How to obtain Entry Permits to Yushan National Park

Taiwan, China
by Theresa Yiju Lin

It is a privilege to visit Yushan National Park. Here visitors can see many insects, plants, birds, and animals that are usually seen only in textbooks or museums. Among all six national parks in Taiwan, Yushan is famous for its diverse and unique characteristics. Visitors might enter the ecologically protected areas while trying to reach the summit. Therefore, park entry permit and mountain entry permit are required.

If visitors plan to visit the six most popular hiking trails and intend to arrive at the highest peak, applying for both entry permits is a must. Be sure to submit a Combined Application Form to the Yushan National Park Headquarter for approval. The six routes include Yushan Main Peak, South Section Two System, Ma-pu-la-su East-West System, Japanese Occupation Era Patungkuan Traversing Road System, Southern Cross-Island Highway Three Mountains and Kuanshan System and Hsin-kang Mountain System.

Yushan National Park Headquarters is located in Nantou. The Headquarters accepts applications for park entry permit or combined entry permits. Visitors can visit there by car. It is recommended to drive, ride the train, take a bus or arrange a cab.

In order to be qualified applicants, visitors must have at least a group of three people. You can have up to 12 people on can one application form, and every group of 12 people must include at least one person who holds an alpine guide certificate if you are planning to climb above 3,000 meters.

You do have the option to submit the application forms separately. You can apply for the park entry permit and accommodation permission at the Yushan National Park Headquarters first, and then turn in the application for mountain entry permit at the appointed local police station.

The process of getting the permits has driven people away from visiting Yushan. Basically, if you are thinking about a day trip, the Park allows 40 one-day visitors to be in the Park each day when it is open to the public. However, if you planned to stay overnight or for days, I recommend applying for both mountain and park entry permits.

Formosan Black Bear Out For a Stroll

This action will reduce the chance of breaking the laws of illegal entry. You do not wan to go through a district, run into the police ask you for the permits and then discover that your mountain entry Permit does not grant you the authority to visit certain areas.

If you do choose to apply for the permits separately, be aware that the Headquarters only accept applications for park entry permits or combined applications for mountain and park entry permits.

When you submit a combined application, you should include an application form and five copies of the following: a list of the group members’ names, itinerary, environmental protection guidelines and emergency preparedness measures, a photocopy of each group member’s identifications. Additionally, attach four copies of the hiking plans, four copies of the hiking route maps. Handling fees should be paid by money order to the Park and enclose a self-addressed envelope with adequate return postage. The fees will be NT$10 per person per county or city. For example, if you wish to obtain a pass to allow you to go to everywhere in the Park, it will cost you NT$40 (approximately US$1.50). You can also propose to live at the Paiyun Village or camp at the Paiyun Campground on the same form. There is cleansing fee when you stay at the Paiyun Village. If you get approved, the cleansing fee will need to be paid before the departure date. Each person will cost NT$220 per night.

Visitors who do not want to stay at the Paiyun Village or Paiyun Campground can apply online for the permission at least three days before your departure date. Remember you can only either post or apply in person.

Applications for mountain entry permits or park entry permits will be the same materials as the combined applications. However, you will only need three copies of each document.

To get a mountain entry permit, take the application packet to one of the following places in your area: Police Department at the Ministry of the Interior, Police Department of the Yushan National Park, Juchi Police Station in Chiayi, Tataka Police Department and Shinyi Police Station in Nantou, Tien-chih Police Department and Liugue Police Station in Kaohsiung, Nanan Police Department and Yuli Police Station in Hualien. Obtain only a mountain entry permit, visitors will need to either mail or apply in person.

If you want to stay at the Paiyun Village and choose to submit the applications for the permission separately, each person will need to submit an application to the Headquarters. If you choose to stay at the Paiyun Campground, an application is also required to get the permission to enter the village, but it will cost you nothing. Submit the application as soon as possible once you decide. The service is first-come, first served.

In general, applications for park entry permit may be made by mail to Headquarters seven days to three months in advance. If you apply in person, three days before the departure date is possible. You may only fax your application within seven days of your planned departure date. If you are only applying for the park entry permit, there is no handling fee.

There are some agents in the areas who can help you with the paperwork if the rules and regulation sound a little overwhelming for you, but please understand that this procedure is to protect the natural world and to ensure the visitors’ safety.

At last, when it is all set, it is always a good idea to check the weather and road conditions before entering the Yushan National Park because some of the hiking trails might be closed because of the damage caused by the earthquakes and typhoons. The weather-related situation is not uncommon especially when you are traveling during the typhoon season in Taiwan.

For more information about Yushan National Park, visit the official Web site at www.ysnp.gov.tw.