Publicación en Hualien City, Taiwan, Taiwan

Hi Lucian, how did you get on? I'm not planning to visit until next year but have the same question as you, just wondering if I should sort out a permit before I arrive or if it's easy enough to organise a hostel contact once I get there.

I hope it all worked out for you.

I managed to apply for it successfully after my Taiwanese host helped. From my research, it is possible to ask the hostel to help apply for the permit, but there are things to note:

1. You need to submit the web application one day before your actual climb (that's with your Taiwanese contact number), and during their office hours. The only reason why an early booking will be recommended is because there are limited slots per day, so if it runs out, you have to plan for another day.

2. After receiving a confirmation from them, you might need to visit the local police station (and supposedly not if you have applied online too), and you must report to an office near the entrance to pay for a ticket to enter.

This guy made a rather good guide: https://keithrebec.com/2017/02/07/how-to-get-a-permit-to-hike-the-zhuilu-old-trail/