Niugangleng Mountain 牛港稜山

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Niugangleng Mountain (aka Niuganglengshan Trail or mispronounced Niugangling) is a short and easy trail in New Taipei with perhaps some of the best views of the Taipei Basin. This popular and easy hike covers is located in the Guanyinshan Recreation Area, in Wugu District of New Taipei, and offers excellent views of the Wugu, Luzhou, Sanchong, Bali, Tamsui and rest of downtown Taipei. It should be on your list of places to visit in Taipei.

Background:
Niugangleng Mountain is a peak sitting next to the slightly taller Guanyinshan. The mountain lies at 469 meters above sea level, and Guanyinshan, the highest peak in the area, is 616 meters above sea level.
These mountains lie on the Datun (大屯山系統), which starts in Yangminshan National Park, and goes through Linkou District of New Taipei .
The rock formations that form the Datun Mountain Chain formed by volcanic eruption nearly 600,000 years ago, and has been cut down slowly by the Tamsui River.
Currently the Guanyinshan and Niugangling trails are one of the most popular trails in New Taipei. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

Length:
Niugangling: 1 hour 2 KM one way
Total of about 117 meters in elevation gain
Guanyinshan: 3-4 hours 6.1KM one way 
Total of about 322 meters in elevation gain

Difficulty:
Easy, although there are many steep steps at the beginning. 

How to get there:
By Bus: Take the Orange Line MRT to the Luzhou Station stop. Then take bus 020 to the Guanyin Tourist Center stop. The trailhead is right to the south of the Guanyinshan visitor's center.
By Scooter/Car: From Luzhou, go across the bridge to Wugu and then take Zhongzhi Road up the mountain to the Guanyinshan Visitor's Center. There is free car and scooter parking in front of the visitor's center. 
​
Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have been to Niugangleng Mountain once, because it was a faster and easier alternative to Guanyinshan. My family did not want to go with me to the top, so they waited while I did the whole climb in about 20 minutes. Such a short climb is definitely worth it for the views. 

View of the visitor's center. 

Buzzards are conserved on this mountain.

The main square in front of the visitors center. The trailhead is behind the camera above.

View of the visitor's center further up the trail. 

First view of Taipei from the trail, amazing. 

The first steps up the trail are really steep but they have nice wooden steps and railings. 

Another view of the trail up. 

After no time, you can make it to the top of the mountain. 

Definitely check out the main lookout tower on the right. 

View of northern Taipei. 

There is a sign in English that explains what you are looking at. 

View of the Taipei Basin.

Another view of the Taipei Basin. 

Photoshopped view of Taipei with no smog. 

Another photoshopped view. 

Similar view. 

View of Guanyinshan just on the other side of the valley. I think there are even better views here. 

View of Taipei Harbor and Bali below. 

Another view of Bali and Tamsui. 

View of Taoyuan toward the sun. 

Closeup on Taipei harbor which was still under construction at the time. 

Another view of Taipei harbor. 

Closer view of Tamsui and Bali. 

History of Bali.

Another wider view below. 

Down near the visitor's center there is also a small boardwalk on the side of the raod that goes through the forest canopy, which is kind of cool.

Some views from the roadside boardwalk. 

View of Lingyun Temple under Guanyinshan, a Buddhist temple built in 1909. 

​Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more of our blogs on Taiwan to come. 

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