1. I want to go mountain climbing? Do I need to apply? How long does it take?
(1)Mt.Qilai, QilaiNorthPeak, QilaiMountains, East section of Mt.Qilai, QilaiSouthPeak, Mt.Nanhu, Nanhu-Zhongyangjian, Section 1.~2. North of Central Mts., Section 2. North of Central Mts., Mt. Shuan-Mt. Lingming, Mt.Shuan single ascent, Bilu- Yangtou Trek, Mt.Qingshui, and other routes: Apply 7-30 days before park entry. Seven working days are needed to process the application (not including weekends and holidays)
(2)Mt.Yangtou, Mt.Bilu single ascent route:Apply 3-30 days before park entry.Three working days are needed to process the application (not including weekends and holidays)
(3)The application time for Zhuilu Old Road is before 10am the day before entering on Tuesday to Friday and before 10 am on Friday for Saturday to Monday entry. Three working days are needed to process the application (not including weekends and holidays)
※If there is an error in the application, the time required for correction to be made is not included in the number of working days needed to process the application.
2. When do I apply and how?
Make an application through the online ecological protection area entry permit application system within 30 days of departure. The system accepts applications from 07:00 to 23:00 in the order they are received and processed.
3. If I already have an ecological protection area entry permit where do I get a mountain entry permit?
(1)When an application has been made in the ecological protection area entry permit application system, click “Also apply for mountain entry permit”at the bottom of the application,when the application for an entry permit is approved, go to the National Police Agency-“Mountain Entry Permit Application System” at and enquire about application work form filling in:
*Applicant’s ID no./passport no. →fill in team leader’s ID no.
*Application date→fill in the date the application was approved-that is the day the notification(a text message) was received from the ecological protection area permit application system, and you can then login in, download and print out the mountain entry permit.
(2) If “Also apply for mountain entry permit” is not clicked or after checking this application’s information cannot be found, please apply directly throughthe NationalPoliceAgency-“Mountain Entry Permit Application System” at
4.What is load limitation? What happens when the limit is reached?
(1)The load limitation implemented by the park HQ refers to the limit on the numbers of visitors to certain areas every day.The park HQ implements visitor number control in accordance with subparagraph 10 of Article 8 of the National Park Act:“Ecological protection area: refers to the area where the natural biotic communities shall be stringently protected from development and shall be used only for scientific research.”The standard is set in accordance to the ecological fragility of each area and takes into account existing facilities and camping space in the area. The objective is not just to protect the fragile ecological environment; it’s also to maintain the quality of activities in each area.
For example: The visitors limit for the Qilai mountain area is 40 people on an ordinary day and 60 peopleat weekend/holiday time; Mt. Nanhu: 60 peopleon an ordinary day and 100 peopleat weekend and holiday times; Zhuilu Old Road: 96peopleordinary time, 156peopleat weekend and holiday time.
(2)There are 20 standby places on each route every day. When a route is fully booked the system will automatically register applicants as “standby”. If an already approved party cancels for that day and the number of free places is less than the number of people in the team on the standby list, the system will automatically contact the first standby team’s leader by text and email informing them that places are available; if the notified party does not take the places within two days they will offered to the next party on the standby list. The expired date of standby application will be according to the time limit for application for each route.
5. How domountain cabin beds be allocated? Is there a standby list for beds?
(1) To apply for a mountain cabin bedonline, the applicant selects the relevant mountain cabinand the system will automatically allocate a bed in accordance with application time, reference number and approval situation.
(2) Bed standby:When the beds in each cabin are fully booked, every day the system will tell the applicant to take a tent with them.If beds become available because of cancellation by another team, the system will allocate the available beds to a team on the standby list in order of application time.Standby time ends one day before the date of team departure.
6. Do I need an ecological protection area entry permit to visitMt. Hehuan?
The Mt. Hehuan area including the main peak, west peak, north peak, east peak of Mt. Hehuan and Mt. Shimen are not in an ecological protection area so a permit is not needed (the north peak and west peak of Mt. Hehuan require that a mountain entry permit is obtained from a police unit in advance.)
