Dajianshan (大尖山)

Dajianshan offers incredible vistas that aren’t too far from city life (close to Xizhi Station).

Tianxiu Temple and the viewing platform on the top of the mountain face towards Taipei 101 to the distant west, and you can often get a spectactular view of the sunset in that direction. Use a photo app like The Photographer’s Ephemeris or PhotoPills to estimate where the sunset is taking place; you might be able to get a shot with the sun perfectly behind 101.

Besides 101 in the horizon, you’ll also catch Xizhi and the mountains surrounding it and Keelung to the east.

The top of Dajianshan is a 20 minute or so hike from the temple (it’s basically steep stairs the whole way). If you hurry (with caution), it’s possible to do both the trail to the viewing platform and Tianxiu Temple for the same sunset.

People waiting for the sunset and subsequent night view will be in the large walking area directly in front of the temple, the mountain viewing platform, or a few spots from the road in front that offer a slightly different angle. You have a bit of freedom, but for the most part the view of the horizon won’t change much.

You can get creative with the Tianxiu Temple grounds though; it’s wide instead of a single viewing platform, so there’s no need to stress about arriving early for the best spot.

Dajianshan is accessible by public transit – the F911 from Xizhi Station stops right in front of Tianxiu Temple on weekdays (on weekends, the bus stops and departs from Wugujin Temple, one stop down the hill from Tianxiu Temple).

Or you can take public transit to Xizhi and then walk up. From Xizhi Station, it’s about 2 km and will take about 40 minutes to the temple.

Finally, like many of the locals, you can drive/scoot your way up and park close to Tianxiu Temple.