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Highest mountain in Taiwan

Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit

A 2-day trek to Taiwan's high point (3,952 m) — East Asia's fourth-highest peak.

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Where on earth

Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit, Taiwan. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.

Region
Taiwan
Biome
Taiwanese alpine (2,600–3,952 m)
Best season
October – April
Difficulty
moderate
Known for
  • Backpacking
  • Hiking
  • Climbing
  • Mountaineering

Key takeaways

  • Biome: Taiwanese alpine (2,600–3,952 m)
  • Best season: October – April
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Top activity: backpacking
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Photos of Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit

Yu Shan or Yushan, Tongku Saveq, Mount Niitaka, and Mount Morrison before Japanese rule, is the highest mountain in Taiwan at 3,952 m (12,966 ft) above sea level, giving Taiwan the 4th-highest maximum
Photo: Wikipedia contributors · See Wikimedia Commons

Topic summary

A 2-day trek to Taiwan's high point (3,952 m) — East Asia's fourth-highest peak.

Key takeaways

  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Best season: October – April

Intended uses

backpacking

Climate suitability

Taiwanese alpine (2,600–3,952 m)

Region
Taiwan
Biome
Taiwanese alpine (2,600–3,952 m)
Difficulty
moderate

Tools for a trip here

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backpacking

Plan with verified data

Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit trip tools

How to get there

Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit is in Taiwan, Taiwan. Its center point is 23.4700, 120.9573. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.

  • Yushan National Park

    The protected area containing Yushan and its surrounding mountains. This is a broad planning location, not an identified trailhead; confirm the appropriate park entry and mountain approach before arranging transport.

  • Yushan Range

    The mountain range containing Yushan. It provides geographic context rather than a confirmed access point; a specific starting location must be established before departure.

Popular pursuits at Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit

  • Backpacking

    Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.

  • Hiking

    Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.

  • Climbing

    Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.

  • Mountaineering

    Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.

Maps, GPS & compass for this trip

Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.

Fishing at Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit

Planning to fish Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit, Taiwan? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Taiwan are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.

Do I need a fishing licence at Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit?

  • A Taiwan fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
  • Read the current Taiwan fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
  • Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.

We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Taiwan yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.

Hunting near Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit

Thinking about hunting Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit, Taiwan? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Taiwan are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.

Is hunting allowed at Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit?

  • Confirm the land around Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.

What do I need to hunt in Taiwan?

  • A Taiwan hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
  • Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
  • Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.

We don't have a verified licensing link on file for Taiwan yet — contact the park or land manager listed on this page for current hunting and fishing rules.

A 3,952-Metre Summit in Taiwan

Yushan, also called Jade Mountain, is Taiwan’s highest mountain at 3,952 metres (12,966 feet) above sea level. It belongs to the Yushan Range and is protected within Yushan National Park. Its elevation makes altitude a central planning concern: fitness alone is not a reason to assume a rapid ascent will feel comfortable. Build a plan that leaves room to adjust effort and turn back rather than treating the summit as mandatory. Taiwan has the fourth-highest maximum elevation of any island in the world, a useful reminder that this is substantial mountain terrain despite its island setting. Prepare for high-elevation conditions, carry suitable layers, and establish the actual approach and descent before setting out.

The Range and Its Protected Landscape

Yushan’s setting matters as much as its summit elevation. The surrounding mountains form part of the Yushan Range, and the national park protects the largest remaining tract of wilderness on Taiwan. Yushan National Park is also Taiwan’s largest, highest, and least accessible national park. That combination calls for a mountain-travel mindset rather than assumptions based on access elsewhere on the island. Confirm how the intended mountain approach connects with transport, and do not assume that reaching the park means reaching a summit trail. Carry the navigation, clothing, food, and water needed for the chosen outing. Keep plans conservative until the access arrangements and route are established, particularly where a delayed return could complicate onward travel.

