[2025 Taipei ] Travel Guide for Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) Nature Trail (Updated Jul)

In order to train for the peak in July, I started climbing again🤣 Every time it was painful to climb up the mountain, but I was happy to go down the mountain, and I could have a picnic with a wide view. Seeing everyone happily sharing food with strangers or foreigners, I felt that Taiwan was still so humane🥰 ⛰️If you live in the city and want to find a relatively easy and challenging stretching exercise on the weekend, walk up the slope from Exit 2 of Xiangshan Station and you will see the trailhead immediately! ⛰️It's a complete slope at the beginning. Just do your best according to your strength. Although you are out of breath, don't rest too much. You can reach the top of the 184m Elephant Mountain in half an hour. Many foreigners are having a picnic there and looking at the Taipei 101 building, so chill💕 ⛰️But of course I didn't let myself go so easily. Elephant Mountain is connected to the "Four Beasts Mountain" at the end of Songde Road that I used to climb. If you want to torture yourself a little more, you can refuel and walk another 6-7 kilometers. There is a slope that is really challenging😱Because you have to walk an extra 1-2 hours, use it with caution! 💯 Go down the mountain and find an ice shop to end this sweaty experience! Refreshing👍

#taipeiattractions Elephant Mountain is a popular hiking spot in Taipei, renowned for its panoramic views of the city skyline, particularly Taipei 101. The mountain is accessible via a short walk from Exit 2 of the Xiangshan MRT Station. The trail is approximately 1.5 kilometers long and takes about 20 to 40 minutes to ascend, featuring well-maintained steps and several observation platforms. That said, it’s not exactly easy because it involves a good elevation in a short amount of time/step. But the views are definitely rewarding enough.

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 The Elephant Mountain hiking trail is located above Elephant Mountain Park in Xinyi District, Taipei City. It is adjacent to Lion Mountain, Leopard Mountain, and Tiger Mountain, which are collectively known as the "Four Beast Mountains" of Taipei City. The mountain is named Elephant Mountain because its shape resembles an elephant. Elephant Mountain is 184 meters above sea level and is the most famous of the "Four Beast Mountains" because it is the best place to view Taipei 101 from an angle. Especially on New Year's Eve, some people rush to occupy the advantageous position early in the morning. Although Xiangshan is not high in altitude, the steps are quite steep and going directly to the top will make you breathless. On weekdays and holidays, it is always crowded with people hiking. Due to the convenient transportation, you can take the MRT and get off at Xiangshan Station and walk for about five minutes to reach the trailhead. No wonder it is a great place for hiking.

As a frequent visitor to Taipei, this time I chose some less popular spots to truly experience the local culture and customs of Taiwan. D1 Huabei Creative Park, Elephant Mountain D2 Baishishan Suspension Bridge, Bishanyan, Ximending D3 Houtong Cat Village, Pingxi, Shifen, Jingtong Sky Lantern, Jiufen D4 Sunset Platform, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park [Tips] Elephant Mountain⛰️: Located in Xinyi District, it's a great free spot to view Taipei's nightscape. The hike isn't too long, but remember to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated. Houtong Cat Village: Perfect for cat lovers, you can see adorable cats everywhere 🐱. Before heading to Pingxi and Shifen for sky lanterns, set aside an hour or two to explore the village's handmade cat-themed shops. Jingtong: I arrived around 4 PM, and most of the shops were already closed. After chatting with a shop owner, I learned that the area has become less crowded since the pandemic, with most tourists heading to Shifen instead. As a result, Jingtong's shops close early. If you want a less crowded place to take beautiful sky lantern photos, I recommend Jingtong. Jiufen: The scenery is quite different during the day and night. At night, the red lanterns create a unique atmosphere. Wander through the alleys, enjoy various local delicacies, and explore different small shops. Sunset Platform: This is an immersive interactive experience themed around the end of life. The first stop was in Kaohsiung, and it recently moved to Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. To avoid spoilers, I won't say much here, but I highly recommend experiencing it. It will leave you with many thoughts and feelings 👍

