Xiangshan

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Xiangshan

Mountain

Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) is a 183 m mountain in Xinyi District, Taipei, with a short hiking trail and several viewing platforms. Travellers come for close-up skyline views of Taipei 101 and easy urban hiking near the city center.

Xiangshan TaipeiNew Taipei CityKeelungTaoyuanTaipei 101National Palace MuseumYangmingshanYehliu GeoparkXiangshan

Xiangshan essentials

Address: Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan

Xiangshan sits in Xinyi District of Taipei and rises to 183 m, making it one of the most accessible urban peaks in the city. The main trail is about 1.5 km long and leads to a series of platforms that look over the downtown skyline.

The mountain is part of the Nangang Mountain System and one of the Four Beast Mountains; its elephant-like profile gives Xiangshan its common English name, Elephant Mountain. Geologically it is largely sandstone and supports ferns such as Cibotium cumingii and Cyathea lepifera.

On the summit are the Six Giant Rocks and several purpose-built photo platforms where visitors line up at sunset and after dark to capture the illuminated city and Taipei 101. The trails are stepped and well-worn, giving a very urban-hike feel rather than a remote mountain experience.

  • Taipei skyline and Taipei 101: Clear sightlines from the main platforms give some of the best close-in views of Taipei 101 framed by the city.
  • Six Giant Rocks: A cluster of large sandstone boulders near the peak that are a distinctive landmark and popular with photographers.
  • Photographer platforms: Tiered viewing decks provide dedicated spots for sunset, night and long-exposure cityscape photography.
  • Stepped trail: The trail is a series of well-built stairs and paths that take you through shrub and fern-covered slopes.
  • City views at night: Nighttime lighting turns the skyline into a colorful panorama, attracting evening walkers and photographers.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Xiangshan#

Xiangshan is enjoyable year-round but conditions vary: cooler, drier months are the most comfortable while late spring and summer bring frequent heavy rain.

Winter (best)
November - February · 12°C - 22°C (54°F - 72°F)
Cooler and relatively drier conditions make walks and sunset views more pleasant and clearer than in summer.
Spring
March - April · 14°C - 24°C (57°F - 75°F)
Milder temperatures and greenery make for pleasant hikes, though occasional showers can occur.
Monsoon and typhoon season (wet)
May - October · 20°C - 32°C (68°F - 90°F)
This period has the highest rainfall and risk of sudden heavy showers or typhoons, so expect wet, humid conditions and possible trail closures during storms.

Weather & Climate near Xiangshan#

Climate

Xiangshan's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 12°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (3107 mm/year), wettest in September.

Air Quality: AQI 57 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberAprilOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Acceptable 12° - 18° 15° 178 mm overcast 82% 3.1 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.6h
February Acceptable 12° - 18° 15° 224 mm overcast 83% 2.9 m/s 0.8 moderate 11.2h
March Acceptable 14° - 20° 17° 237 mm overcast 82% 3.3 m/s 1.0 high 11.9h
April Good 18° - 24° 21° 196 mm overcast 83% 3.6 m/s 1.3 high 12.6h
May Good 21° - 27° 24° 283 mm overcast 85% 3.0 m/s 1.6 very high 13.3h
June Good 23° - 30° 26° 341 mm overcast 87% 2.5 m/s 1.9 very high 13.6h
July Good 25° - 32° 33° 262 mm partly cloudy 85% 2.6 m/s 2.4 extreme 13.4h
August Good 24° - 31° 32° 334 mm partly cloudy 85% 2.8 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.9h
September Good 23° - 29° 26° 369 mm partly cloudy 84% 2.6 m/s 1.7 very high 12.2h
October Good 20° - 26° 23° 302 mm overcast 81% 2.8 m/s 1.2 high 11.4h
November Good 17° - 22° 20° 204 mm overcast 82% 4.1 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.8h
December Acceptable 14° - 19° 16° 177 mm overcast 80% 3.0 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.4h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Xiangshan#

Xiangshan is inside Taipei city; the most convenient public-transport access is by Taipei Metro. The trailhead is a short walk south from Exit 2 of Xiangshan Station on the red line; follow Xiangshan Park to the western trailhead next to Daitiandian Lingyun Temple.

An alternative approach starts from the eastern trailhead behind Songshan Fengtian Temple, a short walk south from Houshanpi Station. From central Taipei a taxi or ride-hail will drop you close to either trail entrance.

Tips for Visiting Xiangshan#

  • Arrive before sunset if you want an unobstructed spot on the photographer platforms, as they fill up quickly.
  • Wear sturdy shoes - the trail is mostly steps and can be slippery when wet.
  • Bring water and insect repellent in warm months; the vegetation close to the trail can shelter insects.
  • Avoid hiking in heavy rain or during typhoon warnings; the sandstone steps can become hazardous.