100 Peaks of Taiwan
The Baiyue (Chinese: 臺灣百岳; pinyin: Táiwān bǎiyuè) is a list of one hundred mountain peaks in Taiwan. They were chosen by a group of prominent Taiwanese hikers from mountain peaks known at the time to be over 3,000 meters in height.[a] 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 highest peaks by elevation, but rather 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 below 3,000m, have no peaks in the list of Baiyue.
History
[edit]Taiwan has one of the highest densities of tall mountains in the world.[citation needed] To promote mountain hiking, the Taiwan Alpine Association began developing a list of top 100 peaks for Taiwan. Wen-An Lin, after a 1971 crossing of the Central Mountain Range, set about drawing up the list. Significant contributions in sourcing photos and materials were made by the following: Ruan Rongzhu, Winston Shieh, Yang Zhang Bilian, and the Chinese Mountain Association. After extensive consultation with Ching-Chang Tsai, Tian-Cheng Hsing, Tung-San Ting and other prominent hikers of the day, the list of Baiyue was finalized.[1]
Upon completion of the list, hiking the Baiyue immediately became one of the primary goals of avid hikers in Taiwan.[1][2][5][6][7] Finishing the Baiyue is no easy task, however. For aspiring Baiyue hikers, the Five Greats, Three Spires, and One Ogre (Hanzi: 五嶽三尖一奇), whose unique beauty best represents the grandeur of Taiwan's high mountains, became a popular starting point. Other popular sets of peaks include the Harsh Ten and Four Beauties (Hanzi: 十峻四秀). Many begin with the more easily accessible peaks in the Hehuanshan area.
There are actually over 260 mountain peaks over 3,000 meters in Taiwan, many of which were not listed in the Baiyue, but nonetheless impressive. Therefore, some criticism remains over the inclusion of certain mountain peaks on the list, and the exclusion of others, such as Chushan in the Dongjunshan Chain, and Mutelebushan near Xueshan's North Peak. Some have argued that these peaks should be in the Baiyue, while peaks such as Jupenshan, Lushan, Nanhubeishan, Shenmazhenshan, Jianshan, and Bulakesangshan, should be taken off the list. Also, when resurveying was carried out long after the Baiyue list was completed, it was found that Liushunshan and Lushan were under 3,000m. However, as the Baiyue already enjoyed such widespread acceptance, they were not removed from the list and remain there to this day.
Complete listing of Baiyue
[edit]The following is a complete listing of the 100 Taiwanese mountain peaks commonly known as the Baiyue:
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Notes
[edit]Designated lists
[edit]- ^ The original criteria of height was 10,000 Japanese feet, or 3,030 meters.
- ^ a b c d e The Five Greats (五嶽) are the highest in their region, and they include famous mountains such as Yushan and Xueshan. They are a must for all Baiyue hikers.[9]
- ^ a b c During the Japanese rule in Taiwan, the Three Highs (三高) had the character of "high" (Kanji: 高) in their names, which are rarely used today.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j The Harsh Ten (十峻) are prominent, steep peaks not included in the Five Greats, Three Spires, and One Ogre.[9]
- ^ a b c d e f g h The Eight Beauties (八秀) were chosen for their beautiful landscapes, gentle slope, meadows of short bamboo and lack of rock scrambling.[9]
- ^ a b c d The Flat Nine (九平) are wide, flat peaks without large rocks or trees, only short bamboo. Comfortable, easy walking.[9][10]
- ^ a b c The Three Spires (三尖) are famous for their beauty and conical shape, and have character "Spire" (尖) in their names.[9]
- ^ a b c d e f g The Gentle Ten (十潤) have an overall smooth profile, with gentle slopes and little climbing or scrambling needed.[9]
- ^ a b c d The Rocky Ten (十巖) have rocky peaks that require scrambling or climbing to summit.[9]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j The Majestic Ten (十崇) were chosen for their size and prominence, wide peaks, gentle slope and serene nature.[9]
- ^ Qilaishan North Peak, the One Ogre (一奇 or 一怪), 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".