#climber #XiangshanSixBigStoneViewing Platform #XiangshanPro-MountainTrail #Xiangshan #TonghuaWorldCustomizedBirthWeightTeddyBear #weddinggift #wedding #thank-yougift #firstbirthgift #newborngift #weightbear #customized #birthbear #madeinTaiwan #fullmoon #fullmoongift 👉Remember to follow Principal Meng Meng to see more🥰 Today I want to share with you a beautiful secret place in Taipei - the Six Big Rocks Observation Deck at Elephant Mountain. This place is not only a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, but also a dream check-in spot for photography fans! The Elephant Mountain Trail is located in Xinyi District, Taipei City. It takes about 25 minutes to walk from the MRT Elephant Mountain Station to the trailhead. The trail is about 1.5 kilometers long and 183 meters above sea level. It is a simple trail and is very suitable for the whole family to enjoy the beauty of nature together. 🚶♂️ Hiking experience Starting from the Lingyun Palace trail entrance, there are many cute elephant-shaped chairs along the way for everyone to rest. The trail is lined with lush greenery and the air is fresh, making people feel relaxed and happy. About 10 minutes later, we arrived at the first attraction - the Photographer's Platform. The view here is excellent, with a 180-degree view of downtown Taipei, especially the magnificent view of Taipei 101. 🪨 Six Big Rocks Observation Deck Continue walking up for about 15 minutes and we arrived at the Six Big Rocks Observation Deck. There are six huge rocks here. Standing on the rocks, Taipei 101 is right in front of you and the scenery is breathtaking. This is also a popular photo-taking spot, and everyone will take a photo with 101 here. 🌸 Seasonal beauty If you visit during the tung blossom season, you can also enjoy the tung flowers all over the mountains, adding more romance to this journey.

Among the many ways to admire the magnificent Taipei 101, viewing it from afar would be my personal favorite. It is popular amongst tourists, be it visiting in the morning or sunset, the trail is always packed with tourists and locals. We chose the shortest route up, which took about 20minutes, but boy the steps were steep! There are many viewpoints, but if you are feeling adventurous, you can climb up one of the huge rocks to watch the sun fall. There is an Arabica across the street from the entrance of the trail, perfect to cool down after the sweaty hike. How to get there: MRT Xiangshan (Red line) - follow the pedestrain and walk along the perimeter of Xiang Shan Park, then on the uphill turn right when you see a condo. Upon turning right, you’ll see a temple then continue walking in the alley. You will see the entrance on your left after a short walk. PS: bring along mosquito repellent as the mosquitoes there are relentless. Difficulty of trail: 2/5 View: 5/5 #Taipei #Taiwan #couplestrip #hike #Coffee #view #Xiangshan

Elephant mountain hiking trail. Taipei is a stunning metropolis and some of the best views of the sprawling city can be found up the Elephant mountain, a moderately steep hiking trail. The mountain takes it’s name from the shape of the mountain and has inspired lots of art and culture in the local area. It is very close to the Xiangshan metro stop and it’s on many bus routes, if you take an uber you can put in the Arabica coffee shop as your drop off point as that is at the bottom of the trail. There are toilets at the bottom of the trail that are free to use and there are plenty of places along the way to sit and take a breath, this is ideal as the trail is steep in parts and made up for big steps. The points at the top offer a stunning view of the city, especially at sunset and sunrise but get there early as the viewing points can get very busy with tourists and professional photographers. It’s an easy hike and can be done within an hour, it’s good to do it early morning to avoid the crowds and get a hike in before it gets too hot! #timetotravel #taiwan #taipei #trip #instatravel #hike #hiking #nature

#TravelTaiwan Beautiful sunset viewing point in Taiwan If you have the energy, motivation and determination, I must say you must not miss it. Xiangshan Mountain or Elephant Mountain, a small mountain on the eastern side of the suburbs of Taipei, with a rich forest, is another popular viewpoint of Taipei and the sunset, especially at the highest point of the mountain where many tourists come to take pictures of Taipei and the Taipei 101 building every day, especially photographers. The route to climb Xiangshan Mountain or Elephant Mountain is almost entirely stairs from the starting point to the top. Although the distance is not far, about 500-600 meters, it is almost the entire way up the stairs. If you ask if it is tiring, the answer is very tiring. But when you see the view in front of you, I can tell you that it will make you feel less tired immediately. I recommend that friends go up in the evening so that you can experience both atmospheres. #Sunset viewing point #Viewpoint

#elephantmountain #taipei After a quick breakfast at a nearby 7-11 store, we took one of the earliest trains to 象山station, promptly starting the straightforward ascent via flights of numerous steps to the summit. There was a steady drizzle but it wasn’t anything to worry about - the weather was still perfect for a morning climb & we had almost the entire trail to ourselves. Before long, we reached the peak of Elephant Mountain with beautiful views of Taipei 101 towering above the bustling city, and out came the small Singapore flag 🇸🇬 as usual 😂

