​搬到台灣生活，本來就充滿適應過程。新的飲食文化、新的語言環境、新的工作節奏。但對於熱愛遊戲的外國人來說，還有另 個世界正在等待探索。台灣不只是科技產業重鎮，更是 個對遊戲充滿熱情的地方。對許多在台生活的外國玩家而言，遊戲不只是娛樂，而是 種融入在地生活的重要方式。

台灣深厚的遊戲文化

台灣擁有極高的網路普及率，遊戲玩家遍佈各個年齡層。根據產業調查，居住在台灣的民眾有超過半數接觸過數位遊戲，手機遊戲與電腦遊戲尤其盛行。在台北捷運上，隨處可見通勤族低頭解任務、打副本。遊戲早已成為日常生活的一部分。
電競文化也相當成熟。本地戰隊曾在國際賽事中嶄露頭角，許多年輕人對賽事結果與版本更新如數家珍。電競館與高規格網咖在台灣仍然活躍，設備齊全，環境舒適，甚至提供餐飲服務。對外國玩家來說，第 次走進這樣的場域，既新鮮又帶點緊張，但同時也是觀察在地文化的好機會。

語言與文化適應的挑戰

語言確實是外國玩家最常遇到的難題。許多遊戲預設為中文介面，語音聊天多以國語為主。剛開始組隊時，聽不懂戰術指令，很容易產生距離感。
不過情況並沒有想像中困難。台灣年輕族群普遍具備 定英文能力，而且對外國人充滿好奇。只要主動打招呼，嘗試學幾個基本的中文遊戲用語，氣氛往往很快就能打開。
實用建議：

1. 盡量將遊戲設定調整為雙語模式。
2. 加入在台外國玩家社群，找到混合語言的隊友。
3. 參加線下小型比賽或聚會，面對面交流更容易建立信任。

遊戲成為社交橋樑

許多外國人沒有預料到的是，台灣的遊戲文化其實非常社交化。打完 場比賽後，起去吃宵夜、討論戰術，是很常見的情景。
有位在台北工作的外籍工程師分享，他真正融入公司團隊，不是在會議室，而是在 次週五晚上的線上對戰。原本在辦公室總覺得格格不入，但加入同事的固定遊戲團後，隔週上班氣氛明顯不同。遊戲成了他融入職場文化的關鍵。
在台中等大學城市，週末電競活動結束後，玩家們常常 起吃火鍋或小吃。勝負之外，真正重要的是那份共同經歷。

熟悉感與線上娛樂選擇

當然，也有想放鬆、不想面對語言壓力的時候。時差讓人難以和家鄉朋友同步，工作壓力也可能讓人只想輕鬆娛樂。
這時，些操作直覺、介面友善的平台就成為選擇之。例如 cygder.com 提供輕鬆安全的線上娛樂空間，讓使用者在沒有語言負擔的情況下放鬆心情。有時候就像走進一座數位的娛樂城，在忙碌生活中找到片刻自在。
重點在於平衡。既投入在地遊戲文化，也保留屬於自己的舒適空間。

真實體驗的總結

身為外國玩家在台灣生活，不會完全沒有困難。語言誤解、文化差異、生活壓力都可能出現。但同時，也會收穫並肩作戰的默契、深夜慶功的歡笑，以及跨文化的真誠友誼。
對許多外國人而言，遊戲早已超越了作為娛樂工具的角色，而成為打開台灣社會的一把鑰匙。

For you expats or foreigners who have never left Taipei, Miaoli is a large rural county in central Taiwan. For years I myself never visited, because I didn't know what was there and had no reason to go. It turns out there are quite a few attractions here in this secret paradise.

Below I will list out some of the best places in Miaoli that I have visited. I will be sure to update this blog as I visit more places later. ​

Cherry Blossom Season:
Cherry Blossoms can be seen in the park from February to late March. Check out our full guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Taiwan here. 

Firefly Season:
Firefly season at Sun Moon Lake is from May to June. Check out our firefly season guide here. 

How to get around in Miaoli?
As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also get to Miaoli by taking the train, intercity bus, or local bus. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option, as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. 
By scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Miaoli? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. ​
By bus: You can book tickets to travel to Miaoli via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
You can book tickets to Miaoli via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Tours: 
There are many tours and activities available in Miaoli such as Schokolake Chocolate Factory, Shangshun World, West Lake Resortopia, Suweila Manor, Baba Kengdao, Hobbit Valley, Zhuo Ye Cottage Duck Box and more on Klook here or KKday here. 

Accommodation:
We have stayed at and recommend Beautiful Landscape Resort, a fish farm and resort near Nanzhuang Old Street (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Yuan Motel, a high class car motel which includes a great breakfast buffet (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here). We also recommend Flying Cow Ranch which includes cabins and camping right on the tourist ranch; you can book a room on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here. 

Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

Map:
You can see a map of all the places that we will visit in this blog below:

So what is there to do in Miaoli?
​
Here is our list:
​

• Miaoli Hakka Roundhouse 苗栗客家圓樓 
• Miaoli Yingcai Night Market 苗栗市英才觀光夜市 
• Longteng Broken Bridge 龍騰斷橋
• Sanyi Old Mountain Rail Train Ride 三義舊山線小火車
• Zhuolan Grand Canyon 卓蘭大峽谷
• Huoyanshan 火炎山
• Flying Cow Ranch 飛牛牧場
• ​Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum 三義木雕博物館
• Liyutan Reservoir 鯉魚潭水庫
• ​Tongxiao Beach 通霄海水浴場
• Guangsheng Old Street (廣盛老街)
• Nanzhuang Old Street 南庒老街
• Valley of the Gods Waterfall 神仙谷瀑布
• Hobbit Valley 哈比丘森林
• Jialishan 加里山
• Tai'an Hot Springs 泰安溫泉
• Shitoushan (Lion Head Mountain) 獅頭山
• Dahu 大湖
• Shokolake Country House Chocolate Factory 巧克力雲莊
• Wenshui Old Street 汶水老街
• Sanwan Old Street 三灣老街
• Places we missed:

1. ​Miaoli Hakka Roundhouse 苗栗客家圓樓 

The Miaoli Hakka Roundhouse is an exhibition center focused on local Hakka culture, as well as a tourist center, performance hall, and DIY art center. It was completed in 2014 and was built to resemble the Tulou Roundouses in Fujian, China. Taiwan has no historical roundhouses. Even if it is not historically accurate, it is a beautiful building with some very educational exhibitions on Hakka culture...(read more)

Price:
Free

Hours:
9 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays.

You can book tickets to travel to Miaoli via inter-city bus on Klook here. ​

2. Miaoli Yingcai Night Market 苗栗市英才觀光夜市 

Miaoli Yingcai Night Market is the largest night market in Miaoli and has some great treats and foods that you would expect from a Taiwan Market. However, the market is only open on Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday. Here you can find an authentic Taiwan night market experience unspoiled from foreign tourists and large crowds...(read more)

Hours:
Friday: 6:30-11:30 PM
Saturday: 5-10 PM
Sunday: Closed. Moves to Houlong Night Market, which is open from 5-11 PM.
Wednesday: 5-10 PM

We have stayed at and recommend  Yuan Motel, a high-class car motel which includes a great breakfast buffet near downtown Miaoli. 

3. Longteng Broken Bridge 龍騰斷橋

Longteng Bridge in Sanyi township of Miaoli County is a popular Japanese era bridge that has fallen and been destroyed by numerous earthquakes. The bridge can be reached by road or by rail from Sheng Hsing train station, and is a popular tourist spot in the area...(read more)

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

You can book tickets to Miaoli via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. ​

4. Sanyi Old Mountain Rail Train Ride 三義舊山線小火車

The Sanyi Old Mountain Rail Train Ride is a fun trip that takes you on a small four person train along part of the Old Mountain Rail Line built during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. On the ride you can see the beautiful scenery between the disused Shenghsing Station (which is now a tourist spot) and Longteng Broken Bridge, or between Longteng Bridge and Liyutan Tunnel.

Hours:
Train times: 9:20-11:05, 11:40-13:05, 14:20-15:45, 16:20-17:45

Price:
200-275 NT per person

Website:
https://www.oml-railbike.com/_pages/info/index.php
​
We have stayed at and recommend Beautiful Landscape Resort, a fish farm and resort near Nanzhuang Old Street.

5. Zhuolan Grand Canyon 卓蘭大峽谷

Zhuolan Grand Canyon (aka Zhuolan Gorge) is actually a short river canyon near Zhuolan Township of Miaoli County. The canyon is only a few years old, caused by land uplift during the large 921 earthquake that struck Taiwan. It is a bit off the beaten path, but has incredible views of this new nature made wonder...(read more)
​
Price:
Free

6. Huoyanshan 火炎山

Huoyanshan (literally Fire Mountain or Mountain of Flames) is a quickly eroding mountain in Miaoli County that has deep canyons and red coloration due to mineral seepage. Its unique landscape is popular with hikers and Instagrammers, and it also has great views of Taichung and the surrounding area….(read more)

Price:
Free

Hours:
24/7

Time needed to hike (round trip):
3-4 hours, easy hike

​Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.

