Running down the spine of the eastern half of the island, Taiwan's mountains are high and rugged. The granddaddy of them all is Yushan, Jade Mountain. It rises to 3,950 meters (12,959 feet)─making it higher than Mt. Fuji. It is the tallest mountain in Northeast Asia and its name originated from the peak, which resembles a piece of white jade. Huge sections are essentially out of reach for all but the fittest hikers, and will likely remain that way. A mountain pass is

The Taiwanese always point to Alishan when asked where to find natural scenery and natural beauty that will amaze visitors. This incredibly beautiful mountainous area attracts visitors from all over the world. There is a lot to see at Alishan. There are well-traveled paths that can be walked in a couple of hours and more out of the way hikes that can take more than a day.

There is the ritual sunrise at Chushan, the train to Monkey Rock, Yushan, waterfalls, caves and the list goes on. It would be hard to see everything in a single visit.

If the weather is right, you can witness what they call the 'sea of clouds'. The sky is clear as you look out across the mountains, but below you the clouds are so dense that they look like a misty, turbulent sea. It's reminiscent of 1970's van art, and you half expect a Lord of the Rings character to be hiding behind the next rock, but it's all very real, and very impressive.

The railroad to Alishan park is gorgeous, doubly so if you make the trip on a fogless day. East Asia's highest railroad station at over 2,000 meters stands at the top.

Many people from the cities "escape" to the serenity of the central mountains on weekends and holidays, jam-packing the entire region. It's best to visit the more popular areas, Alishan, Hsitou, and Sun Moon Lake in particular, during the week.

For more information on Central Mountains, visit
http://www.sinica.edu.tw/tit/scenery/0497_Alishan.html
http://www.sinica.edu.tw/tit/scenery/0497_Jade.html