100 Peaks of Taiwan

The 100 Peaks or Top 100 Mountains is a list of 100 mountain peaks in Taiwan. They were chosen by a group of prominent Taiwanese hikers from among the peaks known at the time to be over 3,000m in height. The selection criteria included uniqueness, danger, height, beauty and prominence; preference was also given to peaks already named and those with triangulation points.^[1][2] As such, "Top" does not refer strictly to the top peaks by elevation, but rather those high peaks most worth hiking. The list was intended to promote enthusiasm for high-altitude hiking in Taiwan.^[3] In the resulting list of one hundred peaks, 69 peaks were in the Central Mountain Range, the largest of Taiwan's five principal mountain ranges, while 19 were in the Xueshan Range, and 12 were in the Yushan Range.^[4] The Alishan Range and Coastal Mountain Range, being entirely below 3,000m, have no peaks in the Top 100.

History

Taiwan has one of the highest densities of tall mountains in the world. In order to promote mountain hiking, the 100 Mountain Club of the Taiwan Province Alpine Association began developing a Top 100 list of peaks for Taiwan. Wen-An Lin, after a 1971 crossing of the Central Mountain Range, set about drawing up the list. After extensive consultation with Ching-Chang Tsai, Tian-Cheng Hsing, Tung-San Ting and other prominent hikers of the day, the Top 100 was finalized.^[1]

Upon completion of the list, hiking the Top 100 immediately became one of the primary goals of avid hikers in Taiwan.^{[1][2][5][6][7]} Finishing the Top 100 is no easy task, however. For aspiring Top 100 hikers, the Big Five, Pointy Three and Ominous One set of peaks, whose unique beauty best represents the majestic grandeur of Taiwan's high mountains, became a popular starting point. Other popular sets of peaks include the Precipitous Ten and the Four Beauties. Many begin with the more easily accessible peaks in the Hehuanshan area.

There are actually over 260 mountains over 3,000m in Taiwan, many of which did not make the Top 100 but are nevertheless impressive. Therefore, some criticism remains over the inclusion of certain mountains in the list, or the exclusion of others, such as Chushan in the Dongjunshan Chain, and Mutelebushan near Xueshan's North Peak. It is argued that these and other more remarkable peaks should be in the Top 100, while peaks like Jupenshan, Lushan, Nanhubeishan, Shenmazhenshan, Jianshan, and Bulakesangshan, which can hardly be called "peaks", should be taken off the list. Also, when resurveying was carried out long after the Top 100 list was completed, it was found that Liushunshan and Lushan were actually under 3,000m. However, as the Top 100 already enjoyed such widespread acceptance, they were not removed from the list and remain there to this day.

Complete listing of the Top 100

The following is a complete listing of the 100 Taiwanese mountain peaks commonly known as the Top 100:

