Meteor Lake – 2D/2N 
This elliptical lake (120 meters long, 80 meters wide
and 10 meters deep) is in the crater formed some 4 –
10 thousand years ago by a meteor strike (making it
possibly the youngest meteor lake on Earth - even more
remarkable as only about 100 meteor pits have been found
around the world, and this one is on such a young island).
Located high in (3,310m) the mountains near where Kaohsiung
and Hualien counties meet (yes, they do meet, not many
people realize that) and on the edge of Yushan National
Park. It is possible to hike there and back in two days,
we recommend three.
Starting at Shang-yang on the Southern-Cross Island
Highway the route takes us over/past Hsiang-yang and
San-cha Mountains to an area where several prominent
peaks (Cloud, Hsin-kang & Kuan) are in full view.
This hike is the initial southern part of the “Southern
Second section Traverse”(Sounds better in Chinese!).
Day -1
Leave Tainan City late evening, travel eastwards by
van, and camp at either a hot-spring 100km along, or
at the 150km mark where East meets West (proving Rudyard
Kipling wrong), sleep ready for a stunning sunrise.
Day 1
After breakfast, travel to Hsiang-yang checkpoint with
permits in hand, and start ascending on foot. Climb/skirt
around Hsiang-yang Mountain. By late afternoon/evening
arrive at Chai-ming mountain hut, sleep!
Day 2
Hsiang-yang north peak, San-cha main peak and early
afternoon arrive and wild-camp at Chai-ming lake. Spend
the afternoon swimming, or exploring nearby for views
of grazing Sambar and Sika deer in the valleys.
Day 3
Hike back to trailhead, exploring whatever missed on
way in; be back in Tainan City by late evening/night.
