Will Climbing Taiwan's 100 Famous Peaks Cost Money Next Year? New Amendment Reveals Fee Structure and Hefty 2 Million Fine for 'One Act'

The National Park Administration recently completed a draft amendment to the National Park Act, proposing the establishment of a National Park Fund and the imposition of conservation fees for applicants seeking entry into ecological protection zones. Of Taiwan's 100 famous peaks, 76 are located within national parks, primarily in the Shei-Pa, Yushan, and Taroko mountain-type parks, and many fall within ecological protection zones. Annually, around 700,000 applications are submitted, with approximately 150,000 to 160,000 approved. If the amendment passes, nearly all hikers aiming to climb the 100 peaks will be affected. The draft is currently awaiting nationwide public hearings to gather feedback before being submitted sequentially to the Ministry of the Interior, Executive Yuan, and Legislative Yuan for review.

Conservation Fee System for the 100 Peaks to Take Effect—76 Peaks Almost All Affected

The draft amendment explicitly mandates the establishment of a National Park Fund. Funding sources include government budget allocations, interest income from the fund, national park conservation fees, business revenues, donations, fines, and income from climate change adaptation measures. The fund will be used for environmental conservation and ecological restoration, environmental education and recreational services, international cooperation, subsidies or compensation, volunteer incentives, climate change adaptation measures, and management expenses.

Under the current system, entry into ecological protection zones requires a permit but is free of charge. The draft amendment proposes charging a conservation fee for future applications to enter these zones. However, indigenous people engaging in hunting and gathering, as well as scientific researchers acting under partnership agreements for resource protection, will be exempt from the fee.

According to statistics from the National Park Administration, 76 of Taiwan's 100 famous peaks are located within national parks, mainly in Shei-Pa, Yushan, and Taroko National Parks. In 2024 and 2025, approximately 700,000 applications were submitted annually, with around 150,000 to 160,000 approvals. If the amendment is passed, nearly all hikers climbing the 100 peaks will face new fees.

Burning Vegetation Penalty Increased from NT$1,000 to NT$2 Million—Heavier Penalties if Disaster or Death Occurs

Currently, burning vegetation or setting fires for land clearing in national parks carries a penalty of up to six months in prison or a fine of up to NT$1,000. The draft amendment significantly increases penalties: burning vegetation in ecological protection zones, special景观 areas, or historic preservation zones will now carry a penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to NT$2 million, or both. In recreational or general control zones, the penalty is up to one year in prison or a fine of up to NT$1 million. If the act causes a disaster or results in injury or death, penalties may be further increased.

Deputy Administrator Chang Wei-chuan stated that the National Park Act has not undergone a comprehensive review for decades. Public explanation meetings will be held across northern, central, southern, eastern Taiwan, and outlying islands. After collecting public feedback and finalizing the draft, it will be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior, then to the Executive Yuan for approval, before proceeding to the Legislative Yuan for discussion.