Jiaming Lake has always been on my Taiwan-Must-Do List, and this year I finally got the chance to witness her mystical beauty in person! As this is my first multi-day hike to mountains over 3000 meters high, I was particularly nervous about basically everything! Starting from booking with an agency to things to bring for an overnight hike, I hope this guide can give you a comprehensive understanding about what to expect if you’re planning to visit Jiaming Lake.
About JiaMing Lake
JiaMing Lake is known to be the second highest mountain lake in Taiwan. It is located at Haiduan, Taitung at an elevation of 3,520m above sea level. The color of the water changes depending on the weather. Sometimes it’s blue like the sky and sometimes it’s gray like clouds. More often, you’ll see her bathed in magical mist after midday. It’s exactly due to her versified beauty that the lake is also named “Teardrop of an Angel”.
Booking With A Tour Agency
For hiking beginners, I highly recommend that you go with a professional tour guide and a group. There are many tour agencies in Taiwan that deals with overnight hikes. The price may vary depending on the meals, tour duration and other services each agency offers. For a 3-Day Jiaming Lake hike, the price normally falls between 5500NTD and 7500NTD.
Mountain Secret
- Tour duration: 3 days
- Price per person: 7200NTD
- Services included: Transport between Chishang St. and XiangYan Entrance, permit, cabin, Day 1 dinner, Day 2 breakfast, dinner, D3 breakfast
- Prepared by yourself: lunch for three days
The tour agency I went with this time is Mountain Secret. In terms of scale and tour diversity, Mountain Secret offers plentiful mountain climbing tours that cater to all levels of hikers. However, the agency’s primary customers are mostly locals. Therefore, there could be an additional charge for English speaking guide per request. I would recommend to join the tour with some Taiwanese friends if possible. Another factor to consider when choosing a tour agency is the tour’s quality and profession of tour guides.
In terms of quality, Mountain Secret did a pretty good job. We were a group of 13 people with two mountain guides accompanying us. One at the front and on at the back. One reason to join a group is because each member’s physical condition is different, and the guides are able to identify and adjust our pace to make sure no one is being left behind. In addition, our guide was very informative and attentive through out the whole trip. He would explain the history of the places we passed by and provide some emergency tips when necessary so we stayed alert with our own conditions all time.
Taiwan 368
- Tour duration: 3 days
- Price: 6000NTD
- Services included: Transport between Chishang St. and XiangYan Entrance, permit, cabin, Day 1 dinner, Day 2 breakfast, dinner, D3 breakfast
- Prepared by yourself: lunch for three days
I’d say Taiwan 368 is one of the most famous mountain climbing tour agencies among youngsters. You can find more tour pictures on Instagram. With the increasing popularity of outdoorsy vibe among 20s and 30s age group, Taiwan 368 is no doubt their first choice. I haven’t gotten a chance to participate their tours yet. However, I’ve signed up for their Jade Mountain customized group with some of my other friends. Hopefully, we’ll get the slots soon!
Although most of their customers are locals like Mountain Secret, they do have staff that speak English. Most importantly, the guides also work as chefs who prepare meals for their customers up in the mountains. That’s probably one of the reasons why the price is a bit cheaper. I shall have more reviews about different mountain climbing tour agencies in Taiwan in the nearer future.
What to Bring?
- Backpack (40L + recommended)
- Small backpack for short hike (10L)
- headlight+battery
- Base layers shirt * 2 (insulated, quick-drying)
- Base layers pants (insulated, quick-drying)
- Base layers socks *2 (insulated, quick-drying)
- sunblock
- raincoats/pants (plastic one from 7-11 is forbidden)
- hiking shoes
- energy snacks
- medicines (eg. Acetazolamide for altitude sickness)
- lunch (bread, dry meat, digestive cookies)
- tissues
- trash bag
- slippers
- tableware
- warm clothes, beanie
- ID, passport
Jiaming Lake Hike Packing Tips
- Bag all the warm clothes with waterproof or plastic bags
- Put your heavy stuff on the top layer of your backpack
- After packing, leave your backpack on the floor to see if it’s evenly weight (not falling)
How to Wear for Mountain Climbing Trips?
Knowing the correct way to dress for overnight hikes is particularly important. The most recommended way is layered-dressing, also known as dressing in the fashion of an onion. You will have base layer, middle layer, and outer layer.
- Base Layer: thin, insulated, breathable long-sleeve/T-shirt/sportswear
- Middle layer: down jacket to retain body heat
- Outer layer: windproof and waterproof jacket, best with GORE-TEX material
Recommended Training For Mountain Climbing Trips
- Cardio: 30 minutes jogging, swimming
- Legs: Take stairs instead of elevators
- Weight: Hike with a 5-7kg backpack for at least 30 minutes
Read more: Ultimate Hiking Guide: Taitung Jiaming Lake Part 2
Viajera De Libre 
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