[2025 Taipei ] Travel Guide for Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) Nature Trail (Updated Jun)

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 The Elephant Mountain hiking trail is located above Elephant Mountain Park in Xinyi District, Taipei City. It is adjacent to Lion Mountain, Leopard Mountain, and Tiger Mountain, which are collectively known as the "Four Beast Mountains" of Taipei City. The mountain is named Elephant Mountain because its shape resembles an elephant. Elephant Mountain is 184 meters above sea level and is the most famous of the "Four Beast Mountains" because it is the best place to view Taipei 101 from an angle. Especially on New Year's Eve, some people rush to occupy the advantageous position early in the morning. Although Xiangshan is not high in altitude, the steps are quite steep and going directly to the top will make you breathless. On weekdays and holidays, it is always crowded with people hiking. Due to the convenient transportation, you can take the MRT and get off at Xiangshan Station and walk for about five minutes to reach the trailhead. No wonder it is a great place for hiking.

As a frequent visitor to Taipei, this time I chose some less popular spots to truly experience the local culture and customs of Taiwan. D1 Huabei Creative Park, Elephant Mountain D2 Baishishan Suspension Bridge, Bishanyan, Ximending D3 Houtong Cat Village, Pingxi, Shifen, Jingtong Sky Lantern, Jiufen D4 Sunset Platform, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park [Tips] Elephant Mountain⛰️: Located in Xinyi District, it's a great free spot to view Taipei's nightscape. The hike isn't too long, but remember to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Houtong Cat Village: Perfect for cat lovers, you can see adorable cats everywhere 🐱. Before heading to Pingxi and Shifen for sky lanterns, set aside an hour or two to explore the village's handmade cat-themed shops. Jingtong: I arrived around 4 PM, and most of the shops were already closed. After chatting with a shop owner, I learned that the area has become less crowded since the pandemic, with most tourists heading to Shifen instead. As a result, Jingtong's shops close early. If you want a less crowded place to take beautiful sky lantern photos, I recommend Jingtong. Jiufen: The scenery is quite different during the day and night. At night, the red lanterns create a unique atmosphere. Wander through the alleys, enjoy various local delicacies, and explore different small shops. Sunset Platform: This is an immersive interactive experience themed around the end of life. The first stop was in Kaohsiung, and it recently moved to Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. To avoid spoilers, I won't say much here, but I highly recommend experiencing it. It will leave you with many thoughts and feelings 👍

#climber #XiangshanSixBigStoneViewing Platform #XiangshanPro-MountainTrail #Xiangshan #TonghuaWorldCustomizedBirthWeightTeddyBear #weddinggift #wedding #thank-yougift #firstbirthgift #newborngift #weightbear #customized #birthbear #madeinTaiwan #fullmoon #fullmoongift 👉Remember to follow Principal Meng Meng to see more🥰 Today I want to share with you a beautiful secret place in Taipei - the Six Big Rocks Observation Deck at Elephant Mountain. This place is not only a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, but also a dream check-in spot for photography fans! The Elephant Mountain Trail is located in Xinyi District, Taipei City. It takes about 25 minutes to walk from the MRT Elephant Mountain Station to the trailhead. The trail is about 1.5 kilometers long and 183 meters above sea level. It is a simple trail and is very suitable for the whole family to enjoy the beauty of nature together. 🚶♂️ Hiking experience Starting from the Lingyun Palace trail entrance, there are many cute elephant-shaped chairs along the way for everyone to rest. The trail is lined with lush greenery and the air is fresh, making people feel relaxed and happy. About 10 minutes later, we arrived at the first attraction - the Photographer's Platform. The view here is excellent, with a 180-degree view of downtown Taipei, especially the magnificent view of Taipei 101. 🪨 Six Big Rocks Observation Deck Continue walking up for about 15 minutes and we arrived at the Six Big Rocks Observation Deck. There are six huge rocks here. Standing on the rocks, Taipei 101 is right in front of you and the scenery is breathtaking. This is also a popular photo-taking spot, and everyone will take a photo with 101 here. 🌸 Seasonal beauty If you visit during the tung blossom season, you can also enjoy the tung flowers all over the mountains, adding more romance to this journey.

