Qingtiangang Grassland — Attraction in Taipei

Once you're there it's lovely. Some great walks of varying lengths, it's up to you which trails you take, there are shorter ones suitable for older folks or people with kids and there are longer, more strenuous ones for the hardy.

Getting there from Taipei:

You can do the whole trip on the Easycard. Tap in when you get on the bus and tap out when you get off.

Take the metro to Jiantan Station (on the red line). Just outside the station is a selection of bus stops. You want to take the s15 bus and ride it all the way to the final stop which is the grasslands visitor centre. The bus is very small, maybe only 20 sitting and 15 standing and there was always a queue so you will probably find that you need to line up and wait until you can get on - don't assume you can turn up and get the first bus, you'll almost certainly join a queue and have to watch the bus come and go at least once before you can get on. (Use the toilet at the metro station before you queue so you don't end up spending two hours holding it in!) The bus was packed from the first stop onwards so you basically have to get it at Jiantan station or not at all. Likewise for the return journey. This also means plan your return timing well so that you don't miss the last bus back. There's a timetable in the visitor centre.

Once you're there it's actually quite cold so bring something extra to wear or a raincoat because I found that it was hot in Taipei and cold and wet up in the grassland. Don't assume just because it's warm in the city it will be warm when you get there. It's quite high up.

Once you get back down, if you can time it so it's after 4.30ish then you can check out nearby Shilin night market while you're...

Had a fantastic trip. Tips for those looking to rely on public transportation:

1. Visited on Saturday, took 8am S15 bus from Jiantan Station. Once you get to the Jiantan Station, exit via Exit 1 and turn left to the bus stop. The bus stop (pic1) is actually closest to Exit 1, not Exit 3 as claimed by Google. At the bus stop, look for the line for the S15 bus . You will need to get in line for that specific bus. We got there at 745AM and we were the 4th in line. It’s a smallish bus (about 20pax) so who arrived from 755AM needed to stand. Do not get on at Shihlin Station unless you are okay to stand. There are convenience stores and a water fountain at Jiantan station.

2. The bus journey is NTD15 per person and took 35 mins (our driver was FAST). Tap on and tap off. Frequency is 30 mins and the bus was punctual. You can stand but the road is pretty windy.

3. For the return journey, take S15 from the bus stop in pic2. You must get in line again. We took the 1016AM bus down and it was pretty empty, plenty of seats.

4. Overall, recommend going EARLY. It started getting busier with tour groups at 10+. The sun also got much harsher.

5. Clean restrooms at the start of the trail. There was also a vending machine selling drinks. Saw a sign for a food store but not sure if it’s opened.

6. Pretty easy walk on gravel and paved rocks. Some elevation though. Wear sun protective clothing. Midpoint on the circular track, there’s a shelter for reprieve from the sun - you can have your packed food here!

7. The carpark here is small and was getting pretty full at 10+. May be issues with getting a...

Qingtiangang Grassland (a.k.a. “Sun Valley”) is situated in the heart of the Datun Mountain Range. It is a flat, saddle-shaped area encircled by Mt. Zhuzi, Mt. Qigu, Mt. Ding and Mt. Huangzui that used to be a terrace formed by lava from Mt. Zhugao. Qingtiangang was designated by Japanese colonial rulers as the site of the Dalingzhi Ranch for tea-growing and cattle-herding purposes. After taking over Taiwan, the Chinese nationalist government established the Yangmingshan Ranch in the Qingtiangang /Lengshuikeng area, following the original Japanese tradition. Once Taipei City was placed under the administration of the Executive Yuan, the Taipei City Farmers’ Association became responsible for the ranch operations, with the cattle herds on Qingtiangang being owned by farmers in Beitou, Shilin and Jinshan. With gently rolling meadows and dazzling verdancy, the evenly surfaced Qingtiangang is a wonderful outdoor classroom for grassland observation, and the most popular hiking destination in Yangmingshan National Park, with a foot path impressively lined with undulating grass and...