Yushan Mountain is located in the center of Taiwan Island, and also known as Jade Mountain. It is the highest mountain in Taiwan and the fourth highest mountain on an island. Elected one of 28 finalists in the New Seven Wonders of Nature, Yushan Mountain is an iconic symbol of Taiwan, and is represented on their currency.

It runs approximately north-south for about 280 km (about 174 miles). Most peaks of Jade Mountain are over 2000 meters (about 6500 feet) high, so Jade Mountain has gained the name 'Roof of Taiwan'. In 1985, Jade Mountain National Park, which has Jade Mountain at the center, was opened to the public.

Yu Mountain consists of 11 peaks, including Jade Peak, South Peak, North Peak, and East Peak.Jade Peak is the main peak of Yu Mountain. With an elevation of nearly 4000 meters (about 13,000 feet), it is not only the highest peak in Taiwan, but also the highest one in eastern China. In the winter, Jade Peak is often capped with thick snow which makes the entire peak shine like stainless jade, hence its name. At the top of Jade Peak, one can overlook the Taiwan Strait and the Pacific Ocean. Owing to its height and steepness, Jade Peak is recognized as the most prominent of Taiwan's 'Ten Peaks'.

All of the vegetation variations can be seen in the Yushan area from low foothills to high summits with an elevation difference of 2.2 mi. Because of the climatic and vegetation variations, this environment houses the richest and most diversified wildlife in Taiwan. Studies reveal that there are 130 species of birds, 28 species of mammals, 17 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians and 186 species of butterflies in Yushan National Park. Yushan is nicknamed "the ark" by academics who see it as a home of Taiwan's rare species. It is almost an encyclopedia of Taiwan's ecological systems, a geological museum and an important habitat of one-third of Taiwan's wildlife species.

You can climb the mountain on foot or drive a car to enjoy the landscape along the road. Any season of the year is fine to visit the mountain except at some times in the winter when roads are covered by snow. At this time it is too treacherous for climbers or cars.

Of course, one should also be well equipped before the climbing. Prepare clothes to resist the cold on top of the mountain and take medicine for mountain sickness. If one has any intention of rock climbing, ropes and hooks must be prepared.