Foreigners in Taiwan - 外國人在臺灣
  • Home 首頁
  • Blog 部落格
  • Taiwan FAQ 常見問題
  • Blog Index 部落格指南
  • Maps 地圖
  • About 關於我們
  • Contact Us 聯絡我們
  • Privacy 隱私
  • Home 首頁
  • Blog 部落格
  • Taiwan FAQ 常見問題
  • Blog Index 部落格指南
  • Maps 地圖
  • About 關於我們
  • Contact Us 聯絡我們
  • Privacy 隱私

Blog Posts

Qingtiangang Grassland 擎天崗

2/22/2021

1 Comment

 
Share
Tweet
Picture
Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park is a large grassland that lays on top of an old lava terrace. It is famous for the water buffalo that congregate here to graze, and is one of the most popular areas in the park. Besides enjoying views of wild water buffalo, there are also many hiking trails and historic trails nearby. Overall it is a family friendly destinations and one of the most popular attractions in Taipei City.

Background:
Qingtiangang, literally meaning "Hill Holding up Heaven" gets its name from the KMT Qingtian garrison that once guarded the hills and grasslands here.  Officially it lies in Shilin District of Taipei, but parts of the grassland also lie in Jinshan District of New Taipei. The grassland lies 770 meters above sea level. 
The area known as Yangmingshan now was formed by volcanoes about 700,000 years ago, forming many mountains about 1000 meters or less in northwestern Taiwan. The park still features active volcanoes, vents, and hot springs.
The original name of the area was Caoshan (grass mountain 草山). During the Qing Dynasty, the area was used to harvest sulfur, and many of the hills were burned to help catch sulfur thieves, Qingtiangang likely being one of these areas. 
Sulfur mining at Dayoukeng Crater in Yangmingshan National Park started in the Qing Dynasty by a British mining company who first obtained the rights to mine here in 1897. Currently you can find lots of old mining equipment that were abandoned here. The Yulu Old Trail was built near Dayoukeng to transport mining materials, and extended over to Qingtiangang. Mining sulfur ended with the formation of Yangmingshan National Park. 
In 1927 during the Japanese era, Yangmingshan was made as the first national park in Taiwan, then known as Datunshan National Park Association. 
The area around Qingtiangang to Lengshuikeng was made into a ranch for water buffalo, and grass from Japan was planted here for them to graze.
In 1950 after the ROC took Taiwan, Chiang Kai-shek renamed the park after the philosopher Wang Yangming, and called the area Yangmingshan. 
The KMT kept the ranch at Qingtiangang and continued to maintain it. They also built bunkers here and kept a garrison of troops.
In 1985, after resolving many land disputes, Yangmingshan National Park was officially designated as a national park in the ROC era. 
In2018, a mother died after being pushed over by a water buffalo at Qingtiangang. In 2020, the family was awarded NT$3.96 million from the park and wooden fences were built around the grasslands shortly after. 
The water buffalo at Qingtiangang are actually closely watched and cared for. Although they roam free around Yangmingshan, they are watched over by the Agricultural Associations of Jinshan, Shilin, Yangmingshan, and Beitou, and well as the national park management.
In the winter of 2020 which was unusually wet, tens of cows began to die of malnutrition, therefore the park took steps to supplement the diet of the remaining cattle. Many cows were brought to lower eve lavations for rehabilitation before being released back to Yangmingshan. 
Due to its easy accessibility and nearby attractions such as Lengshuikeng and Qixingshan, it is a popular stop in Yangmingshan and has a parking lots and a visitor's center. In addition, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Taipei City. 

Hours:
The visitor's center is open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
​
Price:
Free
(car parking 30-50 NT, scooter parking 20 NT)

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take provincial highway 2A north to the Zhuzihu Lookout. Keep right until you reach the turnoff the the Qingtiangang parking lot. Car parking is limited on weekends and the number of cars allowed up the mountain is also limited. There is also paid scooter parking.
On weekends this place can be the most popular place in the park, and cars can be backed up for up to an hour or more, so consider taking a scooter or bus. 
By Bus: From Beitou MRT Station, Take Little Bus 9 (小9) to Qingtiangang Station (擎天崗).
​
Map:
Please see below: 

Our Journey:


I have been to Qingtiangang three or four times. It is definitely a must stop on your trip to Yangmingshan. I like to come here because of the cows. It's like going to the zoo but you are looking at actual wild animals.
​Check out our drone video above for an overview of the area.
Please note this video was taken with permission of Yangmingshan National Park.

