Sunset Chasing TaiwanSunset spots › Greater Taipei › New Taipei
Photo: Curtis Starkey
Yuanshan, Sanxia
鳶山
Tonight’s sky score in the app →
Hike: The last 15–20 minutes up steps from the parking area at the base
Getting there & back
Is tonight worth it at Yuanshan, Sanxia?
The app scores every spot from the forecast at its own sunset hour, with the seven-day outlook and the last train home. Six spots are free.
The spot
Yuanshan is the little mountain right behind Sanxia, and the lookout near the top gives you one of those views that’s limited but spectacular. You’re facing one direction only, but it’s the right one: Taipei way off to the right, the big curve of the freeway right in front of you, and the sun going down off to the left. It’s a small spot, so if there are more than five people up there it starts to feel crowded – go early if you want a place at the front.
You don’t have to climb the whole mountain. There’s parking at the base of the final section, and from there it’s just the last 15–20 minutes up steps. The hike isn’t too hard, but nothing up here is lit, so bring a light if you’re staying for the colors after the sun goes down – the steps are the reason for the return factor.
The new Sanying Line makes this doable without a car: ride it to National Taipei University Station, then take a taxi or a scooter up to the parking area at the base of the steps. If you’re driving or on a scooter, head up from Sanxia and park at the base.