Taiwanese Hiking

Taiwan, is it its own country or part of China?  It depends on who you ask.  After Chairman Mao defeated Chiang Kai Shek, he fled there were other big names in the nationalist party and established their own country after gaining control of the locals.  They lived their in protection from the west, as they were not progenitors of communism.  When most people think of Taiwan, they think of factories and industry.  Well that is the west.  On the east side and throughout the middle is unparalleled beauty.  On the east side lies of the best hikes Taiwan has to offer, the 10 to 15 miles of the Taoyuan Valley trail to the Caoling Historic Trail.

Here is the Caoling Histotric Trail:

When the weather is clear, one is filled with views of the pacific oceans and the wilds of the interior.  However when it is foggy, as I had my entire day, one has to look closer a the lush vegetation and those working its land.

At the top of the ridge, where the trail branches in many directions, lie beautiful boulders nestled into the hillside.

As the trail descends toward the road, a tiny unnamed temple hugs the edge of rice fields and the surrounding hills.

If you choose to go, don't expect to get their easily, but it is well worth it.  You must take the train from Taipei to Toucheng, ride a taxi to town of Daxi, then hike hard up and over the challenging ridge for the 10 to 15 miles to avoid darkness and down to the main highway.  Then walk along the road for the two miles to village of Fulong or if you are lucky like me a random motocycle driver may pick you up along the road. 

Get out and explore your world.