- ^ a b c d e f g h The Lofty Nine (九峨) are tall conspicuous peaks, catching the eye more than neighboring peaks.[9]
- ^ a b c d 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 Harsh Ten. However, since Shilunshan was not a Baiyue, hikers began recognizing Pintianshan as one of the Four Beauties instead.[12]
- ^ a b c d The Verdant Ten have trails that wind through lush green forests of tall, twisting trees and bamboo.[9]
- ^ a b c d The Little Eight are small peaks with gentle slopes that can be easily reached as part of a longer trip.[9]
- ^ a b c d e f The Craggy Eight (八銳) jut out from the surrounding terrain and are surrounded by cliffs and difficult terrain.[9]
- ^ a b c d e The Narrow Eight have long narrow ridgelines with cliffs or steep slopes on both sides.[9]
- ^ a b c d e These mountains rise up like a wall, wide and flat, blocking the view of a large area like a screen.[9]
- ^ a b c d 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]
- ^ a b c d The Remote Nine are on distant offshoots of their mountain range and are not easily combined with other peaks into a single journey.[9]
- ^ a b c d Steep mountains with cliffs and loose rocks.[9]
- ^ a b c d e The Contiguous Six (六肩稜) 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
[edit]- ^ Formerly known as Niitakayama, Mt. Morrison; This mountain is the highest point of Nantou County, Kaohsiung City, Chiayi County.
- ^ Formerly known as Tsugitakayama, Mt. Sylvia; Highest point of Miaoli County, Taichung City.
- ^ Other names: Mahudas Shan, the highest point of Central Mountain Range
- ^ Other names: Ulamun Shan, the 2nd highest point of Central Mountain Range
- ^ Other names: Yuliyulishan
- ^ Highest point of Taitung County
- ^ Highest point of Yilan County
- ^ Other names: Kayixishan
- ^ Other names: Hongyeshan
- ^ Other names: Baduowanuominshan
- ^ Other names: Cloud Peak
- ^ Other names: Qilaishan Main Peak
- ^ Other names: Tabilashan
- ^ Other names: Bayoushan
- ^ Other names: Boqinxilunshan
- ^ Other names: Tiancuifeng
- ^ Other names: Xiaxueshashan
- ^ Other names: Jiutongshan; Highest point of Hsinchu County
- ^ Other names: Qusheshan, Gaotianshan
- ^ Other names: Nanhunanshan
- ^ Other names: Lagashan, Bainanshan
- ^ Other names: Lagashan
- ^ Other names: Baigoudashan
- ^ Other names: Xinguanshan
- ^ Other names: Adubanshan
- ^ Other names: Yuluofushan
- ^ Other names: Jiangzeshan
- ^ Other names: Majiangzhizishan
- ^ Formerly known as: Noutakayama
- ^ Other names: Huoshan
- ^ Other names: Xiaojianshan
- ^ Other names: Ganzhuowanshan Southeast Peak
- ^ Other names: Maxirouganshan
- ^ Other names: Daguanshan
- ^ Other names: Mameishan
- ^ Other names: Jianshan
- ^ Other names: Mingjianshan
- ^ Other names: Nenggaoshan North Peak
- ^ Other names: Central Range Point, Yam Peak
- ^ Other names: Yezhenjialuosuishan
- ^ Other names: Jialiupingshan
- ^ Other names: Maibalabianshan
- ^ Other names: Shanyuanshan
- ^ Other names: Dawushan; Highest point in Pingtung County
- ^ Other names: Luandashan
- ^ Other names: Tatsukiri Shan
- ^ Other names: Andongjunshan
- ^ Other names: Zhiyaganshan
- ^ Other names: Wulagusanshan
- ^ Other names: Penjushan, Umabungu Shan
References
[edit]- ^ a b c 臺灣百岳小史 (Short History of Taiwan's Baiyue), accessed 03 June 2015.]
- ^ a b Lonely Planet; Robert Kelly; Chung Wah Chow (1 February 2014). Lonely Planet Taiwan. Lonely Planet Publications. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-74321-835-8.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 頁面歷史: 台灣百岳[permanent dead link], National Park Mountaineering School (History: Taiwan's Baiyue), accessed 03 June 2015.
- ^ Huang, Chao-kuo (2007-12-24). "Taiwanese Scales World's Peaks". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
- ^ Bartholomew, Ian (2001-08-19). "Taiwan's rivers offer vast potential for adventure". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
- ^ Bartholomew, Ian (2013-03-20). "Mountain lore". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
- ^ a b Chinese Taipei Alpine Association 百岳一覽表 Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 03 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r 台灣山嶽導覽入門篇 by H領隊 Archived 2015-05-18 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 03 June 2015.
- ^ 奇萊主峰濃霧積雪 救難人員舉步維艱, Eastern Daily News, accessed 03 June 2015.
- ^ Taiwan's Most Spectacular Hiking Trails, Wanderlust travel magazine, accessed 03 June 2015.
- ^ 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.