Before you enter any of the national parks, we want to convey a proper leisure attitude, and give you some tips that we often forget to mention. National parks are not geared entirely towards human beings, but rather strive to give other living things space in which to survive and live.

For their own personal safety, many people wear red clothing, put on a red hat, and hang a small bell on their backpack when they go hiking. They may also cheerfully chatter among themselves the whole way. While this may relieve stress, this kind of self-centered leisure style will cause any small animals that happen to be around to disappear without a trace.

Many people aren’t aware that different colors comprise different parts of the light spectrum, and different frequencies of light may affect living organisms in different ways. For instance, the vast majority of birds and animals will immediately flee when they see the color red. High-frequency sounds (such as the clanging of metal) are even more effective at driving animals away. You may have discovered that there are almost no birds or animals along paths where hikers have passed. Unfortunately, kites are also inappropriate in areas where there is wildlife. Although flying kites is a harmless sport to human beings, small animals and birds think that anything big in the sky must be an eagle. After an eagle has been circling in the sky for a while, all of the small creatures below will have scurried off.

Most hikers profess to love the mountains, or even claim to be protectors of the mountains, but in fact they generally see the mountains through the prism of subjective human perception. While our knowledge of other life forms is limited, the majority of people use human needs and standards to judge other living organisms. Lovers of the mountains shouldn’t get stuck in human-centered thinking. Our ignorance of nature should remind us to place the lives of the different organisms in the natural world before our own satisfaction. If our activities are putting stress on wildlife, we should change our forms of recreation. We should make sure that future hikers will always be able to enjoy the sounds of nature and the sight of wildlife. Let us humbly review our behavior and sincerely take steps to mend our ways. We must always remember to share the world with other living things.

Because the ground is often soft around hot springs and fumaroles, please maintain a safe distance to avoid being scalded.

To avoid getting lost, falling, or being bitten by a snake or harmful insect, please stay on the trail.

Paths are often wet and slippery in the damp mountain climate. Please walk carefully.

Please use your headlights at all times when driving on mountain roads. The mountains are often misty in winter, always use fog lights and drive slowly in poor weather.

Yangmingshan weather is very changeable; please prepare well when going on a trip to the mountains.

National parks are potentially hazardous areas. Please remain alert at all times in areas where natural disasters may occur.

Collecting rocks, cutting down trees, climbing and breaking plants and trees, collecting herbs, and removing any other natural resources from the park is prohibited.

Using amplified audio equipment and making loud noises is prohibited within the park.

Littering is subject to a maximum fine of NT$15,000.

To maintain the park’s cleanliness, please remove or properly dispose of any used tissue paper, plastic bottles or other plastic products, or any other waste.

Please maintain proper decorum before and after bathing in hot springs.
If you become lost within the park, please stay calm and remain near a prominent path or landmark. This will help a search party to find you.

Please refrain from other activities prohibited by the National Park Act.