7. Flying Cow Ranch 飛牛牧場

Flying Cow Ranch is a recreational farm in Miaoli County that is open for tourists. Activities there include cow milking, pony rides, as well as feeding ducks, goats, and rabbits, making a trip to this farm fun for the whole family...(read more)

Hours:
7 AM to 10 PM every day

Price:
220 NT per person (including a free dairy product)
50 NT per car
You can book tickets to Flying Cow Ranch for a discount on KKday here or on Klook here. 

Accommodation:
3000-5000 NT per night (1000+ NT per campsite), you can book a room here. 

Website:
https://www.flyingcow.com.tw/en/

​8. Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum 三義木雕博物館

The Sanyi Wood sculpture museum is the premier wood sculpture museum in Taiwan, in the heart of wood carving land: Sanyi. Near the museum are numerous wood carving shops with exquisite products. If you are a fan of wood carvings, and especially if you want to buy some to put in your home, Sanyi is the place to go.

Price:
80 NT per person

Hours:
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Website:
https://wood.mlc.gov.tw/eng/content/index.aspx?Parser=1,15,62,54 

Photography is not allowed in the museum, but I snuck in the photo above just to give you a taste of the art inside. The museum is several stories high and will keep you busy for about an hour or more. 

You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  

9. Liyutan Reserviour 鯉魚潭水庫

Liyutan Reservoir is a beautiful and large reservoir in Miaoli. Here you can enjoy serene and beautiful landscapes of the reservoir and nearby mountains. There are also a few farms nearby that allow you to pick your own strawberries.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
​Free

Another view of the reservoir from one of the many lookout pavilions on the shoreline. 

You also have some nice views of Zhuolan and Taichung from near the reservoir. 

​10. Tongxiao Beach 通霄海水浴場

The beaches in Miaoli are some of the best in Western Taiwan, and Tongxiao Beach is the only swimmable beach in central Taiwan. The sand is fine and stretches a long way into the ocean. It's best to visit in summer when it is not as windy and the water is warm. The only official swimmable part of the beach is Tongxiao Beach, which opens during the summer (most years).

Hours:
​8 AM to 5 PM (from May to October)

Price:
May, June, September, October: Free
July and August: Roughly 100-200 NT per person (can be spent at local shops along the beach)

The year we visited unfortunately the beach was closed, but as of 2019 it reopened and should open again in 2020. It is one of the longest and widest beaches I have seen in Taiwan, with the flattest sand. 

​Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

11. Guangsheng Old Street (廣盛老街)

Nanzhuang Old Street is a large tourist street and shopping area in central Miaoli. It is actually three old streets combined into one, and includes a night market too. You can find all kinds of food options here, and authentic Hakka dishes. Nearby, you can also find amazing hiking trails and mountain scenery to enjoy…(read more)

13. Valley of the Gods Waterfall 神仙谷瀑布

Shenxiangu (aka Valley of the Gods or Fairy Valley) in Donghe Township of Miaoli County is an amazing scenic area with multiple waterfalls flowing into a small mountain valley. The trail is short and includes a suspension bridge over the waterfalls, offering beautiful views of the area. It is a worthwhile stop for anyone visiting the area…(read more)

14. Hobbit Valley 哈比丘森林

Miaoli’s Hobbit Valley is a recreational farm that strongly resembles Hobbiton from The Lord of the Rings. Here, visitors can experience a Lord of the Rings-style visit without buying a plane ticket to New Zealand. There are also capybara, sheep, a restaurant, and great views of the surrounding area…(read more)

15. Jialishan 加里山

View of Jialishan from Nanzhuang in Miaoli, a popular hike that has great views of the central mountain range and western Taiwan.

16. Tai’an Hot Springs 泰安溫泉

Tai’an Hot Spring is a popular natural hot spring location in Miaoli. Here you can find hot spring resorts, Tai’an Old Street, as well as nature trails, historical sites, and wild hot springs. It is one of the best hot spring getaways in Taiwan…(read more)

17. Shitoushan (Lion Head Mountain) 獅頭山

Shitoushan in Miaoli is a popular hiking destination near Nanzhuang Old Street, one of Taiwan’s lesser 100 peaks, and has one of the highest concentrations of temples for any hiking trail in Taiwan. Here you can get away from it all and be swept up in the rugged beauty of Taiwan’s central foothills. It is definitely a worthwhile adventure for any traveler…(read more)

18. Dahu 大湖

Dahu is a large valley in the hills of Miaoli inside Shei-Pa National Park, known for its strawberries, which are in season from November to March, and is also called the Kingdom of Strawberries. Here you can pick your own strawberries for a discount and bring them home. In the meantime, you can enjoy the amazing scenery and Hakka culture in the area…(read more)

19. Shokolake Country House Chocolate Factory 巧克力雲莊

Shokolake Chocolate Factory (aka Shokolate Country House) is a tourist factory, museum, and resort in rural Miaoli, Taiwan. Here you can taste all kinds of chocolate, enjoy gardens, cherry blossoms, and beautiful scenery, try out DIY activities, and more. It is a fun experience for the whole family…(read more)
Price:
300 NT per person.
You can buy tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.  

20. Wenshui Old Street 汶水老街

Wenshui Old Street is an old trading hub in central Miaoli, close to Dahu, which is known for strawberry farming. On the old street, you can find lots of Hakka traditional cuisine and strawberry-themed snacks. In the meantime, you can enjoy the historical sights and Hakka culture in the area…(read more)
​
21. Sanwan Old Street 三灣老街

Sanwan Old Street is a historic area of the small town of Sanwan in rural Miaoli County. Here you can find historical buildings, rural scenery, and wildlife. You can also discover more about Hakka culture in the most Hakka town per capita in Taiwan…(read more)

Places we missed:

Taiwan Hakka Culture Museum 台灣客家文化舘
Shei-pa National Park 雪霸國家公園
Mt. Sylvia (Dabajianshan) 大霸尖山
Shangshun World 尚順育樂世界
West Lake Resortopia 西湖渡假村
Suweila Manor 蘇維拉莊園
Baba Kengdao 八八坑道
Zhuo Ye Cottage 卓也小屋
Duck Box 三義鴨箱寶 

​Don’t wait for a blog to tell you where to go, just take the train or rent a scooter, look on Google Maps, and start exploring!​

​You can find more tours and activities in Miaoli on Klook here or KKday here. 

Looking for scooter rental in Miaoli? Click here or here to search for options.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search here. ​

​Don't wait for a blog to tell you where to go, just take the train or rent a scooter, look on Google Maps, and start exploring!

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. 

​More foreigners across Asia are choosing to base themselves here while collaborating with teams elsewhere in the region. Shared time zones, flexible work cultures, and a growing acceptance of remote collaboration make this combination far more common than it was a few years ago. If you're already settled or planning a move, understanding how visas, residency rules, and income structure fit together will help you avoid the typical roadblocks people face.

Why Expats Often Base Themselves in One Place While Working for Companies in Another

Life here appeals to many remote professionals thanks to a comfortable pace, reliable infrastructure, and reasonable living costs. Meanwhile, regional firms, especially those in tech and consulting, frequently work with talent outside their borders without expecting relocation. For many workers, this setup delivers the best of both worlds: stable work paired with a lifestyle that suits them.

How Regional Employers Typically Work With Overseas Professionals

Companies hiring abroad generally lean toward contract-based arrangements. This allows them to collaborate without navigating another country’s labour system. For you, it usually means more autonomy, but also the need to handle your own tax filings and financial planning. It’s a familiar arrangement across Asia and has become the default for cross-border roles.

Your Immigration Status Matters More Than You Might Expect

Most long-term residents hold some form of residency card, whether tied to employment, family, studies, or a professional talent programme. The key point is that local labour rules primarily focus on work for local businesses. Quiet remote work for clients abroad sits in a grey area: widely talked about, tolerated in practice, but not formally defined. The more flexible residency categories reduce the risk of confusion since they grant broader work privileges.

​Do You Need a Local Work Permit if Your Company Is Abroad?

Generally, no, because the work isn’t aimed at the local market. The primary concern for authorities is preventing unapproved employment with businesses based here. Remote collaboration with an overseas team doesn’t typically fall into that category. Even so, it’s best to avoid assumptions and stay within the boundaries of your residency type.

Staying Long Enough Triggers Tax Residency, and That Changes Your Obligations

If you spend more than half the year in your host country, you’ll likely be classified as a tax resident. That can create reporting duties for income earned abroad, even when the employer is outside the country. Meanwhile, many regional tax systems focus on where the work is physically performed rather than where a company is registered. This difference often leads newcomers to assume they're at risk of being taxed twice, but the issue is usually one of residency, not duplication. Because there is no comprehensive treaty between the two systems, getting clarity early can prevent surprises later.

