Always worth the effort - Tackling Mountains in Southern Taiwan (Travel in Taiwan)

Taiwan does not lack mountains. Forty-five percent of its land area is more than 500 meters above sea level; some 258 peaks reach 3,000 meters or higher. Spokes of the Central Mountain Range sprawl into 12 of the island's 15 counties. And in terms of inspiring hiking options, the south of Taiwan is every bit as rich as the northern half of the island.

The star, of course, is Yushan (Jade Mountain). Reaching a height of 3,952 meters, Yushan isn't merely the tallest mountain in Taiwan. It's the highest point in Northeast Asia. Japan's Mount Fuji is 3,776 meters; Baekdu-san, the highest point on the Korean peninsula, is 2,750 meters.

It's counterintuitive, but the best seasons to visit South Taiwan's high mountains are fall and winter...