Yangmingshan National Park is a collection of peaks in Taiwan, located to the northeast of Taipei.
Yangmingshan's original name was Caoshan (Grass Mountain in Mandarin), referring to the tall silvergrass that covers the highest slopes. Chiang Kai-shek renamed it Mount Yangming after his favorite Ming philosopher Wang Yang-ming (B.C 1472-1529). The tallest peak, Mount Qixing (Seven Star Mountain), has an elevation of 1120 meters, and its peak is the highest point in Taipei City. Trails leading throughout the entire park consist of basalt pavers, are steep in places, and can be fairly treacherous during periods of rain. Expect to be passed by septuagenarian locals who make the trip every week! Below approximately 1000 meters, the park is characterized by tropical rainforest, whereas above 1000 meters, scrub-like trees and tall clumping grasses are the main form of vegetation.
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