[TW; 2013] Living in Taiwan Series | Elephant Mountain 象山

An impromptu trip to the Elephant Mountain...

Here goes the story: We were randomly roaming around taipei using the metro system and we realised that the new metro line was opening on that day. So we decided to follow the crowd and ended up climbing the Elephant Mountain. As it was an impromptu trip, we wore like shopping shoes and inappropriate clothes like dresses, which I really dont advise people to follow suit. Safety comes first!

So, alight the metro station 象山 and exit from EXIT2!

It was quite a distance to the entrance of the mountain... around a 10mins walk across the park and climb a small slope.

^^TADA the entrance of the mountain, pretty crowded due to the new metro station

^^Check the tiles on the stairs to make sure you are climbing the right mountain

^^Long flight of stairs

^^3/4 through and you will see the Taipei101! 

^^When you see this sign... it means you are almost there!

We waited for the Taipei101 lights on... which was around 5pm.

^^Night view of Taipei101 @ the peak of the mountain!

^^Muzhi Mountain signboard

If you are really interested there is another mountain (muzhi mountain) connected at the peak of the Elephant Mountain, so just walk over and continue climbing.

TIPS? THINGS TO TAKE NOTE:

1. Bring along some water; there is no convenience store nearby the metro station or the mountain
2. Wear appropriate and proper attire
3. We climbed without much rest and it took around 30mins; so a good gauge to plan how long you would like to spend over there
4. As the sky darkens around 5pm; I would advise to start climbing the mountain latest by 4.30pm, enjoy the Taipei101 lights on around 5pm, and leave latest by 5.30pm
5. There isn't much street lights on the hiking track, please prepare flashlights or phones equipped with this function
6. Bring light rain gear
7. Rest whenever you are feeling unwell, never force yourself
8. The steps are very uneven in height; some are low and some are steep