The snow season at Mt. Hehuan continues to attract large crowds, but the harsh alpine environment often catches unprepared visitors off guard. Taroko National Park Headquarters has compiled “6 Key Q&As for Visiting the Mountains During Snow Season”, reminding everyone to ask themselves before heading up:
“Are you really prepared?”

 Q1: What kind of vehicle is safest for driving up Mt. Hehuan?
A: A vehicle with strong engine power and four-wheel drive (4WD) is strongly recommended. Steep mountain roads combined with icy surfaces make low-powered or older vehicles prone to stalling or skidding. Recently, some drivers were stranded due to dead batteries, resulting in extremely high towing fees. Be sure to thoroughly inspect your vehicle before departure.
 Q2 : Can I buy snow chains in the mountains? 
A: No. There are no legal shops in the mountain area selling snow chains.
Snow chains must be purchased in advance at lower elevations, and drivers should be familiar with how to install and remove them. Buying from illegal roadside vendors is risky—prices are often inflated, quality is unreliable, and disputes are common.
 Q3 : What if I get stuck in traffic or suddenly need to use the restroom?
A: During snow season, water pipes in high-altitude public restrooms often freeze, making them unusable. It is strongly advised to use restrooms at places such as Qingjing, Cuifeng, or Guanyuan before heading to higher elevations. Also, limit food and drink intake to avoid emergencies if you become stuck in traffic with no restroom available.
 Q4 : If I have a headache or feel nauseous, can I take painkillers and keep going?
A: Absolutely not. Headache, loss of appetite, and vomiting are warning signs of acute mountain sickness. Taking medication only masks the symptoms and may lead to severe conditions such as pulmonary or cerebral edema. The only effective treatment is to descend immediately and reduce altitude.
 Q5: Can I cook, camp, barbecue, set up stalls, rock-climbing, or set off fireworks in the mountains? 
A: All of these activities are strictly prohibited.
Cooking, camping, barbecuing, vending, rock-climbing, and fireworks are not allowed in the Mt. Hehuan area. The Ninth Division, The Seventh Special Police Corps, National Police Agency, along with Taroko National Park authorities, will continue to strengthen enforcement. Visitors are urged to help protect the environment—violators will be fined in accordance with the law.
 Q6 : Can I bring pets hiking in the mountains?
A: No. Pets are not allowed.
According to prohibited activity regulations announced by Taroko National Park, pets are banned from Ecological Protection Areas, Special Scenic Areas, and Historic Preservation Areas (except along highways). Therefore, pets are not permitted on trails such as Mt. Hehuan Main Peak, West Peak, North Peak, East Peak, Shimen Mountain, Mt. Xiaoqilai, and Hehuanjian Mountain.