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Yangmingshan Location & Taipei to Yangmingshan Distance
Yangmingshan National Park is located directly north of Taipei City. It's so close that bordering key districts like Shilin and Beitou. This is important because most public buses going up the mountain start from these areas.
From central Taipei to the park's main areas, the distance is only about 15-20 kilometers (10-12 miles).
However, this short distance is misleading. The journey is almost entirely uphill on slow, winding roads. You are not just traveling to a park; you are traveling up a mountain.
- By Public Bus: Expect the ride to take at least 40-60 minutes.
- By Taxi/Car: This is faster, around 40-50 minutes, but traffic can be a major issue, especially on weekends or during the famous flower viewing season.
20 Must Do in Taipei: Top Things to Do & Non-Touristy Spots
Taipei to Yangmingshan Transportation Options: Which is Better
| Option | Travel Time | Feather | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 1-2 h | cheapest | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Taxi | 30-40 min | Fast & direct | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Day Trip | 30-40 min | Best for first timer | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Option 1 - Taipei to Yangmingshan Bus: Cheapest Way (60-80 Min)
| Starting Point | Bus No. | Arrival Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei Main Station | 260 | Yangmingshan Bus Terminal |
| 1717 | Zhuzhihu, Xiaoyoukeng, Dayoukeng | |
| Jiantan MTR Station | R5, 260 | Yangmingshan Bus Terminal |
| S15 | Lengshuikeng, Qingtiangang | |
| Shilin MRT Station | R5, 260 | Yangmingshan Bus Terminal |
| Shipai MRT Station | S8 | Zhuzihu |
| Beitou & Xinbeitou MRT Stations | 230 | Yangmingshan Bus Terminal |
| S9,129 | Zhuzihu |
Numerous buses travel from Taipei to Yangmingshan, with most departing from stops near MRT stations along the Red Line. To make it simple, we'll organize this guide by MRT station, starting from the city center and moving north.
It's important to understand a key difference: some buses take you to the main Yangmingshan Bus Terminal, where you must transfer to the 108 Park Shuttle Bus to reach the scenic spots. Other buses bypass the terminal and take you directly to Scenic Spots.
From Taipei Main Station (Take Bus 260 or 1717)
- To the Main Terminal (Bus 260): From the North 2 Gate, take Bus 260. It's about a 40-minute ride to the Yangmingshan Bus Terminal, where you'll transfer to the 108 Park Shuttle.
- Direct to Scenic Spots (Bus 1717): From the Gongyuan Road / Xinyang Street intersection, take Bus 1717. This bus takes you directly to famous spots like Zhuzihu, Xiaoyoukeng, and Dayoukeng.
From Jiantan MRT Station (Red Line): Bus R5, Bus 260 or Bus S15
Located 5 stops (about 17 minutes) from Taipei Main Station, this is the most popular starting point. The bus stops are right outside Exit 1.
To the Main Terminal (Bus R5 or 260): Take Bus R5 or Bus 260 to the Yangmingshan Bus Terminal, then transfer to the 108 Park Shuttle.
Direct to Grasslands (Bus S15): To go directly to the grasslands, take Bus S15 (Small 15). This bus skips the main terminal and takes you straight to the Lengshuikeng and Qingtiangang trailheads.
From Shilin MRT Station (Red Line): Bus R5 or Bus 260
The next stop after Jiantan is Shilin Station. You can also catch Bus R5 or Bus 260 here to get to the Yangmingshan Bus Terminal for the 108 shuttle.
From Shipai MRT Station (Red Line): Bus S8
Three stops past Shilin is Shipai Station. From here, you can take Bus S8 (Small 8) directly to Zhuzihu.
From Beitou & Xinbeitou MRT Stations: Bus 230, Bus S9 or Bus 129
Three more stops bring you to Beitou Station. The Xinbeitou station is one stop away on its own branch line.
- To the Main Terminal (Bus 230): Take Bus 230 from either Beitou or Xinbeitou to get to the main Yangmingshan Bus Terminal.
- Direct to Flower Fields (Bus S9 or 129 ): For direct service to the flower fields at Zhuzihu, take Bus S9 (Small 9) or Bus 129. These routes are extremely popular during the calla lily and hydrangea seasons (April-May).
How Many Days in Taipei: Itinerary for Taipei [1,2,3,4 & 5 Days]
Bus 108: Main Bus to Travel Around Yangmingshan National Park (With Map)
Once you are inside Yangmingshan National Park, the 108 Park Shuttle Bus is the most important vehicle you will use. Bus 108 runs in a continuous loop, connecting all the major attractions and trailheads.
| Bus 108 | Stations | What to See and Do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yangmingshan Main Terminal | The main starting point. Buy your one-day pass here. |
| 2 | Parking Lot 2 | The famous floral clock and cherry blossom area. |
| 3 | Yangmingshuwu | Visit the former residence of the late President Chiang Kai-shek. |
| 4 | Zhuzihu | Famous for calla lilies and hydrangeas. Best time (March to May) |
| 5 | Erziping | The trailhead for one of the most popular hikes in the park. |
| 6 | Xiaoyoukeng | The most dramatic volcanic landscape in the park. See and smell the iconic steaming sulfur vents (fumaroles) up close. |
| 7 | Lengshuikeng | Visitor center, hot springs, and the trailhead for Qingtiangang. |
| 8 | Qingtiangang | Famous for its vast, beautiful rolling grasslands and wandering water buffalo. |
| 9 | Juansi Waterfall | The stop for the trailhead leading to the Juansi (Silk) Waterfall. |
Operating Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Weekdays: Every 30-40 minutes.
