Qiwei Mountain is the most iconic landmark of Qishan District, Kaohsiung City. At an elevation of 380 meters, it is listed as Taiwan's Small-100 Peak # 65 . Viewed from afar, the mountain resembles an ancient flag fluttering in the sky—hence the name "Qiwei" (Flag Tail). The trail splits into east and west routes, passing three sacred sites: Qiwei Fude Shrine, Qiwei Tiantai Mountain, and Lingjiu Mountain Wufan Holy Land—combining nature, culture, and faith. For guests staying at Hanyuan B&B , this is the best spot for a Qishan half-day trip, a Small-100 Peak challenge, and Hakka mountain-town faith culture. The summit commands sweeping views of Qishan town, Nanzi Creek valley, and the entire Kaoping Plain—truly spectacular.
Qiwei Mountain is named for its unique shape: viewed from Qishan town to the west, the silhouette resembles a triangular flag flying in the sky, with the sharp ridge at the summit like the corner of a flagpole blown by wind. The character "Qi" in Qishan is inseparable from this shape. The Qing-era "Fengxian County Gazetteer" records "Qiwei Mountain, fifty li northwest of the county, peak sharp as a flag," showing it was already a famous landmark. Legend has it that during the Qianlong era, when Hakka ancestors crossed Xiadanshui River to pioneer Qishan, they used Qiwei Mountain as a natural landmark for orientation, calling it "Qiwei Ridge." As Hakka settlements grew, Qiwei Mountain became a symbol of "homeland protection"—the spiritual landmark most representative of local residents.
During the Japanese colonial era, Qiwei Mountain's rugged terrain served as a reference for Japanese military flight training and map surveying, with a simple meteorological station on the summit. In 1909, During the Japanese era, when the "Kaohsiung Sugar Industry Co." was set up in Qishan, Qiwei Mountain's terrain was ideal for monitoring the sugar factory and nearby settlements, and the Japanese military established temporary observation posts on the summit. After the war, the ROC government designated Qishan as an agricultural hub; large areas of Qiwei Mountain were planted with acacia and leucaena, important charcoal forest sources at the time. In 1970, s, with religious fervor rising, temples like "Qiwei Fude Shrine" and "Qiwei Tiantai Mountain" were built on the southeast side. In the 1990 s, the Lingjiu Buddhist order established "Lingjiu Wufan Holy Land" on the west peak, transforming Qiwei from a simple suburban mountain into a sacred mountain blending Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist beliefs. Every lunar February 19 (Guanyin's birthday) and September 16 (Fude birthday), large numbers of pilgrims come to worship.
Qiwei Mountain's natural environment is rich. The mountain belongs to the low-elevation foothills at the tail of the Central Mountain Range, mainly composed of sandstone and shale from the Miocene era, with rock strata running northeast-southwest. Vegetation is mainly acacia, paper mulberry, Mallotus, and wild Mallotus. In the low-elevation secondary forest, Taiwan whistling thrush, five-colored bird, and crested goshawk are common. The strong winds at the summit create a unique landscape of open grass slopes and low shrubs. Every April and May, Taiwan whistling thrush breed here—birders call it a private hotspot for the distinctive "ji-ji-" calls. Qiwei Mountain is also an important water source for the Qishan Creek watershed; the permeable sandstone and shale surface channel rainwater into the groundwater table, contributing significantly to downstream irrigation of Nanzi Creek.
Qiwei Mountain's earliest literary record dates to the Qing Kangxi era "Taiwan Prefecture Gazetteer," already listed under "Qiwei Mountain" in the geography chapter. The Qianlong-era "Revised Fengxian County Gazetteer" further describes "Qiwei Mountain, fifty li northwest of the county, shaped like a triangular flag, standing among the mountains." Over 300 years ago, the shape was already widely known. The Japanese-era "Taiwan Aboriginal Territory Topographic Map" clearly marks Qiwei Mountain as a prominent landmark in Qishan—important for Japanese military surveying and administration. These records make Qiwei Mountain not just natural forest but a cultural asset carrying Qishan community memory and land identity.
Qiwei Mountain is in the northwest of Qishan District, Kaohsiung City, bordering Shanlin District to the west and Meinong District to the north, administratively under Yuanfu Village, Qishan District. Geographic coordinates are approximately east longitude 120.483 °N, 22.885 degrees, summit elevation 380 meters—the most prominent landmark at the junction of Qishan, flatland, and foothills. From Hanyuan B&B , take Highway 28 highway (Qiping Road) toward Qishan, after Qishan Old Street turn into the Qiwei Mountain industrial road; it takes about 20 minutes to reach the East Peak trailhead. For the West Peak trailhead, take Zhonghua Road in Qishan District; the full journey is about 25 至 30 min.
Public Transit:Take Kaohsiung city bus 8023、8032、8046 to "Qishan Old Street Station," then transfer to a taxi or rented scooter to the trailhead. From HSR Zuoying Station, take shuttle bus or MRT to Qishan Bus Terminal, then proceed as above.
East Peak Trailhead:Located on the Qiwei Mountain industrial road in Yuanfu Village, Qishan District, with parking and an information board, GPS Coordinates approx. 22.884, 120.487. This route is about 1.5 km, elevation gain approx. 200 meters long with gentle slope, passing acacia groves, orchards, and bamboo forests, joining the West Peak route near Qiwei Tiantai Mountain.
