Yushan - Xifeng - p600.org

We arrive at Paiyun Lodge by 11 am, pondering whether to tackle Yushan today or delay it until tomorrow. Given the cloud-swathed scenery, aiming for the summit today hardly seems wise. After some thought, we agree to proceed with our original plan and explore the West Summit, saving Yushan’s peak for an early morning attempt. We lighten our load of non-essential gear at the lodge and set off on a 2.2 -kilometer hike to Yushan – Xifeng. The path begins somewhat challenging but quickly becomes more navigable.

The trail has its steep moments, yet clouds take center stage, generously hiding the views.

I’m honing my skills in portrait photography.

We reach the official summit, marked for all to see, but a nagging feeling tells us it’s not the true high point. Soon after, we spot another outcrop, seemingly at a similar height. Richard whips out his hand level; it’s slightly lower. A short walk of 30 meters brings us to another bump, this one shrouded in bushes. We measure again, finding it nearly matches the official summit’s height. But the quest doesn’t end there. Another 20 meters on, two small bumps flank the trail. Using Denise as a human yardstick—a method as scientific as it gets—Richard deduces the true high point is right here, on the trail’s slope side. Voila, mystery solved.

At the peak, we bump into a handful of locals, stumble upon the summit marker, and then trek down to a quaint shrine just a notch below.

Between 1895 and 1945, during their occupation of Taiwan, the Japanese built roads through the mountains and erected Shinto shrines on peaks like Mt. Jade and Mt. Snow to honor Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. This initiative was part of a broader strategy to promote a ‘Japanized’ education and make use of the island’s virgin forests. However, after Taiwan was reclaimed by Chinese rule in 1945, these symbols of Japanese spirituality, including the shrine on Mt. Jade West Peak, were dismantled. In a nod to history, the Yushan National Park Headquarters later reconstructed the shrine on the main peak’s flank. This wooden shrine, resurrected without the use of a single nail, preserves its elegantly rustic Japanese architecture, standing as a testament to traditional craftsmanship amidst the natural beauty of the mountain.

Ah, so it’s a close-up of wood, not rocks — because clearly, we all mistake those two all the time.

Richard and I tackled another P50 bump near the Paiyun Lodge, cheekily dubbing it Paiyun Lodge Peak.

In our adventure, we came across a Japanese shrine perched slightly lower and about two hundred meters from the highpoint, where the sight of old telephone line remnants intrigued us. Returning from this discovery, Richard and I, still hungry for adventure, decided to tackle an unnamed P60. This quest led us up a steep, bushy slope to a saddle where we left our bags, pondering our next move. Choosing left, we reached the summit, where Richard, with his dependable hand level, confirmed we were indeed at the highpoint, eliminating the need for further exploration. Carefully descending, we lingered briefly, waiting for tourists to blend back into the bush, ensuring our emergence went unnoticed. Moments later, we were back at the hut, rejoining Denise. The dinner before us looked tantalizing, but ordering it was a battle of wits and patience, taking several attempts to get it right. We’re all excited for tomorrow morning’s climb to Yushan, ready for the adventure ahead.

Yushan - Xifeng	3519 m altitude	110 m prominence 2.40 km isolation
Ranges	East China - Taiwan
Countries/regions	China - Taiwan
Distance	2.10 km up	2.10 km down
Elevation	364 m gain	364 m loss
Time	2h00 up 0h10 other	1h50 down 4h00 total
Trailhead	3344 m altitude	23.4664720, 120.9498880
Route	Initially, the trail presents a rough challenge but later transitions into a well-maintained and level path, making for an easier journey.
Difficulties	Taking a detour to Paiyun Lodge Peak requires some light bushwhacking through the underbrush.
Links	GPX trail