Hiking, Hsinchu

Shimen Reservoir is reputed for its beautiful lake and mountain views all year round. Connected to over a dozen tourist attractions, the Reservoir offers green parks, bikeways, lake yachts, dam, spillway, wharf, Xizhou Park, Maple Park, Nanyuan Ecological Park, and so on. Shihmen Reservoir is also a great place to admire the magnificent beauty of flowers and leaves. Fiery maple leaves and snow-white plum blossoms catch your eye in the wintertime. When spring comes, the peach, cherry and azalea bloom to compete for visitors’ attention with their captivating beauty. In the rainy season, Shihmen Dam will discharge its water, providing a spectacular view that attracts a great number of tourists. https://travel.tycg.gov.tw/en-us/Travel/Attraction/664

Tianmu Lake Tourist Resort is ranked among the first batch of National AAAA Scenic Spots, which is on the border among Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces. It consists of two strips of water area, lying on either side of Dongling Mountain. The source of Tianmu Lake connects with Tianmu Mountain and flows for 13.5 kilometers. The lake has an average depth of 10 meters and reaches the deepest at 28 meters. The lake water mainly came from rainwater and mountain streams, which have been purified by the vegetation of surrounding mountains and filtered by the underwater stones before running into the lake; therefore, Tianmu Lake has maintained the purity and mineral composition of natural spring, the water of which reaches National Class B for surface water and is considered as the best water within Jiangsu province. 　　Tianmu Lake is located about 60 to 200 kilometres away from Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou, reputed as the “Eco-Home and Dreamy Paradise”, the “Southern Pearl and Green Wonderland.” Surrounded by mountains, Tianmu Lake Resort boasts crystal clear water and pleasant climate, with vegetation coverage of 45% or more, which has become a “back garden” and “natural oxygen bar” of the peripheral cities, suitable for visiting in over 300 days a year. http://www.changzhou.gov.cn/ns_news/12134327283521

It is one of the very few places in Hong Kong that still hangs on to its old fishery ancestry customs and traditions and a real treat to visit any time of the year. It is hard to imagine that only 20 short minutes away from the sparkling skyscrapers and maelstrom of Central, you can find yourself in a different kind of sparkle: Gleaming white sand beaches with crystal clear blue waters; Contrasting brilliant green hills; Sleepy fishing villages; Fantastic fresh seafood in the waterfront... Whether for a day or only a few hours, Lamma Island is a great option for an escape from the tumult of the city. There are no vehicles or public transport here, except for service vehicles. It's either walking or bikes... a nice change of pace! https://www.hong-kong-traveller.com/lamma-island.html

Mt. Chi Zhu has a legendary story. It is said that Mr. Gan Jiang and Ms. Mo Ye (Gan Jiang’s wife) set ovens and made swords in Spring and Autumn period. The remains of “Quenching stone”, “Whetstone” are well preserved. It is recorded that Gan Jiang was buried in Mt. Chi Zhu. Mr. Li Jing, Earl in Tang Dynasty, put down a rebellion in the nearby. http://english.wuhu.gov.cn/Visitors.aspx?pTypeID=11070603

Guangzhou White Cloud Mountain is a famous historic attraction in Guangzhou, with lots of splendid scenery and places of interest, elected as the historical and new Eight Attractions of Guangzhou. https://www.chinahighlights.com/guangzhou/attraction/white-clouds-mountain.htm

The Longji Rice Terraces are located in Longsheng County, about 100 km (2 hours drive) from Guilin city. The most popular are Ping An Rice Terrace and Jinkeng Rice Terrace. The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountain top, the highest part being 880 m in elevation while the lowest part is 380 m. http://www.cnto.org/destination/guilin-2/attractions/

Son Tra (Monkey) Mountain is a breath-taking national park in Da Nang that stands 693 metres above sea level. It’s a 35-minute drive from Da Nang, making it a popular retreat amongst locals and travellers looking to escape the heat and busy traffic of the city. Locally known as the Son Tra Peninsula, the verdant mountain is also surrounded by pristine beaches such as Bai Bac, Bai Nam, Bai But, and Tien Sa Beach. Monkey Mountain was a prominent observation base during the American-Vietnam War, housing two radar domes that are now taken over by the Vietnamese military as well as a helicopter pad, which makes for a cool lookout point. A prominent attraction in Da Nang is Linh Ung Pagoda, which is also set on Son Tra (Monkey) Mountain. The stunning pagoda was built during the 18th century and houses a 67 metre-tall white statue of the Goddess of Mercy, which is set atop a lotus-shaped platform. Hailed is the tallest statue of the deity in Southeast Asia, there are 17 levels within the structure and a total of 21 miniature Buddha sculptures. Entrance to Linh Ung Pagoda is free of charge, though it’s known to get crowded with pilgrimages during special occasions. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/da-nang/attractions/son-tra-mountain.htm