West Peak Trailhead:Located uphill on Zhonghua Road, Qishan District, near Lingjiu Wufan Holy Land, GPS Coordinates approx. 22.880, 120.476. This route is about 2 km, elevation gain approx. 280 meters long with steeper slope, mainly wooden steps and ecological stone trails—more challenging but offering the widest views. We recommend first-timers go up East Peak and down West Peak to enjoy both terrains.
Suggested duration: including hiking, worship, rest, photos, and descent, takes about 3 至 4 hours. If you also want to visit ChiShan Sugar Factory and Qishan Old Street, plan a full day. From Hanyuan B&B for two days, you can arrange "morning Qiwei Mountain summit, → noon Qishan Old Street lunch, → afternoon Qishan Sugar Factory tour, → evening Lion's Head Peak for night view" into a perfect Hakka mountain-town journey.
The core of visiting Qiwei Mountain is "summit × worship × view"—a three-in-one experience. Choose East or West Peak based on your fitness, then visit three sacred sites based on your faith. Here are classic routes recommended by Hanyuan B&B:
route A: Classic Small-100 Peak Route (East up, West down)
route B: Beginner-friendly Half-Day (East Peak only)
Ideal for those who just want to summit and take photos without challenging the West Peak. From East Peak trailhead, walk gently through acacia groves; it takes about 50 minutes to the summit. Stay 30 minutes for photos and views of Qishan town and Nanzi Creek, then return the same way. The whole journey takes about 2 hours—the Hanyuan B&B most common entry-level route for guests.
route C: Religious Pilgrimage Route
For devout visitors who want to deeply experience Qiwei's religious culture. We recommend early morning 6 at ChiShan Sugar Factory for breakfast at a nearby shop, then drive to West Peak trailhead. On the way up West Peak, first worship at Lingjiu Wufan Holy Land, then continue to Qiwei Tiantai Mountain and Qiwei Fude Shrine, finally descending via East Peak. Each temple provides free tea and incense—worship according to your faith.
route D: Photography Enthusiast Route
For photography lovers wanting the best light. We recommend early morning 5 start from East Peak trailhead, arrive at the summit half an hour before sunrise to capture the golden light as the sun rises behind the Central Mountain Range ridge. Rest and lunch at the summit, then in the afternoon 3 head to West Peak to shoot sunset ridge silhouettes and sea of clouds. In the evening 6 arrive at Lingjiu Wufan Holy Land to photograph Tibetan Buddhist halls under sunset—an itinerary rich in photographic value.
No matter which route you choose, Qiwei Mountain offers multiple experiences combining nature, culture, faith, and photography. Adjust based on fitness, weather, and group size, and bring water, rain gear, and sunscreen for a smooth journey.
Qiwei Mountain offers different ecology and scenery each season:
Ecology highlights: In low-elevation secondary forest, look for Taiwan blue magpie, five-colored bird, tree pie, light-vented bulbul, and Japanese white-eye. At night, you'll find Buerger's toad and brown tree frogs along trails. In spring and fall, red-bellied and striped squirrels dart among branches. We recommend nature lovers bring binoculars and a bird guide; sitting quietly at the summit for 30 minutes can yield sightings of over ten bird species.
Qiwei Mountain, located in low foothills, is also an important habitat for many insects and butterflies. Every 5 至 9 , swallowtail, danaid, and pierid butterflies flutter along East Peak trails; in 至 5 , rhinoceros and stag beetles suck sap on Chinese hackberry trees—perfect parent-child nature materials. Qiwei Mountain is also on the spring northward migration route of "purple crow butterflies"; lucky visitors may witness spectacular flocks crossing the East Peak ridge.
Along East Peak trails, many rare plants are visible, including native species like "golden rhododendron," "Taiwan photinia," and "Taiwan mountain osmanthus." Every 3 至 4 , golden rhododendrons bloom, wrapping the trail in golden flower seas—a seasonal must-see for photographers. Near the summit, low shrubs also host protected species like "Taiwan wild lily" and "Taiwan pleione." Visitors can photograph but not pick—please protect this precious low-mountain ecology.
If you're coming from Hanyuan B&B When planning a Qiwei Mountain trip, combine with nearby attractions:
Want to see all top Qishan & Meinong attractions? See Hanyuan B&B Nearby Attractions Overview— covering all 12 nearby attractions with maps, helping you plan the richest Hakka mountain-town trip.
Qiwei Mountain is at an elevation of 380 meters—an entry-level suburban mountain. East Peak is gentler, with a slope of about 30 degrees; takes about 40 minutes. West Peak is steeper and more challenging, taking about 60 minutes. We recommend beginners go up East Peak and down West Peak to experience both terrains.
Qiwei Mountain has three main sacred sites: "Qiwei Fude Shrine" on the mountainside, dedicated to the Earth God—the mountain deity worship center for early residents; "Qiwei Tiantai Mountain" near the summit, dedicated to Guanyin, with thriving incense; and "Lingjiu Wufan Holy Land" on West Peak, a practice center blending Tibetan Buddhism and Chan Buddhism, with a solemn atmosphere.
Yes, Qiwei Mountain is Taiwan's Small-100 Peak # 65 , elevation 380 meters. The summit has a numbered cast-iron plate—a classic route for hikers collecting Small-100 Peak completion certificates. Bring a notebook to collect commemorative stamps.
From Hanyuan B&B, take Highway 28 toward Qishan, then turn into the Qiwei Mountain industrial road; it takes about 20 minutes to reach the East Peak trailhead. You can also set Google Maps to "Qiwei Mountain East Peak Trailhead" or "Qiwei Mountain West Peak Trailhead."