7. Do I need an ecological protection area entry permit for Mt.Pingfeng?
Mt.Pingfeng is not in an ecological protection area so a permit is not required;a mountain entry permit must be obtained from a police unit in advance, however.
8. Why was my ecological protection area entry permit application rejected?
When applications are examined, if they are not filled in completely, itinerary or location are incorrect or the load limitation is exceeded, the application will be returned with a detailed explanation. The system will also automatically send the applicanta text message and email notifying them to go online and revise the application’s information within 48 hours of receivingnotification. If the application has not been revised and sent within 48 hours, it will not be accepted and a new application will be required.
9. My ecological protection area entry permit application has been approved; how do I pick-up the permit?
When the ecological protection area entry permit application is approved, a permit will not be sent to the applicant by mail. Applicants must, after being notified, go to the website and print out the permit ( input ID number and password to enter the ecological protection area application system, click on “view application progress,” then click on “print permit”for the application, then click on ‘Print this page” on the permit page.
10. My ecological protection area entry permit application has been approved, but I can’t make the trip;how do I cancel it?
If you cannot make the trip after an ecological protection area entry permit application has been approved, please cancel this application in the application system at least two days ahead of the planned date of entry or cancel the application by phone during office hours (03)862-1576. When cancelling an application online, it can be cancelled for the whole group or individuals. If applications are not cancelled according to the regulations, one penalty point will be recorded. Query for Mt. Qilai routes please call 04-25991195; for Zhuilu Old Road pleasecall 03-8612521or 8612528 ext 15.
11. My ecological protection area entry permit application has been approved; can I change the members of my team or the date of entry?
After an ecological protection area entry permit application has been approved; the date and personnel cannot be changed or added. The application can be cancelled (for the whole team or for individuals);newly added personnel must make a separate application.
12. Is an ecological protection area entry permit needed for QilaiSouthPeak and Mt.Nanhua?
Mt.Nanhua is not in an ecological protection area so a permit is not required;a mountain entry permit must be obtained from a police unit in advance, however.For entry into an ecological protection area, please obtain a permit according to the regulations. For example,“the Songxue Lodge->QilaiMainPeak->Kaluolou Cliff->QilaiSouthPeak->Tianchi routes” needs an ecological protection area entry permit. (To enter the QilaiSouthPeak area should apply for a permit in accordance with the regulations.)
13. How do I get to Zhuilu Old Road? Is transport available?
(1)If you self-drive (car or motorcycle),please park in the parking spaces provided or inside the white line in a wide space at the side of the road (the red lines indicate where parking is forbidden).
(2)A bus operated by Hualian Bus Co. or taxi can also be used to reach Zhuilu Old Road.
※Suggestion: To do the full Zhuilu Old Road route(10.3km), please park your cars at the small parking lot by CimuBridge. To do the half route(3.1km one way, 6.2 km for a round trip), please park your car nearby Xipan helmet borrowing/returing service station inside the white line in a wide space at the side of the main road(the provincial Hwy. no. 8).
14. Why do I have to fill in the name of someone who will stay behind (rear personnel) when my team climbs?Why do they need to stay behind?
Rear personnel refers to people (friends or family) who do not climb with the team and contact the team at irregularintervals every day to keep track of their location. If the team gets into difficulty and needs help or rescue, they will be able to notify the authorities immediately;rear personnel are the guardian angels of the climbing team (rear personnel must be Taiwan, ROCcitizens)
15. If I have applied to do the full Zhuilu Old Road route but for some reasons can no longer do it, can I change to the half-route?
If your application to do the full route has been approved but you,for some reason, need to change to the half-route, you can directly enter at the 3.1K turnaround entry point (Zhuilu Suspension Bridge-located at the east trailhead of the Swallow Grotto(Yanzikou) trail);please pass your ecological protection area entry permit to the caretaker onsite. If your approved application was for turnaround at the 3.1 Kpoint(The Zhuilu outpost) you cannot change for doing the full route. Please follow the regulations.
※For the full route entering at the western end and exiting at the eastern end,enter 7-9am at Cimu Bridge; for east end entry and east end exit, enter at ZhuiluSuspensionBridge 7-10 am. If the regulations are broken the whole team will be barred from entering ecological protection areas and archeological protection areas for one year.