360 degree panorama of people enjoying the views of a water buffalo heard at Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park, Taipei #擎天崗 #陽明山國家公園 #水牛 #臺北

Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在臺灣 on Wednesday, June 10, 2020
​Or check out the 360 degree spherical panorama above.
Picture
Qingtiangang is not the first stop you will see in the park. It lies between Lengshuikeng and Dayoukeng, and you can see some awesome views of Jinshan like the picture above from the grassy hilltops here. 
Picture
To get to Qingtiangang, you will have to pass through Lengshuikeng. Lengshuikeng in is a small area with hiking trails, natural hot springs, waterfalls, and wildlife. Even though the name means "cold water hole," the water here is not cold, and there are plenty of hot springs around including a public hot spring bath house. Click here for our full blog on Lengshuikeng. 
Along the road from Lengshuikeng to Qingtiangang, you will notice an abandoned mining location. Here they were either mining sulfur, which ended when the park was created during the Japanese Era. The sign at the site states the following:
"A visit to the mining site at Lengshuikeng"
"In 1953 the Ruiyong company applied to the Taiwan Provincial Bureau of Mines to develop a mine in the southern foothills of Mt. Qigu, at the site of a mineral survey carried out during the Japanese occupation period (195-1945). The mine (whose office was located on the site of the present Tianbao Shengdao Temple) produced sulfur blocks; after mining came to an end, the pit evolved into the location of today's Niunai (milk) Lake. In 1995 part of the mining area (at the southeast saddle of Mt. Qigu) was turned over to the Hongchang mining company, which used wet screening and percolation to refine iron sulfide ore for use in making fertilizer by the Taiwan Fertilizer Co. Later on the mine was taken over by the Yonglai company, which used the remaining chalky clay to make chemical materials. The mine was a major producer of clay for Taiwan from the 1970s into the 1990s."
​Check out more photos of the area in the photo gallery above.
Picture
Because Qingtiangang is pretty high up (nearly 800 meters above sea level), you might get covered in fog on a cloudy day. Here you can see part of the parking lot. Car parking is limited by scooter parking is always plentiful. 
Picture
"History and Culture at Qingtiangang"
"Qingtiangang is a lava plateau formed when lava flowed northward from Mt. Zhugao, and its relatively level terrain made it an important pasture area for cattle during the Japanese occupation period (1895-1945). Long-term grazing has turned the area into an expansive grassland.
Qingtiangang lies at an elevation of only 770 meters between the Qingtiangang mountain system (Mt. Zhugao, Mt. Huangzui, and Rear Mt. Dajian) and Qixing mountain system, forming a vital hub that links the two. Qingtiangang is also situated on the most direct route from Jinshan to the Shilin and Tianmu areas, and for Taiwan's pioneer settlers it was a major transportation base.
From here, you have a choice of which way to go:
1. The Qingtiangang Loop Trail, which leads off to the right and runs for about 2.4 kilometers, offers expansive views of grasslands and observation of anti-airborne pillboxes and other military sites on the mountains.
2. The trail that leads to the left was built for military purposes during the occupation buy the Japanese-the zigazagged Japanese trail, which was used for transporting cannons. (the trail, which is mostly a gentle downwards slope, runs about 3.5 kilometers to Shuanghuang Creek).
3. You can go through Qingtiangang to the historic Jinbaoli Trail Gate and visit the Jinbaoli Trail, which the pioneers used for transporting such things as fish, tea, sulfur, and cattle between Jinshan and Shilin (Also called the Yulu Historic Trail, it is a steep downwards slope to the Tianlai trail entrance, a distance of about 5.6 kilometers.)
4. From the east side of the gate, enter the Mt. Ding-Mt. Shiti Trail (about 6.4 km) and look for the Japanese fir forest that reamins from the reforestation days and the Oldham's azalea that blossom so profusely along the trail in the springtime.
Slow down and experience the rich diversity of natural landscapes, the plant and animal ecologies, and the stories of history and culture you can find here."
Picture
Back in 2018, Qingtiangang did not have any real fences, just some posts and two ropes. In the center of the grassland the ropes could be easily crossed. In the background you can see the ranch building on the mountain. 
​However, also in 2018, a mother died after being pushed over by a water buffalo at Qingtiangang. In 2020, the family was awarded NT$3.96 million from the park and wooden fences were built around the grasslands shortly after. 
Picture
By 2020, full fences had been built around the entire trail. What happened?
​The fences were built for fears of tourists safety, probably due to the court case where the park had to pay a large amount of money to the mother that died. Cattle are known to charge without warning. However after the fences were built, this may have contributed to their inability to feed properly, causing so many cattle to die in the winter of 2020. 
Above are photos of the rope fence before it was replaced, in 2018. Many sections of the rope fence were cut down as per the photo above so you could easily walk across onto the grass.
​Check out more photos of the area in 2018 in the photo gallery above.
By 2020 wooden fences had been put up, which again effectively contained the cattle inside but also may have contributed to their inability to feed properly, possibly causing many to starve in the winter of 2020.
Check out more photos of the area in 2020 in the photo gallery above.
Above are some close up photos of the cattle when you could get closer to them in 2018.
Also above are more amazing views of the surrounding area.
​Check out more photos of the area in the photo gallery above.
Picture
View of the cattle at Qingtiangang via drone in 2020.
Picture
View of Taipei from Qingtiangang from near the parking lot on a nicer day.
Picture
The Jinbaoli Trail Gate starts at the edge of Qingtiangang and heads down to where you can see Dayoukeng. ​
Picture
The Dayoukeng Crater in Yangmingshan National Park is the biggest sulfur vent area in Taiwan, and would likely be the first place to spew lava in the event of a volcanic eruption. This along with Turtle Island are the two known active volcanos in Taiwan. The area was also an important historical sulfur mine. Currently access to Dayoukeng is closed, but you can fly a drone hear with a permit. For our full blog on Dayoukeng, click here. 
Picture
View of Qingtiangang from the highest hill nearby the parking lot.
Inside the visitor's center, there are a few displays on the history and ecology of the area, including sulfur mining.
​Check out more photos of the area in the photo gallery above.
Picture
Also there are some snacks that you can get at the visitors center, like a delicious hot can of Congee. There are also bathrooms.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out more of our blogs on Yangmingshan to come!
Share
1 Comment
Jessi Millwood
10/10/2021 12:41:34 am