#	Mountain [8]	Elevation [8]	Location	National park located in	List	Pictures
1	Yushan[lower-roman 1]	3952 m 12966 ft	Nantou County, Kaohsiung City, Chiayi County	Yushan	Big Five #1[lower-alpha 1] High Three #1[lower-alpha 2]
2	Xueshan[lower-roman 2]	3886 m 12749 ft	Miaoli County, Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Big Five #2[lower-alpha 1] High Three #2[lower-alpha 2]
3	Yushan East Peak	3869 m 12694 ft	Nantou County, Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Precipitous Ten #1[lower-alpha 3]
4	Yushan North Peak	3858 m 12657 ft	Nantou County	Yushan	Eight Beauties #1[lower-alpha 4]
5	Yushan South Peak	3844 m 12612 ft	Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Precipitous Ten #2[lower-alpha 3]
6	Xiuguluanshan[lower-roman 3]	3825 m 12549 ft	Hualien County, Nantou County	Yushan	Big Five #3[lower-alpha 1]
7	Mabolasishan[lower-roman 4]	3785 m 12418 ft	Hualien County, Nantou County	Yushan	Precipitous Ten #3[lower-alpha 3]
8	Nanhudashan	3742 m 12277 ft	Taichung City	Taroko	Big Five #4[lower-alpha 1]
9	Dongxiaonanshan	3711 m 12175 ft	Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Level Nine #1[lower-alpha 5]
10	Zhongyangjianshan	3705 m 12156 ft	Taichung City, Hualien County	Taroko	Pointy Three #1[lower-alpha 6]
11	Xueshan North Peak[lower-roman 5]	3703 m 12149 ft	Miaoli County, Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Gentle Ten #2[lower-alpha 7]
12	Guanshan[lower-roman 6]	3668 m 12034 ft	Taitung County, Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Precipitous Ten #4[lower-alpha 3]
13	Dashuikushan	3642 m 11949 ft	Hualien County, Nantou County	Yushan	Gentle Ten #1[lower-alpha 7]
14	Nanhushan East Peak[lower-roman 7]	3632 m 11916 ft	Taichung City, Hualien County, Yilan County	Taroko	Rocky Ten #1[lower-alpha 8]
15	Dongjundashan[lower-roman 8]	3619 m 11873 ft	Nantou County		Majestic Ten #1[lower-alpha 9]
16	Qilaishan North Peak	3607 m 11834 ft	Hualien County	Taroko	Precipitous Ten #5[lower-alpha 3] Ominous One[lower-alpha 10]
17	Xiangyangshan[lower-roman 9]	3603 m 11821 ft	Kaohsiung City, Taitung County	Yushan	Eight Beauties #2[lower-alpha 4]
18	Dajianshan[lower-roman 10]	3594 m 11791 ft	Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Precipitous Ten #6[lower-alpha 3]
19	Yunfeng[lower-roman 11]	3564 m 11693 ft	Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Lofty Nine #1[lower-alpha 11]
20	Qilaishan[lower-roman 12]	3560 m 11680 ft	Hualien County, Nantou County	Taroko	Lofty Nine #2[lower-alpha 11]
21	Malijiananshan[lower-roman 13]	3546 m 11634 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County	Yushan	Rocky Ten #2[lower-alpha 8]
22	Nanhubeishan[lower-roman 14]	3536 m 11601 ft	Yilan County, Taichung City	Taroko	Majestic Ten #2[lower-alpha 9]
23	Daxueshan	3530 m 11581 ft	Miaoli County, Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Majestic Ten #3[lower-alpha 9]
24	Pintianshan[lower-roman 15]	3524 m 11562 ft	Hsinchu County, Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Precipitous Ten #7[lower-alpha 3] Four Beauties #1[lower-alpha 12]
25	Yushan West Peak[lower-roman 16]	3518 m 11542 ft	Chiayi County, Nantou County	Yushan	Verdant Ten #4[lower-alpha 13]
26	Touyingshan	3510 m 11516 ft	Taichung City, Miaoli County	Shei-Pa	Lofty Nine #3[lower-alpha 11]
27	Sanchashan[lower-roman 17]	3496 m 11470 ft	Hualien County, Taitung County, Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Majestic Ten #3[lower-alpha 9]
28	Dabajianshan[lower-roman 18]	3492 m 11457 ft	Hsinchu County, Miaoli County	Shei-Pa	Pointy Three #2[lower-alpha 6]
29	Nanhushan South Peak	3475 m 11401 ft	Taichung City, Hualien County	Taroko	Rocky Ten #5[lower-alpha 8]
30	Dongluandashan	3468 m 11378 ft	Nantou County		Eight Beauties #3[lower-alpha 4]