The Marble Mountains are a cluster of five hills made from limestone and marble in Da Nang. It's also a well-known pilgrimage site with peaks, caves, tunnels and temples all just waiting to be discovered. Named after the elements metal, wood, water, fire and earth, Marble Mountains exist in a coastal area that is renowned for stone-cutting and sculpture about 9km south of Da Nang. The caves within the mountains hold many secrets including bullet holes from when troops used to spy on the US soldiers relaxing on My Khe Beach below and buildings standing within the caves and grottoes. There are also Buddhist sanctuaries and places of worship dotted across the mountains which are a much-visited spiritual site. You can even see a special circular cave here. It leads to the summit, where you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/da-nang/marble-mountain.htm

Ba Vi National Park is one of Vietnam’s most famous areas of outstanding natural beauty and is centred around a three-peaked mountain jutting steeply out of the landscape. The national park offers a great escape from the city with cool fresh mountain air in a mystical atmospheric backdrop of clouds, jungle and tropical rainforest. There is also a spa resort nestled at the foot of the mountain offering a host of natural therapies in an absolutely stunning setting. The three mountain summits are Dinh Vua which is the highest at 1,296m, Tan Vien which is 1,226m and Ngoc Hoa the smallest at 1,131m. Together they form a three humped crest which is often obscured by clouds at the highest point due to the varied climate at the park. Pilgrims and tourists alike usually make the walk to the summit of the Tan Vien peak where an 11th sacred century shrine stands in memory of the Mountain God. There are also superb tropical forest views and vistas all the way to Hanoi to be enjoyed from this peak. The fast-flowing Da River is located on one side of the national park; there are also several streams running through the park. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/hanoi/ba-vi-national-park.htm

Located on a gently sloping plateau, Hiruzen-kogen Heights is Japan’s leading resort area. The area is famous as the largest breeding zone for Jersey cows in Japan. Whether to take in the fresh greenery of spring or the fall foliage in autumn, the Hiruzen-kogen Heights Cycling Path is a popular cycling destination, and with hiking and camping in summer and playing in the snow in winter, the area offers visitors the chance to experience the richness of nature in any season. Visitors are also encouraged to try local gourmet offerings such as “Hiruzen Yakisoba” (noodles stir-fried in a miso-based sauce), “Genghis Khan” (a grilled mutton dish), and soft-serve ice cream and cheese made from the milk of the area’s Jersey cows. https://www.okayama-japan.jp/en/spot/1079

Mutianyu Great Wall is located 70 km away from Beijing, which makes it significantly less busy and features some fun, modern amusements, such as a cable car, chairlift, and toboggan. It has unique design and construction, having 3 enemy towers build next to each other. When visiting, each season bring their own beauty to the scenery. From green mountains and flowers to snowy mountain tops tops and autumn leaves. http://www.mutianyugreatwall.com/homePage/toIndexEn

The most famous tea plantations in Wazuka are in Ishitera. It was designated and registered as the first of the Scenic Property of Kyoto Prefecture. This tea field photo is used in many different tea places as a promotion in Kyoto. It takes about 10~15 minutes to walk there from the nearest bus stop ‘Wazuka Takahashi’. Among the tea fields there are new houses and old houses where people. There are spots for cherry blossoms and tea fields which go through winter in spring. http://visitwazuka.com/ishitera-tea-fields/

Ohara (大原, Ōhara) is a rural town nestled in the mountains of northern Kyoto, about one hour from Kyoto Station, but still technically located within Kyoto's city limits. Ohara is best known for Sanzenin Temple and particularly popular in mid November during the autumn leaf season, which typically occurs about one week earlier than in central Kyoto. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3932.html

Yungang Grottoes, one of the three major cave clusters in China, punctuate the north cliff of Wuzhou Mountain in Datong. The area around the mountain was excavated revealing 53 caves and over 51,000 stone statues. http://www.cnto.org/destination/datong/attractions/

Towering at almost 3,000 meters above sea level, Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines. Aside from being the highest peak in the Philippines, this wonderful creation is so blessed by nature. https://discovermtapo.com/9000-feet-above-ground/

Terelj National Park is the most popular destination and the third biggest protected area in Mongolia. Visitors can take leisurely strolls on meadows carpeted with edelweiss and a dazzling variety of other wildflowers, view fascinating rock formations against a backdrop of pine-covered mountains and wander along the wooded banks of a mountain stream. The park is located 80 km away from Ulaanbaatar and is one of the most beautiful places in Mongolia. There are also a huge number of adventure activities such as rafting, riding, hiking, skiing, camping. https://www.discovermongolia.mn/about-mongolia/destinations/around-ulaanbaatar/terelj-national-park

