Nat One of the most incredible places to see Taipei is from Elephant Mountain! The Instagrammable skyline is best captured from this spot in the Xinyi District. But getting there can be a bit confusing if you don’t have a guide. In this blog, I will share with you everything you need to know about hiking Mount Elephant!
Also, if you are interested in upgrading your devices before your trip, read the Ultimate Digital Gear for Beginner Travelers for details on the gadgets I use to capture all my experiences!
Getting There
To get to Elephant Mountain, you will need take the Red Line on the MRT to the last stop, Xiangshan.
Once you hop off, there will be signs with an elephant on them that lead you to the trailhead. It is about a 10-minute walk from the exit of the station.
Also, there is no ticket or reservation required to hike the trail!
The Hike
Thankfully, the hike to the best views of the city is only about 20-30 minutes (I did it in 10 because I am an overachiever). However, the trail is composed almost entirely of steps and Taiwan is extremely humid, so be prepared to sweat a LOT.
There are two great spots to get a stellar view of the city. As long as you hang to the right of the trail, you will make it to both of them.
The first most popular spot is the one that has a platform (as seen in my photo below). As the first view of the skyline, this one tends to have a larger crowd since not everyone will choose to keep hiking to the next location.
Also, the platform is not very large so you may need to wait a few minutes to get a snap shot of this view!
The next spot is the most famous because it is so Instagrammable! There are multiple boulders that you can sit on while looking over the city.
Since we went around mid-day, it was almost impossible to get a photo without someone in the shot. The crowds get more intense throughout the day. So, I ended up choosing to snap a photo from the side.
If sitting on top of the rock is your preferred frame for your photos, then I would recommend planning your hike for the morning. An early start will also mean you can see the sunrise and avoid the influx of tourists.
What to Wear
Since it is still a hike, I recommend a good pair of walking shoes. Also, the humidity can be pretty intense, so light weight clothing is also a good idea. I was wearing a thin shirt and shorts and I was dripping!
Lastly, make sure to take along some water to stay hydrated. The humidity will tire you out much faster than you would think!
The views from Elephant Mountain are absolutely worth the hike and was easily one of my top 3 things to do in Taipei! Make sure to take some pictures on the way up as well.
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Travel safety is the most important thing to consider when planning a trip. Read Top 30 Most Important Safety Tips for Female Travelers for more information about how to be proactive about your safety while abroad!