Xiangshan aka Elephant Mountain Taipei 101 is an iconic building in Taiwan, and in my opinion, the best place to view it will be at Elephant Moutain.Great view of Taipei City as well. This hiking trail is just a few minutes away from the MRT station, so it is quite accessible. The hike itself is just lots and lots of rock stairs, so just take your time and pace yourself. There are places to stop and rest along the way up What people like to when they reach the viewpoint - climb up the giant rock! Do be careful and stay safe! #mytripvlog

07/11/2022 17:30 I have been to Taiwan many times, but I have never been to Xiangshan to see the view. This is my 4th time and I finally made it. Weather: Light rain Transportation - MRT Xiangshan Atmosphere/Location - It is a small mountain in the middle of the city. Surrounded by hotels and condos, it is not scary. At the entrance to the mountain is a sports field. Walk from the station to the foot of the mountain 540 m. From the entrance to the viewpoint 1.3 km. Walk for about 15 minutes and you will arrive. Highlights - The view is very beautiful. Anyone who comes to Taiwan must come here. Average price per person - Free admission Score -10/10 #TravelAbroad #Taiwan #BeautifulPhotoSpots #SunsetViewpoints

Xiangshan Elephant Mountain, Taiwan is a beautiful viewpoint for watching the sunrise and sunset. 🚆 MRT Xiangshan Station, Red Line, Exit 2 Traveling by train, Taiwan has trains everywhere, very convenient and cheap. 🥾⛰️Walking through the park, you will find the entrance. It is a staircase with places to sit and rest along the way. It takes 15-20 minutes. Those who stay for a long time may take longer because it is a high-level mountain. You will definitely be out of breath. 🌄 At the top, you can see Taipei City, Building 101, and the sunset. It is very beautiful. It is worth the effort. If anyone comes to Taiwan and wants to find new activities, try coming here. You will definitely be impressed. #Taiwan #Taipei

Xiangshan Elephant Mountain (象山) is another place you can't miss because it's a very beautiful viewpoint of Taipei 101. There are stairs to the top of the mountain. I feel like it's quite steep. If you go during the summer and rainy seasons, it might be a bit hot. I recommend bringing drinking water to quench your thirst. It takes about 20-30 minutes (depending on each person's strength) to reach the top of the mountain. How to get there: MRT Xiangshan Station, red line, exit Exit 2, walk along the park to the end, turn left and walk up the hill a bit. Then turn right and walk straight until you see the sign for the starting point. #TravelTaiwan

I really miss Taipei. Right now, I'm still waiting for Taiwan to open up to tourists, so I'm sharing some photos from my last trip in 2019. It was a trip I went with two friends, so we invited each other to go on a light hike for about thirty minutes to the viewpoint. We were a little tired, but when we saw the view, we felt no more tired. The view was nice, the wind was quite cool, and there were a lot of people waiting to take pictures. Waiting for the day we could travel to Taiwan again. #waitingforthedaytodepart #Taiwan #Taipei

Lovely Elephant Mountain Trail🐘🐘 Elephant, elephant Why is your nose so long😆 I must climb the Elephant Mountain Trail on a good day. Did Grandpa Elephant live here before? What a lovely place~🐘 When you are lucky~ you can see Taipei 101 when the air is good #Xinyi District #Good Places for Summer #Local Tours #Good Places for Parents and Children #Good Places for Suburbs #Elephant Mountain Trail

The Elephant Mountain Trail is suitable for beginners. It takes about 20 minutes to complete. The view from the mountain is breathtaking, overlooking the entire Taipei city. You will find that you live in this beautiful city. The scenery is great and you can take pictures like postcards. After going down the mountain, there is a jade shop where you can cool down and have some snacks to fill your stomach. Xiangshan is located in Xinyi District. If you still have energy after climbing, you can go for a walk around Taipei 101 or have a meal at the food street. A great holiday outing for the whole family^_^ #Where to go in summer

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” #hiking #travel #taipei #taiwan #elephantmountaintrail #hikingislife #nature #dayhike #easyhike #taipei101