Foreign-Sourced Income: A Concept Many Newcomers Misunderstand

Some assume that being paid from overseas automatically shields them from local tax rules. But for residents, the deciding factor is where they are living, not the origin of the payment. How and when income is brought in can also influence reporting. This is why many people find their first tax season confusing, especially if they’ve never handled cross-border income before.

Why Your Contract Type Affects How You Manage Your Finances

Contractors typically manage their own records, pay estimates, and cash flow, while employees follow a more structured system. In remote work arrangements, contractor status is widespread because it simplifies the employer's responsibilities. Knowing which category you fall into helps you plan for budgeting, paperwork, and future visa or residency adjustments.

Managing Money Across Currencies Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Most people working with regional teams are paid in a currency different from the one they use day to day. Many keep a mix of accounts or use multi-currency wallets, especially when moving funds regularly. Exchange rates can shift quickly, and the timing of transfers sometimes makes a noticeable difference. If you want a clearer view of when to move funds, tools like TradingView Singapore can help you monitor currency trends so you’re not caught off guard. You don’t need to be a trader; many expats simply check charts before deciding when to shift money between accounts.

​When Getting Professional Advice Makes Life Easier

Because cross-border work doesn’t fit neatly into older residency and tax categories, many long-term residents eventually speak with an accountant familiar with both systems. This isn’t a sign that you’ve done anything wrong; it’s simply part of handling a lifestyle that spans multiple jurisdictions. A brief consultation can save hours of guesswork if your situation is even slightly complex.

Common Scenarios Newcomers Run Into Without Realising It

After settling in, many discover patterns they hadn't considered:

• Planning a short stay, but accidentally crossing the threshold for tax residency
• Juggling clients in several countries thanks to flexible visa options
• Realising quarterly prepayments apply when income is steady
• Managing different currencies without a consistent strategy

Seeing these situations ahead of time helps you stay organised rather than react under pressure.

Final Thoughts

Working remotely for a company abroad while building a life here has become entirely normal across the region. The arrangement can be smooth and sustainable once you understand how residency, tax rules, and income structure intersect. With the proper preparation, it’s a practical way to combine stable work with a lifestyle that suits you.

Huoyanshan (literally Fire Mountain or Mountain of Flames) is a quickly eroding mountain in Miaoli County that has deep canyons and red coloration due to mineral seepage. Its unique landscape is popular with hikers and Instagrammers, and it also has great views of Taichung and the surrounding area.
​
Planning your trip to Miaoli?
Here are some top travel tips for you:

• Best time to visit: Summer when it is warm and less windy
• How to get there: Taiwan High-Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
• Book a room at Shokolake on Agoda here
• Book tours and activities in Miaoli on Klook
• Stay connected with a local SIM
• Rent a car to explore distant sights

Table of Contents

• Historical Background:
• Hours:
• Price:
• Where to stay:
• Activities in Miaoli:
• How to get there:
• Map:
• Drone Video:
• 360 Degree Spherical Panoramas
• Our Journey:

Historical Background:Like much of the area around it, Huoyanshan was formed when the land was lifted up due to tectonic factors, but the side of the sandstone mountain has been eroded away by heavy rainfall and the Da’an River, creating a large canyon. Discoloration due to laterization (leaching and oxidation due to heavy rain) of minerals in the sediment has made the rocks near the top of the mountain here orange-red.

The Mountain at its highest point is 614 meters above sea level, and is one of Taiwan’s 100 lesser peaks (小百岳).

In 1984, the area was made into a protected nature reserve and closed off to the public due to danger from erosion. Now that it is reopened, it is a very popular hiking and bird-watching destination.
Anyone travelling north on National Freeway 1 will have a great view of the mountain on the left as they leave Taichung and head north for Miaoli.

Hours:24/7

Price:Free

Where to stay:We have stayed at and recommend Shokolake, a chocolate factory resort in Dahhu (Agoda here or Booking.com here). Beautiful Landscape Resort, a fish farm and resort near Nanzhuang Old Street (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), and Yuan Motel, a high-class car motel which includes a great breakfast buffet (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend Flying Cow Ranch, which includes cabins and camping right on the tourist ranch; you can book a room on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here. 
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Activities in Miaoli:There are many tours and activities available in Miaoli such as Schokolake Chocolate Factory, Shangshun World, West Lake Resortopia, Suweila Manor, Baba Kengdao, Hobbit Valley, Zhuo Ye Cottage Duck Box and more on Klook here or KKday here. 
​
How to get there:By Car/Scooter: Travel south on provincial highway 13 in Mioali until you reach Bogongkeng (伯公坑); at that point, you can park on the side of the road and head up Bogongkeng Village, the trail head starts at the top of the road. You can also start further down at the bottom of the hill and park at the Huoyanshan Trailhead and Parking. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. ​
Looking for scooter rental in Miaoli? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Bus: Take Hsinchu Bus 5665 from Sanyi TRA station to the Bogongkeng bus stop. You can book tickets to travel to Miaoli via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Miaoli via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
​By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Read more: https://taiwantravelblog.com/huoyanshan/

Huoyanshan (literally Fire Mountain or Mountain of Flames) is a quickly eroding mountain in Miaoli County that has deep canyons and red coloration due to mineral seepage. It's unique landscape is popular with hikers and instagrammers, and also has great views of Taichung and the surrounding area. 

This blog is about our drone crash. For our full hike of this mountain, check out our blog post here. 

Background:
Like much of the area around it, Huoyanshan was formed when the land was lifted up due to tectonic factors, but the side of the sandstone mountain has been eroded away by heavy rainfall and the Da'an River creating a large canyon. Discoloration due to laterization (leaching and oxidation due to heavy rain) of minerals in the sediment has made the rocks near the top of the mountain here orange-red.
The Mountain at its highest point is 614 meters above sea level, and is one of Taiwan's 100 lesser peaks (小百岳).
In 1984, the area was made into a protected nature reserve, and closed off to the public due to danger from erosion. Now that is reopened, it is a very popular hiking and bird watching destination.
Anyone travelling north on National Freeway 1 will have a great view of the mountain on the left as they leave Taichung into Miaoli.

Price:
Free

Hours:
24/7

Time needed to hike (round trip):
3-4 hours, easy hike

Tours: 
There are many tours and activities available in Miaoli such as Schokolake Chocolate Factory, Shangshun World, West Lake Resortopia, Suweila Manor, Baba Kengdao, Hobbit Valley, Zhuo Ye Cottage Duck Box and more on Klook here or KKday here. 

Accommodation:
We have stayed at and recommend Beautiful Landscape Resort, a fish farm and resort near Nanzhuang Old Street (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Yuan Motel, a high class car motel which includes a great breakfast buffet (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here). 

Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Travel south on provincial highway 13 in Mioali until you reach Bogongkeng (伯公坑); at that point you can park on the side of the road and head up Bogongkeng Village, the trail head starts at the top of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. ​
Looking for scooter rental in Miaoli? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Bus: Take Hsinchu Bus 5665 from Sanyi TRA station to the Bogongkeng bus stop. You can book tickets to travel to Miaoli via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Miaoli via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
​By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have always wanted to climb Huoyanshan, ever since the first time I saw it travelling north on National Freeway 1 out of Taichung. However, it is a bit off the beaten path and the nearest exit off National Freeway 1 is quite far from the mountain. On one trip to Miaoli, with limited time (no time for a three hour hike) I decided to explore the mountain via drone. 

Check out my drone footage above. 

If you plan to hike, the entrance is right off provincial highway 13 at Bogongkeng. 

We saw plenty of hikers on our way there. Someday I will get around to actually hiking it too and update this blog. If you want to see what the hike is like, check out this blog by Josh Ellis. 

I drove down by the levee on the Da'an River and set up to start flying. It was very very windy, but I took off anyway. 

The view of huoyan mountain from the levee. 

Closeup on the sedimentary rocks. 

Another pile of quickly eroding sandstone. 

So I took off with my drone, not realizing that I had accidentally still had it in sport mode (sport mode makes it go faster but you lose GPS). It was really windy, like I'd say 40 mph winds.  I tried to fly up and forward, but ended up only going up. There were strong southerly winds pushing me back. But up there I took a 360 view of the surroundings. These views are similar to what you would see hiking to the top of Huoyanshan. 

View of the Da'an River looking west. 

View of Taichung to the south. 

View of the Da'an River and National Freeway 1 looking east. 

Another view east, this time my drone was struggling against the wind. As you can see it was going backward toward the river bed, being blown away with no GPS to keep it in one place. 

View of National Highway one looking north. 

View of the rocks and rubble coming off the mountain. They have built a tunnel underneath this rubble for traffic to get through. 

By the time I had realized my drone was not moving forward, the battery was already low. I tried to fly it back home but the wind was too strong. I had to land. With less than 45 seconds of battery left, I luckily avoided large boulders and moving water in the riverbed and landed near some grass. But I didn't know how to track my drone at the time. 

