100 Peaks of Taiwan
The Top 100 Mountains or 100 Peaks is a list of 100 mountain peaks in Taiwan. They were chosen by a group of prominent Taiwanese hikers from among the peaks known at the time to be over 3,000m in height. The selection criteria included uniqueness, danger, height, beauty and prominence; preference was also given to peaks already named and those with triangulation points. As such, "Top" does not refer strictly to the top peaks by elevation, but rather those high peaks most worth hiking. The list was intended to promote enthusiasm for high-altitude hiking in Taiwan. In the resulting list of one hundred peaks, 69 peaks were in the Central Mountain Range, the largest of Taiwan's five principal mountain ranges, while 20 were in the Xueshan Range, and 11 were in the Yushan Range. The Alishan Range and Coastal Mountain Range, being entirely below 3,000m, have no peaks in the Top 100.
History
Taiwan has one of the highest densities of tall mountains in the world.[citation needed] In order to promote mountain hiking, the 100 Mountain Club of the Taiwan Province Alpine Association began developing a Top 100 list of peaks for Taiwan. Wen-An Lin, after a 1971 crossing of the Central Mountain Range, set about drawing up the list. After extensive consultation with Ching-Chang Tsai, Tian-Cheng Hsing, Tung-San Ting and other prominent hikers of the day, the Top 100 was finalized.
Upon completion of the list, hiking the Top 100 immediately became one of the primary goals of avid hikers in Taiwan. Finishing the Top 100 is no easy task, however. For aspiring Top 100 hikers, the Big Five, Pointy Three and Legendary One set of peaks, whose unique beauty best represent the majestic grandeur of Taiwan's high mountains, became a popular starting point. Other popular sets of peaks include the Precipitous Ten and the Four Beauties. Many begin with the more easily accessible peaks in the Hehuanshan area. When resurveying was carried out long after the Top 100 list was completed, it was found that Liushunshan and Lushan were actually under 3,000m. However, as the Top 100 already enjoyed such widespread acceptance, they were not removed from the list and remain there to this day.
There are actually over 260 mountains over 3,000m in Taiwan, many of which did not make the Top 100 but are nevertheless impressive. Therefore, some criticism remains over the inclusion of certain mountains in the list, or the exclusion of others, such as Chushan in the Dongjunshan Chain, Mutelebushan near Xueshan's North Peak. It is argued that these and other more remarkable peaks should be in the Top 100, while peaks like Jupen, Lu, Nanhubei, Shenmazhen, Jian, and Bulakesang mountains, which can hardly be called "peaks", should be taken off the list.
Complete listing of the Top 100
The following is a complete listing of the 100 Taiwanese mountain peaks commonly known as the Top 100:
Other lists comprised solely of Top 100 peaks
Big Five
Big FiveThe Big Five are the biggest of the big in each geographical region and are a must for all Top 100 hikers. They are:
- Yushan: At 3952m, it is the highest point in the Yushan Range, Taiwan and Northeast Asia, making Taiwan the fourth highest island in the world.
- Xueshan: At 3886m, it is the highest point in the Xueshan Range and second most prominent peak in Taiwan.
- Xiuguluanshan: At 3825m, it is the highest point in the Central Mountain Range. The knife-like slanted peak is covered in loose rubble, making for a tricky ascent.
- Nanhudashan: At 3742m, it is the highest point in the northern section of the Central Mountain Range and considered by many as the most majestic of Taiwan's mountains. It appears on the reverse of the Taiwanese $2000 bill.
- Beidawushan: At 3092m, it is the southernmost peak over 3000m in the Central Mountain Range. It rises sharply from the surrounding terrain and is situated near the Chaozhou fault.
Pointy Three
These are three well-known mountains with distinct pyramid-like peaks.
- Zhongyangjianshan: 3705m, in the northern section of the Central Mountain Range. When seen from the right angle, it resembles a massive pyramid of bare rock.
- Dabajianshan: 3492m, in the northern section of the Xueshan Range's Holy Ridge trail. It appears on the reverse of Taiwan's $500 bill.
- Dafenjianshan: 3208m, located along the ridge to the south of Dashuikushan.
Ominous One
- Qilaishan North Peak: 3607m, located along the northern end of the Central Mountain Range's central spine. The ascent is steep and difficult in parts, and the dark fragmented slate covering the western face has earned it the nickname "Black Qilai". Some sources spell Qilai "Chilai".
Four Beauties
Also known as the Wuling Four Beauties due to their proximity to Wuling Farm. Each of these four peaks has its own unique characteristics:
- Pintianshan: 3524m, known for the treacherous cliffs near the summit.
- Chiyoushan: 3303m, named for the small ponds ("chi") in the grassland below the peak.
- Taoshan: 3325m, named for its suppose resemblance to a peach ("tao").
- Kalayeshan: 3133m, its name comes from the Atayal language. The trail winds through bamboo forest. The peak itself is not prominent and offers no view.
The "Four Beauties" initially chosen by Tian-Cheng Hsing were Chiyoushan, Taoshan, Shilunshan and Kalayeshan, while Pintianshan was listed as one of the Precipitous Ten. However, since Shilunshan was not a Top 100, hikers began recognizing Pintianshan as one of the Four Beauties instead.[2].
