Yu Shan: Taiwan's Majestic Jade Summit
An academic exploration of Taiwan's highest peak, its geological marvels, rich biodiversity, and cultural significance.
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Overview
The Soul of Taiwan
Yu Shan, also known as Mount Jade or Jade Mountain, stands as the highest peak in Taiwan, reaching an elevation of 3,952.43 meters (12,967.3 feet) above sea level. This remarkable altitude grants Taiwan the fourth-highest maximum elevation of any island globally. Situated within the Yushan Range, it represents the highest point in the western Pacific region outside of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The mountain's geological formation is a testament to the dynamic interaction between the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate, which uplifted what was once a seabed into its current majestic form.
A Pristine Wilderness
The area surrounding Yu Shan is meticulously preserved as Yushan National Park, Taiwan's largest, highest, and most remote national park. This vast expanse preserves the island's most significant remaining wilderness, offering a sanctuary for its rich and diverse ecosystems. The park's varied topography and climate support a remarkable array of flora and fauna, making it an invaluable natural resource.
Geographic Significance
Yu Shan holds the distinction of being the highest point situated on the Tropic of Cancer. Its location is unique as it is the only point on this latitude exhibiting evidence of Quaternary glaciation. This geological history, coupled with its position on tectonic plate boundaries, contributes to the island's dramatic mountainous terrain, featuring 165 peaks exceeding 3,000 meters.
Names and Nomenclature
Etymological Roots
The primary name, Yushan or Yu Shan, is the pinyin romanization of the Chinese characters ็ๅฑฑ, translating to "Jade Mountain." This evocative name originates from the mountain's appearance during winter, when its snow-covered summit resembles pure jade. Historically, it was also known by various other names reflecting its characteristics or indigenous origins:
- Mount Morrison: An early English name, mistakenly attributed to missionary Robert Morrison but actually named after Captain W. Morrison.
- Mugangshan (ๆจๅฒกๅฑฑ): Meaning "Wooded Mountain," referencing its forested slopes during the Qing Dynasty.
- Batongguan (ๅ ซ้้): A transcription of its native Tsou name, "Patungkuon."
- Baiyushan (็ฝ็ๅฑฑ): Translating to "White Jade Mountain."
- Xueshan (้ชๅฑฑ): Meaning "Snowy Mountain."
- Saviah / Tongku Saveq: Indigenous Bunun names, with the latter meaning "highest peak" or "sheltering peak."
- Tanungu'incu: The Kanakanavu name.
- Kanasian: The Paiwan name.
Japanese Era Designation
During the period of Japanese rule in Taiwan, the mountain was renamed Mount Niitaka (ๆฐ้ซๅฑฑ), meaning "New High Mountain." This designation arose after surveys revealed it surpassed Mount Fuji in height, underscoring its prominence within the Japanese empire. This name was later famously used in the Imperial Japanese Navy's coded radio signal, "Niitakayama nobore 1208," initiating the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Geological and Geographic Context
Tectonic Origins
Taiwan's dramatic topography, including the towering Yushan, is a direct result of its location at the convergence of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea Plates. Approximately 250 million years ago, the landmass was submerged, forming a seabed. The immense pressure from the colliding plates caused the crust to buckle and uplift, creating the island's extensive mountain ranges, which feature 165 peaks above 3,000 meters.
Tropic of Cancer and Glacial History
Yu Shan is uniquely positioned on the Tropic of Cancer, marking the northernmost extent of Quaternary glaciation. Evidence suggests that as recently as 17,000 years ago, permanent ice caps existed on Taiwan's highest mountains, extending down to approximately 2,800 meters due to the region's humid climate. This contrasts sharply with the current absence of glaciers along the Tropic of Cancer, except for the Iztaccรญhuatl volcano in Mexico.
Oceanic Proximity
The waters off Taiwan's eastern coast are notably deep, with submarine slopes plunging rapidly into the Pacific Ocean. Depths exceeding 4,000 meters are found merely 50 kilometers from the shore, highlighting the significant geological forces shaping the island's landscape and its relationship with the surrounding ocean.
Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Vegetation Zones
Taiwan's climate, situated between tropical and subtropical zones with the Tropic of Cancer bisecting the island, supports a rich tapestry of vegetation. At lower elevations, evergreen broadleaved forests dominate. As elevation increases, these transition into deciduous forests, followed by coniferous forests. The highest peaks, characterized by alpine conditions, host only mosses, liverworts, and grasses. These distinct ecological zones are all present within the Yushan area, creating a microcosm of Taiwan's diverse flora.
Rich Fauna
The wide climatic and altitudinal variations within Yushan National Park nurture Taiwan's most diverse wildlife populations. Preliminary surveys indicate the presence of approximately 130 bird species, 28 mammal species, 17 reptile species, 12 amphibian species, and 186 butterfly species. The park is often referred to as an "ark" by researchers due to its role as a repository for rare and endemic species.
Notable Endemic Species
Yushan serves as a critical habitat for numerous endemic species, representing a significant portion of Taiwan's unique biodiversity. Among these are:
- Formosan serow (ๅฐ็ฃ้ท้ฌๅฑฑ็พ)
- Reeves's muntjac (ๅฐ็ฃๅฑฑ็พ)
- Formosan black bear (ๅฐ็ฃ้ป็)
- Formosan blue magpie (ๅฐ็ฃ่้ตฒ)
- Formosan rock macaque (ๅฐ็ฃ็ผ็ด)
- Unique fish species such as Hemimyzon taitungensis (่บๆฑ้็ฌๅฒฉ้ฐ) and Varicorhinus tamusuiensis found in the Lekuleku River area.
Ascending Yu Shan
Popularity and Trails
Yu Shan is a highly sought-after destination for Taiwanese mountaineers and international peak baggers alike. Its scenic beauty, characterized by panoramic vistas, overlapping mountain ranges, deep valleys, and frequent seas of clouds, makes it a focal point of Yushan National Park. The mountain is accessible via maintained trails, though winter months may present snow and ice conditions requiring specialized climbing techniques.
Global Recognition
For enthusiasts of high-altitude trekking, Yu Shan ranks as the 4th highest island peak globally and the 3rd highest in Asia. Its allure is such that it is often combined with ascents of Puncak Jaya in Indonesia and Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia to form the "Asian Trilogy" of challenging island summits.
Summit Peaks and Facilities
Yu Shan comprises five primary peaks, with the Main Peak (3,952 m) being the most frequented. Other significant peaks include the Eastern Peak (3,869 m), Northern Peak (3,858 m), Southern Peak (3,844 m), and Western Peak (3,467 m). The Northern Peak hosts the Yushan weather station, Taiwan's highest permanently occupied building, which occasionally welcomes visitors, offering a unique high-altitude experience.
Climate Profile
Alpine Conditions
Yu Shan experiences an alpine climate (Kรถppen ET/ETf). Frost is common from November through March. Snowfall occurs at elevations above 2,000 meters during winter, with accumulation lasting for four months at elevations exceeding 3,000 meters. Snowfall averages 24.3 days annually, though this frequency is reportedly decreasing.
Precipitation and Sunshine
The mountain receives substantial annual precipitation, averaging around 3,100 mm. Rainy conditions are frequent, particularly from May to August, encompassing the plum rain and monsoon seasons, followed by the typhoon season from July to September. August is the wettest month, while December is the driest. Sunshine hours vary significantly throughout the year, with peak sunlight occurring in October and November.
