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While it’s been a few years since I hiked to Teapot Mountain in Taiwan, I decided to finally write about it. Teapot Mountain is the perfect day trip from Taipei if you want to get outside without going too far.
If you want to hike in Taipei, try Elephant Mountain or Fairy Footprint. But, back to Teapot Mountain. This is a moderate to strenuous hike in Jinguashi, about an hour from Taipei.
Most of the Teapot Mountain hike in Taiwan is stairs with a little scrambling through the teapot at the top, at least as of 2016 when I was there. On the other side of the teapot continuing on to Mount Banping, it was a dirt path.
Once we got to Jinguashi, we headed right to the trailhead to get started. The trail started off with approximately a million stairs, which kick my butt every time. Once you climb the eight miles of stairs (not really eight miles, but it’s a lot) you’ll follow a maintenance road for a bit before branching off onto the trail again. There will be a sign for the trail so you can’t miss it.
Once you’re off the road, it’s quite a bit of windy trail to get you up to the top. There are a couple of pavilions and benches to stop and rest on the way up while you enjoy the stunning views. There are plenty more stairs, so fear not if you were missing them. Make sure you look behind you on your way up.
Once you get to the top, the teapot, you will have to use fixed ropes to climb through the teapot formation. This wasn’t too tough, but if you’re not a fan of rock scrambling, it may not be for you. If this has changed, let me know and I’ll update this.
Spend a little time relaxing at the top, enjoying the views of the city and sea sprawling below you. If you’re up for more of a challenge and more rock scrambling with ropes, continue to the top of Mount Banping.
The hike down Teapot Mountain is much easier, obviously, and you get to enjoy the views the whole way down. I really liked this hike and would highly recommend it if you’re looking for an easyish hike close to Taipei.
What to bring on your Teapot Mountain hike
Hat – If it’s sunny, you’ll probably want a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes. If you’re visiting in the winter and it’s cold, you’ll want a winter hat to keep you warm, of course.
Sunscreen – Sunscreen is important all the time, but especially if you’ll be here on a sunny day and doing a lot of hiking.
Water – You’ll want to bring lots of water. I would either bring a Hydro Flask (to keep it cold) and a STERI pen or a GRAYL water bottle that can filter the water for you, just in case.
Snacks – I wouldn’t say snacks are totally necessary, but if you’re doing the whole Teapot Mountain/Mount Banping hike, you might want some. You can always just grab some in Jiufen or Ruifang.
Good walking shoes – Most of the hike won’t require any special shoes. I just wore tennis shoes, but the climb through the teapot might require something a little more sturdy. I saw people doing it in heels and would do it in my Chacos if I went back.
Light jacket – It can go from cold to hot and back pretty quick. I would recommend a rain jacket, especially in winter.
Umbrella – If you don’t like rain jackets, an umbrella will probably be fine, at least if you’re just doing a shorter hike.
How to get from Taipei to Teapot Mountain
It’s pretty easy to get to Teapot Mountain from Taipei. First, get to Taipei Main Station, then take a train to Ruifang. Once you’re in Ruifang, cross the street and head left out of the train station. There is a bus stop, wait there for a bus towards Jiufen and Jinguashi. If you’re not sure where the bus is going, just ask the driver.
Get off the bus in Jinguashi and head over to the Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park. This is where the Teapot Mountain Trailhead is.
How long is the Teapot Mountain hike?
About 4Km for the Teapot Mountain hike, but up to 11KM if you continue on to Mount Banping. I would plan 2-6 hours depending on how far you want to go.
What is the best time for hiking Teapot Mountain?
There isn’t really a bad time, but clear days will be best so you can admire the views of Taipei and the surrounding area. In the summer, make sure you set out early to beat the midday heat.
Overall, I think hiking to Teapot Mountain is a great way to spend a day outside of the bustling city life of Taipei. If you’re short on time, it’s still a great afternoon or morning hike so you won’t miss out on the night markets and everything else Taipei has to offer.
Have you hiked Teapot Mountain? What did you think of it? What was your favorite hike in Taiwan?
