Hiking and Climbing Ban Ping Shan

---By Andrew Addison Translated by Annie Liu

Kaohsiung is home to a sub-culture of avid hikers and climbers. Whether you are looking to join them for a leisurely stroll, a challenging hike or want to do some serious rock climbing, Ban Ping Shan is an excellent location that offers something for hikers of every ability.

Located northeast of the Kaohsuing city centre, it's a bit of a trek from downtown, but easy to find and worth the trip. Take MinZu Road north to DaJhong Road. Turn left and stay on DaJhong for ten minutes. Follow it through the tunnel until you come to CeuiHua Road. Turn right and after another minute you'll arrive. Ban Ping Shan is located just northeast of Lotus Lake.

Ban Ping Shan's trail system is extensive and can be confusing at first. Chinese-only maps are located throughout trails. Fortunately there are only three entrances into the trail system, all located within a 500-meter span of each other. Once you descend it's guaranteed you will come out close to where you parked.

Complete with boardwalks, stairs and railings, the lower trails offer a trouble-free hike for individuals of all hiking ability. Higher up, the boardwalk ends but the trails are still wide, well packed down and go all the way to the top. Individuals looking for more of a challenge should venture onto the secondary trails. With steep hills, uneven ground and thick vegetation, these hikes are both demanding and satisfying.

Experienced rock climbers should enter at the temple access-point and branch off of the primary path about ten minutes into the hike. Along this trial you'll find moderate limestone cliffs between 5 and 10-meters high. Bolts and Anchors have been installed and offer good lead-climbing for those with proper equipment. Regardless of your hiking ability remember to always wear proper closed toed shoes, to bring a first aid kit and phone and to hike in groups of three or more.