Qixing Mountain in Taipei — online webcam

The Highest Peak of Taipei

Qixing Mountain is not just a landmark on the horizon of Taiwan's capital — it's a true record-breaker. Its height is 1,120 meters above sea level, making it the highest point within the city limits. For comparison, the famous Taipei 101 skyscraper reaches 508 meters — meaning Qixing is more than twice as tall. The name translates to "Seven Stars," and indeed, from certain angles, the seven peaks of the mountain range resemble the Big Dipper constellation.

From the summit, there is a panoramic view of the entire Taipei Basin — a plain surrounded by mountains where the majority of Taiwan's population lives. It is here, at the top, that a first-order triangulation point is installed — a geodetic marker used for precise terrain mapping. This place attracts not only tourists but also specialists studying the island's topography.

Volcanic Past

Qixing is not just a tall mountain — it's an extinct volcano. Geologically, it belongs to the Datun Volcanic Group — a cluster of volcanic peaks in northern Taiwan. The last eruption occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago, but traces of volcanic activity are still visible today: hot springs, fumaroles, and sulfur deposits in the surrounding area remind us that heat still persists beneath the surface.

Volcanic rock — andesite and basalt — has shaped the characteristic relief of the slopes. In some areas, you can see frozen lava flows that have become covered with dense vegetation over time. This creates an unusual contrast: on one hand — dead stone rock, on the other — lush tropical greenery that captures every crack.

Yangmingshan National Park

Qixing Mountain is located within Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei's Beitou District. This park was established in 1985 and became the fifth national park in Taiwan. Its territory covers approximately 11,400 hectares of mountainous terrain where unique ecosystems have been preserved.

Yangmingshan is a place where the subtropical climate meets the mountain climate. Palms and fig trees grow on the lower slopes, while at 800 meters and above, coniferous forests begin — cryptomeria, Taiwan fir, and pine. That's why the webcam with a view of Qixing Mountain shows such diversity of greenery: from dark needle-like crowns to light deciduous groves.

The park is home to over 1,200 plant species, about 115 bird species, and numerous butterflies. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom here, and in autumn, maples paint the slopes in red and yellow tones. The camera with a view of Qixing Mountain allows you to see these seasonal changes in real time.

Hiking Trails and the Taipei Grand Trail

A hiking trail 4.5 kilometers long leads to Qixing Mountain — that's roughly 6,500 steps with an elevation gain of about 362 meters. The trail starts from Xiaoguanyin Parking Lot and leads to the summit through forest areas and open sections with rock outcrops. The ascent takes an average of 2–3 hours depending on fitness and weather conditions.

Qixing is part of the "Taipei Grand Trail" — a hiking route that encircles the entire city. The mountain is located on the second and third sections of this trail, making it a key point for hikers completing the full route. The Taipei Grand Trail stretches 92 kilometers and passes through several mountain ranges, connecting the city's remote districts into a single network.

The trail is well-equipped: stone steps, wooden boardwalks, signs, and observation decks. In some sections, historic roads have been preserved, which local residents used to climb the mountain back in colonial times. The webcam with a view of Qixing Mountain shows exactly such an equipped park area with stone steps and terraces.

How to Get to Qixing Mountain

You can reach the trailhead to Qixing Mountain by bus No. 1717 from Yuanshan MRT station. This bus goes to Xiaoguanyin Parking Lot (小觀音停車場), which serves as the starting point for the ascent. The journey takes about 40–50 minutes, the bus winds along mountain serpentines, offering views of the Taipei Basin.

An alternative option is to get to Jiantan MRT station and transfer to bus No. 260, which goes to the main entrance of Yangmingshan National Park. From there, on foot or by local shuttle — to the trailhead for Qixingshan. For those traveling by car, there are parking lots at the foot of the mountain, but on weekends they fill up quickly.

