How to apply permit for Jade Mountain (Yushan National Park) in Taiwan? I’ll go through the steps of getting the permit to climb Jade Mountain.
Crowned as the highest mountain in Taiwan, Jade Mountain or Yushan National Park is extremely popular among hikers with the intention to tackle the summit.
It’s a reward, an achievement for being able to stand on the tallest point of a country which is why everyone’s trying to do it.
Climbing Jade Mountain is not as hard as it sounds.
The trek is fairly flat, porter is arrange-able to carry your stuff, well-maintained trek and clear signs, another reason why it’s so popular.
In order to climb Jade Mountain, you need to apply for the permit.
Here, I will explain the steps on how to apply permit for Jade Mountain, Taiwan.
Types of permit to climb Jade Mountain
You will need to get two permits to hike Jade Mountain: Park Entry Permit and Mountain Entry (Police) Permit.
The police permit is quite easy to get as it can be arranged on the spot before you do the hike.
Getting the Park Entry Permit is the opposite.
Since there are so many people especially groups trying to lodge the application, unless you have the Goddess of Fortune on your side, most likely you won’t get your spot or permit.
They have this lottery system to pick which applicants to be allotted for the bed.
In my case, I got my permit after the third try.
I’m not discouraging you guys, but learning from my past experience, I’m gonna share some important things so that you’ll get higher chance to get the permit.
Applying permit for Yushan or Jade Mountain is pretty similar to the process if you wanna apply permit to other mountains in Taiwan as well.
I’ve also posted about my previous tips to apply permit for Xueshan or Snow Mountain in Taiwan.
Before applying permit for Jade Mountain
Please pay attention on this section and read them thoroughly before you jump on the application form.
I will highlight the important things that you have to know before applying permit for Jade Mountain.
- Hiking Trail
The most common route are the Yushan Main Peak Trail. Usually it’s done in two days one night.
Be sure to check the trail condition and whether it’s opened.
There are some other trails that you can do in the national park area with or without permit.
Click here for the available trails and the map.
- Foreign Advanced Application
Being a foreigner, you get the benefit to apply in advance means that you’ll get a higher chance to secure your bed without having to go on the lottery draw which is conducted a month prior to the lodging date.
24 beds are reserved (Sunday – Thursday) for foreign advanced application with the ratio 10 foreigners to 2 Taiwanese.
You can apply 4 months to 35 days before the entry date.
If you wish to do single day ascent for Main or West Peak, you can start to apply from 2 months to 7 days prior the intended hiking date.
- Lodge Information and How to Check the Bed Availability
I didn’t check the bed availability at that time and it was my biggest mistake.
Even though I was a foreigner and applied for the permit in advance, I still had to be on the draw since I chose the wrong date where it had no longer space so I had to be on the waiting list.
Paiyun Lodge has 116 beds available for hikers.
You can check the availability on their website.
This is how it looks like, you can see the numbers applying permit for Jade Mountain are insane especially during weekend.
Step by step to apply permit for Jade Mountain
Follow these steps to get the hiking permit for Jade Mountain, Taiwan:
Step 1: Go to the online application website
Go to the official online application website for Taiwan National Parks Permit at https://npm.cpami.gov.tw/en/apply_1.aspx then choose Yushan National Park.
Step 2: Agree to the regulations
Read again all the regulations carefully and tick the last box to agree on the rules and regulations. Hit “I Agree” button.
Step 3: Choose the application type
Next, you will have to choose between two options: Paiyun Lodge Advanced Application or Standard Application.
If you’re a foreigner then choose Paiyun Lodge Advanced Application. Click Next.
Step 4: Fill up the route plan
- Name your group: Choose a name for your group or you can put your name as well.
- Hiking route: If you go with foreign advanced application you can choose only Yushan Trails for the main and 2 days (Tataka-Yushan Trails-Tataka) for the secondary. If it’s a standard application you can choose other trails.
- Total hiking days: Total of 2 days
- Entry date: Select the date you wish to hike. Check the closure date to be sure that the trails are accessible. If you change the date you need to re-confirm all the information.
- Schedule: Plan your itinerary here. If you want to take it easy then you can aim for the main peak only. But if you’re up for more peaks to do then you can challenge your self doing front, west, or north peak. For instance, I wanna do Front Peak before getting to Paiyun Lodge. So I’ll plan the itinerary for day 1: Tataka Trail Head – Mt. Jade Front Peak – Paiyun Lodge – End Day. Then continue with Mt. Jade Main Peak – Paiyun Lodge – Tataka Trail Head – End Day for day 2.
- Group size: Pick the number of how many people will be in the group including the leader.
- Cabin & campground reservation: Any
- General knowledge: Online learning. You do have to take the online learning provided and take the test. When you pass the test you will get a digital certificate that you will submit later along with this application.
- Will you be carrying a gps device?: Yes
Step 5: Click the next tab on header for applicant/agent
The applicant has to be at least 20 years old, same as the leader.
It doesn’t mean that a person under 20 years old is not allowed to hike Jade Mountain.
Usually this section is filled by tour agent or a person who’s in charge for the team.
Fill all the personal data: name, phone number, address, email, passport number, and date of birth.
Step 6: Fill up the leader information
Click on the next tab and fill in the personal information for the group leader.
If it’s the same person as the applicant, tick the box and it will automatically filled with the data from the applicant section.
You will need to upload a copy of your passport and fill the emergency contact, name and phone number.
Step 7: Fill up the members informationÂ
Similar to previous steps, fill all the information for the members.
Tick the box that you have obtained permission to apply on their behalf.
Step 8: Fill up the emergency contact information
Last step, fill up the emergency contact information.
He or she shall not be in the group.
It’s better to fill it with friends or family member contact, just in case emergency things happened and rescue is needed.
Make sure all the information are correct, enter the verification code and submit the application.
Once you have submit the application you will receive an e-mail confirming about the application.
The application will be reviewed by the park entry service unit and there’s a chance to get approval, or going for ballot system.
You can always modify or cancel the application, and check the application status through the website.
After your application is approved, you will need to complete all members’ personal data and the park entry permit will be issued after.
That’s it! I think the application is not as complicated as the one that I had done before because in the past I had to upload photos of me standing on the top of a mountain with elevation of 3000 meters above sea level as the proof that I had experience on hiking high mountains before.
I also had to pass the test from the e-learning course, what an effort.
If you have questions regarding the application, contact the service unit and they will help you.
I have to give them two thumbs up for the fast response and for the clear assistance.
Last but not least, Paiyun Lodge fee can be paid on the spot for foreigners so you don’t really have to worry about it. Good luck guys!
Hiking Yushan is as much as interesting with hiking Xueshan in Taiwan.
The view was really amazing. I’ve also done the Taroko Gorge Hike in Hualien which I’d really recommend.
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