Lion Head Mountain is located at the border of Miaoli County's Nanzhuang Township and Hsinchu County's Emei Township. The entire mountain is surrounded by lush green hills, towering strangely shaped rocks, and is considered a place of extraordinary spiritual energy. There are currently 11 temples on the mountain, most of which are built into natural rock caves and are hidden amongst the green trees and mountains, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere. This makes it one of Taiwan's most famous places for promoting Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
The mountain is home to many ancient trees that stretch towards the sky, providing shade and shelter from the outside world. The temples are scattered throughout, creating a sense of peace and tranquility. Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life to relax and enjoy the surroundings, or a short vacation, and engaging in Buddhist practices, the sound of morning and evening bells can cleanse one's mind of worldly thoughts and worries, making it a sacred and peaceful tourist destination.
Lion Head Mountain is one of Taiwan's 12 scenic spots, situated on the border of Nanzhuang and Emei townships. The mountain's ridge divides into two areas, with the southern part belonging to Miaoli County's Nanzhuang Township and the northern part belonging to Hsinchu County's Emei Township. The southern side features steep cliffs and giant boulders, facing Xiangbi Mountain across Sanwan Stream. The northern side has rolling hills and terrain, stretching between Tengping Village's Liuliao area, resembling a lion crouching in shape. During the Qing dynasty's Daoguang period, Tamsui's administrative officer Li Shenyi named it "Lion Head Mountain" based on its shape.
The mountain has an elevation of 496 meters and features a standard hogback-shaped ridge. The mountain peak is often shrouded in mist, with rolling hills and valleys resembling a coiled dragon. Bamboo forests and assorted trees grow amongst the rocks, with winding stone paths cutting through the dense forest, making it difficult to see the sun. Even in summer, the area remains cool. Halfway up the mountain, a cliff stands tall, approximately several dozen fathoms high.
The Lion Head Mountain trail is divided into two parts: the former and the latter, with the Wangyue Pavilion serving as the boundary between Miaoli and Hsinchu counties. The former part features over 1,000 well-preserved stone steps, while the latter part has been converted to cement paths, with only short sections of stone steps remaining in front of each temple. The former part has steeper terrain, making it more challenging to navigate, while the latter part has gentler slopes.
Before 1965, visiting Lion Head Mountain required taking an old trail to the summit, which allowed access to the Rao Yi Yuan, Lingta, and Quanhua Hall. This stone path has remained popular amongst those seeking adventure or fitness for decades, with lush bamboo and trees, and gurgling streams. With normal walking pace, it takes around 20 minutes to reach the Quanhua Hall.
Most visitors today park at the Quanhua Hall's square and begin walking through the Liujiao Pavilion to the Fuyuan Palace, then proceed to the Quanhua Hall. From the Moral Gate, one can reach the Shali Cave and Kaishan Temple, a 10-minute walk each way. Continuing straight and climbing up, one can reach the Wangyue Pavilion via a 600-meter, 20-minute walk. The stone steps on the former part of the mountain are mostly intact and easy to navigate.
From the Wangyue Pavilion, the trail descends gently for approximately 3 kilometers to the Lion's Tail trailhead, all on cement farm roads. Along the way, one can find temples such as Shiyan Cave, Haihui An, Lingxia Cave, Qigong Temple, and Wanfo An. Further on, one can reach the Fanyin Temple (Shuilian Cave). The Yuanguang Temple, built 107 years ago, is the oldest Buddhist temple on Lion Head Mountain, followed by the Quanhua Hall, which was built 101 years ago, both holding significant historical value.