Wufenshan (五分山)

This is one that is pretty much only doable by car/scooter or bicycle for the more adventurous.

It’s in Pingxi, up a windy mountain road from the famous Shifen waterfall. In an area known for its foggy/rainy days, Wufenshan is a destination that requires a bit of planning and checking the weather beforehand. Although to be fair, it’s hard to know much in advance sometimes because the weather can be fine in the surrounding area, but as you head up Wufenshan, suddenly you run into fog. I’ve gone there a couple times, and one time the visibility was so poor that a man near the entrance said not to enter.

Nonetheless, in the right conditions, this place can be absolutely stunning. And it’s possible to see the “sea of clouds” here (if you’re not in it!)

When it’s clear, you’ll find yourself among the peaks of green mountains. To the east you can see the mountainous terrain of Pingxi and Ruifang, Keelung, and the ocean (perhaps Keelung Islet will make an appearance). To the west you’ll see the mountains of Shiding and in the distance, Taipei 101 in the horizon right above the beautiful ridge connecting to Wufenshan, and on its back is a trail that heads to the Taiwan Coal Mine Museum.

Getting back to the city is a bit of a trek. The winding road takes up about 20 minutes. Be cautious at any time of day, but be extra careful at night – it’s dark, could be foggy as mentioned before, and there are steep drop-offs on the sides. You could also encounter some wild dogs…

When I went, it seems everyone left before the actual sunset. Admittedly, as I snaked through the road on my scooter with white knuckles, dogs chasing me and barking like mad, I thought maybe the others were all smarter than me.

After the possibly scary part, you’ll still need 30 plus minutes to get back to Taipei.