Taipei: Yangmingshan/Beitou Hot Springs, wait until the cherry blossoms are in full bloom Taipei Citywalk, start a day of admiring cherry blossoms at Yangmingshan, experiencing Beitou Hot Springs, and checking in at Taipei 101. Yangmingshan is Taipei's backyard, and every year from February to March is the season of blooming flowers, with colorful azaleas and early cherry blossoms competing for beauty. By the end of February, the Yaezakura cherry blossoms are blooming competitively, and when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the misty clouds surround the green hills, and soaking in a sulfur hot spring is like a springtime encounter. 🌸 Flower Viewing Spots: Yangmingshan Flower Clock (Pic 2-7) Yangmingshan Fountain (Pic 1) Yangmingshan Second Parking Lot (Pic 9) 🚍 How to get there: Take the small 8 bus from the Jiantan MRT station, or take the 129/small 9 bus from the Beitou MRT station to reach the above flower viewing spots. 📝 Flower Viewing Tips: 1⃣ The Yangmingshan Flower Clock is planted along the stream with colorful azaleas, which bloom at the end of February together with the early cherry blossoms, creating a layered effect. 2⃣ The Yangmingshan Fountain is tightly surrounded by Yaezakura cherry blossoms, resembling light pink clouds, and the combination with the fountain is very photogenic. 3⃣ The cherry blossoms at the Second Parking Lot bloom earlier, and by the time of visit, it is nearing the end of the flower season. 4⃣ The bus schedule provided by Google Maps for the Yangmingshan area is not accurate; wait for the bus based on the electronic display. 5⃣ Yangmingshan also has other nice attractions such as Xiaoyoukeng and Qixing Mountain (my visit failed due to heavy fog at the mountain top). You can take the 108 bus (circular mountain bus) from the Yangmingshan bus terminal, but pay attention to the schedule as there are not many buses. ♨️ Beitou Hot Springs: Yangmingshan is an active volcano with abundant geothermal resources. The hot springs in the Beitou area are natural green sulfur springs, which are said to contain trace amounts of radium and have healing effects, one of only two in the world. In addition to hot spring hotels, you can also choose specialized hot spring shops. I chose the 'Emperor Pool Hot Spring Royal Meal Pavilion', which can be reached by the small 8/small 9 bus. The hot spring is located in the sulfur stream of Yangmingshan, surrounded by numerous spring eyes steaming with sulfur vapor. After soaking in the sulfur spring, the skin really becomes more delicate, worth a try. ⭕️ The private bathhouse requires at least two people (500 Taiwan dollars), with a 30-minute limit on holidays and 40 minutes on weekdays; the public pool is not time-limited (250), and the locker requires a 20 coin. ❗️ If you choose the mixed public pool, bring a swimsuit. ‼️ There is a restaurant inside, and if you spend more than 400 on a meal, you can soak in the public pool for free. 🗻 Sulfur Valley: After soaking in the hot springs, I checked in at Sulfur Valley (Pic 10-11), a 15-minute walk from the Emperor Pool Hot Springs. A large amount of sulfur vapor spews from the ground, accompanied by boiling and erupting spring water, making a hissing sound, a spectacular scene. 🏢 Taipei 101: After the tour, I checked in at several classic spots of Taipei 101. 1⃣ Takeuchi Izakaya (Pic 12-13), walk south for 10 minutes from Exit 2 of the Xiangshan MRT station to compress the towering skyscraper and old house into one picture, creating a beauty of old and new integration. 2⃣ Xiangshan (Pic 14-16), enter the mountain from the 'Xiangshan Trail' entrance on Google Maps, choose the right path at the first fork, and reach the photography platform in 15 minutes. But it is recommended to continue walking up for 10 minutes to the Six Giant Rocks viewing platform, where the view is more open. The mountain trail is all stone steps with handrails and street lights, making climbing effortless.