It's important to consider that the weather in the mountains changes quickly. Even if it's hot and sunny in Taipei, it can be cool, windy, and cloudy at the summit of Qixing. It's recommended to bring a raincoat and a warm jacket — the temperature difference between the base and the summit can reach 10 degrees.

Temple Among the Forest

On Qixing Mountain, surrounded by dense forest, there is a small temple 仙山靝龍 (Xianshan Tunlong). In front of the temple stands a huge golden dragon sculpture "Auspicious Dragon" (祥龍獻瑞) — one of those details that make this place memorable. The dragon is traditionally considered a symbol of strength and prosperity in Chinese culture, and its presence here is no coincidence — mountain energy in Taoist tradition is associated precisely with dragon power.

The temple is small but well-maintained. Locals come here to pray and ask for luck before climbing to the summit. In Taoist tradition, mountains are considered places of power where heaven and earth come closer together, so prayer at altitude has special significance. Here you can also see traditional architectural elements — curved roofs, carved columns, and incense that parishioners light at the entrance.

Climate and Nature of the Slopes

The climate on Qixing Mountain differs from that of Taipei. At altitudes above 1,000 meters, a cloud belt often forms, enveloping the summit in a dense layer of fog. That's why the webcam lens sometimes gets covered with water droplets — this is condensation from warm, humid air that rises from the plain and meets cool mountain currents.

Vegetation on the slopes changes with altitude. Below 800 meters — subtropical forests with palms, figs, and tree ferns. Higher up — mixed forests with cryptomeria, camellias, and rhododendrons. At the very summit, vegetation is more sparse: grasses, shrubs, and dwarf trees that cling to the ground from constant winds. The webcam with a view of Qixing Mountain shows the transitional zone where coniferous and deciduous trees coexist.

During the rainy season (May–October), the slopes are covered with dense greenery, and waterfalls and streams fill with water. In winter, on the contrary, there are periods when the summit is covered with frost or even rare snow for Taiwan — an event that attracts many photography enthusiasts and lovers of unusual shots.

Taipei and Its Mountain Belt

Qixing Mountain is just one of the peaks surrounding Taipei. The city is located in a basin that is bounded on three sides by mountain ranges: Datunshan to the north, Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) to the southeast, and Figanshan to the south. This mountain belt creates a unique microclimate: in winter, the mountains protect the city from cold winds, and in summer, they contribute to precipitation.

Taipei is a city of contrasts. On one hand — modern skyscrapers, high-speed trains, and shopping centers. On the other — natural areas that begin literally 20 minutes' drive from the center. Yangmingshan National Park is a vivid example: you can drink coffee in a cafe with a view of Taipei 101 in the morning, and by afternoon already walk along a mountain trail among coniferous forest. The webcam with a view of Qixing Mountain allows you to combine both experiences — observing nature without leaving home.

Taiwan as a whole is a mountainous island. More than 60% of its territory is occupied by mountains and highlands. The highest point — Yushan Mountain (3,952 meters) — is located in the center of the island. But it is Qixing that dominates the urban landscape of Taipei, serving as a landmark for residents and tourists.

What You Can See on the Camera

The webcam with a view of Qixing Mountain broadcasts a park area with stone steps and a terrace in the foreground. Coniferous and deciduous trees grow on the territory, a green lawn is visible. The camera lens sometimes gets covered with water droplets — this is natural condensation due to the temperature difference between the warm air of the plain and the cool mountain air. A timestamp and logo are present in the upper corners of the image.

The location is a mountainous area with park infrastructure. The camera is positioned to cover not only Qixing Mountain itself but also the surrounding area: trails, rest areas, and green zones. This allows you to appreciate the scale of Yangmingshan National Park and understand what Taipei's mountain landscape looks like in real time.

The online camera operates in live broadcast mode, so the image can change depending on weather conditions: clear sky, clouds, fog, or rain — all of this can be observed directly on the screen. This is especially valuable for those planning a hike to Qixing Mountain and wanting to assess the situation on the slopes in advance.