Pam in Taipei

A View From Above -- Elephant Mountain

It seems as though you could walk long enough in any direction in Taipei and eventually hit mountain. Indeed, there are hiking trails all along the outskirts of the city. Brian and I decided to escape from the smog one Sunday morning by climbing Shiang Shan (Elephant Mountain). The trails in Taipei are well-kept, well-marked and well-traversed. This one was just on the outskirts of downtown, and once we got to the 600m mark, we could see a breathtaking cityscape with Taipei 101, the city's tallest office building crowning the scene with a postcard perfect shot.

It was a steep but short climb up the 800m to the peak, where we reached a different world. Winding paths took us all along the mountain plateau, which was like a forest glade in the sky. Turquoise-winged butterflies were fun to stalk, and plant-grafting experiments on trees were interesting to speculate about.

There was also this - an adult playground - for exercise. People doing yoga, tai chi, and reflexology were a common sight (there was a square of ground paved with smooth oblong black rocks. People walked barefoot across this patch for a foot massage). There was also a run-down shack with hoola hoops and benches. All in all, a great concept and a perfect place to exercise where the air is fresh.

posted by Pamplemousse @ 10:16 PM