Just to give you an idea of how windy it was, look at the grass here being pushed almost 90 degrees. 

It was a scary experience searching for a tiny little drone in such a large area. 

Finally I spotted the drone on a sloped patch of sand, unscathed. I was lucky that day. I learned that you should never fly a drone in high winds, especially not in sport mode. 
FYI, later I crashed my drone at another mountain in New Taipei, you can read about it here. 
These lessons though have helped me become a much better drone pilot.

Obviously I plan to climb this mountain someday for real and I will update this blog when I do.  

You can find more tours and activities in Miaoli on Klook here or KKday here. 

You can check out our full guide to Miaoli here.

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. ​

The Yuanshan Grand Hotel is one of the tallest traditional Chinese buildings in the world, and was the tallest building in Taiwan for nearly a decade. It also features multiple restaurants, a swimming pool, all day buffet, shops, and secret underground tunnels, slides, and bunkers. It is a major landmark in Taipei and definitely worth a visit even if you do not plan to spend the night there.

Background:
After the ROC government moved to Taiwan in 1949, there was no decent hotel for international travelers and foreign dignitaries, so Chiang Kai-shek planned the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, which was established in 1952. The swimming pool and other buildings were completed in 1953 and 1956, and the main hotel building was completed in 1973. 
Originally the land where the hotel stands was a Shinto shrine called the Taiwan Grand Shrine, left over from the Japanese Era.  
In 1995 a fire hit the top floors, and repairs were not completed until 1998,
Numerous foreign dignitaries including US presidents have stayed at the hotel.

Hours:
24/7 (it's a hotel)

Price:
Free to walk inside the lobby.
Rooms vary from about 3000 NT to 500,000 NT per night. 
The secret tunnel tour is 200 NT per person.

Hotel Room Booking
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, which was once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand. You can book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here.

Website:
https://www.grand-hotel.org/EN/official/about.aspx?gh=TP 

Tour times:
Every day at 11 AM and 2 PM (check with the front desk to make sure)
The tour is 200 NT per person
You can book a tour of the hotel and secret tunnels on Klook here, or KKday here which includes a lunch buffet. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: The Yuanshan Hotel is a big square building in Taipei near Shilin and Neihu on the Keelung River. You have to take a roundabout road up to the hotel which can be confusing, it may take you two passes to make it into the parking lot. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bus/MRT: There is a free shuttle bus from MRT Yuanshan Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have stayed in the Yuanshan Hotel for one night in 2021. It was enjoyable and nice to be able to experience the hotel and the rich history that surrounds it. 

You can book a room on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here.

You can book a tour of the hotel and secret tunnels on Klook here, or KKday here which includes a lunch buffet. 

View of the parking lot at the hotel. Parking is free, but it can get super crowded on weekends espcially with wedding events, etc.

More views of the main outside entrance of the hotel in the gallery above. 

We went during Christmas time, so there was a huge Christmas tree there. 

View from the second storey above the lobby.

View of the ceiling. 

We were able to check in to our room. The best part of the rooms here is of course the balcony. Our balcony was facing the mountain, so it was cheaper. 

If your neighbors also come out on their balcony you can have an open air conversation. 

Looking back at Shilin. 

View inside the five star hotel. The furniture is traditional Chinese style wooden inlaid with mother of pearl. 

We also had breakfast there. The main restaraunt is on the left on the main floor. 

The buffet was pretty good.

Closer view of the breakfast buffet.

We were so full after the breakfast buffet that we had no room left for the lunch buffet.

Another view of the breakfast restaurant. 

View of the main lobby.

Yuanyuan Restaurant. 

Traditional clothing shop on the second floor. 

Wedding reception going on.

More photos of the lobby in the gallery above. 

Behind the main building there is also another golden dragon building. 

Named because of this golden dragon fountain. 

There are a few restaruants and shops here too.

And a Family Mart.

And a Cafe.

More photos of the golden dragon building above. 

Tour 導覽

The tour is worth it. As far as I know since I last visited, tours are offered daily at 11 AM and 2 AM, and the price is 200 NT. Look for the desk in the main lobby with the mountain painting above. 

There are so many intracate details in the main lobby, take the tour and find out. 

They explain basically everything here. 

View of an airplane coming to land on Songshan Airport. 

Mural in front of the steps. 

Historical photos of the hotel. 

The golden dragon. 

Getting to the slide tunnel. 

Stopping for selfies. 

View from the bottom of the slide.

Umbrellas are available if it is raining outside.

Large metal doors lead to the outside.

Then you can walk around this little park until time is up.

These are old employee ID tags, later donated to the hotel. 

See more photos of the tour above. 
​The tour took about an hour and headphones were provided. 

Painting in the foyer. 

There is a restaurant or something on the top floor. 

And a banquet room. 

Golden dragons. 

Banquet room in the basement. 

More views from the roof above. 

Map of the hotel area. 

Guests can use the hotel pool for free, but you have to walk up and down this giant hill to get there. No parking allowed down below. 

There is also a fun kids recreation room and spa near the pool, free to guests. 

More photos from near the pool above. 

View of Taipei from the back parking lot. 

More views from the back parking lot at night. 

Sometimes the rooms light up to make words. Not this night. 

We also had lunch at the hotel which was amazing. 

Our view from the lunch buffet.

Besides the seafood bar, there was also many other delicious Taiwanese food including Haagen Daaz Ice cream all you can eat.

Also we saw a rainbow behind the hotel here.

Another view of the rainbow. 

More views at night can be seen above. 

Dragon Boat Festival near the Yuanshan Hotel. 

Sunset over the Yuanshan Hotel.

Just so you know there is also a Yuanshan Grand Hotel in Kaohsiung near Chengqing Lake, but it is a little smaller. For more information about the Kaohsiung Hotel, click here. 
After staying at both hotels, I can tell you the Taipei Yuanshan Hotel is better kept and has more amenities. When I visited much of the paint on the outside of the Kaohsiung Hotel was falling off. But it doesn't have this amazing backdrop of Chengqing Lake. 

You can book a room on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here.

You can book a tour of the hotel and secret tunnels on Klook here, or KKday here which includes a lunch buffet. 

You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here, KKday here, or Tripadvisor here.

Check out our Taipei Museum Guide here.

​Check out our family and kids guide to Taipei here.

Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. 

​You can also check out our guide to Nangang here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. ​

CTBC Financial Park’s Ice Rink in Nangang District of Taipei is Taiwan’s only outdoor skating rink. It also includes a man-made snow play area for people who have never experienced snow. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season, and the best part is it's free!
​

Background:
The CTBC Financial Park is the headquarters of China Trust Commercial Bank, which was completed in 2013. 
The free outdoor ice rink at the China Trust Financial Center Park has been running since 2015, as a charitable way to give back to the community. The ice rink can get especially busy during holidays and weekends, so it is best to book online in advance if you have a group of 10 or more. 

Price:
Free

Skating Season:
December to March every year (closed Chinese New Year's Eve)

Session Times:
Weekend Additional Session (Saturday and Sunday): 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
​First Session: 3:30 - 5 PM
Second Session: 5:30 - 7 PM
Third Session: 7:30 - 9 PM
Notes:

• Tickets open 60 minutes before each session
• Entrance is allowed in order of ticket number up to 150 people per session (170 people on weekends)
• Limit one ticket per person, waiting on behalf of friends or family members is not allowed
• Group booking tickets for 10 people or more is allowed 14 days in advance on the website, but is not allowed for weekends and holidays
• Masks are required
• Eating and Drinking is not allowed
• Skates are 16 - 29 cm on a first come first serve basis. If they don't have your size, too bad. 
• Only Children 6 years and older are allowed to skate alone. Children 6 years and under must have skating skills and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. To prove your under 6 years old child has skating skills, you must show photos or videos of them skating in the past. 
• Be sure to dress warmly and wear long socks
• Get there early to line up! Most sessions fill up even on weekdays. Expect to get there at least an hour before the session starts to make sure you get a ticket!

Website (Chinese only):
https://www.ctbcfinancialpark.com/activity/Detail/102?category=2 

Tours:
You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here.

Where to stay:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Activities in Nangang:
You can take 14% off the buffet at Courtyard Marriot Nangang on KKday here. 
You can also get a discount ticket to Crazy Car Café in Nangang, the only restaurant in Taiwan that offers Go-Karting, on KKday here.
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Nangang Road at Nangang Exhibition Center MRT station, turn north toward CTBC Financial Park. There is paid parking on the south entrance. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  ​
By Bus/MRT: Take the MRT to Nangang Software Park Station. The Ice rink is across the street. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

We have visited the CTBC Financial Center every year since 2016. There are usually lots of people (mostly kids) lined up every weekend during the winter to go ice skating. Because Taiwan rarely sees weather below freezing, much less snow, it is a very popular sport for local Taiwanese people. 

The good part about this place is it's free. However the wait is long. You have to line up at least an hour before the session starts to get a ticket (per my experience, every session fills up even on weekdays!). Then after getting a ticket, you have to wait at least half an hour (I think they do this on purpose so you are forced to buy food at their food court). 

