Central Mountain Range in the context of "Yushan National Park"

The Yushan Range, formerly the Niitaka Range and also known as the Jade Mountain Range, is a mountain range in the central-southern region of Taiwan Island. It spans Chiayi County, Kaohsiung City, and Nantou County. It faces the Central Mountain Range on the east, and is separated by the Qishan River from the Alishan Range which is on the west of the Yushan Range. The Yushan Range is one of the five major ranges on Taiwan.

The Yushan Range is shaped somewhat like a crucifix, with a relatively short east to west ridge and a relatively long north to south ridge. Mighty Yushan, towering 3,952 m (12,966 ft) above sea level, stands at the point where these two ridges meet. Yushan National Park is located around some parts of the Yushan Range.

The Gaoping River, also spelled Kaoping River (Chinese: 高屏溪; pinyin: Gāopíng Xī; Wade–Giles: Kao-p'ing Hsi), is the second longest river in Taiwan after Zhuoshui River with a total length of 184 km (114 mi). It is located on the southern part of the island, flowing through Pingtung County and Kaohsiung City. It is the largest river in Taiwan by drainage area. Draining a rugged area on the western side of the Central Mountain Range.

Nantou is the second largest county of Taiwan by area. Located in the central part of the island, and containing its geographic center, it is the only non-coastal county in Taiwan. Its landscape is mountainous, with the east containing parts of the Central Mountain Range, including Taiwan's highest mountain, Yu Shan. The diverse landscape supports rare species such as the Taiwanese pangolin and leopard cat, and the county remains home to some of the Taiwanese Indigenous peoples.

What is now Nantou supported a number of indigenous groups that retained autonomy from central government during Qing rule of the island. Settlement was initially banned, but in the late 19th century it was encouraged. Many Hoklo and Hakka people moved in during this period. Under Japanese rule, the area was brought fully under government control, a sometimes violent process that shaped local ethnic identities. The region began to industralize, while also seeing increased agricultural production. Following the retrocession of Taiwan, Nantou County was separated from Taichung County. In the late 20th century, the area saw an increase in tourism, which has become a prominent part of the local economy. Famous sites include Sun Moon Lake, the largest lake in Taiwan.