Shitan Mountain is a 967-meter peak in Miaoli County, straddling the border between Shitan and Nanzhuang townships and also known as Hongmaoguan Mountain. It is one of Taiwan's "Xiaobaiyue" minor summits, and the Lingdong Temple on its slope is a well-known shrine blending Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist worship. Massive boulders line the trail, with the Xianshan Great Rock Wall as its most distinctive feature, and clear-day views extend across the Houlong River basin.
Shitan Mountain, also called Hongmaoguan Mountain, stands 967 meters — not the 584 meters sometimes cited — and is one of Taiwan's "Xiaobaiyue" minor peaks; its original third-order triangulation marker (No. 4196) has since been lost. Lingdong Temple on the mountainside was built in 1941 and enshrines the Three Sage Lords and the Eastern Peak deity in a blended Confucian-Buddhist-Daoist shrine, rather than Xuantian Shangdi as sometimes claimed.
Highlights of Shitan Mountain
The main trail from the trailhead to Lingdong Temple at the summit is about 2 to 3 kilometers long, with stone steps throughout and several steeper sections along the way. After passing through dense forest, the terrain opens into dramatic boulders; the Xianshan Great Rock Wall is a bare limestone cliff face and the most impressive feature at the mid-point of the trail. Lingdong Temple at the summit is built inside a natural cave, with the shrine structure integrated into the rock — a visually striking result.
Lingdong Temple attracts large numbers of worshippers each year, with the biggest crowds on lunar calendar first and fifteenth days and around Xuantian Shangdi's birthday (the third day of the third lunar month). On clear days the summit has a sweeping view over the Shitan Township basin and the Houlong River valley; misty days create a different kind of mountain atmosphere. Shitan Old Street below the mountain is a good place to find Hakka food after the descent.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- By car: Exit at Toufen Interchange or Sanyi Interchange on National Freeway 1 (or 3), take Provincial Highway 6 to Shitan Township, then head toward Xianshan Village — about 30 to 40 minutes. Parking is available at the trailhead.
- Public transport: Buses from Miaoli to Shitan are infrequent; driving or cycling is recommended.
- The hiking trail is accessible all day; no entrance fee. The temple is managed by the resident staff — follow proper etiquette when entering.
Nearby Connections
- Shitan Old Street: after descending, follow Provincial Highway 6 to Shitan Old Street, where a pedestrian area offers Hakka snacks and artisan goods.
- Mingde Reservoir: heading west reaches Touwu's Mingde Reservoir, about 20 minutes by car — combinable into a single day itinerary.
- Dahu Township: about 20 minutes south by car; during strawberry season this connects easily to a strawberry-picking itinerary.
Source: Miaoli County Shitan Township Office; on-site trail interpretation signs. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Shitan Mountain?
Shitan Mountain rises to 967 meters, one of Taiwan's minor Xiaobaiyue peaks, not the 584 meters sometimes reported.
Which deities does Lingdong Temple enshrine?
Lingdong Temple enshrines the Three Sage Lords and the Eastern Peak deity in a Confucian-Buddhist-Daoist shrine, not Xuantian Shangdi.
Is the Shitan Mountain trail difficult?
The main trail is about 2 to 3 kilometers with stone steps and several steep, sometimes slippery sections, so non-slip shoes are recommended.
Sources
- 仙山 - 維基百科 — 海拔967公尺、小百岳、三角點資訊
- 獅潭鄉公所-仙山靈洞宮 — 靈洞宮沿革與主祀神明