Is Junjianyan (Battleship Rock) beginner-friendly? For anyone living in the greater Taipei area who wants to hike and reach the summit in under half an hour, taking in a stunning view over the whole city, Junjianyan Family Trail is absolutely worth recommending — no need to drive all the way to Hsinchu's Xiuluan to get that hiking experience! Junjianyan sits at roughly 185 metres elevation, the southernmost peak of the Datun volcanic range. Along the trail you can admire striking rock formations, and although the path keeps climbing, the steps never get too steep, making for a comfortably gentle walk suited to all ages. Thanks to its unusual terrain, Junjianyan has also become a famous Instagram photo spot.

Junjianyan trail map

There are actually several trailheads leading up to Junjianyan. The one starting from inside National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University is notably shorter than the other routes (see the small figure icon at the bottom right of the map). We hiked up at high noon under blazing sun and still reached the summit in about 15 minutes!

How do you get to the Junjianyan Family Trailhead?

  • By car: search Google Maps for "Junjianyan Family Trail, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University trailhead"
  • By MRT: take the MRT to Qilian or Shipai Station, walk about 10 minutes to the university's main gate, then walk uphill through campus (yes, it is a gentle uphill walk) for about 15 minutes to reach the trailhead

Where can you park if driving?

Driving or riding to Junjianyan is genuinely convenient — you can drive straight into the campus right up to the trailhead, and there is a car and scooter car park less than a minute's walk uphill from the trailhead, with plenty of spaces! Of course, this kind of convenience comes with a fee: cars are charged by the hour at NT$30/hour, and NT$15 per 30 minutes after the first hour; scooters are charged NT$30 per visit. We recommend bringing an EasyCard for a smoother payment!

A hidden American-style neighbourhood: Wellington Community

Partway up Junjianyan, glance to the left and you will spot Wellington Community, a cluster of American-style houses with differently coloured roofs standing out against the lush green mountainside. Wellington Community once housed senior US military advisers, and nearly every home there has its own pool — genuinely distinctive. Rumour has it the residents here are all people of considerable means!

A 360-degree panoramic wonder — the whole Taipei Basin at your feet

At the summit of Junjianyan, you will find an expansive stretch of smooth, pale rock with distinctive texture — walk barefoot and you can even feel fine grains of sand beneath your feet! Looking around 360 degrees, the entire Taipei Basin unfolds before you, taking in the surrounding views of Shilin, Beitou, Shipai and Tianmu, plus distant views of Guandu, Guanyinshan and Datun Mountain — genuinely a feast for the eyes. Add a cool mountain breeze, and it is wonderfully refreshing, though the sun can be quite intense, so a hat is worth bringing — just watch it does not blow away! Junjianyan Family Trail makes for a great weekend hike with kids and the whole family — a genuinely relaxed trail overall.

Further reading:
>> The best time to travel abroad in 2024 — pick the right season for pleasant weather and lower costs
>> What new hotels opened in 2023? 8 handpicked new hotels across Taiwan, north to south
>> Is Hehuan Mountain North Peak really that easy? A beginner's guide to Taiwan's 100 Peaks, plus the famous landmarks along the way