One-day tour to the summit of Qixing Mountain, and visit Milk Lake, Dream Lake, and Xiaoyoukeng

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 Qixing Mountain, "No. 002 of the Small 100 Peaks", is the highest peak in Taipei City and one of the most accessible popular routes in the suburbs of Taipei. The mountain gets its name from the fact that there are seven small mountaintops on the top of the mountain, which look like seven stars surrounding the main peak in the center. Starting from Lengshuikeng trailhead, the route to the summit is of medium difficulty. This way of walking will take a longer route from the smaller oil pit and some sections will be steep, which will test your endurance. The total length is 4 kilometers, and it takes about 3 hours to complete the whole journey, with a total climb of 345 meters. Route planning: Lengshuikeng Tourist Service Station → Milk Lake → Qixing Mountain Lengshuikeng Trailhead → Dream Lake → Qixing Mountain East Peak → Qixing Mountain Main Peak → Xiaoyoukeng Trailhead Milk Lake (Figure 2-4): This small pool of milky white water is one of the pit depressions of the open-pit excavation of Lengshuikeng Sulfur Mine of Ruiyong Mining Company. There is no flowing water in this area of ​​Qixing Mountain. Rainwater and surface water gather to form a pool. The minerals in it become sediments, which turn milky white when exposed to sunlight, just like milk. Milk Lake has become one of the most representative attractions of Lengshuikeng. Dream Lake (Figures 13-14): With a water area of ​​only 0.3 hectares, Dream Lake is a national wetland and the smallest ecological protection area in Taiwan. It breeds the endangered aquatic plant "Taiwan Isoetes". The area is surrounded by clouds and mist all year round, like a dreamland. Xiaoyoukeng (Figures 17-19): Xiaoyoukeng is a post-volcanic geological landscape area located on the northwest foot of Qixing Mountain, about 805 meters above sea level. Its most distinctive features are the fumaroles, sulfur crystals, hot springs and spectacular collapsed landslides formed by "post-volcanic activity".