Yang Ming: More Than Just a Mountain – Decoding Taiwan's Yang Ming Multiverse, From Shipping to Philosophy

On a spring day in Taipei, the biggest event on the calendar has to be the Yangmingshan flower season. Weekdays or weekends, you'll always see families or couples making their way up Yangde Avenue, just to catch a glimpse of the cherry blossoms and azaleas blanketing the hillsides. But for those of us who've been around Taipei for decades, the name 'Yang Ming' means so much more than just a mountain.

Speaking of Yang Ming, the first image that comes to mind for many is those massive container ships emblazoned with the words 'YANG MING'. That's right, we're talking about Yang Ming Marine Transport. As kids, we'd always see their vessels at Keelung Harbour. Back then, Taiwan's economy was taking off, and a career at sea was a solid path. The shipping industry has had its ups and downs since, but Yang Ming remains a world-class player, with its fleet crisscrossing major global ports. In a way, it's another source of pride for Taiwan on the international stage.

Heading up Yangmingshan, you'll discover a top-tier university nestled on the mountainside – National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Following the recent wave of university mergers, Yang Ming and Chiao Tung University joined forces to become what it is today. The older generation might still refer to it as Yang Ming Medical College, given its top-notch medical and life sciences programmes. Every time I pass by the campus and see students in white coats rushing past, I'm reminded that this mountain offers not only stunning scenery but also a vibrant atmosphere of knowledge.

And of course, you can't talk about Yang Ming without mentioning the philosopher who profoundly influenced Eastern culture – Wang Yangming. Although he lived during the Ming Dynasty, his School of Mind has always had its followers in Taiwan's intellectual circles. The principle of 'the unity of knowledge and action' is a motto for many entrepreneurs. Interestingly, the naming of Yangmingshan, Yang Ming shipping, and even Yang Ming Chiao Tung University is, in one way or another, linked to him. Originally known as Caoshan (Grass Mountain), it was renamed Yangmingshan by the late President Chiang Kai-shek because of his admiration for Wang Yangming. When you think about it, the name 'Yang Ming' truly weaves its way through our lives, culture, and thoughts.

If you're planning a trip up Yangmingshan soon, here are a few insider spots that the locals love:

• Lengshuikeng (Cold Water Pit): Don't just head straight to Qingtiangang. The reflection in the ecological pond at Lengshuikeng, paired with the silvergrass, makes for a postcard-perfect shot with minimal effort.
• Zhuzihu (Bamboo Lake): Besides the calla lily season, Zhuzihu is actually much more peaceful on regular days. The real pro move is to find a local chicken farm restaurant and enjoy some wild vegetables with sweet potato soup.
• Hsiaoyoukeng (Little Oil Pit): Standing right next to the fumaroles and feeling the geothermal heat rise around you – that's what we call truly getting 'close to nature'.

A trip to Yangmingshan reveals that this Yangmingshan National Park is more than just Taipei's backyard; it's like a living museum. From the volcanic terrain churned up from the ocean floor, to the sulfur mining relics from the Japanese colonial period, to the university town and research hub of today, layers of history are etched into its slopes. Down in Keelung Harbour below, Yang Ming's container ships continue their busy work, loading and unloading cargo, shipping Taiwanese products to every corner of the globe.

Yang Ming. These two words in Taiwan have long transcended being a simple personal name or a place name. They represent a cultural legacy, a symbol of industry, and a way of life. Whether you're going up the mountain to admire the flowers, pursuing academic research, or keeping an eye on the pulse of global shipping, you'll find that Yang Ming is everywhere.