Natural Herbal Medicine To Cure {HERPES DISEASE} TOTALLY HERE 
Do you need a solution to cure your Herpes Disease contact Chief Dr Lucky to help and he will surely help you to cure your Herpes Virus .. I have suffered from Herpes-2 Virus for 4years ago that almost took my life. But one day I was searching the internet and I found Chief Dr Lucky saw so many testimonies on how Chief Dr Lucky helps people in curing their deadly diseases, and I contacted Chief Dr Lucky, asked him for solutions and he started the remedies for my health. He prepared herbal medicine for me and I received the herbal medicine and after using it for 2 weeks my condition has greatly improved, all my symptoms including Abdominal pain, Nausea and vomiting, Loss of appetite stopped, so I went to my doc and was confirmed negative. I am Herpes Virus free! contact the herbal doctor via his email> chiefdrlucky@gmail.com also visit his fb page> http://facebook.com/chiefdrlucky Website> Https://chiefdrluckyherbaltherapy.wordpress.com/ or his cell number / WhatsApp> +2348132777335

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

     Author 作家

    We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. ​Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country.

    ​​我們是在台灣的外國人!我們透過額部落格想要幫助外國人了解台灣生活,旅遊,和商業的環境!我們不代表所有在台灣的外國人, 我們只是想要幫助世界各地的人了解台灣美好的一切! (美國人在管理)