Among the many ways to admire the magnificent Taipei 101, viewing it from afar would be my personal favorite. It is popular amongst tourists, be it visiting in the morning or sunset, the trail is always packed with tourists and locals. We chose the shortest route up, which took about 20minutes, but boy the steps were steep! There are many viewpoints, but if you are feeling adventurous, you can climb up one of the huge rocks to watch the sun fall. There is an Arabica across the street from the entrance of the trail, perfect to cool down after the sweaty hike. How to get there: MRT Xiangshan (Red line) - follow the pedestrain and walk along the perimeter of Xiang Shan Park, then on the uphill turn right when you see a condo. Upon turning right, you’ll see a temple then continue walking in the alley. You will see the entrance on your left after a short walk. PS: bring along mosquito repellent as the mosquitoes there are relentless. Difficulty of trail: 2/5 View: 5/5 #Taipei #Taiwan #couplestrip #hike #Coffee #view #Xiangshan

#TravelTaiwan Beautiful sunset viewing point in Taiwan If you have the energy, motivation and determination, I must say you must not miss it. Xiangshan Mountain or Elephant Mountain, a small mountain on the eastern side of the suburbs of Taipei, with a rich forest, is another popular viewpoint of Taipei and the sunset, especially at the highest point of the mountain where many tourists come to take pictures of Taipei and the Taipei 101 building every day, especially photographers. The route to climb Xiangshan Mountain or Elephant Mountain is almost entirely stairs from the starting point to the top. Although the distance is not far, about 500-600 meters, it is almost the entire way up the stairs. If you ask if it is tiring, the answer is very tiring. But when you see the view in front of you, I can tell you that it will make you feel less tired immediately. I recommend that friends go up in the evening so that you can experience both atmospheres. #Sunset viewing point #Viewpoint

#elephantmountain #taipei After a quick breakfast at a nearby 7-11 store, we took one of the earliest trains to 象山station, promptly starting the straightforward ascent via flights of numerous steps to the summit. There was a steady drizzle but it wasn’t anything to worry about - the weather was still perfect for a morning climb & we had almost the entire trail to ourselves. Before long, we reached the peak of Elephant Mountain with beautiful views of Taipei 101 towering above the bustling city, and out came the small Singapore flag 🇸🇬 as usual 😂

Xiangshan aka Elephant Mountain Taipei 101 is an iconic building in Taiwan, and in my opinion, the best place to view it will be at Elephant Moutain.Great view of Taipei City as well. This hiking trail is just a few minutes away from the MRT station, so it is quite accessible. The hike itself is just lots and lots of rock stairs, so just take your time and pace yourself. There are places to stop and rest along the way up What people like to when they reach the viewpoint - climb up the giant rock! Do be careful and stay safe! #mytripvlog

07/11/2022 17:30 I have been to Taiwan many times, but I have never been to Xiangshan to see the view. This is my 4th time and I finally made it. Weather: Light rain Transportation - MRT Xiangshan Atmosphere/Location - It is a small mountain in the middle of the city. Surrounded by hotels and condos, it is not scary. At the entrance to the mountain is a sports field. Walk from the station to the foot of the mountain 540 m. From the entrance to the viewpoint 1.3 km. Walk for about 15 minutes and you will arrive. Highlights - The view is very beautiful. Anyone who comes to Taiwan must come here. Average price per person - Free admission Score -10/10 #TravelAbroad #Taiwan #BeautifulPhotoSpots #SunsetViewpoints