See above for a short video of the skating rink. 

Getting here is easy. Just take the MRT to the Nangang Software Park (pictured above).

They are also building a gigantic new mall across the street that should be open soon. I think they are building another pedestrian bridge too. 

View of the ice rink from above.

View of the ice rink from below. 

On weekends there are always tons of people lined up here to buy tickets. 

Above are the rules that I laid out in the intro above. 

On these two days 120 and 170 people were allowed per session.

About 150 people can fit in the chained area, so if you line up within the chains, then you will be able to get a ticket most likely. 

In 2024-2025, the theme was feathered Dinosaurs. 

When you buy a ticket, you also get a discount on all the restaurants nearby. So, even though the event is free, you are strongly encouraged to buy their food. 
After getting tickets, you will have about half an hour more to wait, so that is a good time to get some food. We hit up McDonald's. But be sure you show up at least 30 minutes before it ends or you will not be let in. 

After you get your ticket, you have to wait about half and hour before they call your number to get in line for skates. You can measure your foot here. 

Here you can get your skates and a helmet. It is no guarantee that they will have your size. It is also best to go a size up because the skates can be tight. 

There are benches to change on and also lockers to store your belongings in. 

We got the white skates. 

View of kids playing in snow!

Kids skating inside. You should be prepared to skate with a ton of noobs. I mean most people will be skating for only the first or second time in the life. Be prepared for lots of slow people, unexpected stops and turns, and people falling over and perhaps even running into you. 

Another view. 

View to the right. 

Panoramic view. 

Dinosaur themed rink in 2024-2025.

More people skating here. 

Christmas tree in front of the rink. 

Also there is a giant LED screen that kids can jump on in the lobby.

You can also take photos with kids in front of the trees and presents. ​

You can see more photos from our 2024 trip above. 

Skating at Taipei Arena 小巨蛋溜冰

Taipei Arena is one of the few places in Taiwan that offers both ice skating and roller skating indoors all year round. For many people in Taiwan who have never seen snow, this is a unique experience and opportunity. It is definitely worth a trip during your next visit to Taipei...(read more)

There are many other activities available in Taipei such as Indoor Skiing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking,  River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, Archery, Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Tree Climbing, Urban Camping, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Escape Room, Shen'ao Rail Bike, Laser Gun Experience, Batting Cages, Bowling, Paintball, Flight Simulation Experience, Taipei Tram Driving Experience, Rail Simulation Experience, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop and more on Klook here or KKday here. 
​You can get a 20% discount on the Taiwan High Speed Rail to Nangang on Klook here or KKday here. 

Check out our full guide to Nangang here. 

Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. ​

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more blogs on Taipei to come!

Shanshuilu Eco Park (aka Shanshui Green Eco Park) in Nangang District of Taipei is a large grassy park with one of the best views in Taipei City, built over a former landfill. Here you can find beautiful mountain scenery, a large playground, ziplines, a sand pit, a reading room, and lots of large grassy areas. It is one of the most popular parks in Taipei City. ​

​
Background:
Shanshuilu Eco Park was built over the Shanzhuku Landfill and opened to the public in 2013. The park is 21 hectares, and it is the largest park in Nangang. 
The Shanzhuku Valley once had steep terrain and was used for orchards and farmland. However, since about 1970, the valley has been slowly filled in with landfill and a recycling plant, acting as Taipei City's main landfill site. Garbage stopped being collected after the site was filled to capacity in 2004, and the site was used as a recycling site until 2010. After 2010, it was decided to turn the site into a park.
Behind the park, part of the landfill is still in use and has renewed its permit until 2030 or until the site fills.  
The park features a small library and classroom, bathrooms, slides, two sand pits, ponds, bike paths, large grassy areas, an amphitheater, swings, trampolines, and zip-lines. 
Because of its large size and fun equipment, it is especially popular for families with small children, and parking will usually get totally full on weekends with good weather. 
​Dogs are allowed at the park.

Hours:
6 AM to 8 PM Tuesday to Sunday
​
Price:
Free
​
Tours:
You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here.

Where to stay:
High-end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: The park is just off Nanshen Road between Nangang and Shenkeng. There is plenty of free parking within the park. The parking spots may get full on weekends but you can still park next to the curb on the east side of the parking lot. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bus/MRT: From Nangang Exhibition Center MRT station, you can take bus 679 to the park. There is limited parking on the side of the road.  You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

​Map:

Our Journey:

I have been to Shanshuilu too many times to count. I live in Nangang, and it is Nangang's largest and most popular park. Parking here is free, so lots of families with cars will come here to enjoy an afternoon. There is not much cover for rain, so usually it only has fair-weather visitors. It is nice to be able to enjoy the views here and the large, open grassy spaces. However, the only downside is that it is built on a slope so it takes some energy to get up to the top of the park. Also, the zip line seems to be under constant maintenance and can go for long stretches being closed off to the public. 

For an overview of the park, check out our video above.

You can also check out our 360 panorama in the middle of the park above. 

You can also check out our 360 panorama from the bottom of the park above. ​

You can also watch our time-lapse from the park above. 

If you want a good view of the park but don't have a drone, you can always get a good photo from Nanshen Road which is up the hill from the park. 

The best part of the children's play area is definitely the double zipline. 

On weekends during good weather, usually there are always long lines of kids waiting to play on this. 

This is the main sand pit and slide area, which has some shade. 

The sand is good enough to make a castle with. 

Lots of people also come here and have picnics on the grassy area. 

You will see lots of people with tents and camping chairs, happy to get out of their apartments and get some fresh air. 

Another view of the zipline. 

There is also a trampoline area which is quite popular. 

Another view of the trampoline area at dusk. 

There is also one swing here, and there may also be lines that form next to it. 

There is a U shaped pavilion here which can provide protection from the sun and rain. 

To the left is also a large grassy amphitheater. 

View of the park at dusk. 

View of the amphitheater at dusk. 

Another view of the large grassy area. 

The park is also very popular for kite flyers. 

The park may be hard to navigate because of all the hills and terraces. 

Wooden bridge across a small creek. 

At the bottom of the hill is the old recycling complex which as been converted into bathrooms and a sand pit. 

There is an old excavator here, a bridge to enjoy the scenery, and the sand pit with some shade. 

Bridge made out of old telephone poles. 

View of Nangang from the bridge. 

There is usually plenty of scooter parking here, but the car parking can get full fast on weekends. 

Walls made of old cans at the recycling center. There is a water dispenser and bathrooms here. 

Lotus pond near the reading room. 

Another view of the lotus pond. 

View inside the reading room. 

Hydrogen energy exhibition. 

View down the left side of the dam. The steps up the dam used to be open to the public and were lit at night, but now are closed off for some reason. 

View down the right side of the dam. 

More lotus plants. 

Giant banana spider. 

Tree shaped library with children's books and shoe shaped seats. 

Solar power exhibit. 

Another view of the main room. 

Classroom on the second floor. 

Long path on the top of the dam. 

View looking back at the ampitheater. 

Further up the hill is another grassy area where dog lovers like to go. 

View looking down on the park. A few years ago they put up solar panels which has taken a lot of park space away. I am not happy about it. 

View looking down at Nangang and Shanzhuku Swimming Pool, which is free for residents of Nangang. 

View looking back at Shanshuilu Eco Park from Dafengshan. 

View of the park from Nanshen Road. 

Another view of the park with full parking. A lot of people end up parking on the grass. 

Like this. 

Another view of the park on a day with almost perfect visibility, with Yangmingshan in the background. 

Another view of the park with Dongshi Street Apartment Complex in the background, soaking up the last sunlight. 

View of Yangmingshan over the park at dusk. 

View of the park at night. 

Next to the park you will notice a huge Betel Nut farm. 

View of the Betel Nut farm from the air. 

You can see more photos of the park in the gallery above. 

You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. 
​You can get a 20% discount on the Taiwan High Speed Rail to Nangang on Klook here or KKday here. 

Check out our full guide to Nangang here. ​

Check out our family and kids guide to Taipei here. 

Also be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. 

The Taipei Zoo is not only the largest and most varied zoo in Taiwan, it is also one of the best zoos in Asia, and at the same time has an extremely affordable price of only 60 NT per adult. If you have time you should definitely stop by and visit this zoo, if not for anything else but to see Taiwan's ingenious animals like the Formosan Black Bear and Sika Deer which are hard to see in the wild. ​

Background:
The Taipei City Zoo was originally established during the Japanese Era in 1914 near the Yuanshan Hotel. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, elephants, lions, and bears were added to the zoo in 1952. Because there was not enough land to expand the zoo, it was moved to Wenshan District in 1986. Two employees have been killed by animals, one from an elephant and one from a black bear, both in the 1970s. There have been no fatalities at the zoo since. The Maokong Gondola was built next to the zoo in 2007, connecting Taipei Zoo with Maokong.
 