Elephant Mountain. Take the MRT Red Line to Xiangshan Station. Take Exit 2 and you will see signs for the direction to the hiking trail outside. Use Google Maps or ask the locals for directions where the entrance is. I forgot the number of steps to rock point, i lost track because i was sweating too much, bringing a heavy jacket with me. The last count I could remember was 600+ and we were not even there yet. 😂 We did not get a chance to take photos on top of the rocks because I’m I was gonna blown up bu the wind. I guess the best time would be early in the morning or late at night. #happynewyear

Went to 📍Taipei with friends Besides exploring various night markets every night 🍢 I also checked out many photo spots 📸 - Here are a few great places to take night photos in Taipei 🏙️ You can get amazing shots without being exposed to the sun like during the day 📸 - 📍Bishan Temple, Neihu 📸p1-p3 ❶Through the embedded porcelain of Kaizhang Shengwang Temple, you can photograph Taipei 101 and Taipei's night view, with ancient and modern elements in the same frame. ❷From the observation deck, you can also overlook the entire Taipei city and even catch planes from Songshan Airport flying past Taipei 101. - 📍Tao Zhu Yin Yuan 📸p4 Taipei 101 nestled between Taipei's luxury residences, with the building on the left being a reflection. - 📍Xiangshan Hiking Trail 📸p5 Less than 30 minutes of hiking from the city center, it's a classic spot for sunset views. You can take close-up photos with Taipei 101 📸 - 📍Zhucun Izakaya 📸p6 The super popular izakaya photo spot on Instagram 🔥, with Taipei 101 in the background, nestled between narrow alleys. - 📍Raohe Night Market 📸p7 From the observation deck of the parking lot diagonally opposite the night market, you can capture the night market's archway and also Taipei 101 in the distance. After taking photos, you can start exploring and eating 😋 - 📍Ningxia Night Market 📸p8 One of Taipei's larger night markets, delicious 😋 - 📍Songshan Ciyou Temple Ciyou Temple - Raohe Night Market - distant city skyline in the same frame

Review of Elephant Mountain in Taiwan: I've seen a lot of reviews saying that it's beautiful and has a good view. If you like hiking, enjoying nature, and traveling conveniently, it's still a city. I highly recommend it. It's as beautiful as the reviews say. ‼️But no one has ever reviewed the way up, saying that it's this tiring. There are stairs and it's steep. Huhuhu. But the view is worth it. It's even better when the sun is about to set. Plus, there's a view of planes taking off and landing all the time. It's a great way to heal people who live in the city and don't have time to go outside. #Taipei101 #Taiwan #HikingTrails

Captured retro Taipei on my film camera! Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) is a must-do hike! It’s hot and steep but totally doable, with stairs all the way. I went past the main viewpoint to the very end and caught a magical sunset over the city. The view of Taipei 101 and the city is stunning. It’s free, peaceful, and 100% worth the effort. Bring water and don’t stop halfway! #localguides #xiangshan #taipei101 #taipei

𝐗𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐍 (𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧) ⛰️✨ . Elephant Mountain is one of the most beautiful viewpoints for viewing the city and Taipei 101 ✨ . It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk up to the viewpoint. The path is all stairs (it's a leisurely walk but it's tiring 😅). We chose to walk in the evening to watch the sunset up there but didn't make it in time 555. But the weather while walking wasn't very hot, but we were very tired 😂😓 - It is recommended to bring a small water bottle so you can drink it along the way 🫙 How to get there: MRT Xiangshan Station and then walk ⛰️ #TaiwanReview #Travel to Taiwan by yourself #Travel to Taipei #Get discounts without relying on luck

the view from elephant mountain is worth it, and you can still find quiet corners up there to enjoy the sunset.

The last time I went to Taipei was in 2019. Like many tourists, I went to the top of Taipei 101 to see Taipei. This time I wanted to see 101 and the panoramic view of Taipei, so I walked up the Elephant Mountain Trail. The sun was strong and the weather was hot. 95% of the route was stairs, and I was sweating with every step. Fortunately, I had friends to accompany me, otherwise I would have given up long ago. I also doubt whether my high body fat body can hold up... It took us an hour (my friend and I were about to get heat stroke 🥵⋯) to climb up in a turtle-like manner... and we finally reached the checkpoint for the empty expansion! Sure enough... beautiful scenery requires sweat. We stayed for half an hour, taking photos, asking people to frame our photos, and helping others frame their photos. This was the necessary mutual help in this brief encounter. After going down the mountain, we walked to a temple. There were ice-cold homemade drinks outside the temple. It was so refreshing after taking a sip! Traveling doesn’t necessarily mean eating, drinking and having fun, sweat can also nourish the journey🥰 📍Address: Xiangshan Trail Elephant Mountain Trail Taipei Taipei 101 Observatory

