Taiwan's High Mountains: Jade Peaks and Cloud Forests is a first-person narrative journey through one of Asia's most breathtaking and least-understood mountain worlds. From the sacred slopes of Yushan, the tallest peak in Northeast Asia, to the whispering mist trails of Alishan's cloud forests, the author invites readers into a land where rugged geology meets ancient spirituality.
The book explores not only the physical landscapes-ridges glazed with frost, forests dripping with rain, bamboo fields bending in the wind-but also the cultural terrain of Taiwan's highlands: the songs of the Bunun, the rituals of the Tsou, and the quiet endurance of the mountain rangers who guard this fragile ecosystem.
Through a rich blend of travelogue, environmental reflection, and personal discovery, the narrative traces how each step into Taiwan's high peaks becomes an act of listening-to wind, to stone, and to memory. It's a story of resilience, solitude, and wonder in a land where clouds drift low enough to touch your hands and ancient trails carry the footsteps of generations.
This book serves both as an introspective memoir and a practical companion for hikers seeking to explore Taiwan's alpine wilderness responsibly and with reverence.