31	Wumingshan[lower-roman 19]	3451 m 11322 ft	Taichung City, Hualien County	Taroko	Precipitous Ten #8[lower-alpha 3]
32	Babashan[lower-roman 20]	3449 m 11316 ft	Taichung City, Hualien County	Taroko	Little Eight #1[lower-alpha 14]
33	Maxishan[lower-roman 21]	3443 m 11296 ft	Hualien County	Yushan	Majestic Ten #5[lower-alpha 9]
34	Hehuanshan North Peak	3422 m 11227 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County	Taroko	Majestic Ten #6[lower-alpha 9]
35	Hehuanshan East Peak	3421 m 11224 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County	Taroko	Lofty Nine #4[lower-alpha 11]
36	Xiaobajianshan	3418 m 11214 ft	Miaoli County	Shei-Pa	Craggy Eight #2[lower-alpha 15]
37	Hehuanshan Main Peak	3417 m 11211 ft	Nantou County	Taroko	Gentle Ten #3[lower-alpha 7]
38	South Yushan	3383 m 11099 ft	Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Gentle Ten #4[lower-alpha 7]
39	Bilushan[lower-roman 22]	3371 m 11060 ft	Hualien County, Nantou County	Taroko	Narrow Eight #3[lower-alpha 16]
40	Zhuoshedashan	3369 m 11053 ft	Nantou County		Lofty Nine #5[lower-alpha 11]
41	Qilaishan South Peak	3358 m 11017 ft	Nantou County		Majestic Ten #7[lower-alpha 9]
42	Nanshuangtoushan	3356 m 11010 ft	Hualien County, Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Lofty Nine #6[lower-alpha 11]
43	Nenggaoshan South Peak	3349 m 10988 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County		Precipitous Ten #9[lower-alpha 3]
44	Zhijiayangdashan	3345 m 10974 ft	Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Eight Beauties #4[lower-alpha 4]
45	Baigudashan[lower-roman 23]	3342 m 10965 ft	Nantou County, Taichung City		Verdant Ten #7[lower-alpha 13]
46	Batongguanshan	3335 m 10942 ft	Nantou County	Yushan	Craggy Eight #3[lower-alpha 15]
47	Xinkangshan[lower-roman 24]	3331 m 10928 ft	Hualien County	Yushan	Precipitous Ten #10[lower-alpha 3]
48	Dandashan	3325 m 10909 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County		Nine Walls #3[lower-alpha 17]
49	Taoshan	3325 m 10909 ft	Hsinchu County, Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Eight Beauties #5[lower-alpha 4] Four Beauties #2[lower-alpha 12]
50	Jiayangshan[lower-roman 25]	3314 m 10873 ft	Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Craggy Eight #4[lower-alpha 15]
51	Huoshishan	3310 m 10860 ft	Miaoli County, Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Craggy Eight #5[lower-alpha 15]
52	Chiyoushan[lower-roman 26]	3303 m 10837 ft	Hsinchu County, Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Simple Six #1[lower-alpha 18] Four Beauties #3[lower-alpha 12]
53	Yizeshan[lower-roman 27]	3297 m 10817 ft	Miaoli County, Hsinchu County	Shei-Pa	Simple Six #2[lower-alpha 18]
54	Beinanzhushan	3295 m 10810 ft	Kaohsiung City, Taitung County		Majestic Ten #8[lower-alpha 9]
55	Ganzhuowanshan	3284 m 10774 ft	Nantou County		Narrow Eight #4[lower-alpha 16]
56	Taroko Mountain	3283 m 10771 ft	Hualien County	Taroko	Majestic Ten #9[lower-alpha 9]
57	Lulushan[lower-roman 28]	3279 m 10758 ft	Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Craggy Eight #7[lower-alpha 15]
58	Kaxipananshan	3276 m 10748 ft	Hualien County	Yushan	Remote Nine #4[lower-alpha 19]
59	Neilingershan	3275 m 10745 ft	Hualien County		Majestic Ten #10[lower-alpha 9]
60	Lingmingshan	3272 m 10735 ft	Taichung City, Hualien County	Taroko	Eight Beauties #6[lower-alpha 4]
61	Jundashan	3265 m 10712 ft	Nantou County	Yushan	Eight Beauties #7[lower-alpha 4]
62	Nenggaoshan[lower-roman 29]	3262 m 10702 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County		Lofty Nine #7[lower-alpha 11] High Three #3[lower-alpha 2]
63	Wandongshan West Peak[lower-roman 30]	3258 m 10689 ft	Nantou County		Remote Nine #5[lower-alpha 19]
64	Jianshan[lower-roman 31]	3253 m 10673 ft	Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Nine Walls #5[lower-alpha 17]
