Bringing Taiwan's Mountains to the World

I will never forget the first time I climbed above 3,000 meters in Taiwan in 2012 — Xueshan East Peak. The breathtaking scenery before my eyes, with its world-class beauty and grandeur, became one of the most unforgettable memories of my life. More importantly, it marked the beginning of my journey in mountain photography.

After that, during my university years, I began participating in mountaineering activities more frequently. I explored routes such as Yushan, Hehuan Mountains, Mt. Qilai, Mt. Nanhu, and Jiaming Lake, gradually experiencing the true charm of Taiwan's mountains — a magnificent wilderness hidden deep within this island, a world of beauty that can only truly be experienced through your own footsteps.

I admit that, in the beginning, I climbed mountains simply because I wanted to photograph beautiful landscapes. I carried a heavy DSLR camera across mountains, crossed streams, and climbed steep cliffs, often joking that it was a :sweet burden."

However, after repeatedly entering the mountains, although I still maintained my passion for capturing beautiful scenery, I gradually discovered that the true value of these experiences was not only found in the landscapes themselves.

Through mountaineering, the mountains have taught me many things. They have allowed me to discover my own sense of purpose; they have provided inspiration for solving problems in life; and they have helped me understand how to coexist with all forms of life in this world.

Through these experiences, I have developed the courage to challenge myself, learned to take responsibility for my own choices, and gained a deeper understanding of humility and gratitude.

Of course, all of this begins with truly loving the mountains. Whatever difficulties, worries, or frustrations you may encounter, sometimes all you need to do is step into the wild and allow the mountains to enter your heart.

From Mt. Qilai North Peak looking toward Mt. Qilai Main Peak, the densely layered ridgelines of the Central Mountain Range stretch across the horizon. Even Yushan, located in the far distance, can be clearly seen — a breathtaking testament to the extraordinary concentration of mountains across Taiwan.

The recent controversies surrounding Taiwan's mountaineering regulations have caused significant impacts on the country's mountain environment. However, at the very least, they have encouraged more people to stand together, express their voices, and seek positive changes.

Think about Taiwan — an island with one of the highest mountain densities in the world. Within this small island, there are countless world-class landscapes that can be experienced without ever leaving the country. Yet many people still remain unfamiliar with Taiwan's own mountains.

Taiwan is an island surrounded by ocean and dominated by mountains. Despite its small size, mountains cover approximately 70% of its land area. It possesses far more high mountains, in terms of quantity, than countries such as Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

There are more than 260 mountains above 3,000 meters in elevation. Combined with Taiwan's location across different climatic zones and its dramatic elevation changes, the island has developed an exceptionally rich ecosystem. The known species diversity of Taiwan accounts for approximately 2.5% of all known species worldwide.

At a time when the world encourages people to experience nature and learn from the wilderness, Taiwan has instead moved in the opposite direction, continuously creating restrictions and barriers that make it harder for people to connect with its mountains.

Here, I would like to share an article that I personally admire. Through an imaginative reflection, it explores how we should cherish and make better use of Taiwan's beautiful mountains. It also asks ourselves a simple question:

Do you truly know Taiwan?