The current zoo includes a Taiwan indigenous animal exhibit, children's petting zoo, tropical rain forest exhibit, desert animal exhibit, Australian and African animal exhibits, tropical animal exhibit, petting zoo, insect exhibit, and bird exhibit. There is also an indoor Panda exhibit, an insect exhibit, an amphibian and reptile exhibit, a koala exhibit, and a penguin exhibit. 

Hours:
9 AM to 5 PM, tickets are not sold after 4:00 PM. 
Sometimes in the summer, twilight hours are extended to 9:00 PM, but it's not worth going as almost all of the animal exhibits are closed after 5:00 PM. 

Price:
100 NT per person
You can book discount tickets to Taipei Zoo on Klook here or KKday here.

Tours:
You can also book a Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola tour on TripAdvisor here.
You can also search for tours on Klook here, or KKday here​. 

Hotels in Taipei:
We have stayed at and recommend Ximending Amba, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Tripadvisor here, Expedia here, Kayak here, Trip.com here, or Agoda here).
We also have stayed at and recommend and Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here).
​We also have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By MRT: Take the brown line MRT to the Taipei Zoo station, then walk north a few hundred meters until you reach the zoo entrance. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Drive to the Taipei Zoo (via highway 3 or county road 106), and park somewhere on the street or in a parking lot, then walk to the zoo entrance. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. ​

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have been to the Taipei Zoo many times. The price is super cheap and there is enough to see to last the entire day. 

See some of our drone footage above for a bird's eye view of the zoo. ​

View looking west. There is a large parking lot in front of the Zoo but it can fill quickly. If you are coming as a tourist, the easiest option is to take the brown line MRT. 

Even on the most crowded days, you don't have to wait to get in because all you need to do is swipe your easy card. But if you don't have an easy card, you can still wait in line and pay with cash.

On the day that we visited, it was Children's Day (兒童節), which means kids get in free. Needless to say, the place was packed. 

The zoo sits in a valley, going uphill as you go further in. Because of this, its easier to start from the back and work down. More on that later. 

​You can book discount tickets to Taipei Zoo on Klook here or KKday here.

Tons of people.

This is the line to Mcdonald's. A Big Mac is not worth a half hour wait in line. Okay, we did not come to the zoo to look at people. Let's get out the map:

As you can see, right at the entrance to the zoo on the left is the Formosan Animal Area. This is where you should go first, especially if you are travelling from afar. These are animals that are endemic to Taiwan and can be hard to spot in the wild. 

Formosan Animal Area 臺灣動物園區

The main attraction at the Formosan Animal Area is the Formosan Black Bear, which has been at the heart of Taiwan's tourism efforts in recent years.

It can be very hard to spot one in the wild, so here is the easiest way to see one. 

Also don't miss out of the Formosan Sika Deer and Muntjac, which are like mini deer (pictured above is an adult). They can also be very hard to spot in the wild. 

Taiwan Mountain Hawk-Eagle. 

Formosan Macaques, which are easier to spot in the wild. 

There are more Formosan animals to discover there, but this is not an exhaustive blog. Let's keep moving. 
​
Zoo Shuttle Train 動物列車

Once you have seen what you want to see around the entrance, you can take the shuttle train up the hill to the back of the zoo. It is only 5 NT per person. 

On a busy day there will be a long line, but the line moves fast and the trains are long. 

Riding in the train to the other side of the zoo. ​

Giant Tortoise. 

​Iguanas. 

Central bearded dragons having a family photo session. 

Giant iguana taking a nap.

Yellow poison dart frogs. 

Skinks napping. 

Marimo, which are algae growths in ball form found in Japan. 

Construction going on near the food court. 

Penguin House 企鵝舘

There is a nice penguin exhibit at the very end of the zoo. The ones pictured above are fake.

The first room features quite a number of emperor penguins. 

Don't expect them to do tricks for you. 

That's pretty much it. And it's cold in there. 

Also there is a penguin gift shop. 

Temperate Zone Animal Area 溫帶動物區

Brown bear. 

Also near the temperate animal area is the only convenience store in the park, a Red Panda themed Hi-Life. IT can be crowded here but the lines move fast and there is a window specifically to buy ice cream from. 

Otters.

Tomistoma. 

African Animal Area 非洲動物區

Rhinos. 

Another Rhino. 

Donkey. 

Hippos. 

The hippo area also features a glass wall where you can see hippos swimming in the water. 

Pigmy hippos. 

Elephants. 

Elephant playing with a boulder. 

Elephant taking a sip. 

Giraffe. 

A giraffe family. 

Zebras in the giraffe enclosure. 

Someone holding up their kid to see the giraffes. 

Lion. 

Gorilla. 

Ostrich. 

Australian Animal Area 澳洲動物區

Right next to the African area is the Australian area. Pictured above is an Emu. 

Kangaroo. 

Goats.

Desert Animal District 沙漠動物區

Camels.

Addaxes. 

Eland.

Tons of people in front of the African exhibit. 

Asian Tropical Forest Area 亞洲熱帶雨林區

Right below the African and Australian areas is the Asian Tropical Rain forest Area. 

There is a new edition of the zoo, the Pangolin dome that opened in 2019. 

Malayan Tapir.

Skywalk inside the Pangolin dome. 

Camouflaged turtle. 

Bengal Tiger. 

Asian Elephants. 

Jaguar. 

Malaysian bee eater.

Another view inside the pangolin cage.

A sloth going back into his house in the pangolin cage. 

Tucan.

Cotton top Tamarin.

View of the aquarium inside the pangolin cage. 

There is an underwater tunnel here you can check out.

Sometimes big fish will appear.

Capybaras resting. 

Sumatran leaf monkey.

River otters.

Gharial. 

Indian great hornbill. 

Insect Valley 昆蟲谷

Near the rain forest area is an insectarium, where you can find butterflies and other bugs. 

Great Mormon. 

It's easy to get some good butterfly pictures in here. 

Did I mention there was tons of people? I now wonder if I came to see people or animals. 

The panda exhibit is near the entrance. If you go on a really busy day, they will assign you a time to enter otherwise it will get way to crowded there. 

The line moves fairly quickly because there is a guard there whistling at you. 

How does Taiwan have Pandas? They were a gift from China in 2008 when pro-China president Ma-Yingjiu won the presidency. Before that they were rejected by the Chen Shuibian led DPP party. Pro-independence activists did not like the pandas because their names meant unification (with China). 

The crowded line back to the entrance from the Giant Panda House.

Check out more recent photos in the gallery above.

Also from the Taipei Zoo you can take the Maokong Gondola up the mountain to see some great views of Taipei. For more about the Maokong Gondola, check out our full blog here. 

You can book discount tickets to Taipei Zoo on Klook here or KKday here.
​
You can also book a Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola tour on TripAdvisor here.
You can also search for tours on Klook here, or KKday here​. 

​Check out our family and kids guide to Taipei here. 

Check out our Taipei Museum Guide here. 

Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. 

View of the building in 2017 before it was renovated.

Historical Background:

Built in 1925, this dormitory was made for the Japanese doctor who watched over the sanitorium nearby.
The Sanatorium’s main purpose was to treat mentally disabled patients, and later was turned into a center to cure tuberculosis. It has had multiple names through the ages, beginning with松山錫口養生院 (Songshan Xikou Health Hospital), and then changed to 松山療養所 (Songshan Sanatorium) in 1925. When the ROC took control, its changed name was changed again to 台灣省立松山療養院, (Taiwan Provincial Songshan Sanatorium) in 1946, with the first superintendent being Yang TianMu (楊添木). It was also known as (or part of it was) 治肺結核療養所 (Tuberculosis Treatment Sanatorium). 

​Made a historical building in 2006, the government later said the dormitory required 20,000,000 NT to restore the building and open it to the public. After the government bought the land for over 60,000,000 NT, it was planned to be reopened as an “Art Therapy” center for children with special needs, where they can learn to paint, draw, and perform. ​Originally this building was under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, but then the government decided to hand it over to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which did not want to take on such an expensive project. The Ministry of Culture promised to give funds to help the project, but it has not happened. Supposedly the Ministry of Culture was supposed to pass on funds to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The final renovation took place in 2018 and was completed in 2020. It has now been converted into a coffee shop called "Jingxin Yuan 靜心苑."

Hours:
11 AM - PM
​
Price:
Free entrance but socks are required.
​
​Tours:
You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here.

Where to stay:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: The dormitory is within walking distance of Kunyang MRT station, on Kunyang Road. There is limited parking near the side of the road. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bus/MRT: The dormitory is within walking distance of Kunyang MRT station. There is limited parking near the side of the road.  You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

The renovation of the Songshan Sanitorium Superintendent's dormitory has been a long time in the making. However I was really pleased with the result. It is definitely worth a visit and is now a great restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere. The only sad part is the city decided not to preserve the actual sanitorium itself. 

View of the front entrance. 

Old shed with a pond mural. 

Front entrance with an old rickshaw.

Side of the building. 