65	Pingfengshan	3250 m 10663 ft	Hualien County	Taroko	Nine Walls #6[lower-alpha 17]
66	Xiaoguanshan	3249 m 10659 ft	Kaohsiung City, Taitung County		Lofty Nine #8[lower-alpha 11]
67	Yixiqingmazhishan	3245 m 10646 ft	Hualien County, Nantou County		Steep Seven #4[lower-alpha 20]
68	Mushan[lower-roman 32]	3241 m 10633 ft	Nantou County		Simple Six #5[lower-alpha 18]
69	Yushan Front Peak	3239 m 10627 ft	Chiayi County, Nantou County	Yushan	Simple Six #5[lower-alpha 18]
70	Shimenshan	3237 m 10620 ft	Hualien County, Nantou County	Taroko	Little Eight #2[lower-alpha 14]
71	Wushuangshan[lower-roman 33]	3231 m 10600 ft	Nantou County		Nine Walls #7[lower-alpha 17]
72	Taguanshan[lower-roman 34]	3222 m 10571 ft	Taitung County, Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Steep Seven #5[lower-alpha 20]
73	Mabishanshan[lower-roman 35]	3211 m 10535 ft	Yilan County, Hualien County	Taroko	Level Nine #7[lower-alpha 5]
74	Dafenjianshan[lower-roman 36]	3208 m 10525 ft	Nantou County, Kaohsiung City, Hualien County	Yushan	Pointy Three #3[lower-alpha 6]
75	Xueshan East Peak[lower-roman 37]	3201 m 10502 ft	Taichung City	Shei-Pa	Little Eight #3[lower-alpha 14]
76	Nanhuashan[lower-roman 38]	3184 m 10446 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County		Narrow Eight #6[lower-alpha 16]
77	Guanshanlingshan	3176 m 10420 ft	Taitung County, Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Narrow Eight #7[lower-alpha 16]
78	Hainuonanshan	3174 m 10413 ft	Taitung County, Kaohsiung City		Gentle Ten #6[lower-alpha 7]
79	Zhongxueshan	3173 m 10410 ft	Miaoli County	Shei-Pa	Verdant Ten #8[lower-alpha 13]
80	Shuanshan	3168 m 10394 ft	Taichung City	Taroko	Eight Beauties #8[lower-alpha 4]
81	Ganshufeng[lower-roman 39]	3158 m 10361 ft	Hualien County, Taichung City	Taroko	Little Eight #6[lower-alpha 14]
82	Hehuanshan West Peak	3145 m 10318 ft	Nantou County	Taroko	Verdant Ten #9[lower-alpha 13]
83	Shemazhenshan[lower-roman 40]	3141 m 10305 ft	Yilan County, Taichung City	Taroko	Contiguous Six #1[lower-alpha 21]
84	Kalayeshan[lower-roman 41]	3133 m 10279 ft	Hsinchu County, Yilan County	Shei-Pa	Contiguous Six #2[lower-alpha 21] Four Beauties #4[lower-alpha 12]
85	Kuhanuoxinshan	3115 m 10220 ft	Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Remote Nine #8[lower-alpha 19]
86	Jialishan[lower-roman 42]	3112 m 10210 ft	Miaoli County	Shei-Pa	Contiguous Six #3[lower-alpha 21]
87	Baishishan	3110 m 10203 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County		Steep Seven #6[lower-alpha 20]
88	Panshishan[lower-roman 43]	3106 m 10190 ft	Hualien County	Taroko	Remote Nine #9[lower-alpha 19]
89	Patuolushan	3101 m 10174 ft	Hualien County	Taroko	Gentle Ten #8[lower-alpha 7]
90	Beidawushan[lower-roman 44]	3092 m 10144 ft	Pingtung County, Taitung County		Big Five #5[lower-alpha 1]
91	Xiluandashan[lower-roman 45]	3081 m 10108 ft	Nantou County		Steep Seven #7[lower-alpha 20]
92	Tafenshan	3070 m 10072 ft	Hualien County, Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Craggy Eight #8[lower-alpha 15]
93	Liwuzhushan[lower-roman 46]	3069 m 10069 ft	Hualien County	Taroko	Rocky Ten #9[lower-alpha 8]
94	Andongjunshan[lower-roman 47]	3068 m 10066 ft	Hualien County, Nantou County		Gentle Ten #9[lower-alpha 7]
95	Guangtoushan[lower-roman 48]	3060 m 10039 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County		Level Nine #8[lower-alpha 5]
96	Yangtoushan	3035 m 9957 ft	Hualien County	Taroko	Narrow Eight #8[lower-alpha 16]
97	Bulakesangshan[lower-roman 49]	3026 m 9928 ft	Taitung County, Hualien County		Nine Walls #9[lower-alpha 17]
98	Jupenshan[lower-roman 50]	3022 m 9915 ft	Nantou County	Yushan	Contiguous Six #4[lower-alpha 21]
99	Liushunshan	2999 m 9839 ft	Nantou County, Hualien County		Level Nine #9[lower-alpha 5]
100	Lushan	2981 m 9780 ft	Kaohsiung City	Yushan	Contiguous Six #6[lower-alpha 21]

