HIKING TAIWAN: 2,000 YEAR OLD RED CYPRESS TREES NEAR TAIPEI (北插天山, 赫威神木) 有中文CC！

Who says you need to go to California to see giant Red Cypress trees?
At 1737m, Mt. Beichatian (北插天山) in Taoyuan County is one of the highest mountains in northern Taiwan that is possible to scale in a day trip from Taipei, and it is also home to the lowest lying cluster of giant red cypress trees (at around 900m above sea level) in the whole of Taiwan. Add a well-marked trail and spectacular views from the summit to the equation and this is easily one of the best day hikes that you can do in the Taipei region.

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The Trail
Officially you need to apply for a permit to climb/enter the trails around Mt Beichatian. This can be done online here (https://pa.forest.gov.tw/) (Chinese only). After your application is approved, you are also required to present it at Xinei Police Station (溪內派出所) on your way to the trailhead.
However, as there are no checks near the trailhead it is debatable whether many people actually do this.
From Little Wulai it should be around a 5-7 hour return hike (~11km) depending on your speed and weather conditions.
There are other trails to the summit, including one at Manyueyuan (滿月圓) although this is longer and at least an 8-hour return hike.
There are several online resources you can use to plan your route.
The first section of the trail is pretty level and can get muddy, while it gets much steeper as you approach the summit with lots of ropes and home-made ladders.
Proper hiking boots are recommended, while warm clothing is advisable as it can get pretty cold at the summit.
This hike will take you the best part of a day so remember to take plenty of food and water.

Travel Logistics
Little Wulai is approximately 2 hours from Taipei by car, although traffic could easily lengthen this trip. We left Taipei around 6am to avoid rush hour.
It is also possible to get there by public transport although it is a long ride. The 502 bus (https://travel.tycg.gov.tw/en/traffic/xiaowulai) from Taoyuan bus station to Little Wulai takes around 90 minutes.
From there you are still some distance from the trailhead.
A taxi (provided there are a group of you) is probably the best option if you don’t have your own transportation.

Drones
There are no known restrictions on flying drones in the region around Mt Beichatian.
A useful reference tool and map on drone restrictions in Taiwan can be found here (https://www.flyerlee.com/drone-restricted-airspace-in-taiwan/).

Book the trail here:
https://pa.forest.gov.tw/ (Chinese language only)

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