This Christmas and New Year's long holiday, I decided to give myself a break and temporarily escape the suffocating crowds of Mong Kok and Causeway Bay. I bought a plane ticket to Taiwan and embarked on a long-planned "Forest Camping Trip."

🌿 First Stop: Yilan's "Na Shan Na Gu" – A Hidden Mountain Paradise

After browsing many Taiwanese camping guides, I finally chose "Na Shan Na Gu" located in Nan'ao, Yilan. In Atayal language, this place means "my home." As soon as I arrived, I understood why: surrounded by lush green mountains, right next to the crystal-clear Da Zhuoshui South Stream.

The best part was the boundless expanse of grassland, which the campsite owner had decorated with festive lights for Christmas. At night, with the misty air, the sound of the stream, and the starry sky, that sense of tranquility is truly something you can't find in Hong Kong. There are also river tracing and ecological tours here, and the facilities are so complete that even a "light packer" like me felt completely relaxed.

For this camping trip, I specially upgraded to a full set of Naturehike lightweight gear, because flying from Hong Kong, the weight and bulk of equipment can really be a killer!

🎒 Lightly Packed: My Whole "Home" in a 55L Bag

The biggest surprise before setting off was this Naturehike Professional Hiking Backpack (55L+5L). I used to worry that my camping gear wouldn't fit, but this bag was incredibly spacious! The 5L expansion design at the top was a lifesaver, allowing me to stuff in Christmas decorations and thick jackets. What's most commendable is its carrying system; from the airport transfer to the campsite, the padded shoulder straps were so comfortable that I barely felt the weight.

⛺️ Campsite Setup: Christmas Ambiance in 5 Minutes

It was a slightly cool afternoon when I arrived at Na Shan Na Gu. I pulled out the CloudUp 2 Pro Lightweight Tent, which is truly a godsend for minimalists. The setup process was very intuitive; I had it pitched by myself in less than 5 minutes.

The mountainous areas of Taiwan have high humidity in winter, and misty rain is common at night. This tent has a waterproof rating of PU4000mm, so I wasn't worried about leaks at all. My favorite feature is its three setup options: in the afternoon, if I wanted to soak up some sun, I would only pitch the inner tent, which was breathable and perfect for hanging Christmas lights; when it got cold at night, I would put on the outer tent, which provided excellent wind and water protection and a great sense of security.

☕️ Slow Living: My Portable "Private Seat"

Aside from joining the tours at the campsite, my favorite thing to do was carry my Naturehike Ultralight Folding Stool and move around freely. When folded, this stool is as small as a handbag and can be easily tucked into the side pocket of my backpack. Whether I was watching the stream or chatting with fellow campers while grilling, I always had a place to sit. Don't let its lightness fool you; it has a very sturdy weight capacity, and I never felt any back pain even after sitting for a long time.

🌙 New Year's Eve: Cozy Under the Stars

The temperature in the Taiwanese mountains dropped quite low on New Year's Eve, but luckily I had my CW400 Goose Down Sleeping Bag. The feeling of being enveloped by the lightweight down when I snuggled in was truly blissful. This sleeping bag packs down incredibly small, taking up no luggage space, yet its warmth is astonishing; 400g of goose down is more than enough for Taiwan's low temperatures.

Listening to the cheers of the countdown from the bonfire party in the distance, I looked up at the twinkling starry sky. I was truly grateful that I brought the right gear, allowing me to gracefully enjoy this "cross-border camping" experience.

✨ Conclusion: To Friends Planning a Camping Trip to Taiwan

This trip to Yilan made me deeply appreciate the charm of "lightweight" travel. Equipment should not be a burden on the journey but a tool to help us immerse ourselves more in nature. If you're also planning a spontaneous camping trip to Taiwan, these Naturehike essentials are definitely worth considering.

Bidding farewell to 2025 and waking up in the mountains to welcome the first light of 2026 – this peace and freedom are the best New Year's gifts.

Have you decided where to go camping next? If you have any equipment questions, feel free to leave a comment and ask me!