Lion's Head Mountain (Shihtoushan)

Lion's Head Mountain (Shihtoushan) in northern Taiwan's Miaoli County is so named because the northern part of the mountain looks like a lion's head. The area is a leading Buddhist center in Taiwan.

Lion's Head Mountain, 496 meters above sea level, is part of the foothills of Mt Luchang. The mountain's lush vegetation, old trees and numerous Buddhist temples make it an attractive and interesting travel destination for local and international visitors.

The oldest temple in Lion's Head Mountain is Yuanguang Temple, which was built in 1894. The mountain's beautiful natural scenery draws a steady stream of pilgrims from all over Taiwan. Visitors may like to stay in this or other Buddhist monasteries and observe the morning services at the crack of dawn.