Precipitous Ten
The Precipitous Ten list is comprised of prominent, steep peaks not included in the Big Five, Pointy Three and Ominous One.
- Yushan East Peak
- Yushan South Peak
- Mabolasishan
- Guanshan
- Qilaishan North Peak
- Dajianshan
- Pintianshan
- Wumingshan
- Nenggao South Peak
- Xinkangshan
Eight Beauties
Chosen for their beautiful landscapes, gentle slope, meadows of short bamboo and lack of rock scrambling.
- Yushan North Peak
- Xiangyangshan
- Dongluandashan
- Zhijiayangdashan
- Taoshan
- Jundashan
- Lingmingshan
- Shuanshan[3].
Majestic Ten
Chosen for their size and prominence, wide peaks, gentle slope and serene nature.
- Nanhubeishan
- Daxueshan
- Sanchashan
- Dongjundashan
- Maxishan
- 北Hehuanshan山
- Qilaishan South Peak
- Beinanzhushan
- Tarokoshan
- Neilingershan
High Three
During Japanese rule, these three all had the character for "high" (高) in their name. This list is seldom referred to now that the mountains' names have changed.
- Niitakayama (新高山), today known as Yushan (玉山).
- Tsugitakayama (次高山), today known as Xueshan (學山).
- Noutakayama (能高山), today known as Nenggaoshan, the Chinese reading of the same three characters, which have not changed.（[4].
Other lists containing Top 100 peaks
Other lists have been drawn up, grouping Taiwan's high mountains together based on various criteria. The mountains in the following lists are not exclusively Top 100 peaks, however.
Contiguous Six
These peaks are near other high peaks, and can be reached along a ridge that extends down from the higher peak. They have fairly level trails, the peaks are named and have some sort of survey marker.
Simple Six
These peaks are offshoots from another main trail, but short and not very strenuous. They are easy side trips when hiking the parent trail.
Steep Seven[5]
Steep mountains with cliffs and loose rocks.
Craggy Eight
These peaks jut out from the surrounding terrain and are surrounded by cliffs and difficult terrain.
- Xueshan North False Peak
- Xiaobajianshan
- Batongguanshan
- Jiayangshan
- Huoshishan
- [[Jiannanjianshan]
- Lulushan
- Tafenshan[3].
Little Eight
Small peaks with gentle slopes that can be easily reached as part of a longer trip.
- Babashan
- Shimenshan
- Xueshan East Peak
- Yeba'aoshan
- Yam Peak
- Xinxianshan
- Puluoxikuoshan
- Wukedongkeshan[3].
Narrow Eight[5]
These mountains have long narrow ridgelines with cliffs or steep slopes on both sides.
- Gongshuishan
- Bilushan
- Benxiangshan
- Ganzhuowanshan
- Xiaoguanshan North Peak
- Nanhuashan
- Guanshanlingshan
- Yangtoushan
Level Nine[5]
Wide, flat peaks without large rocks or trees, only short bamboo. Comfortable, easy walking.
- Dongxiaonanshan
- Yushan Little South Peak
- Maliyawenlushan
- Yudapeishan
- Nandashuikushan
- Youpolanshan
- Mabi mountainshan
- Liushunshan
- Guangtoushan
Lofty Nine[5]
These tall peaks are very conspicuous, catching the eye more than neighboring peaks.
- Yunfeng
- Qilaishan Main Peak
- Touyingshan
- Hehuanshan East Peak
- Zhuoshedashan
- Nanshuangtoushan
- Nenggaoshan Main Peak
- Xiaoguanshan
- Guanmenbishan
Remote Nine[5]
These peaks are on distant offshoots of their mountain range and are not easily combined with other peaks in a single journey.
- Kelekeleanshan
- Tiannankelangshan
- Limenshan
- Huangdangkuoshan
- Kaxipananshan
- Wandongshan West Peak
- Batuonuofushan
- Kuhanuoxinshan
- Panshishan
Nine Screens
These mountains rise up like a wall, wide and flat, blocking the view of a large area like a screen.
- Dandashan
- Pingfengshan
- Wushuangshan
- Dongbajianshan
- Bulakesangshan
- Amannalaishan
- Jianshan
- Jushan
- Mutelebushan[3].
Gentle Ten
These mountains have an overall smooth profile, with gentle slopes and little climbing or scrambling needed.
- Dashuikushan
- Xueshan North Peak
- Hehuanshan山
- South Yushan
- Buganshan
- Hainuonanshan
- Lulilaluoshan
- Patuolushan
- Andongjunshan
- Yunshuishan[3].
Rocky Ten[5]
These mountains have rocky peaks that require scrambling or climbing to summit.
- Nanhudashan East Peak
- Zhongyangjianshan East Peak
- Malijiananshan
- Nanhudashan Southeast Peak
- Nanhudashan South Peak
- Taosai Peak
- Zhongyangjianshan West Peak
- Xitoushan
- Liwuzhushan
- Bashawanshan
Verdant Ten
These trails wind through lush green forests of tall, twisting trees and bamboo.
- Ganmulinshan
- Cuichisanchashan
- Xueshan South Peak
- Yushan West Peak
- Zhongbajianshan
- Baigudashan
- Qilaishan Inner Peak
- Zhongxueshan
- Zhimoshan
- Hehuanshan West Peak[3].