Notes

Designated lists

1. The Big Five are the biggest of the big in each geographical region and are a must for all Top 100 hikers.^[9]
2. During Japanese rule, these three all had the character for "high" (高) in their name. This list is seldom referred to now that the mountains' names have changed.
3. The Precipitous Ten list is composed of prominent, steep peaks not included in the Big Five, Pointy Three and Ominous One.^[9]
4. The Eight Beauties were chosen for their beautiful landscapes, gentle slope, meadows of short bamboo and lack of rock scrambling.^[9]
5. The Level Nine are wide, flat peaks without large rocks or trees, only short bamboo. Comfortable, easy walking.^[9][10]
6. The Pointy Three are well-known mountains with distinct pyramid-like peaks.^[9]
7. The Gentle Ten have an overall smooth profile, with gentle slopes and little climbing or scrambling needed.^[9]
8. The Rocky Ten have rocky peaks that require scrambling or climbing to summit.^[9]
9. The Majestic Ten were chosen for their size and prominence, wide peaks, gentle slope and serene nature.^[9]
10. Qilaishan North Peak, the Ominous One, is located along the northern end of the Central Mountain Range's central spine. The ascent is steep and difficult in parts, and the dark fragmented slate covering the western face has earned it the nickname "Black Qilai". Some sources spell Qilai "Chilai".
11. The Lofty Nine are tall conspicuous peaks, catching the eye more than neighboring peaks.^[9]
12. The Four Beauties are also known as the Wuling Sixiu^[11] due to their proximity to Wuling Farm. Each of these four peaks has its own unique characteristics. The "Four Beauties" initially chosen by Tian-Cheng Hsing were Chiyoushan, Taoshan, Shilunshan and Kalayeshan, while Pintianshan was listed as one of the Precipitous Ten. However, since Shilunshan was not a Top 100, hikers began recognizing Pintianshan as one of the Four Beauties instead.^[12]
13. The Verdant Ten have trails that wind through lush green forests of tall, twisting trees and bamboo.^[9]
14. The Little Eight are small peaks with gentle slopes that can be easily reached as part of a longer trip.^[9]
15. The Craggy Eight jut out from the surrounding terrain and are surrounded by cliffs and difficult terrain.^[9]
16. The Narrow Eight have long narrow ridgelines with cliffs or steep slopes on both sides.^[9]
17. These mountains rise up like a wall, wide and flat, blocking the view of a large area like a screen.^[9]
18. The Simple Six trails are offshoots from another main trail, short in distance and not very strenuous. They are easy side trips when hiking the parent trail.^[9]
19. The Remote Nine are on distant offshoots of their mountain range and are not easily combined with other peaks into a single journey.^[9]
20. Steep mountains with cliffs and loose rocks.^[9]
21. The Contiguous Six are near other high peaks, and can be reached along a ridge that extends down from the higher peak. They have fairly level trails, the peaks are named and there is some sort of survey marker.^[9]