Xiangshan, also known as Elephant Mountain, is a famous hiking trail located in Taipei's Xinyi District. Despite its modest height of just 183 meters, this trail is highly popular for its stunning views of Taipei city and the iconic Taipei 101, especially during sunset and nighttime. Highlights of Xiangshan: • Hiking Trail: The trail spans approximately 1.9 kilometers from MRT Xiangshan Station and takes about 20–30 minutes to hike up. It features around 500–600 steps. Although steep, the trail is well-maintained and offers several resting spots. • Scenic Viewpoints: The main viewpoint is the "Six Giant Rocks," a favorite spot for photography. There are also other platforms offering clear views of Taipei 101 and the cityscape. • Best Visiting Times: Early morning or evening are ideal times to hike, avoiding heat and crowds. Sunset is particularly beautiful, providing breathtaking views. Travel Tips: • Getting There: Take the MRT Red Line to Xiangshan Station and exit via Exit 2. From there, walk about 10 minutes through Xiangshan Park to reach the trailhead. • Essentials: Bring water and sun protection as the trail lacks flat areas and can be hot and humid. If hiking in the evening, carry a flashlight or a phone with a flashlight as the trail is not lit. • Safety: The trail is open 24/7 and is generally safe. However, be cautious after rain as the steps may be slippery. Xiangshan is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Taipei, especially photography enthusiasts and those seeking panoramic city views. Hiking here offers not only a natural experience but also a chance to admire Taipei's stunning urban landscape from above.

#postandearn ⛰️ Elephant Mountain (象山) is famous for its stunning views of the city. 🚖 We took a taxi from Hotel Riverview Taipei, which was about a 10-minute drive to the trailhead. It was a quick and easy ride, making it super convenient. 👍 We didn’t climb all the way to the top, but even from where we stopped, the views of Taipei 101 and the surrounding city were amazing. 🤩 The trail is well-maintained, and we enjoyed a peaceful moment with a great mix of nature and cityscapes. #taiwan #taiwantravel #nature #elephantmountain #taipei101

One of the most-climbed mountain in Taipei would be the Elephant Mountain, known as 象山. It is a must-visit if you would love to view the 101 building from a high vantage point. The climb was relatively acceptable for myself, I do not usually exercise or climb mountains and I did this hike with a pair of slippers. Dress light, pack light and prepare a bottle of water for the hike. #taiwan #taipei #instagood #travel #naturalwonders #thingstodo

Stay at the Kimpton Da An Hotel, nestled in the alleys of Taipei's East District, where literary charm meets elegant aesthetics. As the morning light gently filters through, head to the Xiangshan Nature Trail near Xinyi District to embrace a touch of greenery in the city in the simplest way. The stone steps wind upward; the trail is short but steep, shaded by trees with the constant sounds of chirping birds and insects. Upon reaching the summit, Taipei 101 unfolds before your eyes, with skyscrapers and blue skies intertwining into a modern canvas. Sitting quietly at the observation deck, a gentle breeze evaporates sweat and sweeps away the clutter of daily life. In the evening, return to Kimpton, where the balcony rocking chair and curated music create the most relaxing moments, achieving a perfect balance between nature and urban life for the day.

Everyone should know this place to enjoy the best night view in Taipei! Location: Xiangshan (aka Elephant Mountain) Nature Trail) Address: Lane 150, Section 5, Xinyi Road, beside Exit 2 of MRT Xiangshan Station Opening hours: 24 hours Admission: Free I’m a non-hiker, but it only took 1.5-2 hours for me to get to The Six Giant Rocks to enjoy this stunning night view. We switched on our phone torch light while climbing the stone steps as it’s quite dark. I didn’t know how many steps I climbed, to be honest, it’s tiring if you rarely exercise. I truly admired the elderly who were able to jog along the trail with ease. Trust me, if you don't want to miss the most beautiful night view, you must come here! The moment I saw the beautiful scenery, all my fatigue disappeared. I will definitely explore here again for the day view of Taipei. Tip: Wear a suitable sport/hiking shoes. Wearing high heels will kill you. #taipeitrip