Detailed Climate Data
The following table provides a comprehensive overview of Yu Shan's climate data, based on normals from 1991-2020 and extremes recorded from 1943 to the present.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high ยฐC (ยฐF) | 18.9 (66.0) |
23.4 (74.1) |
20.9 (69.6) |
23.2 (73.8) |
24.8 (76.6) |
26.2 (79.2) |
25.9 (78.6) |
22.6 (72.7) |
23.6 (74.5) |
24.2 (75.6) |
20.2 (68.4) |
16.8 (62.2) |
26.2 (79.2) |
| Mean daily maximum ยฐC (ยฐF) | 4.6 (40.3) |
4.5 (40.1) |
6.4 (43.5) |
8.7 (47.7) |
11.2 (52.2) |
12.9 (55.2) |
14.4 (57.9) |
14.0 (57.2) |
14.0 (57.2) |
13.9 (57.0) |
10.6 (51.1) |
6.7 (44.1) |
10.2 (50.4) |
| Daily mean ยฐC (ยฐF) | โ0.5 (31.1) |
โ0.2 (31.6) |
1.4 (34.5) |
3.6 (38.5) |
6.0 (42.8) |
7.4 (45.3) |
8.0 (46.4) |
7.8 (46.0) |
7.4 (45.3) |
6.6 (43.9) |
4.1 (39.4) |
1.2 (34.2) |
4.4 (39.9) |
| Mean daily minimum ยฐC (ยฐF) | โ4.0 (24.8) |
โ3.4 (25.9) |
โ1.7 (28.9) |
0.6 (33.1) |
3.0 (37.4) |
4.5 (40.1) |
4.6 (40.3) |
4.6 (40.3) |
4.1 (39.4) |
2.8 (37.0) |
0.7 (33.3) |
โ2.1 (28.2) |
1.1 (34.0) |
| Record low ยฐC (ยฐF) | โ18.4 (โ1.1) |
โ14.8 (5.4) |
โ15.2 (4.6) |
โ10.1 (13.8) |
โ3.9 (25.0) |
โ1.9 (28.6) |
โ3.2 (26.2) |
โ0.4 (31.3) |
โ2.4 (27.7) |
โ6.1 (21.0) |
โ10.6 (12.9) |
โ15.0 (5.0) |
โ18.4 (โ1.1) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 83.7 (3.30) |
67.2 (2.65) |
94.8 (3.73) |
201.2 (7.92) |
423.6 (16.68) |
459.6 (18.09) |
434.2 (17.09) |
516.0 (20.31) |
297.2 (11.70) |
145.1 (5.71) |
98.3 (3.87) |
81.6 (3.21) |
2,902.5 (114.27) |
| Average precipitation days (โฅ 0.1 mm) | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.8 | 13.1 | 18.7 | 18.0 | 18.1 | 18.4 | 14.4 | 10.1 | 8.2 | 6.5 | 147.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 62.3 | 70.7 | 76.2 | 80.0 | 81.5 | 80.8 | 77.7 | 81.0 | 77.4 | 66.4 | 65.9 | 63.1 | 73.6 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 207.0 | 158.7 | 151.0 | 139.4 | 133.8 | 135.9 | 171.3 | 150.8 | 158.5 | 213.6 | 199.7 | 197.1 | 2,016.8 |
| Percentage possible sunshine | 62 | 51 | 41 | 37 | 33 | 34 | 42 | 38 | 44 | 60 | 61 | 60 | 46 |
| Source: Central Weather Bureau2021222324 | |||||||||||||
Historical Context
Early Encounters and Exploration
The first recorded Western mention of Yu Shan dates back to 1857, when Captain W. Morrison of the American steam freighter Alexander sighted it from Anping Harbor. European access was limited during the Qing Dynasty due to local indigenous relations. Under Japanese administration, anthropologists Torii Ryลซzล and Ushinosuke Mori were the first documented individuals to summit the peak in 1900, leading to its renaming as Mount Niitaka.
Wartime Significance
The name "Mount Niitaka" gained historical notoriety as the code phrase "Niitakayama nobore 1208" signaled the commencement of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941. This event cemented the mountain's name in global military history.
Modern Relevance
Post-Japanese rule, the mountain's significance evolved. A statue of Yu Youren placed on the summit in 1966 was later removed by independence activists. In contemporary Taiwan, Yu Shan has become a symbol of national identity, featured on the NT$1,000 banknote and honored through the naming of an asteroid (546 Yu Shan) discovered in 2007. The Yushan weather station on the north peak, completed in 1943, remains the highest permanently occupied building on the island.
References
Source Citations
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References
References
- Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene Glacial Landforms of Yushan Area, Taiwan
- Yushan
- Flora of China
- Bulletin Board of Central Bank of the Republic of China.
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Important Notice
This content has been generated by an AI model and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the provided source material, it may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional geological, geographical, or historical consultation.
No professional advice is provided. Users should consult official documentation and qualified experts for specific applications or further research. The creators of this page are not liable for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information herein.