The hiking activity will commence on January 1, 2016 after a national flag-raising ceremony at 7:30 a.m. held at the front square of the Headquarters Visitor Center in Yangmingshan National Park. The 4.5-kilometer hiking route will start at the Headquarters Visitor Center, pass a trail intersection by Qixing Park, include an ascension to the main peak of Mt. Qixing, and end at the Xiaoyoukeng Visitor Center. The event is open to all who are enthusiastic about mountaineering or hiking. 

 The Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters encourages New Year’s Day hiker participants to arrive by public transport, which includes Bus routes No. 260, Red 5, and No. 230, and then transfer to Bus 108 at the Yangmingshan bus station and get off at the Headquarters Visitor Center. Other options include taking Bus No. 111, 109, or 681 and getting off at the Second Parking lot in Yangmingshan National Park, or taking Mini Bus 9 or 8 and getting off at the Headquarters Visitor Center and then walking to the front square. For the return journey, participants may take the Park Headquarters shuttle bus （running from 10:30 to 12:30） or Bus 108 from Xiaoyoukeng to the Yangmingshan Bus Station, where buses bound for MRT Jiantan Station and other destinations will be available. 

This event is based on the principles of "Serenity and Gratitude". Serenity is the most important power one can utilize to become grounded, achieve inner reflection, and re-organize one's life. Moreover, serenity has a miraculous power to allow human beings to become closer to nature while in a natural setting. In A Warning to My Son, Zhuge Liang wrote, "A gentlemen cultivates his moral character through serenity and frugality. His aspiration cannot be clear if he tries to seek fame and wealth, nor he can reach a distant place if he has not achieved serenity. Learning happens amid quiet reflection; competence grows through constant learning." Only when we have serenity of mind can we see the beauty of nature; only when we have serenity of mind can we hear the harmony of nature ; only when we have serenity of mind can we experience the wisdom of nature. How much we discover from nature depends on how peaceful our inner selves are. We hope all of the participants can sense the power of serenity in nature, through which we can discover, feel, and experience the magnificence of understanding with heart and spirit. Flora and fauna in nature inspire our wisdom. We should express our deepest gratitude to all creatures on earth; there is something to learn from all forms of life. 

After the flag raising ceremony , participants will be divided into groups and led by guides of the Headquarters. They will receive a "Serenity and Gratitude" card from their guides and write down their feelings and thoughts on it （the card must be filled in to be redeemed for a souvenir）. A souvenir will be issued （while supplies last） after receiving a memorial stamp at the final destination, Xiaoyoukeng Visitor Center. 

Participants are also invited to enjoy free hot ginger tea （while supplies last） at the Xiaoyoukeng Visitor Service Center. In order to save energy and reduce carbon emissions, paper cups will not be provided this year. Instead, we ask that visitors bring their own environmentally-friendly cups. 

Because the temperature on Mt. Qixing can reach 0°C at this time of year and weather conditions are often unpredictable, participants are reminded to wear warm attire, prepare adequate rain gear （including umbrellas and/or rain coats）, and bring any necessary medications. Visitors are also urged to be extra careful when driving in the vicinity of the Park. For more details about the event, please call （02）-2861-6341 ext. 850 or visit the official Yangmingshan National Park website at http://www.ymsnp.gov.tw。