Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang is hoping to encourage visiting tourists to reach new heights.
Next year has been designated as Taiwan’s Year of the Mountain 2020.
In an announcement, all of Taiwan’s mountain and forest areas which are not designated as national security sites or conservations areas, are now open to the public.
Taiwan is not wildly known as a major mountain trekking destination but the island has the largest number and density of high mountain peaks in the world.
Mountains cover two-thirds of its landmass and has 286 mountain summits over 3,000 metres above sea level.
In readiness for the Year of the Mountain, 23 mountain facilities will be renovated by the end of 2019.
An additional 12 structures will be refurbished and 23 new ones built within the next five years.
Dozens of existing trails and high-elevation camps will also be improved by the end of 2020.
Taiwan’s highest mountain Mount Yu Shan measures 3,952 metres and the tallest peak in Northeast Asia.
It is the standout attraction of Taiwan’s 11-peak central mountain range.
Although trekking is popular among local Taiwanese, the government hopes the year-long campaign will boost global awareness of mountain tourism.
