This trip came together because we managed to snag a room at Songxue Lodge, so I planned a relaxed 2-day-1-night getaway to Nantou with my family — a route simple enough that you don't need any special training to complete it. On day one we drove to the Puli Visitor Center for a break (restroom, grab some water), then checked out Wushe Incident Memorial Park to learn a bit about the local history. In the afternoon we hiked the Shimen Mountain trail, which is short and not too strenuous — a great warm-up. Then in the evening we checked into Songxue Lodge, where, if the weather cooperates, you can see a sky full of stars right outside the door without having to travel far at all.
Day 1: Puli Visitor Center → Wushe Incident Memorial Park → Hehuanshan Dark Sky Park → Check in at Songxue Lodge → Shimen Mountain trail → Rest at Songxue Lodge
On day two we started with the Hehuan East Peak trail in the morning. It's a bit higher in elevation, but the whole path is wooden boardwalk steps and quite easy going — just take it slow and you'll reach the summit, with wide open views. Round trip takes about 2.5 hours. Before heading down the mountain, we stopped by the Wuling monument arch — a must-photo spot at Hehuanshan — to take in the mountain scenery, then drove home at a leisurely pace. Overall, this itinerary has a relaxed rhythm, perfect for anyone who wants mountain views without packing the schedule too tight.
Day 2: Wake up early, set out at 9am for the Hehuan East Peak trail (about 2.5–3 hours) → Photos at the Wuling monument arch → Lunch near Cingjing Farm → Head home
Friendly reminder: Hehuanshan sits at a very high elevation, so it turns cold by evening and the wind can be strong — bring a down jacket for warmth and wind protection!
Let's Take a 2-Day-1-Night Trip to Hehuanshan!
Hehuanshan has quite a few trails you can hike, and some of the easier, more approachable ones — like Shimen Mountain, Hehuan East Peak, Hehuan Point Peak, and Hehuan Main Peak — are all close together, making it easy to plan your driving and lodging around them. If you've got the stamina and time it takes, you could actually knock out four or five of them in a single 2-day-1-night trip. But since this trip was about bringing my family up the mountain for some light hiking, we picked the two easier trails — Shimen Mountain and Hehuan East Peak — routes that anyone who walks regularly or gets a bit of exercise can complete at a comfortable pace, even older family members.
Nearly all of these trails are clustered around Songxue Lodge, so you don't need to worry about driving down the mountain in the dark after a hike. On top of that, Songxue Lodge itself serves both dinner and breakfast, which makes it extremely convenient if it's your first time at Hehuanshan or you just want an easy trip. The whole itinerary is relaxed, easy to manage, and won't wear you out.
Puli Visitor Center — The Best Rest Stop and Info Hub Before Entering the Mountains
Puli Visitor Center sits at a transport junction on the way to Sun Moon Lake and Hehuanshan, making it a common stopover before heading up the mountain. The grounds are spacious, with big lawns outside perfect for a stroll, some photos, or letting kids run around. Inside, the visitor center offers travel information, maps, and exhibits so you can quickly get a feel for what Nantou's surrounding attractions have to offer. There's also a parking lot, restrooms, souvenirs, and seating nearby — a great place to reset during a long drive. If you're heading up to Hehuanshan, it's worth stopping here first to hydrate, use the restroom, and check the weather and road conditions before continuing — it'll make the rest of the trip go more smoothly.
- Recommended: ⭐⭐⭐
Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area: Puli Visitor Center (Chinese)
Next to Puli Visitor Center there's a dessert and coffee shop called Blue Castle (藍色城堡), whose exterior makes for a great photo spot — worth walking over if you're interested.
Hehuanshan Dark Sky Park — Yuanfeng Viewing Platform — A Prime Spot for Cloud Seas and Starry Skies
The Yuanfeng Viewing Platform sits along the way up to Hehuanshan, with convenient parking and a wide-open view — a popular quick stop for people heading up the mountain. It happens to sit right where cloud seas tend to gather, so as long as the weather cooperates, you'll often see a thick blanket of white cloud spread across the valley, stretching into the distance like cotton candy. The sky turns beautiful colors around dusk, making the view even more stunning. Yuanfeng is also a very popular stargazing spot — there's almost no light pollution at night, so the Milky Way and star clusters are all clearly visible. If you're not sure whether it's worth heading out in the middle of the night to chase stars elsewhere, coming here first is a safe bet. Remember to bring a jacket — the wind is usually pretty strong.
