Snow Experience, Mt. Hehuan, Hualien

The Wondrous First Ever Snow Experience

Location: No.33, Kuanyuan Fushih Village Sioulin Township in Hualien County

Until now I am still in awe of what my friends and I have recently did on our recent trip. Last day, we finally decided to travel to the snow mountains in Nantou District, Taiwan.

Even though Taiwan has four seasons, its winter season is not really snowing on all of Taiwan area but only in the highest mountains located somewhere in Central Taiwan. The place is called Mt Hehuan, it is 3020 meters above sea level. The icing of mountain caps usually happens around January to early February in Central Taiwan. We’ve been raving to go the place as some of our workmates have already gone and it’s actually the most feasible way to somehow experience snow. I mean, Japan and Korea would likely to offer this kind of experience where you can slide on snow, but that’s way kind of expensive.

Mount Hehuan (Chinese: 合歡山; also called Joy Mountain) is a 3,416-metre-high (11,207 ft) mountain in Central Taiwan. The peak lies on the boundaries of Nantou and Hualien counties and is within the Taroko Gorge National Park. Hehuanshan is a popular destination for the local people of central Taiwan. The 3,421-metre East Peak and 3,422-metre North Peak of Hehuanshan are actually both higher than the main peak.

Even before I always wonder how it feels watching those romantic movies with snow falling down your cheeks or even just the thought of lying onto the grounds covered in ice. It’s really one of my bucket lists. But the dream is to actually experience it somewhere in the America or Europe, but thankfully Taiwan would suffice.

The snow mountain was a 5-hour land travel coming from Nanzih District to the resting station of Mt. Hehuan (already at 3070m in altitude) with winding roads that took almost 1-1.5 hours. For me it was a bit challenging just going there. Firstly, we almost got into an accident less than 30 mins from our departure when the van driver overtook somebody in the freeway. Secondly, we don’t have sleep yet because we all come from night shift work so the travel on a winding road  made some of us dizzy. And the worst part was we were denied entrance going to the snow mountain because the van didn’t have tire chain which is really necessary for safety purposes. Snow chains, or tire chains, are devices fitted to the tires of vehicles to provide maximum traction when driving through snow and ice. Snow chains attach to the drive wheels of a vehicle or special systems deploy chains which swing under the tires automatically.

Our driver was so hard-headed that totally ignored our suggestions of installing the tire chains several kilometers from the entrance. He thought he could bypass the safety officers. Well it didn’t go as he planned so we went back and told us we don’t have to continue anymore because it was very far already plus the traffic is also getting in the way. Of course we were pissed because who wouldn’t? It was so hard talking to them not speaking English and us trying to convince them to go back. He even wanted us to shoulder the expense on tire chains in which we didn’t agree because we had every chance to rent it in a station few hours ago from the mountain base in which he did totally ignore. Thankfully, we agreed to mutually settle the expenses of tire chain.

Well enough of the rants and the could have been’s because bottom line, we still ended up close to touching them clouds.

Since Mount Hehuan is one of the few places in Taiwan to see snow. Be prepared to walk on muddy paths for about 2 to 3 kilometers. Drivers to this area must be ware of possible traffic congestion during wintertime. The imposing Shungshia (Pine Snow) Building is the most beautiful structure in the area. Other well-known landmarks are Kenankuan (Obstacle Course Pass) and scenic mountain peaks, which affords magnificent views of the surrounding mountain range.

Because our group were all first timers, nobody told us that we have to walk for 1-2km just to get to the viewing station. I mean, walking for that long would just be fine if it’s not snowing and it’s on a plane ground. But god, the seasickness was real. We were feeling a bit dizzy just to get through the base camp. It was a freezing -6 deg Celsius and in high altitude. But thankfully we survived and actually enjoyed playing with snow.

This is absolutely one for the books, the closest I can get to the clouds. They say it’s also lovely when it’s autumn or spring because of the landscape and ecstatic view overlooking the central Taiwan. I guess we’ll be coming back. Hiking on such a cold weather got us thinking to going back to cardio and getting ourselves fit. Hopefully by next time, there’ll be no shortness of breath and seasickness. Haha!