Xiangshan Elephant Mountain, Taiwan is a beautiful viewpoint for watching the sunrise and sunset. 🚆 MRT Xiangshan Station, Red Line, Exit 2 Traveling by train, Taiwan has trains everywhere, very convenient and cheap. 🥾⛰️Walking through the park, you will find the entrance. It is a staircase with places to sit and rest along the way. It takes 15-20 minutes. Those who stay for a long time may take longer because it is a high-level mountain. You will definitely be out of breath. 🌄 At the top, you can see Taipei City, Building 101, and the sunset. It is very beautiful. It is worth the effort. If anyone comes to Taiwan and wants to find new activities, try coming here. You will definitely be impressed. #Taiwan #Taipei

Xiangshan Elephant Mountain (象山) is another place you can't miss because it's a very beautiful viewpoint of Taipei 101. There are stairs to the top of the mountain. I feel like it's quite steep. If you go during the summer and rainy seasons, it might be a bit hot. I recommend bringing drinking water to quench your thirst. It takes about 20-30 minutes (depending on each person's strength) to reach the top of the mountain. How to get there: MRT Xiangshan Station, red line, exit Exit 2, walk along the park to the end, turn left and walk up the hill a bit. Then turn right and walk straight until you see the sign for the starting point. #TravelTaiwan

I really miss Taipei. Right now, I'm still waiting for Taiwan to open up to tourists, so I'm sharing some photos from my last trip in 2019. It was a trip I went with two friends, so we invited each other to go on a light hike for about thirty minutes to the viewpoint. We were a little tired, but when we saw the view, we felt no more tired. The view was nice, the wind was quite cool, and there were a lot of people waiting to take pictures. Waiting for the day we could travel to Taiwan again. #waitingforthedaytodepart #Taiwan #Taipei

Lovely Elephant Mountain Trail🐘🐘 Elephant, elephant Why is your nose so long😆 I must climb the Elephant Mountain Trail on a good day. Did Grandpa Elephant live here before? What a lovely place~🐘 When you are lucky~ you can see Taipei 101 when the air is good #Xinyi District #Good Places for Summer #Local Tours #Good Places for Parents and Children #Good Places for Suburbs #Elephant Mountain Trail

The Elephant Mountain Trail is suitable for beginners. It takes about 20 minutes to complete. The view from the mountain is breathtaking, overlooking the entire Taipei city. You will find that you live in this beautiful city. The scenery is great and you can take pictures like postcards. After going down the mountain, there is a jade shop where you can cool down and have some snacks to fill your stomach. Xiangshan is located in Xinyi District. If you still have energy after climbing, you can go for a walk around Taipei 101 or have a meal at the food street. A great holiday outing for the whole family^_^ #Where to go in summer

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” #hiking #travel #taipei #taiwan #elephantmountaintrail #hikingislife #nature #dayhike #easyhike #taipei101

Elephant Mountain. Take the MRT Red Line to Xiangshan Station. Take Exit 2 and you will see signs for the direction to the hiking trail outside. Use Google Maps or ask the locals for directions where the entrance is. I forgot the number of steps to rock point, i lost track because i was sweating too much, bringing a heavy jacket with me. The last count I could remember was 600+ and we were not even there yet. 😂 We did not get a chance to take photos on top of the rocks because I’m I was gonna blown up bu the wind. I guess the best time would be early in the morning or late at night. #happynewyear

Captured retro Taipei on my film camera! Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) is a must-do hike! It’s hot and steep but totally doable, with stairs all the way. I went past the main viewpoint to the very end and caught a magical sunset over the city. The view of Taipei 101 and the city is stunning. It’s free, peaceful, and 100% worth the effort. Bring water and don’t stop halfway! #localguides #xiangshan #taipei101 #taipei

#taipeiattractions Elephant Mountain is a popular hiking spot in Taipei, renowned for its panoramic views of the city skyline, particularly Taipei 101. The mountain is accessible via a short walk from Exit 2 of the Xiangshan MRT Station. The trail is approximately 1.5 kilometers long and takes about 20 to 40 minutes to ascend, featuring well-maintained steps and several observation platforms. That said, it’s not exactly easy because it involves a good elevation in a short amount of time/step. But the views are definitely rewarding enough.

