Yangmingshan National Park

The hills northwest of Taipei cry out to be hiked, so it’s no wonder that every weekend, thousands of people head into Yangmingshan National Park for exercise, fresh air and eco-tourism.

The highest peak in the park is Qixingshan (the Chinese name means “Seven Stars Mountain”), and at 1,120m it’s comparable to Ben Nevis, Scotland’s tallest mountain. Hiking to the top and returning to civilization can be done in half a day, and the view you’ll get from the summit more than justifies the exertion. Yangmingshan is also notable for having a number of hot springs. One of the most special is Ba Yan Wild Springs. It’s undeveloped, as the name suggests, and you’ll need a guide to find it.