Daisetsuzan (大雪山) is Hokkaido's largest national park. It preserves a mountainous area of virtually unspoiled wilderness, which is larger than some of Japan's smaller prefectures. It is a paradise for hikers, outdoor lovers, deer and brown bears, and the first place in Japan to see fall colors and snow each autumn. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6775.html

Located in the Maros regency in the province of South Sulawesi, the Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park is a mere 50 km from Makassar or 20 km from the Sultan Hasanuddin international airport. The Bantimurung National Park has a total area of approximately 43,750 hectares and is divided into three major types of ecosystems, namely the karst ecosystems, a lowland forest ecosystem, and a lower montane forest ecosystem. The valleys of limestone hills and steep karts walls with tropical vegetation have made Bantimurung an ideal habitat for various rare and endemic species of butterflies, birds and insects. Although there are not as many butterflies today as there were during Wallace’s expedition, visitors can still observe the wide variety of butterflies within the Butterfly Conservation Captivity managed by the Center for Butterfly Breeding. Within the national park, visitors can also find a butterfly museum which houses thousands of unique and rare butterflies that have and still inhabit the area. By the butterfly center, the fascinating Bantimurung waterfall draws visitors with its powerful rush of water and refreshing atmosphere. This is a favourite holiday destination, especially on weekends. https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/sulawesi/makassar/bantimurung-bulusaraung-national-park

Travelling to the cool fresh air area of the highlands are much needed to soothe the eyes with breathtaking views. Positioned geographically on 3°10’ North Latitude and 98°23,5’ East Longitude, Mount Sinabung is located within the Karo Regency of North Sumatra province. The majestic Mountain with soaring heights of 2,460 meter has a total of four volcanic craters. There are three routes up the mighty volcano. One is well marked and the other two are less obvious. Due to unpredictable weather, it is best to always hike with an experienced guide. The thick jungle on the flanks of the mountains leads to the massive area of Mount Leuser National Park, thus having an experienced guide is essential to avoid getting lost. Sightseeing tours are designed for visitors to view Mount Sinabung’s glorious panorama from a safe zone. There are three safe zones to view the glorious panorama or Sinabung which are Tiga Pancur Village in Simpang Empat, Perteguhan Village and Tiga Kicat Village of Naman Teran. These villages are perched around 7-8 km away from the eruption centre, which made them the ideal viewing points. http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/point-of-interest/mount-sinabung

Trek through refreshing lush green tropical and subtropical forests in the lap of the Himalayas, where, you leave behind modern-day-life and venture off walking along trails that offer extreme geographic features and exotic flora and fauna. https://www.welcomenepal.com/places-to-see/must-see-national-parks-of-nepal.html

Wonosari Tea Plantation is located on the slopes of Mount Arjuna,Malang regency, East Java. This plantation is located at an altitude http://eastjava.com/blog/2012/05/23/wonosari-tea-plantation-malang/

Tegenungan is one of the many tourist places and destination in Bali, it is popular with waterfall. Tegenungan waterfall lies at Tegenungan Village, approx. 5 kilometers, south east Ubud. Bali has a selection of waterfalls that are fun to visit. For many people the idea of hiking through the jungle to a hidden waterfall and taking a cooling swim is the image of paradise. https://www.thebalibible.com/details/hidden-waterfall-tegenungan-12405

The Shymbulak Ski Resort is located 25 km outside Almaty city. There are three ski lifts at the resort with the highest going to 3200 meters above sea level. There is also a Hotel located at the Resort, enabling those wishing to ski during the day, have a place to stay at night. The resort is located in the upper part of the Medeu Valley in the Zaiilisky Alatau mountain range. It is popular for its mild climate, large quantity of sunny days and great amount of snow through the winter (from November till May). Almaty hosted the 2011 Asian Winter Games, bid for 2014 Winter Olympics, considered a bid for 2018 Winter Olympics, but decided to bid for 2022 Winter Olympics instead; Shymbulak was a venue for the Alpine Skiing events (both speed and technical), and would have been for the latter. https://www.almaty-kazakhstan.net/attractions/skiing/shymbulak-ski-resort/

Big Almaty Lake is located 28.5km south of Almaty up a gorge of the Bolshaya Almatinka River, 2,511m above sea level. The lake is within the Alatau – Eliy National park and both the Gorge and the lake are an attraction for visitors using Almaty as their base. The lake is used for both hydro electric power, and the water supply for the city, but this does not detract from the magnificent mountain scenery. The mountains, Sovetov to the southeast, Ozyorny to the south and Tourism to the southwest form a backdrop on all sides to the lake, producing some spectacular reflections, changing colour throughout the seasons. All three mountains are around the 4,000 metres high, with a glacial water running down towards the lake. The lake itself is about 1 km wide and 1.6 km long, with a depth of about 40 mtrs. It can be accessed by road or by foot, although a bus ride to the beginning of the assent, places you directly into the scenic area. https://www.almaty-kazakhstan.net/attractions/parks/big-almaty-lake/