𝐗𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐍 (𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧) ⛰️✨ . Elephant Mountain is one of the most beautiful viewpoints for viewing the city and Taipei 101 ✨ . It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk up to the viewpoint. The path is all stairs (it's a leisurely walk but it's tiring 😅). We chose to walk in the evening to watch the sunset up there but didn't make it in time 555. But the weather while walking wasn't very hot, but we were very tired 😂😓 - It is recommended to bring a small water bottle so you can drink it along the way 🫙 How to get there: MRT Xiangshan Station and then walk ⛰️ #TaiwanReview #Travel to Taiwan by yourself #Travel to Taipei #Get discounts without relying on luck

the view from elephant mountain is worth it, and you can still find quiet corners up there to enjoy the sunset.

The last time I went to Taipei was in 2019. Like many tourists, I went to the top of Taipei 101 to see Taipei. This time I wanted to see 101 and the panoramic view of Taipei, so I walked up the Elephant Mountain Trail. The sun was strong and the weather was hot. 95% of the route was stairs, and I was sweating with every step. Fortunately, I had friends to accompany me, otherwise I would have given up long ago. I also doubt whether my high body fat body can hold up... It took us an hour (my friend and I were about to get heat stroke 🥵⋯) to climb up in a turtle-like manner... and we finally reached the checkpoint for the empty expansion! Sure enough... beautiful scenery requires sweat. We stayed for half an hour, taking photos, asking people to frame our photos, and helping others frame their photos. This was the necessary mutual help in this brief encounter. After going down the mountain, we walked to a temple. There were ice-cold homemade drinks outside the temple. It was so refreshing after taking a sip! Traveling doesn’t necessarily mean eating, drinking and having fun, sweat can also nourish the journey🥰 📍Address: Xiangshan Trail Elephant Mountain Trail Taipei Taipei 101 Observatory

Xiangshan, also known as Elephant Mountain, is a famous hiking trail located in Taipei's Xinyi District. Despite its modest height of just 183 meters, this trail is highly popular for its stunning views of Taipei city and the iconic Taipei 101, especially during sunset and nighttime. Highlights of Xiangshan: • Hiking Trail: The trail spans approximately 1.9 kilometers from MRT Xiangshan Station and takes about 20–30 minutes to hike up. It features around 500–600 steps. Although steep, the trail is well-maintained and offers several resting spots. • Scenic Viewpoints: The main viewpoint is the "Six Giant Rocks," a favorite spot for photography. There are also other platforms offering clear views of Taipei 101 and the cityscape. • Best Visiting Times: Early morning or evening are ideal times to hike, avoiding heat and crowds. Sunset is particularly beautiful, providing breathtaking views. Travel Tips: • Getting There: Take the MRT Red Line to Xiangshan Station and exit via Exit 2. From there, walk about 10 minutes through Xiangshan Park to reach the trailhead. • Essentials: Bring water and sun protection as the trail lacks flat areas and can be hot and humid. If hiking in the evening, carry a flashlight or a phone with a flashlight as the trail is not lit. • Safety: The trail is open 24/7 and is generally safe. However, be cautious after rain as the steps may be slippery. Xiangshan is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Taipei, especially photography enthusiasts and those seeking panoramic city views. Hiking here offers not only a natural experience but also a chance to admire Taipei's stunning urban landscape from above.

