Paiyun early in the morning to catch the sunrise from the main peak. We usually get up at 2am and after breakfast, leave the cabin at 3am equipped with head-torches, warm clothes, rain gear, water, and snacks. We can leave sleeping bags and other items in the cabin while we summit. The 2.4km walk up to Yushan Main Peak is a steep climb up a rough trail, taking about 2 hours. Immediately after leaving the cabin, we ascend through a fir tree forest. Soon we’ll pass the treeline and a junction in the road where the trail splits to the Yuanfeng Cabin. The next section of trail passes high mountain junipers and rhododendrons on it’s way to the most difficult section, the Wind Gap and final 200m to the peak. This section is by far the most technical of the hike, with its fixed chains and loose stones, but can be navigated by anyone without a fear of heights.
Yushan Main Peak 3952m
Once at the 3952m main peak, there are spectacular views of the north, south, east and west peaks of Yushan, all over 3500m high. The peak can be bitterly cold, even in summer, so it’s important to be properly prepared with warm, windproof clothing. At this altitude, the sun will burn you very quickly, so proper sun protection (hats, sunscreen) is essential. We usually enjoy the sunrise and views for about 30 minutes before heading back to the cabin to pack for the hike down.
We are expected to arrive at trailhead by lunch time and upon reaching trailhead, freshen up and we will proceed to Koahsiung City to check-into hotel. Dinner and have the day at own leisure.
Day 4
Koahsiung City
If you are in the hurry, you can take the earliest flight home at this stage. For those continuing their holiday in Koahsiung, many places of interest at your own leisure and recommended are:
Lotus Pond - there are around twenty temples on its shores and plenty of bikeways and paths for you to wander. The most interesting, or what some might call unusual, of the structures on the lake are the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas.
Love River lies across Kaohsiung for times of sunrises and sunsets. Love River, known as Dagou River in Qing Dynasty. The riverbanks were beautified with greenery works and developed to be park areas, decorated with pillars chained with iron rope. The area becomes a romantic place for lovers to date with, therefore, the river was reputed as Love River. On the banks, a number of parks and green lands were developed and constructed with a very long bicycle way. You may wander relaxed on the pathways of the banks, admiring the pleasant landscape and enjoying the gentle touch of breeze.
Rueifong Night Market, the most popular market in the city. Browse through a multitude of stalls and sample local fare such as stinky tofu and brown sugar bubble tea.
Liuhe Night Market is Kaohsiung's oldest, most typical night market. When night falls, Liuhe Street, close to the traffic of the city center, changes into a culinary heaven given over to pedestrians, encompassing all of the port city of Kaohsiung's most characterful, trademark cuisine; and innovative international cuisine has also added an international tint to Liuhe Night Market.
Transfer to the airport on yr own and then head back home to KL
What's Included
– Tour Coordinator
– Professional Mountain Guide and Sweeper
– Park permit and application fees
– Accommodation
o D1 (Trailhead: 3-4pax/room)
o D2 (Paiyun Lodge: Dormitory) Sleeping Bag and Mat provided.
o D3 (Kaohsiung City: 2-3pax/room)
– Transport from D1, D2 transfer & D3 transfer to Koahsiung that includes tolls, fuel and parking fee
– Meals mentioned above (1xD2 Breakfast, 1xD2 Dinner, 1xD3 Pre-Breakfast, 1xD3 Brunch)
– Accident insurance (NT200,000) and Medical Insurance (NT100,000)
– Basic First Aid
– Radio Communication
What's Excluded
- Flight ticket to/from Koahsiung Airport
- Meals NOT mentioned above
- D4 transportation and activities
- Personal belongings
- Insurance
- Any personal tips
Participation fees:
RM1999/pax.
Discount RM150/pax if combine with JiaMing Lake Hike
Max participation 2 groups of 7pax/group. Pre-Registration to be completed and ready for permit to be applied by end Jan 2025. 6-months permit application needed for non-Taiwanese
Payment milestone:
Booking fees of RM500 (refundable only if permit not approved) to secure your participation
RM500 upon permit approval
Full payment one-month before departure
Kindly Whatsapp https://wa.me/60143385407 (Calvin) for booking or further queries
Flights - Arrival and departure:
• Booking flight only after confirmation of permit
• Do arrive in Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) no later than D1 8am.
•Unless needed - Do not leave Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) no earlier than D3 11:00pm.
• BatikAir and AirAsia flies direct from KUL to KHH
Please select the flight that best suits you and your other travelling arrangements (if any). The organizer will not be held responsible in the event of you missing your flight cause by any delay. In the unlikely event of a flight cancellation or delay which might cause disruption to the itinerary, the organizer will give our best effort to adjust the itinerary accordingly to cater for these unforeseen circumstances. Though in the event where it can't be catered for, the organizer will not be held responsible for the participants missing the activities and will therefore not being able to refund on the payment made.
Cancellation Policy:
All payment received are non-refundable. Name change not allowed after permit approved.
• Full refund if permit is not granted
• Full refund (minus any already paid expense) if event is cancelled due to natural factors (typhoons, impassible roads, etc) before flight departure
• No refund if event is cancelled due to natural factors (typhoons, impassible roads, etc) when arrived at Koahsiung
By purchasing this trip, I hereby agree to fully indemnify and absolve the organiser from any claim and/or liability that may arise out of any damages, injury, death or loss of property howsoever arising from participation in the trip. Any photos/video taken/shared during the event may be used for any lawful purpose by the organizer including for example purposes such as publicity, illustration, advertising and website content.
Kindly Whatsapp https://wa.me/60143385407 (Calvin) for booking or further queries