Fancy pet duck and bonzai tree.

Side view of the building. 

Back porch of the building. 

Back end of the building. 

They have also made a fish pond here.

Another view of the fish pond. 

View of the front entrance. To get inside you need to be wearing socks. If you don't have socks, you can buy some.

This long wall of windows is nice.

Old memorabilia, some of it for sale I think. 

Another table. 

Hexagonal window.

This is the menu for the restaurant. 

Chicken soup meal. 

This is really just a full hot bot. 

BBQ eel meal. 

This eel was really delicious. 

We finished it off with some cheesecake. 

We also noticed they had some glass art pieces for sale. 

You can see more photos of the main building above. 

Across the street there is another Japanese era house that is open from 1-5 PM and closed Tuesday. It's called the Jingxin Yuan No. 2 (靜心苑二館). 

There is no restaurant here, but it is a nice place to relax. They also have free yoga classes here. 

Old electrical hardware. 

Side room. 

View of the building from the backyard. 

More photos of the building above. Again, there are free yoga classes here. 

Across the street they are building a new office building where the old sanitorium used to stand. 

They are also tearing down quite a few old military dormitories in the area. Who knows what will be built in their place.

Another view of the old military dormitories across the street. 

​Timelapse of the Songshan Sanitorium:

The following is a dated post of what the dormitory looked like before the renovation:

​My Exploration in 2017:

Besides climbing over the low brick wall, one can squeeze through an opening between a tree behind someone's private parking space. I was carrying a baby on the front of me so I imagine any fat person could slip through just fine.

Walking around the back of the building, one can see collapsed brick wall and rubble everywhere. This brick wall has collapsed recently because I have seen it standing in other people's blogs.

Behind the dormitory is garden, and a red tin house construction that has been added on recently for cleaning purposes I assume. The entire house is very much securely locked, so even the most skilled ninja will have trouble getting in.

That is a new deadbolt. The person that "regularly cleans" the place surely comes in through here. There is no other entrance into the building that hasn't been boarded off.

There are a few storage shed type constructions around the dormitory. I assume that perhaps their purpose was to store wood or coal fuel.

There is quite a large sinkhole in the ground here, I imagine this is one of the reasons why restoring this place would be so expensive.

View from inside the front yard shed. I'm not sure what the metal object in the far right corner is. Perhaps a well. Also I am not sure what the red wooden object is in the background, and why it is not stored in the house.

You will notice that the windows protrude out of the house. This is to protect the rooms from rain. Also the cement foundation with airways is supposed to protect the house from pests such as termites, although I imagine they now spray the house for bugs.

At this point I had given up on getting inside the house, but I found that there was still a way to get pictures of the inside.

This is the best I can give you for the house's interior. There is wood everything, and it all looks in somewhat decent shape. Although I think they should fire whoever they hired to "regularly" clean this place.

 I took off my my loyal steed, which I left unlocked because this is Taiwan, and thus concluded my exploration of the place.

Some work has been done to preserve this building, but now it simply sits in southwestern Nangang, boarded up, empty, and rotting. Although this building is kept in somewhat good condition and is cleaned regularly, it seems a great pity that more has not been done to preserve it for the public to enjoy. It is now in a political tennis court where different government agencies to not want to pay for its repair. As Mayor Ke said, having a historical building placed under your bureau is like getting a fine; you have to pay for the repairs. Now everyone wants to pass this “fine” around. So I guess the general feeling in the government is to ignore history and culture and do not spend money to restore these burdensome "fines" at all costs. It’s a sad mindset that has all but destroyed most of Nangang’s history.
 
This building is one of the few well preserved Japanese wooden buildings in Taipei. It should be preserved for the public to enjoy, and the Taipei city government should be ashamed for greedily hoarding funds and putting it its renovation for so long.

The location of the actual Sanatorium itself not well documented and currently lies on protected private property. It too is boarded up, but unlike the dormitory it is hidden away, forgotten, and thus has not been made a historical building. For more info please send me a message. If I have time I might make a follow up blog on it.

Conclusion:
The Sanitorium was destroyed after writing the above article, but as you can see the dormitory has been beautifully preserved. The best we can do is enjoy what Taipei City has left us with. 

You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. 
You can get a 20% discount on the Taiwan High Speed Rail to Nangang on Klook here or KKday here. 

Check out our full guide to Nangang here. ​

Check out our Taipei Museum Guide here. 

Also be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. ​

Yongkang Street is home to some of the best food in Taipei. Neither a night market nor an old street, it is just a street with good food. The street is mostly geared to the tastes of tourists and foreign travelers. Besides food, there are also art shops, clothing shops, bookstores, tea shops, and many other specialty shops. ​

Background:
Yongkang Street sits in front of Dongmen MRT station and ends at Lishui Street. It is surrounded by sites such as the CKS memorial, Da'an Forest Park, and NTU. The Street has become a popular place for foreigners, especially from Japan and Korea to try out Taiwan's local delicacies such as Mango Ice and Beef Noodle Soup. I think this can be attributed partly to foreign media and blogging, and partly to the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.

Price:
Free
​
Hours:
24/7, but most shops are only open until about 9 PM.

Tours: 
You can book a tour to Yongkang Street and other sights in Taipei on TripAdvisor here or on Klook here. 

Hotels in Taipei:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), which are all very high quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City.
We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Budget Hotels: We have also stayed at and recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By MRT: The street is right in front of Dongmen MRT station.
By car/scooter: It is not hard to find from central Taipei, but parking is hard to find, so I do not recommend driving here if you can avoid it. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have been to Yongkang Street many times. It is a great place to find a meal.

Mango Ice is a big thing here. There are at least three or four mango ice shops here. 

We tried one of the smaller shops which was being filmed at the time. 

Our mango ice. 

And there is a very famous and delicious green inion pancake shop on the street that usually has long lines. 

Waiting for our pancake. 

Delicious and for a very good price. 

Specialty shop with random Taiwan snacks. 

Noodle shop.

Taiwanese-Japanese style restaurant Lu Sang (呂桑). This is where I had dinner on my wedding day with family. 

One of my favorite restaurants here, Jin Ji Yuan (金雞園). 

They also have fried chicken and beef noodle soup here. 

An example of a bento meal at Jin Ji Yuan. 

Clothing shop.

Milk tea shop.

Hamster specialty shop.

Another trinket shop.

Fruit stand.

And if you don't mind being approached by missionaries, the only Mormon temple in Taiwan is just a block away. 

More photos of the area above. 

You can book a tour to Yongkang Street and other sights in Taipei on TripAdvisor here or on Klook here. ​

You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop, and more on Klook here or KKday here. 

Check out our Taipei Night Market guide here. 

Check out our guide to Taipei’s Old Streets here. 

Also be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. ​

Background:
Shuangwan means two bays (referring to Baishawan and Qianshuiwan).
Baishawan (literally White Sand Bay) was formed roughly 800,000 years ago by volcanoes spewing lava into the ocean, creating Fuigui Cape. Later, coral grew near the shoreline, which makes up for most of the white sand seen on the beach today. The white sandy beach extends about one kilometer along the coast. Now it is one of the most popular destinations on the north coast of Taiwan. Because of its proximity to Taipei, there are sure to be many visitors, and because Taipei has the highest concentration of foreigners, be prepared to see a lot of other foreigners as well.

Price: Free

​Parking: Free. There is a parking lot in front of the main entrance. If this is full, you can park along the road next to it.

Length:
8 KM or about 1 hour

Bike Rental: 
There are Youbike stations in Sanzhi and at Baishawan Beach, and there is a bicycle rental shop in Sanzhi. 
You can also search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. 

Tours:
You can book a tour to Taiwan's North Coast on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
​You can book a Private Laomei Green Reef Day Tour from Taipei on TripAdvisor here or KKday here. 

Activities:
Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking,  River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen'ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

Hotels on Taiwan's Northern Coast:
We recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to Get There:
By Bus: Take Keelung bus from either Danshui MRT station or Keelung TRA station.
You can also take the yellow and white North Coast Shuttle Bus to Baishawan station. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car/Scooter: Drive on provincial highway 2 out of Danshui to the northeast, or out of Keelung to the northwest. The beach area is near Sanzhi District 三芝區. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Klook here or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
​By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. ​

Map: Please see below:

Check out our drone footage of the area above and below.

You can check out our 360 panorama of the area above or verticle videos below.

You can see they are building a new bridge along the coast which will connect some bike paths.

Another view can be seen above.

Our Journey:

I have travelled the road between Qianshuiwan and Baishawan many times, and have ridden along the coast three times. I can say that the trail in front of Qianshuiwan is good, and the trail from Baishawan is good, but there is a stretch after Qianshuiwan beach where you have to ride on the main road and fight with speeding cars, which is quite dangerous, and I did not feel comfortable completing it with kids. Hopefully, they will improve that section soon. They are currently building a new bridge and trail between Qianshuiwan and Baishawan, but it appears it is not completed as of the writing of this blog.

