陽明山 Yang Ming Shan

We started to dedicate our week-ends to exploring the greater area of Taipei - besides waging a never-ending fight against the dust in our flat... living in a big town has definitely some draw-backs, too. Therefore, we happily accepted the offer of Urs, our Swiss friend in Taipei, to join him for a hike in the north of the city in the Yang Ming Shan National Park (陽明山, yang2 ming2 shan1).


The area was named in honor of the Ming Dynasty philosopher Wang2 Yang2ming2 (王陽明). It offers many interesting attractions for hikers and, yes! also for geologists.

So we did never walk alone....


The tallest peak, (which we hiked, of course!) Seven Star Mountain (七星山, 1,120 m) is an extinct volcano!!!

On a clear day, one could see Taipei City from the top of the mountain.


The area is still "hot" as many hot springs and sulfur fumaroles testify.


The area obviously still is an igneous place ... or what is this sign's intention? ... Don't stand in the fire? Devils not allowed? ...


On the one hand, the hydrothermal activities led to the erection of highly scientific warning signs...



...on the other hand, they inspired the staff to write philosophic admirations about acidic clouds (a reverence to Mr Wang!?).


Nevertheless, the local people have a much more relaxed and profane attitude towards these phemomena, and utilize the boiling ponds to cook their lunch eggs.