Central Taiwan (Kunyang)

On the Hehuanshan road, typical central Taiwan scenery.

There's a 7-Eleven around every corner in Taiwan even in some of the remotest regions. This one was not quite the highest at 2050m but it comes pretty close with the highest being on mount Ali a mere 120m higher.

A White-whiskered Laughing Thrush endemic to Taiwan searches for food in a wintry landscape.

Near the icy top. The Hehuanshan road is the highest pass to cross the mountain barrier that divides east and west Taiwan. Hehuanshan (3416m) 合歡山 (Joy mountain) is the highest mountain in central Taiwan. A few kilometers further on the road attains its maximum elevation of 3275m+ before crossing the county borders of Nantou/Hualien to descend through Taroko national park. 

Teatime. It's all cloud, steam, snow and ice on top, but travelers can take refuge from the elements in a ramshackle cafe. Frozen to the bone I am grateful for a piping hot cup of sweet ginger tea.