Alternative names and other remarks

1. Formerly known as Niitakayama, Mt. Morrison; This mountain is the highest point of Nantou County, Kaohsiung City, Chiayi County.
2. Formerly known as Tsugitakayama, Mt. Sylvia; Highest point of Miaoli County, Taichung City.
3. Other names: Mahuolasishan
4. Other names: Wulamengshan
5. Other names: Yuliyulishan
6. Highest point of Taitung County
7. Highest point of Yilan County
8. Other names: Kayixishan
9. Other names: Hongyeshan
10. Other names: Baduowanuominshan
11. Other names: Cloud Peak
12. Other names: Qilaishan Main Peak
13. Other names: Tabilashan
14. Other names: Bayoushan
15. Other names: Boqinxilunshan
16. Other names: Tiancuifeng
17. Other names: Xiaxueshashan
18. Other names: Jiutongshan; Highest point of Hsinchu County
19. Other names: Qusheshan, Gaotianshan
20. Other names: Nanhunanshan
21. Other names: Lagashan, Bainanshan
22. Other names: Lagashan
23. Other names: Baigoudashan
24. Other names: Xinguanshan
25. Other names: Adubanshan
26. Other names: Yuluofushan
27. Other names: Jiangzeshan
28. Other names: Majiangzhizishan
29. Formerly known as: Noutakayama
30. Other names: Huoshan
31. Other names: Xiaojianshan
32. Other names: Ganzhuowanshan Southeast Peak
33. Other names: Maxirouganshan
34. Other names: Daguanshan
35. Other names: Mameishan
36. Other names: Jianshan
37. Other names: Mingjianshan
38. Other names: Nenggaoshan North Peak
39. Other names: Zhongyangnanshan, Yam Peak
40. Other names: Yezhenjialuosuishan
41. Other names: Jialiupingshan
42. Other names: Maibalabianshan
43. Other names: Shanyuanshan
44. Other names: Dawushan; Highest point in Pingtung County
45. Other names: Luandashan
46. Other names: Tacijilishan
47. Other names: Andongjunshan
48. Other names: Zhiyaganshan
49. Other names: Wulagusanshan
50. Other names: Yumabogeshan

References

1. 臺灣百岳小史 (Short History of Taiwan's '100 Peaks'), accessed 03 June 2015.]
2. Lonely Planet; Robert Kelly; Chung Wah Chow (1 February 2014). Lonely Planet Taiwan. Lonely Planet Publications. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-74321-835-8.
3. Yeh, Joseph (2011-01-31). "Fulfill your dreams while you are young, says daring hiker Lin Cheng-han". The China Post. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
4. 頁面歷史: 台灣百岳, National Park Mountaineering School (History: Taiwan's Top 100), accessed 03 June 2015.
5. Huang, Chao-kuo (2007-12-24). "Taiwanese Scales World's Peaks". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
6. Bartholomew, Ian (2001-08-19). "Taiwan's rivers offer vast potential for adventure". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
7. Bartholomew, Ian (2013-03-20). "Mountain lore". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
8. Chinese Taipei Alpine Association 百岳一覽表, accessed 03 June 2015.
9. 台灣山嶽導覽入門篇 by H領隊, accessed 03 June 2015.
10. 奇萊主峰濃霧積雪 救難人員舉步維艱, Eastern Daily News, accessed 03 June 2015.
11. Taiwan's Most Spectacular Hiking Trails, Wanderlust travel magazine, accessed 03 June 2015.
12. 第二世代台灣百嶽全集上冊,戶外生活圖書股份有限公司,陳遠見主編,2007年8月31日初版, ISBN 9789866994395.