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Taiwan’s northern most tip, is a microcosm of Taiwan, with its mountains, waterfalls, volcanic past, beaches, paddy fields, villages and temples. The fastest route of escape from Taipei lies nearby Yangming Shah. Yangming Shah is known as local Beverly Hills. Large numbers of wealthy industrial tycoons, movie stars and entrepeneurs, as well as expatriate businesspeople, live here in luxurious villas clinging to the cliffs in the cool climes over Taipei.

The mountain top is crowned by Yangmingshan National Park. This well maintained park features walkways that wind through colorful gardens of trees, bushes, fragrant flowers, and grotos. From the middle of February until the end of March, an annual spring flower festival is held in the park, with the entire mountain awash with cherry blossoms and carpeted with bright, flowering azaleas.

Another place to consider is the Hsiaoyiokeng Fumarole nature preserve, with its dense stands of bamboo. The park’s volcanic past can be seen in its valley, plateus and peaks. The highest point is the Chihsing Shah (Seven Stars Mountain) , at 1,200 meters in altitude. A steep, but not dangerous, path leads to the top where the view is remarkable. Famous for bird and butterfly watching is the area of Tatun Shan and Mientien Shan

A drive along Taiwan’s northern coastline rewards visitors with its scenic natural sights, and with charming farm towns and fishing villages. Taiwan northernmost city and second largest port is Keelung. Its natural harbor has 40 deep waterpiers and three mooring buoys that can handle vessels up to 30,000 ton class. The port has excellent facilities for the loading and unloading of container ships, the containers depot are massive. About 80 million tons of freight are handled here annually. Keelung’s main point of interest is an enormous white statue and temple of Kuan Yin. The 22.5 meter statue is propped up on a 4 meter high pedestal that enables the deity to watch over the entire city. Taiwan’s best beaches lie only to the southern side of the island. The route to the south takes you to Toucheng, is a tiny coastal village, with a modest beach resort.

A the road skirts the shore, travelers get a look at an offshore island called Kueishan Tao or Turtle Mountain. One of the area’s attraction, however lies not along the sea, but in the hills behind Toucheng. About five kilometers behind the village is Hsinfeng or New Peak Falls. The fall are 500 meters beyond the main entrance to the complex., inside a canyon. By stepping carefully down the rocky ledge, swimmers can slide into the refreshing water that cascades 50 meters down a stone clute.

Wulai, is the best place in northern Taiwan to witness Atayal traditional culture. Beyond the town, a suspension bridge hangs across a river. From here, a footpath and mini-train take visitors to the Clear Flowing Garden, where a waterfall cascades into a deep gorge. Local ethnic minorities perform traditional music and folk dances in the garden.

A cable car carries visitors across the gorge to a place in the mountains appropriately called Dreamland, which in additional ethnic performances, a lake for rowing and fishing, plenty of places to eat and amusement park for children. Nearby hot springs provide therapeutic bathing. Traditional tribal arts and crafts, wild mountain mushrooms, Chinese herbs, spices and souvenirs are available in the parks and in store in Wulai.

Shihtou Shah or Lion’s Head Mountain which is 20 kilometers east of the North-South Highway of Taiwan is a pleasant excursion bound for travelers . When viewed from the proper angle, the peak does bear a resemblance to the king of beasts. But the mountain’s main significance is as a center of Buddhism, most of the temples here were built directly in natural caves during the past 75 years. From the arched entrance above the parking lot, it is possible to hike up the lion’s head, then down along its spine, visiting the temples and other sights along the way. From the old stone arch at the entrance, 1,500 steps lead up to the top, or head. From there, a path leads down to the tail of the lion. The round-trip walk takes about three hours with the last part as an enjoyable stroll through flower scented forests and patches of bamboo. The first main temple on the path is the Chunghua Tang. Hearty, healthy vegetarian meals cooked by Buddhist nuns are available in several of the temples on the route. The main shrine hall just above the dining room, rises on beautifully sculpted stone columns that depict celestial animals and ancient Buddhist legends.