Weekends & Holidays: Every 20-30 minutes.
The 5:30 PM time is the last departure from the main Yangmingshan Bus Terminal. Plan to be at your final bus stop and heading back towards the main terminal by 4:30 PM at the latest. This gives you a safe buffer to catch one of the last buses passing through the park.
Buy the One-Day Pass
A single ticket that gives you unlimited hop-on, hop-off rides on Bus 108 for the entire day. You can purchase this pass at the ticket office at the main Yangmingshan Bus Terminal. If you plan to visit more than two spots, the day pass is cheaper.
How to Ride the Correct Bus (Full Loop vs. Interval Shuttle)
This is the most important tip. To handle crowds, there are shorter "interval" (區間) buses that do not complete the full loop.
- Full Loop Bus (Red): The electronic sign on the front of the bus will simply say 108 遊園公車 (108 Park Bus). This bus will visit all the stops listed above.
- Interval Shuttle Bus (Green): The sign will specify its route, for example: 108區間 (Yangmingshan Station ⇌ Erziping). This bus will only travel between the main station and Erziping before turning back. Another common one goes to Zhuzihu.
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Option 2: Taipei to Yangmingshan Taxi: Fastest Way
Take a Taxi to Yangmingshan from Taipei is the fastest way in 40-60 min. It takes you directly to any spot in the park, which is perfect if you are short on time. For groups of three or four, sharing the fare is very affordable.
| Start Point | Travel Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ximending | 40-50 min | TWD 500+ |
| Taipei Main Station | 35-45 min | TWD 400-450 |
| Jiantan MTR Station | 25-30 min | TWD 250-300 |
Option 3: Taipei to Yangmingshan Day Trip: Most Recommended for First Timer
Yangmingshan is Taipei’s massive volcanic backyard. It’s the place you go to see steaming sulfur vents, rolling green hills, and beautiful seasonal flowers.
But for anyone visiting Taiwan for the first time, I really think booking a day trip to Yangmingshan is the best idea. You can avoid the stress of figuring out multiple bus transfers and waiting in long lines for a crowded shuttle.
The most classic and recommended day trip combines a half-day in Yangmingshan with a half-day in nearby Beitou.
First, from Taipei to Beitou, Taipei’s famous hot spring town. There, you can see the otherworldly steam rising from Thermal Valley and soak in the area's unique atmosphere.
Then, you see the park's best spots, like the steam vents at Xiaoyoukeng and the big green hills at Qingtiangang Grassland. Or, if you just love nature, you can spend the whole day in Yangmingshan. This gives you more time to see other places.
You can find tours on big websites, or you can just contact us at ASIA ODYSSEY TRAVEL. We focus on private tours and genuinely small groups. We handle the frustrating parts you haven't even thought of yet and will arrange the best Taipei trip for you.
How Many Days in Taipei: Itinerary for Taipei [1,2,3,4 & 5 Days]
Taipei to Yangminshan Itinerary
Yangmingshan is huge, so it helps to have a simple plan. You don’t need to see everything in one go. Here are three popular ideas for a great day out. You can choose the one that fits your schedule and interests best.
Classic Half-day Itinerary
This is the perfect choice if you are short on time. This whole trip usually takes about 4 to 5 hours, including travel from Taipei. The idea is simple: visit the two most famous spots, then head back.
The plan is to see Xiaoyoukeng, with its dramatic steam vents, and Qingtiangang Grassland, with its wide-open green hills. These two places give you the best feel for the park without needing a full day.
Yangmingshan Hiking Route
If you love to walk and want to spend a full day in nature, this plan is for you. The hike itself usually takes 2 to 3 hours, not including breaks. You should plan for a full day out, around 6 to 7 hours in total.
The goal is to hike to the top of Mt. Qixing, Taipei’s highest peak. The most common route starts at Xiaoyoukeng. You hike up to the summit for amazing views, and then hike down the other side to Lengshuikeng. At the end, you can reward yourself with a free hot spring foot bath.
Yangmingshan & Beitou Day Trip
This is the classic Taipei combo trip and a perfect full-day adventure. It's a mix of mountain nature and hot spring culture that takes about 7 to 8 hours.
You spend the morning (about 4 hours) in Yangmingshan seeing the highlights, like Xiaoyoukeng and Qingtiangang. Then, in the afternoon, you head down the mountain to the nearby hot spring town of Beitou. You can easily spend another 3 to 4 hours there, seeing Thermal Valley and soaking in the relaxing atmosphere.
20 Must Do in Taipei: Top Things to Do & Non-Touristy Spots
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