Yushan two-day hike plan

Why This Is A Keeper

The Yushan thread has a clear travel question, enough logistics to act on, and specific gotchas for foreign passport holders. It belongs as a standalone reference page rather than a buried Discord thread.

The Basic Plan

Yushan, also called Jade Mountain, reaches 3,952m. The common household plan is a 2-day / 1-night main peak hike with an overnight at Paiyun Lodge.

Day 1:

• Check in at Paiyun Mountaineering Center and show permits.
• Take the shuttle to Tataka Anbu trailhead.
• Hike roughly 8.5 km to Paiyun Lodge at about 3,402m.
• Eat early and sleep early.

Day 2:

• Wake around 2:00am for the summit push.
• Leave after a pre-summit breakfast.
• Hike about 2.4 km from Paiyun Lodge to the main peak.
• Return to the lodge, pack up, then descend to Tataka.

The full round trip is about 21.4 km. The altitude and pre-dawn summit push are the hard parts, not technical climbing.

Permit Logic

Foreign passport holders need two permits:

• Yushan National Park entry permit, which includes the Paiyun Lodge bed.
• Police Mountain Entry Permit.

The key advantage is the foreigner advanced application channel for weekday Paiyun Lodge stays. It is still capacity constrained, so the best move is to apply as soon as the application window opens.

Practical timeline:

• 4 months to 35 days before: Submit the foreign advanced application.
• After acceptance: Arrange payment for Paiyun Lodge.
• 124 to 3 days before: Handle the Police Mountain Entry Permit if it was not automated.
• 30 days before: Book Dongpu Lodge if using an acclimatization night.
• 10 to 7 days before: Order meals and sleeping bag rental.
• 5 days before: Download permits.

Best Timing

The strongest months are April, October, and November. These avoid the worst snow concerns and reduce typhoon-season risk.

Avoid winter unless the group is ready for winter mountain conditions, extra forms, and gear such as crampons, helmet, and ice axe.

Gear And Prep

Essentials:

• Broken-in hiking boots.
• Headlamp and spare batteries.
• Warm layers for summit temperatures.
• Rain jacket and rain pants.
• At least 2L water capacity.
• Snacks and energy food.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Small summit daypack.
• Physical passport for check-in.

Nice to have:

• Trekking poles.
• Hand or toe warmers.
• Doctor-guided altitude medication if appropriate.

Main Risks

• Paiyun Lodge foreigner quota can fill quickly.
• Weekday rules matter for the advanced foreigner path.
• The passport details on the application must match the physical passport.
• Coming from sea level makes an acclimatization night at Dongpu worth considering.
• Meal and sleeping bag ordering has its own deadline.