Northern Taiwan - Taiwan - page 293

To begin, hikers walk a 19.5km (four to six hours) forestry road (closed to vehicles) to
the old trailhead. This is followed by a 4km (three- to four-hour) hike to 99 Cabin. The
next day, hikers leave 99 Cabin and hike 7.5km (four to five hours) to the base of Dabaji-
anshan peak (you can't climb to the very summit anymore).
Most hikers return to 99 Cabin the same day, and then head back to Guanwu the fol-
lowing morning. But it is also possible to hike another three days from Dabajianshan to
Snow Mountain along what is known as the Holy Ridge ( Click here ) .
Because Dabajianshan is within Sheipa National Park ( Click here ) , mountain and
national-park permits are required to climb it.
Guesthouses in Qingquan can arrange transport to and from Guanwu FRA if you re-
quest this in advance.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Beipu
03 / POP 10,400
This small Hsinchu County town (Běipǔ) pulls in the visitors with its Hakka cultural her-
itage, and makes for an excellent morning or afternoon excursion (especially when com-
bined with a drive through the picturesque surrounding countryside). There's an authent-
ic feel to the town, and it's one of the best places to try Hakka pounded tea. Beipu is
small and easy to navigate. The bus drops you off in the heart of things.
WORTH A TRIP
EMEI LAKE: HOME OF THE ORIENTAL BEAUTY
A short drive from Beipu, pretty Emei Lake (Éméi Hú) serves as a reservoir for
farmers growing Oriental Beauty tea. This highly oxidised oolong is renowned for
several things: 1) Queen Elizabeth gave it its name; 2) it's completely lacking in
astringency; and 3) it needs small crickets to bite the young shoots for the full fla-
vour to come out.
When brewed the tea is red in colour, and has a naturally sweet and slightly spicy
flavour. Like high-mountain oolong it's one of those teas that is immediately ap-
pealing, and countries such as China and India are now getting in on the action.
From what we've heard, most of what is sold in the area is actually grown in China.
For real Oriental Beauty it's best to shop in Pinglin.
While the tea is the lake area's claim to fame, visitors will most likely first notice
an airport-terminal-sized (and -looking) monastery, and the 72m Maitreya Buddha