Liuhuanggu is the upstream of Beitou's Huanggang River. The valley is about 1 km long and has a width of 80-200 meters. Fumaroles, sulfur vents and geothermal hot springs dot the valley, and the heat rising from the valley form spectacular white smoke filled the valley. This is the source for Beitou's hot springs. Free parking is available as well as trails, pavilions, explaination kiosks, viewing platforms and simple portable toilets.
Longfenggu is located on the west side of Mt. Shamao, the east and southeast side of the Dunxu High School, southeast of Quanyuan Road, and east of Xingyi Road. Nanhuang Creek flows through it and it is the upstream of Tienmu's Huang Creek. Longfenggu is rich in natural geological topography and landscape, including pyroclastic rock and Mt. Wuzhi's coarse-grained sandstone. Post-volcanic activity remains active here in the form of the many fumaroles sprouting volcanic sulfur gas and natural and artificial hot springs. Many commercial hot spring baths and restaurants have been opened along Xingyi Road. Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters established a Longfenggu Park here in 2007 with accessible trails, ecology pond, pavilions and toilets, and planted 100 species of native and aquatic plants.
Shibafen Zhongzhengshan parking lot
Get on 108 park bus at the Yangmingshan main bus terminal
Mt. Zhongzheng Parking Lot (at the end of the trail)
A protected species endemic to Taiwan. Its tail is approximately 2/3 the length of its body. It weighs about five to twelve kilograms and has short forelimbs and long hind legs as well as a thick and furry tail. Its coat turns grayer in winter and greener in summer. Not commonly seen in Yangmingshan. Only reported sightings have been at Lujiakeng, Mt. Shamao, and Mt. Zhongzheng.
The Great Mormon is a commonly seen butterfly within Yangmingshan. Its elegant flight has earned it the nickname 'gentleman butterfly' among photography enthusiasts. Male butterflies do not have tail; there are two types of females, with or without tails. They also exhibit diverse variations in color. Peak season for the Great Mormon is July to August.
Latin name: Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude The tiber lyonia is found in Taiwan's mid- and high altitude mountain areas. The plant is commonly seen within the Mt. Qixing and Mt. Datun areas. It loves sunlight and cold and wet environments, and its bud and blossom-bearing branches are often used in flower arrangements. The leaves and fruit are used in Chinese medicine and are good for the back and legs.
Latin name: Eurya nitida Korthals Small, white flowers bloom from the winter to early spring. The flowers are dioecious with a slight fragrance which attracts bees and flies for pollination. The dark green, hard and leathery leaves are arranged alternately with serrated edges. They can be found in low and mid-altitude forests on the island. Yangmingshan's acidic soil is particularly suited to the plant which can be found in large numbers here.
Latin name: Liquidambar formosana Hance The fragrant maple is the most important tree species on Mt. Zhongzheng. It is a large deciduous tree belonging to the family Hamamelidaceae. The fragrant maple has a straight trunk, gray-brown bark and single palm-shaped leaves. Flowering season is from February to March. They are often cultivated along streets as shade trees.