- Recommended: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nantou Travel Net: Yuanfeng Viewing Platform (Chinese)
Shimen Mountain Trail — The Most Beginner-Friendly of Taiwan's 100 Peaks
Shimen Mountain is often called "the most beginner-friendly of Taiwan's 100 Peaks" — the whole trail is easy and relaxed, manageable even for kids or older family members walking at their own pace. Most of the path runs along grassy ridgelines with completely unobstructed views, so you can take in the entire Hehuan mountain range and the Qilai range along the way. On a clear day, every photo looks like a postcard. Even though it doesn't require much hiking experience, mountain weather changes quickly, so it's still a good idea to bring a jacket and stay hydrated. It's the perfect "extra peak you can knock out on the way while visiting Hehuanshan."
- Recommended: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taroko National Park official site: Shimen Mountain Trail (Chinese)
Hehuan East Peak Trail — Where High-Mountain Beginners Can Still See a Cloud Sea
The Hehuan East Peak Trail is often called by hikers "the perfect entry point into high-mountain hiking." It sits above 3,400 meters in elevation, but the trail is clearly marked and the round trip takes only about 2 hours — not too demanding overall. The views along the way are wide open, and if you're lucky, you might catch a cloud sea, sunrise, and mountain mist all in one visit. The summit platform is spacious, great for photos, resting, and enjoying the high-altitude breeze. Walking through the alpine grassland really does feel like standing above the clouds — it's a classic route highly recommended for anyone tackling a high mountain for the first time.
On the way down, it's a good idea to bring trekking poles to help support your knees.
- Recommended: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taroko National Park official site: Hehuan East Peak Trail (Chinese)
Wuling Monument Arch — The Must-Photo Landmark at Hehuanshan
Wuling is the highest point reachable by road in Taiwan, and pretty much everyone who visits Hehuanshan takes a photo here. Standing next to the monument arch, you can feel the sheer scale of the surrounding peaks pressing in on all sides. On clear days the mountain views stretch endlessly; when the mist rolls in, it feels like walking into a fantasy realm. This is also a well-known stargazing spot — as long as the sky is clear enough, the sky full of stars is absolutely stunning. Just note that Wuling is windy and cold, so bring a windbreaker regardless of the season.
- Recommended: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taroko National Park official site: Wuling (Chinese)
If you're interested, you can check out the Wuling live camera site — a fun alternative way to snag a group photo memento.
Wushe Incident Memorial Park — Understanding the History of This Land and Its People
Wushe Incident Memorial Park is located in Ren'ai Township and commemorates the 1930 Seediq resistance against Japanese rule. The park features a monument, statues, and historical displays that help visitors understand how the local people fought to defend their culture and dignity. The atmosphere is quiet and the pace here is slow — a good place to stop and reflect on the weight of history. Visiting here isn't just sightseeing, but a journey into understanding the story of this land and its people.
- Recommended: ⭐⭐⭐
Cingjing Travel Net: Wushe Incident Memorial Park (Chinese)
Songxue Lodge — The Most Convenient Place to Stay on Hehuanshan
Songxue Lodge is one of the few lodges on Hehuanshan that offers both accommodation and meals. Sitting at about 3,150m elevation, it's a top base for hiking, stargazing, and catching the sunrise — honestly, it was the one lodge I really wanted to stay at. The great thing about staying here is that you can enjoy alpine grassland, the night sky, and cloud seas the moment you step outside, without any extra travel. Both the rooms and the common areas are up to a solid standard, making for a surprisingly comfortable stay given the high-mountain setting. Great for anyone who wants to experience high-mountain scenery without too much hardship.
The one thing you need to worry about when staying at Songxue Lodge is that rooms have to be grabbed fast — bookings open exactly at 8:00am, 30 days before your check-in date, on the official website. Weekend rooms are extremely hard to snag, so go into the Songxue Lodge online booking site with the same mindset you'd use for grabbing concert tickets!
- Recommended: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Room environment: ⭐⭐⭐
- Location/access: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Google rating: 4.3 stars (Google Maps link)
- Songxue Lodge inquiry line (no bookings by phone): 04-92802980
To book a room, head to: Songxue Lodge online booking site
Our Stay at Songxue Lodge
Room Layout and Environment
4-Person Suite
2-Person Suite
Dining (Dinner + Breakfast)
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