Xiangshan and the stone trail above Taipeh’s skyline

Xiangshan is a sandstone hill on the south-eastern side of Taipeh’s Xinyi District. Its steep trail climbs towards giant rocks and open views of Taipei 101, placing forest, exposed stone and the city skyline in one frame.

Xiangshan’s sandstone ridge and elephant form

Xiangshan reaches 183 m (600 ft) above sea level and belongs to the Nangang Mountain System. Its Chinese name means “Elephant Mountain”, referring to the hill’s outline.

Sandstone forms much of the mountain. Tawny cliffs, large rocks and sloping ground appear beside the path, while ferns and tree ferns grow across the hillside. The landscape has a geological character distinct from the glass and concrete towers below.

Xiangshan also belongs to the Four Beast Mountains, a group that includes Lion Mountain, Leopard Mountain and Tiger Mountain. This wider ridge system borders the eastern side of the Taipei Basin and gives the hill its setting within Taipeh’s urban landscape.

From forest paths to Taipei 101

The trail runs towards the summit through stone steps, paved sections and narrow passages beside rock. It covers about 1.5 km (0.93 mi) to the peak, with observation platforms along the route.

At the summit, the Six Giant Rocks form Xiangshan’s most distinctive natural feature. Platforms and rock surfaces face the Xinyi skyline, where Taipei 101 rises above the surrounding buildings. The city appears below the ridge, while vegetation remains close to the path.

The view links two very different scales. Taipei 101 is a precise vertical tower, while Xiangshan is an irregular ridge of sandstone, trees and exposed boulders. The contrast is visible from the trail itself and gives the mountain its recognisable character.

Plants, rocks and the Taipei Basin

Xiangshan contains fern-rich slopes and rocky terrain. Taiwanese Cibotium and flying spider-monkey tree fern grow among the vegetation, adding large fronds to the path’s forested sections.

The mountain extends towards Zhongqiang Park in Xinyi District. Its upper rocks provide broad views across the Taipei Basin, while the trail’s lower sections pass through greenery close to the city’s streets and metro network.

The place combines a named geological landscape with a carefully defined urban route. Daitiandian Lingyun Temple marks the western trailhead, and Songshan Fengtian Temple is associated with the eastern approach. The route therefore connects natural features with established city landmarks.

Visiting Xiangshan: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Xiangshan is in Xinyi District, south-east of central Taipeh. The Taipei Metro reaches Xiangshan Station, and the western trailhead lies south of Exit 2 through Xiangshan Park.
• The route includes steep stone steps, paved sections, narrow stairways and uneven rock. The summit reaches 183 m (600 ft), while the trail to the peak covers about 1.5 km (0.93 mi).
• An eastern approach begins behind Songshan Fengtian Temple and can be reached from Houshanpi Station. The western approach passes Daitiandian Lingyun Temple.
• The official language is Mandarin Chinese and the currency is the New Taiwan dollar.

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Frequently asked questions about Xiangshan

Where is Xiangshan?

Xiangshan is in Xinyi District on the south-eastern side of Taipeh, Taiwan. Xiangshan Station on the Taipei Metro provides access to the western trailhead.

What is a visit to Xiangshan like?

The route follows steep steps, paved paths and rocky sections through forested slopes. The trail reaches observation platforms and the Six Giant Rocks above the Taipei Basin.

What makes Xiangshan distinctive?

Xiangshan combines a 183 m (600 ft) sandstone hill with a close view of Taipei 101. Its Six Giant Rocks, fern-rich vegetation and elephant-related name define the mountain.