Pingxi

Pingxi is an amazing place to hike and can be easily reached on the train from Taipei. It takes a couple of hours to arrive at this small, mountain town and see the numerous red paper lantern fly off into the sky.

Pingxi is the home of the world famous Lantern Festival that occurs at the end of each Chinese New Year, usually February or March, each year is different.

Any other time of the year, Pingxi is great for hiking.  I would recommend allowing yourself at least 2-3 hours to explore as there are many dead end trails that hike up steep peaks with great views but you must turn around and go back the way you came, continue on and find another look out peak.


If you walk through the small town, take a left and follow the road for 5-10 minutes.  There will be a small waterfall on your right and a steep staircase.  This is the entrance for the hike.  Keep climbing, use the ropes and don't let the steepness or heights scare you away from the beautiful views and experiences that await at the top!

Upon your return into town, stop at one of the street vendors and enjoy an amazing sweet sausage in a rice bun stuffed with garlic and parsley!  My favorite! :)

Lantern shops greet you after leaving the train station.  Set one off before or after your hike!  You can paint and customize your own at the shop.  

Bro at the edge of Pingxi about to make our way up the road and find the trailhead.  

Taking a moment to reflect on the day's hike and decide if I should buy another sweet sausage or this ice cream peanut sandwich thing. 

Pingxi main street 

Beginning of the trail, making our climb up. 

Steep climb up, feeling a little shaky in the legs. 

On the Trail 

Made it to the top of the first peak!

Lantern Festival Photo (courtesy of  Eileen Wu)

Pingxi, February 2013