Geology, Names, and Trip Preparation

The rock landscape around Yushan has an oceanic past. The area was once beneath the sea and rose through the movement of the Eurasian Plate over the Philippine Sea Plate. Today, the summit stands as the highest point in the western Pacific region outside the Kamchatka Peninsula. The mountain is also known as Tongku Saveq and was called Mount Niitaka during Japanese rule; recognizing these names can help distinguish historical descriptions from present-day trip information. For practical planning, confirm current access requirements with the managing agency before committing to an itinerary. Check mountain weather close to departure and choose equipment for a high summit, not conditions at lower elevations. Obtain reliable route details rather than inferring an approach from the mountain’s prominence.

Route options

  • Yushan Summit

    The summit objective reaches 3,952 metres, Taiwan’s highest elevation. No specific ascent alignment or starting point is established here; obtain a verified itinerary before attempting the mountain.

  • Yushan Range

    The surrounding range offers a broader mountain setting for trip planning, but no separate walking route is established here. Confirm a named itinerary and its access arrangements rather than treating the range itself as a navigable route.

Sample itineraries

  • Summit-focused trip framework · 2 days

    Use the first day for local preparation, checking mountain conditions and confirming an authorized summit plan. Reserve the second for the summit objective only if access, fitness and conditions support it. This is a planning framework, not a verified two-day hiking schedule.

  • Summit trip with a contingency day · 3 days

    Allow one day for preparation, a provisional summit day and one flexible day for weather or recovery. Confirm the actual hiking schedule with Yushan National Park before arranging accommodation or transport. Extra calendar time does not replace acclimatization.

Seasonal conditions

Spring

Spring; timing depends on current mountain conditions

Plan for a high-mountain environment rather than assuming mild conditions from the season alone. Check summit-level forecasts and current access guidance before committing to an ascent.

Summer

Summer; choose dates using current forecasts

Yushan's 3,952-metre elevation still calls for insulation and weather protection. Do not use temperatures at lower elevations to judge summit conditions. Keep the summit objective flexible.

Fall

Fall; verify conditions before departure

Do not assume fall guarantees clear weather or straightforward access. Carry layers and review current mountain guidance when setting the hiking schedule.

Winter

Winter; suitability requires current local guidance

Cold deserves particular attention at this elevation. Confirm surface conditions and the skills and equipment required before attempting the summit; ordinary hiking equipment may not suit every condition.

Permits, fees & closures

Confirm current entry requirements, summit permissions and any accommodation arrangements directly with Yushan National Park before booking the trip.

Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.

Hazards & regulations

  • Altitude: the summit reaches 3,952 metres. Allow for acclimatization, monitor symptoms and descend if altitude illness develops.
  • High-mountain weather: carry protection against cold, wind and rain, and turn back when conditions exceed your equipment or experience.
  • Remote terrain: Yushan National Park contains extensive wilderness and is described as Taiwan's least accessible national park. Do not assume a quick exit or immediate assistance.

What to pack for Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit

Weather protection
  • Insulating layers
  • Waterproof outer layer
  • Warm hat and gloves
Navigation and emergency essentials
  • Current route information confirmed with the park
  • Offline navigation and backup power
  • Headlamp
  • First-aid kit and emergency shelter
Food and hydration
  • Water capacity matched to confirmed refill options
  • Food for the planned outing
  • Extra food for delays

Build this list in the gear builder →

Yushan (Jade Mountain) Summit FAQ

How high is Yushan?
Yushan reaches 3,952 metres, or 12,966 feet, above sea level. It is Taiwan's highest mountain.
Where is the summit?
Yushan is in Taiwan, within the Yushan Range. The mountain and its surroundings are protected as Yushan National Park.
Are these verified hiking itineraries?
No. They are trip-planning frameworks. Confirm the authorized route, access point, hiking duration and overnight arrangements with the park before using either to organize a summit attempt.
Does the summit require altitude preparation?
At 3,952 metres, altitude should shape the plan. Build in acclimatization rather than relying on fitness alone, and be prepared to abandon the summit if symptoms develop.
What makes the surrounding landscape distinctive?
Yushan National Park is Taiwan's largest and highest national park and contains the island's largest remaining tract of wilderness. The mountains rose from a former ocean setting through tectonic movement.