Travel 65 Km from the city of Bangalore towards Nandi hills to be part of one of the fastest growing adventure activity in India; Paragliding. Nandi hills are amongst the most popular hill stations near the metropolitan; the tourism of which has fallen into the hands of commercialization. https://www.tourism-of-india.com/bangalore/things-to-do/nandi-hills-bangalore.html

At the time of the rule of the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's, the one thing that Maharashtra got in abundance was forts. With its hilly terrain and the ruler’s expertise at establishing forts at strategic points, the state can now lay claims to have some of the finest, strongest, and the most unique forts of India. https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/treasures/fort/lohgad-visapur

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway takes you over and through World Heritage Rainforest on a 90 minute experience, allowing time at two rainforest stations, Red Peak and Barron Falls. http://www.australia.com/en-in/places/cairns/top-10-things-to-do.html

Exploring Hamilton Island on foot can be a great way to explore its natural beauty, at your own pace. Discover secluded, sandy coves, climb to the top of the island for stunning views, or enjoy a picnic in one of the island’s many picnic spots. http://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/nature-and-wildlife/bushwalking

A wonderland of waterfalls, refreshingly cool rainforest and the chance to see a platypus in the wild awaits in Eungella National Park. Australia's longest stretch of sub-tropical rainforest, Eungella, is a must-see attraction. Travel through the lush lowlands of the Pioneer Valley, surrounded by sugar cane, stop in at Platypus Beach just after Mirani or visit the beautiful Finch Hatton Gorge. Scuba dive with the platypus, fly among rainforest canopy on a zipwire or take a stroll to one of Finch Hatton's waterfalls, before driving up the range to Eungella. See a diverse range of flora and fauna on a rainforest walk and experience breathtaking views of the Pioneer Valley, truly spectacular at sunrise and sunset. Travel to Broken River for the chance to see a platypus in the wild. Eungella National Park can be experienced as a day trip, or extend your visit to enjoy warm hospitality from one of the rainforest's many accommodation and dining establishments. https://www.queensland.com/en-au/journey/pioneer-valley-and-eungella-national-park-the

A wonderful landscape of waterfalls, lush flora and volcanic boulder formations make Finch Hatton Gorge a must-see attraction. There are many walking tracks which weave through sub-tropical rainforest. One of the most popular trails starts at the Finch Hatton picnic area and takes you on a 1.6 kilometre journey to the beautiful Araluen waterfall. The granite boulders and surrounding vegetation make this an ideal place to take in the scenery. Take a refreshing dip in one of the nearby rock pools, a cooling haven favoured by locals in summer. Keep an eye out among the rainforest for rare and unusual flora and fauna, such as the rare gastric brooding frog, the orange-sided skink, Mackay tulip oak, Eungella spiny cray and Eungella honeyeater. Adventure opportunities are plentiful, with the opportunity to scuba dive in the rainforest waters with platypus, or to zip-line through the tree-top canopy. https://www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/finch-hatton-gorge

Located in Brigadoon, this picnic and bush walking spot at Bells Rapids is a prime viewing area to see competitors in the annual Avon Descent White Water Race battle the rapids. Explore the streams and waterfalls as you wander along the nature walks beside the Avon River. The area is not recommended for swimming. Access to the rapids is via a gravel road which leads to a car parking area. Bells Rapids is also the habitat of the beautiful grey kangaroo which can be seen at certain times of the year in abundance. You will enjoy scenic views of the countryside and coastal plains on this unique circuit walk trail. https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Attraction/Bells_Rapids/56b268dad5f1565045dac057#/

Drive or take a desert safari to Fossil Rock for an unforgettable experience camping, trekking or hiking in the UAE. The formation reveals information about the planet and early species, with marine fossils dotting the crevices. The nearby Mleiha Archaeological Centre also offers guided treks, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the history of the UAE and early life in the desert. Fossil Rock is also one of the ideal places on the Sharjah map for a desert camp, where you can surround yourself with the most scenic mountain trails in the UAE, go dune driving on the shifting sands, and stargaze under the night sky. If you’re looking for nature, history and adventure, be sure to put this destination on your list of places to visit in Sharjah. https://www.visitsharjah.com/activities/nature/fossil-rock/

Jubail Mangrove Park is the first self-contained educational, nature and leisure destination of its kind in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Visit and explore a haven for avian and marine species native to Abu Dhabi at this serene mangrove sanctuary. The Park aims to enhance the awareness, appreciation and understanding of the important ecological function of the mangrove habitats that include protection of the Abu Dhabi Coastline and supporting biodiversity. A meandering boardwalk will take you through the mangroves and allow you to discover Abu Dhabi in its true essence. https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/see.and.do/attractions.and.landmarks/iconic.landmarks/jubail.mangrove.park.aspx