Trekking Taipei: The Elephant Mountain

These photos above and below show our itinerary for Day 4. Taipei 101 and the Elephant Mountain.

After coming out of Taipei 101, our stomach satisfied with another Xiao Long Bao experience for lunch from Din Tai Fung, we were ready for another adventure. Guided by google maps, we walked to find the Elephant Mountain. 

Watch the video at the end so you will see how we reached the place. It was a 20-minute walk from Taipei 101. The video also features the trek up and down the mountain.

Located in Xinyi District, this place is a natural park on a hill with walking paths around. Elephant Mountain is 183 meters (600 feet) high, that one can climb in 20-30 minutes to one hour depending on one’s speed or the length of one’s limbs as one can take two steps at a time. 

Here's a map of the Xiangshan Trail that guides tourists during the climb. It also provides an estimate on how far one has gone in the expedition.

The adventure starts from here. This is the entrance to the Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan). 

See the stairs? That’s the beginning of the 1,054 steps that one has to climb in order to reach the top.

There, you see tourists already going down.

Let me have this pose first before going up.

Now I’m ready! Let's go!

Our motto was to go slow. We warned hubby to wait for us. He walks fast, remember? 

There, I couldn’t see him now. No trace of him. And we haven’t gone that far yet.

While climbing, we had to stop at intervals to catch our breath, savour the beauty of nature and capture the view.

There were info boards along the way.

Now you know why this place is called Elephant Mountain. I deliberately enlarged the image so you can read the story of Xiangshan Hill.

Oh, I must have been in a hurry that I forgot to look for these Chinese fan palm trees after taking this photo though I managed to take photos of some trees while periodically resting my legs during the climb.

I really wonder what the inscriptions on the wall mean? Google translate later.

Spot the difference. Where's Ayana Grace?

This is the same map shown earlier. But this time, with a blue mark on the right side.

Do you see it? Yes, I mean the blue mark.
That was as far as we went during the trek: the Photographer's Deck, then the Liu Ju Shi or the 6 Giant Rocks that tourists climb to a get a real nice view of Taipei 101.

Hubby taking the last few steps to our destination while Ayana Grace seemingly surveying the surroundings before proceeding... or scouting for an instagrammable view?

I was mesmerized by the picturesque view of the city with Taipei 101 standing tall that I forgot to count the big rocks.

Look at the queue of tourists waiting for their turn to take a perfect shot of Taipei 101 from the giant rocks. I didn’t have that much patience to wait for my turn. There were just too many of them in front of me, taking so much time for themselves, unmindful of the others behind them. I could remember hubby telling the kids, "Penge na lang pictures ha!" ("Please share your photos with me, okay!")

There, Tin signaling victory for reaching the ultimate destination. 

Cheers!!!

And yes, I made it, too!

Hurrah for reaching the top! Approaching the Photo Shooting Deck.

How about this elephant for a medal!? Can I bring this home?

Here's another one --- up-close

The Photo Shooting Deck was the highest point we reached. We didn't follow the rest of the  Beixingbao Temple Trail. We believed we have already achieved our purpose and it was time for us to claim the much awaited prize--- savoring the beautiful view of Taipei 101 Tower from the view deck.

What could be more rewarding after a 20-minute to 1-hour hike up the 183-meter (600 feet) Elephant Mountain is gazing at the stunning view of the city including Taipei 101.

There were certain steep areas going up, as shown in the video below, but the breathtaking view of Taipei City made the climb worth all the effort. 

We couldn’t seem to stop clicking our cameras.

See all these photos below taken at the photo shooting deck.

While resting, I couldn't help noticing this girl looking intently at the landscape or the tower. I couldn't really tell. I could only see her back. I was actually annoyed by her presence as she was blocking my view of Taipei 101. So I had no choice but but take a shot of her and the tower. Well, I just realized it’s a nice shot after all! I could make a hundred guesses about what’s in her mind. 

Now, it’s my turn to take a panoramic view of the cityscape. 

Which one of these do you like best?

Captured one of the 6 giant rocks at the summit of the Elephant Mountain.

Look at this other girl, seemingly enjoying the view on top of one of the giant rocks!

Oh, so she was preparing herself for a photo shoot....

We couldn't take our turn to pose at the rocks because it seemed that these two were so lost in their own photo ops right where we also wanted. I had to take a photo of the tower with them seated on the rocks.

Ayana and Ana waiting for the girl to step down so they could also take their turn.

I couldn’t remember posing with those rocks at the background.
The girl must have stayed there forever! (Bitter!!??)

Instead, we took turns posing at the photo shoot deck with the tower at the background. 

Better idea, eh?

“Okay, Ma, just keep on moving!”

So I did as I was told.

Now for the real pose...

Next, hubby and me ... 

And my best pose ever! 

Me and Taipei 101 at my fingertip! 

Oh, no, I forgot who to give credit for this perfect shot eh?!

Ayana Grace, Ana Cristina or hubby?

“Ma, look at the camera!" I heard Ayana Grace telling me so she could click her cam for our finale shot--- a family selfie before going down.

.

Now, we're ready to go back to where we started. 

Watch this video 👇👇👇 that features our trek up and down the Elephant Mountain.

Hope you enjoyed trekking Xiangshan with the 4Sisons.

From here, we're heading to the North Gate and the Ningxia Night Market. 

Are you still coming along?

See you there soon!

Read Day 1 and Day 3 (Gondola Ride to Maokong)

And click here to view Ayana's blogpost where she featured practical travel tips

 and our family vlog from the week-long trip.