The best national parks in Taiwan

Taiwan was called Ilha Formosa when Portuguese sailors arrived in 1542. Around two-thirds of Taiwan's terrain is covered in Gargantuan mountains, which are covered in dense jungle foliage.

Taiwan has nine official national parks that were established in the 1980's. Trekking along the ridgelines of mountains, cycling remote coastal highways, or river tracing from one scenic waterfall to the next are just some of the things that can be done between them.

In Taiwan, there are seven national parks and scenic areas.

Yushan National Park

Best for high-altitude escape

Yushan is Taiwan's highest mountain and is taller than Mount Fuji. There are more than 30 peaks in the park over 3000 meters in elevation, which you can access via a huge variety of trails at every altitude, and for most of them, you won't need a guide.

The best time to hike in the park is in the spring and fall. The jumping-off point for a variety of forested day hikes that suit all abilities, as well as the non-technical, two-day ascent of Jade Peak, overnighting at Paiyun Lodge on route to the summit, should be organized well in advance. The 96 km Japanese Occupation Batongguan Traversing Route is a colonial-era trail that was restored in the 1980's.

Shei-pa National Park

Best for multi-day mountain trails

You can choose your own adventure in Shei- PA, where the trails run from simple bird-watching nature walks to treks focused around dramatic scenery. There are a variety of backpacking trails through the park that take 3-4 days to complete, as well as mountaineer routes that take in the second highest peak in Taiwan. Some of the island's most powerful river systems can be traced back to Shei- PA's mountains. There are many animal and plant species to see, from salmon and black bears to Swinhoe's Blue Pheasant.

You need to apply for the permit lottery to enter Yushan and other Taiwanese national parks.

Kenting National Park

Best for sun, sea and surf

Kenting is a coastal playground that is home to a growing surfing scene, as well as diving and windsurfing.

There are limestone caves, yellow-sand beaches and turquoise waters in Taiwan's oldest national park. Kenting has appeared in movies like Life of Pi. twitchers can train their zoom lens on birds in the park while divers can find their nirvana on the outer islands The Eluanbi Lighthouse has been part of the shoreline for over a century.

Taroko National Park

Best for a gorgeous gorge

Taroko National Park is home to 1200 sq km of stunning nature, but most visitors stick to just one 18 km (11 mile) long section. One of Asia's scenic wonders, it can be seen through a range of hiking trails and cycle routes. You can find a lot of opportunities for guided river tracing, canyoning and road cycling in the wider park.

Yangmingshan National Park

Best for hot springs and volcanoes

The easy-to-reach national park of Yangmingshan is home to hiking trails, bubbling hot springs, some challenging cycle routes and several active volcanoes, including Seven Star Peak, Taiwan's highest. You can find some of the best soaking spots at Beitou, which is on the edge of a national park. The Grass Mountain Chateau, built in 1920 and visited by the Japanese Crown Prince Hirohito, was the first residence of Chiang Kai-shek. A restaurant is attached to the museum.

East Coast National Scenic Area

Best for eco-tourism attractions

The east coast is not a national park, but it is a national scenic area, and it is easy to see why. The backdrop is a ruggedly forbidding coastline of dark sea stacks and green cliffs, which is one of the ecotourism attractions here. There are 31 different types of whales and dolphins that visit the Taiwanese coast. There are opportunities to learn about Taiwan's indigenous peoples, including the Ami. Surfing, rafting, snorkeling, and scuba diving are all outdoor activities that will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts.

Alishan National Scenic Area

Best for all-ages accessibility

Since the early days of the Japanese period, tourists have been admiring the cherry blossoms and sunsets at this mountain resort area. The forests of red cypresses and yellow cedars don't get any less beautiful because of the retro hotels and coachloads of day-trippers. There are many easy and accessible hikes in the area, too, as well as a more adventurous trek following the route of a logging railway that crosses wooden bridges and through pitch black tunnels.

How to prepare for outdoor adventures in Taiwan

• Weather can change quickly, so be prepared for wet and dry circumstances, particularly when it comes to shoes and stability.
• Permits are required for entry to many of the parks, even for day hiking, so be sure to check in at the local visitor centers. National Park permits require a least a week in advance to obtain, and sometimes involve a lottery system.
• The landslide capital of the world can make conditions unpredictable, especially following earthquakes. Be sure to check the weather and any local advisories to stay safe if you're going into Taiwan's more mountainous terrain.
• There are some animals to avoid: venomous snakes, ticks, and wasps, the latter of which are attracted to perfumes and brightly colored clothes and outdoor gear. 

The article was last updated about 2 hours ago.