    Archives 檔案

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories
    ​類目

    All
    2006120221
    Aboriginal Culture 原住民文化
    Alishan-384633732423665
    Alishan-384633732423665
    Amusement Parks 娛樂園
    Aquariums 海洋館
    Art 藝術
    Basic Info 基本資訊
    Beaches 海灘
    Blogroll 部落格名單
    Bridges 橋梁
    Buddhism 佛教
    Buddhism 佛教
    Business 商業
    Business 商業
    Camping 露營
    Car Driving Test 考汽車駕照
    Car Rental 租氣車
    Caves 山洞
    Changhua 彰化
    Chiayi 嘉義
    Children Activities 小孩活動
    Chinese Film 中文電影
    Chinese Language 中文
    Chinese Language 中文
    Chinese Literature 中文文學
    Chinese Literature 中文文學
    Chinese Pollution 中國污染
    City Parks 都市公園
    Click Bait 點擊誘餌
    Coal Mining 煤礦
    Confucius Temples 孔廟
    Cycling 騎腳踏車
    Cycling 騎腳踏車
    Daily Life 日常生活
    Daoism 道教
    Driving In Taiwan 開車
    Drone Flying 飛空拍機
    East Taiwan 東部
    Ershui 二水
    Events 活動
    Festivals 節日
    Fish Foot Massage 溫泉魚
    Floral Sea 花海
    Food
    Food 食物
    Forts 堡壘
    Fruit 水果
    Geography 地理
    Geography 地理
    Geology 地質
    Golf 高爾夫球
    Green Energy 綠色能源
    Growing Bananas 種香蕉日記
    Guest Blog Posts 客人部落格
    Hakka Culture 客家文化
    Hiking
    Hiking 爬山
    Historical Buildings 歷史建築
    Historical Buildings 歷史建築
    Hot Springs 溫泉
    Hot Springs 溫泉
    Hsinchu 新竹
    Hualien 花蓮
    Immigration/Visa 移民/簽證
    Japanese Era 日治時期
    Jiaoxi 礁溪
    Jiaoxi 礁溪
    Kaohsiung 高雄
    Keelung 基隆
    Kenting 墾丁
    Kinmen 金門
    Lakes And Reservoirs 湖及水庫
    Lighthouses 燈塔
    Longdong 龍洞
    Lukang 鹿港
    Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市
    Maolin 茂林
    Matsu Islands 馬祖列島
    Miaoli 苗栗
    Migrant Workers 外籍勞動
    Monkeys 猴子
    Monkeys 猴子
    Mountain Biking 越野
    Mountain Biking 越野
    Museums 博物館
    Nangang 南港
    Nantou 南投
    National Forest Recreation Areas 國家森林游樂區
    National Palace Museum 故宮
    National Palace Museum 故宮
    National Parks 國家公園
    Natural Scenery 自然風景
    New Taipei 新北市
    Night Market 夜市
    Northern Coast 北海岸
    Not Taiwan 台灣以外的地方
    Nuclear Power 核能
    Nuclear Power 核能
    Offroading 越野
    Old City Gates 古城門
    Old Streets 老街
    Old Trails 古道
    Orchid Island (Lanyu 蘭嶼)
    Outer Islands 外島
    Pathos And Logos 情與理
    Penghu Islands 澎湖群島
    Pingtung 屏東
    Pingxi Railway 平息火車綫
    Politics 政治
    Politics 政治
    Qing Dynasty Era 清朝時代
    Railways 鐵路
    Recreational Farms 休閑農場
    River Tracing 朔溪
    Rock Climbing 攀岩
    Sailing 帆船
    Scooter Driving Test 考機車駕照
    Scooter Rental 租機車
    Scooter Rental 租機車
    Seafood Markets 海鮮市場
    Shiding 石碇
    Shilin Night Market 士林夜市
    Shilin Night Market 士林夜市
    Shopping 購物
    Sicao Green Tunnel 四草綠色隧道
    Smokestacks 烟囪
    Snorkeling 浮潛
    Snorkeling 浮潛
    Starting A Taiwan Business 創業
    Starting A Taiwan Business 創業
    Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
    Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
    Surfing 3490928010
    Taichung 臺中
    Tainan 3327421335
    Tainan-3327421335
    Taipei 101 101
    Taipei 101 2148821271 101
    Taipei-101-2148821271-101
    Taipei 2148821271
    Taipei-2148821271
    Taipei Zoo 台北動物園
    Taipei Zoo 台北動物園
    Taipei 臺北
    Taipei 臺北
    Taitung 臺東
    Taiwanese Spouse 台灣配偶
    Taiwan FAQ 臺灣常見問題
    Taiwan History 台灣的歷史
    Taiwan History 台灣的歷史
    Taiwan's Economy 台灣經濟
    Taiwan's Economy 台灣經濟
    Taiwan Temples 臺灣的廟
    Tamsui 淡水
    Taoyuan 桃園
    Taroko Gorge 太魯閣
    Tax 稅
    Top 10 前十名
    Top 10 前十名
    Top 5 前5名
    Transportation 交通
    Tsai Yingwen 蔡英文
    Turtle Island 龜山島
    Turtle Island 龜山島
    Typhoons 颱風
    Ultimate Guide 極限指南
    Urbex 城市探險
    Waterfalls 瀑布
    Weather 天氣
    White Terror 白色恐怖
    Wildlife 野生動物
    Women In Chinese Society 女士們在中國社會
    Working In Taiwan 在台灣工作
    Working In Taiwan 在台灣工作
    Wulai Hot Springs 烏來溫泉
    Xiaoliuqiu 小琉球
    Xitou 溪頭
    Xitou 溪頭
    Xizhi 汐止
    Yangmingshan 陽明山
    Yilan 宜蘭
    Yunlin 雲林
    Yushan (Jade Mt.) 玉山
    Zhongtaishan 中台山
    Zoos 動物園

    RSS Feed



Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels deals in Taiwan here.

Follow us on social media:


Follow @foreignersinTW