Yu Shan Mountain
Taiwan's highest peak and prominent alpine mountain
Yushan (Jade Mountain), Taiwan's highest peak, draws hikers and climbers to its alpine trails and viewpoints within Yushan National Park; permits required for summit attempts.
Yu Shan at a Glance#
About Yu Shan#
Yu Shan, also known as Jade Mountain, is the highest peak on Taiwan at 3,952 metres above sea level. It is the central high point of the Yushan Range and a prominently visible mountain in central-southern Taiwan.
Trails to the main summit traverse alpine terrain and require physical fitness and preparation; many hikers use park-managed mountain huts for multi-day ascents. The area around the peak features alpine ecosystems, granite ridgelines and panoramic views over surrounding ranges.
The mountain became a focus for conservation with the establishment of Yushan National Park to protect high-mountain habitats and to manage climbing access. The peak has long been significant for local indigenous groups.
Yu Shan is located inland in central-southern Taiwan within Yushan National Park; the nearest major urban gateway is Chiayi and access is via mountain roads and park trailheads.
- Elevation: Elevation 3,952 metres, the highest peak in Taiwan and in the East Asian island arcs of the region.
- Park access: Located within Yushan National Park and accessed by maintained trails that require permits for overnight stays.
Tips for Visiting Yu Shan#
- If you plan to summit, arrange permits and Paiyun Lodge reservations well in advance through Yushan (Yushan National Park) - overnight summit attempts have quota controls and require official approval.
- Aim for autumn for the most stable weather and to avoid Taiwan's summer typhoon season and heavy rains; check park notices before you go and allow extra acclimatization time because Yushan is Taiwan's highest peak (3,952 m).
- Treat the climb as high‑altitude trekking: plan for slow pace and an extra day to acclimatize rather than trying a rushed summit attempt in one go.
Best Time to Visit Yu Shan#
Best to attempt Yushan in autumn or spring when weather is more stable; summit conditions are alpine and much colder than lowlands.
Weather & Climate near Yu Shan#
Yu Shan's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 11°C. Heavy rainfall (4443 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 3° | -6° | 110 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 7.2 m/s | 1.0 high | 10.7h |
| February | Poor | -4° - 4° | -6° | 191 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 7.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.3h |
| March | Poor | -1° - 7° | -2° | 340 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 6.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.9h |
| April | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 378 mm | overcast | 80% | 6.0 m/s | 1.5 very high | 12.6h |
| May | Poor | 4° - 10° | 3° | 563 mm | overcast | 81% | 6.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.1h |
| June | Poor | 5° - 11° | 4° | 583 mm | overcast | 82% | 6.5 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.4h |
| July | Poor | 6° - 11° | 6° | 727 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 5.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.3h |
| August | Poor | 6° - 11° | 5° | 655 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.4 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.8h |
| September | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 464 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 6.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Poor | 3° - 9° | 2° | 244 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 5.3 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.5h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 7° | -1° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 6.5 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.9h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 5° | -4° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 6.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.6h |
