Clean, cool air makes Taiwan's mountains favorite places to escape from the bustling, noisy cities far below. Climbers can follow pleasant paths through primeval forests, past isolated waterfalls and lakes, steamy hot springs, flowered plains, and mountainside fruit orchards. In places along the Central Mountain Range a "sea of clouds" sometimes blankets the valleys in the early morning, leaving only mountain peaks visible above the vast fleecy ocean.

Special permits are required for climbs to many of the high mountains. Type A mountain passes (for highly restricted areas) can be obtained only through the ROC Alpine Association in Taipei, which can arrange trips with English-speaking guides for groups of four or more. Type B passes (for less-restricted areas) can be obtained for a token fee from police stations at the edge of restricted areas. Visitors must show passports to obtain the passes. The Alpine Association is at 10 Fl., 185 Chungshan N. Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, Tel: (02) 594-2108.