Yangming: More Than Just a Mountain – Exploring Taiwan's Many 'Yangming' Universes, From Shipping to Philosophy

On a spring day in Taipei, the biggest event is undoubtedly the Yangmingshan Flower Festival. Weekdays and weekends alike, you'll always see families and couples heading up Yangde Avenue, hoping to catch a glimpse of the cherry blossoms and azaleas blanketing the mountainside. But for us long-time Taipei residents, the name "Yangming" means so much more than just a mountain.

When you hear "Yangming," the first thing that comes to mind might be those massive container ships with the name emblazoned on the side. That's right – Yang Ming Marine Transport. Growing up, you'd always see their ships at Keelung Port. Back then, as Taiwan's economy was taking off, working at sea was a solid career path. The shipping industry has had its ups and downs since, but Yang Ming is still a world-class player, with its fleet sailing into major ports across the globe – a point of pride for Taiwan in its own way.

Heading up the mountain, you'll find a top-tier university nestled on its slopes – National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. In the recent wave of university mergers, Yang Ming and Chiao Tung University joined forces to become NYCU. The older generation might still call it by its former name, Yang Ming Medical College, and for good reason – its medical programs and life sciences research are among the best in Taiwan. Every time I pass by the campus and see students in white coats hurrying to class, I'm reminded that this mountain isn't just scenic; it's also brimming with knowledge and discovery.

And then, of course, there's the philosopher who left such a deep mark on Eastern culture – Wang Yangming. Though he lived during the Ming dynasty, his School of Mind philosophy still has its followers in Taiwan's intellectual circles. His principle of "the unity of knowledge and action" is a motto for many entrepreneurs. Interestingly, the names of Yangmingshan, Yang Ming Marine Transport, and even Yang Ming Chiao Tung University are all, in one way or another, connected to him. Yangmingshan was originally known as "Grass Mountain"; it was renamed by the late President Chiang Kai-shek, an admirer of Wang Yangming's teachings. When you think about it, the name "Yangming" truly weaves its way through our lives, culture, and thoughts.

If you're planning a trip to Yangmingshan, here are a few local favourites you might want to check out:

• Lengshuikeng (Cold Water Pit): Skip the crowds at Qingtiangang. The reflection of the silvergrass in the ecological pond at Lengshuikeng is so picturesque, every shot looks like a postcard.
• Zhuzihu (Bamboo Lake): Beyond the famous Calla Lily season, Zhuzihu is much more peaceful on regular weekdays. Find a local chicken farm restaurant, order some wild vegetables, and pair it with sweet potato soup – that's how the real foodies do it.
• Hsiaoyoukeng: Standing right next to the sulphur vents, feeling the geothermal heat rising around you – now that's what I call a truly grounding experience.

A trip to Yangmingshan reveals that this Yangmingshan National Park is much more than just Taipei's backyard; it's like a living museum. From the volcanic terrain churned up from the ocean floor, to the sulphur mining relics from the Japanese colonial period, to the university town and research hub of today – layer upon layer of history is etched into the mountainside. And down in Keelung Port below, Yang Ming's container ships are still busy loading and unloading, shipping Taiwanese goods to the rest of the world.

"Yangming" – these two syllables in Taiwan have come to mean so much more than a simple name or a place. It's a cultural legacy, a symbol of industry, and a way of life. Whether you're hiking up to see the flowers, diving into academic research, or following the currents of global shipping, you'll find that Yangming is everywhere.