#postandearn ⛰️ Elephant Mountain (象山) is famous for its stunning views of the city. 🚖 We took a taxi from Hotel Riverview Taipei, which was about a 10-minute drive to the trailhead. It was a quick and easy ride, making it super convenient. 👍 We didn’t climb all the way to the top, but even from where we stopped, the views of Taipei 101 and the surrounding city were amazing. 🤩 The trail is well-maintained, and we enjoyed a peaceful moment with a great mix of nature and cityscapes. #taiwan #taiwantravel #nature #elephantmountain #taipei101

One of the most-climbed mountain in Taipei would be the Elephant Mountain, known as 象山. It is a must-visit if you would love to view the 101 building from a high vantage point. The climb was relatively acceptable for myself, I do not usually exercise or climb mountains and I did this hike with a pair of slippers. Dress light, pack light and prepare a bottle of water for the hike. #taiwan #taipei #instagood #travel #naturalwonders #thingstodo

Stay at the Kimpton Da An Hotel, nestled in the alleys of Taipei's East District, where literary charm meets elegant aesthetics. As the morning light gently filters through, head to the Xiangshan Nature Trail near Xinyi District to embrace a touch of greenery in the city in the simplest way. The stone steps wind upward; the trail is short but steep, shaded by trees with the constant sounds of chirping birds and insects. Upon reaching the summit, Taipei 101 unfolds before your eyes, with skyscrapers and blue skies intertwining into a modern canvas. Sitting quietly at the observation deck, a gentle breeze evaporates sweat and sweeps away the clutter of daily life. In the evening, return to Kimpton, where the balcony rocking chair and curated music create the most relaxing moments, achieving a perfect balance between nature and urban life for the day.

Everyone should know this place to enjoy the best night view in Taipei! Location: Xiangshan (aka Elephant Mountain) Nature Trail) Address: Lane 150, Section 5, Xinyi Road, beside Exit 2 of MRT Xiangshan Station Opening hours: 24 hours Admission: Free I’m a non-hiker, but it only took 1.5-2 hours for me to get to The Six Giant Rocks to enjoy this stunning night view. We switched on our phone torch light while climbing the stone steps as it’s quite dark. I didn’t know how many steps I climbed, to be honest, it’s tiring if you rarely exercise. I truly admired the elderly who were able to jog along the trail with ease. Trust me, if you don't want to miss the most beautiful night view, you must come here! The moment I saw the beautiful scenery, all my fatigue disappeared. I will definitely explore here again for the day view of Taipei. Tip: Wear a suitable sport/hiking shoes. Wearing high heels will kill you. #taipeitrip

Elephant mountain for the sunset spot also good to hiking need to prepare energy drink and jacket as very windy and cold this mountain have light but some spot a bit dark. I would recommend this place should go if you are visit Taiwan.

Let me just say this upfront: if you’re ever in Taipei, slightly full from night market snacks, jet-lagged but optimistic—and someone suggests, “Let’s climb Elephant Mountain!”—you should pause. Not to say no. Just… prepare your legs and your soul. Because Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) isn’t some gentle stroll. It’s a stairway straight into the sky, carved for people who’ve made peace with glutes of steel and questionable life choices. But here’s the kicker: it’s 100% worth it. I started my ascent in the late afternoon, chasing that golden hour glow. The trail is deceptively short—just about 600 steps to the viewpoint—but it’s all vertical. My legs were protesting by step 80. By step 200, they were drafting a resignation letter. But then… around step 300, the trees parted, the air cooled slightly, and Taipei 101 poked through the skyline like a sci-fi monolith wrapped in sunset. That’s when I knew I was onto something. At the top viewpoint, breathless but victorious, I joined a crowd of photographers, couples, hikers, and one guy doing pull-ups (overachiever). The city spread out below like circuitry—alive, buzzing, glittering in the dusk. From here, Taipei looked like it was breathing. If you wait long enough—and you should—the skyline transforms. Day fades into deep blue, and one by one, lights flicker on. The city turns into a constellation, with Taipei 101 glowing like the North Star. And standing there, sweat-soaked and slightly shaky, I felt it—that unmistakable “I made it” buzz. No roller coaster or rooftop bar could match this high. So yes, the climb is steep, your knees may mutiny, and there might be mosquitoes plotting in the shadows. But trust me: Elephant Mountain gives you a front-row seat to one of the most iconic city views in Asia. And that, my fellow wanderers, is a peak worth chasing.

View from Elephant Mountain in the morning