A Complete Guide to Hiking the Big and Small Bajian Mountains | Route, Accommodation, and Application

🏔 Hiking Guide for Dabajian and Xiaobajian Mountains

📍 Basic Information
• Location: Located at the junction of Jianshi Township, Hsinchu, and Tai'an, Miaoli, they belong to the Xueshan Mountain Range.
• Height:
• Dabajian Mountain: 3,492 meters, ranked 27th among Taiwan's 100 Peaks.
• Xiaobajian Mountain: 3,418 meters, a famous triangular cone-shaped peak.
• Features:
• Dabajian Mountain is known as the "Emperor's Mountain" because of its "giant altar"-like appearance.
• Xiaobajian Mountain, with its sharp triangular cone-shaped peak, is affectionately called "Little Everest" by hikers.
• The scenery is magnificent, with views of the main peak of Xueshan Mountain and the Holy Ridge.

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🚗 Transportation
1. Driving:
• From Taipei → Take National Highway 3 → Guanxi Interchange → Jianshi Township, Hsinchu → Enter Guanwu National Forest Recreation Area. • The main trailheads are Guanwu Trailhead or the East Dalu Forest Trail.
2. Public Transportation:
• You can take a train to Hsinchu or Zhudong, then transfer to a bus or charter bus to Guanwu. However, buses are infrequent, so driving or chartering a bus is recommended.

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🥾 Hiking Route (Classic Route)

🔹 Two-Day, One-Night Itinerary (Popular)
• Day 1
• Guanwu Trailhead → Dalu Forest Trail (approximately 12 km) → Madara Creek Trailhead → Jiujiu Villa (Accommodation)
• The journey takes approximately 6-7 hours. Jiujiu Villa, at an altitude of 2,600 meters, is a must-stop for resting on the way to the summit. • Day 2
• Jiujiu Mountain Villa → Dabajian Mountain Observation Deck (Summit prohibited, only the viewing platform is available for viewing the giant rocks)
• → Xiaobajian Mountain (Summit permitted)
• → Return to Jiujiu Mountain Villa by the same route → Descend to Guanwu Trailhead
• Total journey approximately 10-12 hours.

🔹 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary (Easy Trip)
• Day 1: Trailhead → Jiujiu Mountain Villa (Accommodation)
• Day 2: Jiujiu Mountain Villa → Dabajian Mountain Observation Deck & Xiaobajian Mountain Summits → Return to Jiujiu Mountain Villa (Accommodation)
• Day 3: Jiujiu Mountain Villa → Descend to Guanwu Trailhead

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🏠 Accommodation
• Jiujiu Mountain Villa:
• Approximately 2,600 meters above sea level. Sleeping bags, beds, and drinking water are provided (request in advance). • This is a must-visit accommodation for visiting Daba and Xiaoba. It often fills up during holidays, so make reservations in advance.
• Accommodation in Guanwu National Forest Recreation Area: For a more leisurely trip, stay the night before and depart early the next morning.

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📌 Notes
1. Park and Mountain Entrance Permits:
• Dabajian Mountain is part of Shei-Pa National Park, so a park entrance permit is required.
• It is also located in a mountainous area, so a mountain entry permit is required.
2. Summit Restrictions:
• Dabajian Mountain is prohibited from summiting due to its unique terrain; you can only view it from a distance from the observation deck.
• Xiaobajian Mountain is summitable, but the slope is steep, so be careful when climbing.
3. Best Seasons:
• Autumn and winter (October-December) offer stable weather and good outlooks.
• Summer is prone to afternoon thunderstorms, while winter may bring ice.
4. Physical Fitness Requirements:
• This route is moderate to high difficulty, so experience hiking the Hundred Peaks is recommended.
• Over 20km of walking per day is required, with significant elevation gain and loss.

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🌟 Nearby Attractions
• Guanwu Forest Recreation Area: Forest trails and cloudscapes.
• Wuling Farm: A convenient stopover if you're taking the Snow Mountain route.
• Simakus Giant Trees: A famous attraction in Jianshi Township, Hsinchu.