This blog was completed by taking photos on three separate trips.

The path starts at Qianshuiwan in Sanzhi. Here is a Youbike rental station, as well as a bike rental shop. Qianshuiwan (aka Qianshui Bay) in Sanzhi District of New Taipei is a popular beach destination, which includes a pristine bike path that goes all the way to Baishawan. There is also a nice sandy beach, pier, and lots of beach side restaurants nearby. It is a great beach destination along the northeast coast of Taiwan. For our full blog on Qianshuiwan, click here. 

View of the large Youbike station at Qianshuiwan.

You can see there is a big hole in the bike path between Qianshuiwan and the northern section. I am not sure if there used to be a path there, but it got washed out by a typhoon, or what, but that part of the path was missing when I visited. 

Even though we biked this in March, there were still quite a few beachgoers there. 

Stadium steps at Qianshuiwan.

Free footwash at Qianshuiwan.

View not far from the Youbike station.

Another view over Qianshuiwan.

The bike path goes along the beach here.

You can also ride out to this shiny statue.

The statue has its own pier here.

Camping area and restaraunt along the way.

The bike path continues along the beach here.

Then it stops abruptly at this seafood shop.

We then had to go back on to the main road, then headed onto this dirt road which we hoped would connect to the coast.

But we foudn a dead end here along the rocky coast.

The trail did not continue on the right or left.

It did go a little along the coast but there was no bridge across the river.

It seemed they were building a new park here.

An old swimming pool which is now a mosquito breeding pond.

As I mentioned, they are building a new bridge which should connect this area with the Baishwan bike path.

Another view of the new trail being built as of 2025.

​We stopped here. On another day, we drove to the Sanwan parking lot.

Moving through the country we found this abandoned farm house. 

And we saw that the abandoned hotel near Qianshuiwan is being renovated. 

Rice fields. 

Rural road leading the the Shuangwan parking lot.

Right in the middle of the path is the Shuangwan parking lot. 

The path moves on past here. 

Map of the bike path. 

Path leading to a little stretch of beach here. 

No swimming. 

Path leading down to the beach. 

Looking down south. 

Another view down south. 

View of the main beach. 

Looking further up the beach. 

View looking north.

View of the sand. 

A man braves the rocks and waves.

View looking south along the coast from the air.

Another view looking south.

View looking north.

We stopped there. Next, we started from Baishawan and rode bikes to the Shuangwan Parking lot.

We started from LinshanbI Harbor and made our way south.

Same map of the area.

This time I saw Blue-branded king crow 圓翅紫斑蝶 (yuán chì zǐ bān dié) Euploea eunice hobsoni

Two Blue-branded king crow 圓翅紫斑蝶 (yuán chì zǐ bān dié) Euploea eunice hobsoni

View of the small Linshanbi Harbor where we parked our car. There was no Youbike station here. Or the nearest one had no bikes. So. I rode a kick scooter and my wife shared a bike with one of our kids.

View of the beach near Linshanbi Harbor.

Wooden trail near the harbor. I used my telephoto lense for this whole part of the trip.

A man fishes along the north coast.

More people enjoying the beach here.

Rainbow beach house.

Boardwalk walkers.

Algal Reef
​Algal reefs are formed of coralline, a red algae of the Corallinaceae family, distinguishing these formations from their coral cousins. The cell walls of coralline have skeletal deposits made of calcium carbonate, which remains when the algae die. The calcium carbonate accumulates over time to form into reefs. Algal reefs can be found off the coast of Taiwan between Qianshui Bay in Sanzhi Township, Linshanbi Cape in Shimen Township, and Fugui Cape. Measuring 10 kilometers long, the reef is a natural treasure on the north coast of Taiwan. (Sources: Luo Chin-kuang, guides for the North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area and Yehliu Geo-Park)

Closeup on the algal reef.

More nature walkers.

Abandoned building.

Old shooting range in Taipei County.

Old bunker along the coast.

Now it is taken over by the ocean.

Spirit bone temple in the distance.

Mouth of a small stream along the trail.

We had to circle around this stream too.

Another biker came to join us.

Another abanonded house along the coast.

Abandoned neighboring house.

The trail then went down a hill through this neighborhood.

We got to this location on the map.

Someone was lucky enough to rent a Youbike here.

Wooden bridge. We need more of these along the trail.

Beach near Shuangwan parking lot.

Beachgoers along the rocky shoreline.

Abanonded bunker.

Lizard.

View down the last stretch of bikeway.

Another view from this stretch of bikeway.

Birdie.

Ocean.

I think people here may be collecting crabs.

Finally made it back to the Shuangwan Parking lot.

The builders of the new bridge also built a makeshift road along the beach here.

More beachgoers here.

View looking north.

There were lots of people here among the boulders.

Volcanic remnants.

Another view of the rocks.

Another view of the rocky coast looking north.

A couple enjoys the scenery near the rocks.

Closeup on the conglomerate of volcanic rocks along the shore.

You can check out more of our photos in the gallery above.

Eventually, the path leads to Baishawan. 
Baishawan is one of the nicest beaches in northern Taiwan. The sand is white, the water shallow (and warm in the summer), and it is relatively well kept and clean. Due to its proximity to Taipei, it sees lots of visitors, especially from foreigners. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and kite surfing are all popular activities at this beach. For our full blog on Baishawan beach, see here.

Even though the full path is not completed yet, and there are not as many Youbike Stations here as there should be, it was still an enjoyable ride with amazing scenery. Hopefully they will add more bridges, trails, bike paths, and Youbike Stations (or bike rental shops) soon to make this one of the best bike paths in Taiwan.

Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking,  River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen'ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

Check out our guide to the best beaches near Taipei here. 

Check out our full guide to Taiwan’s Northern Coast here.

Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. ​

Bishan Campground (aka Bishan Camping Area) in Neihu District of Taipei City is the only free campground run by Taipei City (although it has an extension campground in Beitou). Near the campground is Bishan Temple, which has one of the best views of Taipei. Besides camping and temple worship, the area is also a popular hiking spot, and there are multiple tourist farms and tea shops to explore. ​

How to apply for a camping spot:
You can apply using this online form (sorry it's in Chinese):
https://gisweb.gov.taipei/TPCamp/Default.aspx 
You must apply at least 7 days in advance, but no more than 30 days in advance. 
You must log in using Taipei Tong App (臺北通), use a card reader for your NHI Card, or use a Taiwan cell phone. 
You can check the status of the application online as well. 

Price:
Free!

Utilities:

• Free showers
• Free electricity (one or two outlets)
• Free parking
• Bring your own tent, sleeping gear, and food. 

Hours:
Camping time starts at 2 PM and ends at 1 PM the next day. 
You can only stay for two nights at a time. 

Tours and Activities:
You can book a ticket to the Neihu Strawberry Garden on KKday here. 
You can look for more activities on Klook here or KKday here. 

How to get there:
By Bus: You can take a bus to about 1 KM away from the campsite, but then you have to walk with all of that gear. If that's not what you want then you should take a taxi or your own vehicle. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here.  
By Scooter/Car: From East Neihu, drive up Bishan Raod (碧山路) until you see the campground. It's hard to miss. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 
​
Map:
Please see below:

Check out our drone footage of the area above and below. 

The first time coming across Bishan Camping Area while wandering through the mountains of Neihu on a scooter, I knew that we had to stay a night there. Much to my surprise, this campground is free to everyone, as long as you apply in advance. 

I had to use my lunch hour to ride up and register before 5:00 or else they consider you a no show. This is because they want to lower the cost of the campground, so the campground manager's shift ends at 5 PM. I then drove up after work with my family and we arrived before sunset. 

You can book a ticket to the Neihu Strawberry Garden on KKday here. ​

The campground has some nice views of Taipei, even if there are some trees in the way. Recently they have upgraded the campground so site has a wooden platform. 

One drawback about this campground though is that it lies on a steep slope, and the bathroom is at the very bottom. 

There is a nice path here, and they provide carts so you don't have to carry all of your camping gear by hand. 

There were also some picnic tables nearby our site which we used to eat dinner and breakfast with. 

We had the whole place to ourselves, except for one other family who took the prime spot near the bathrooms. 
This is because it was in the middle of the week (in October) and the weather was not too good. But it is hard to predict the weather when you have to book at least seven days in advance.  

There are a total of about 30-40 campsites in the camping grounds. 

The bathrooms are quite nice; there are showers here and hot water is provided from 5 PM to 9 PM. 

View inside one of the showers. 

Another view of the men's room.

The bad part is if you pick a site up on the hill you have to make this long hike in the middle of the night. 

There is also a nice wide open stadium like area which can use if you have a large group. 

An example of one of the camping areas. 

On the other side of the road, there are some more camping spots, which are the best in the park. These spots were completed in 2019 and are all animal themed. 

Pictured above is the squirrels camp, (J5 松鼠營區). This one is the best because it has a roof!

There is running water here as well as filtered drinking water!

View of the ant themed camping spot (J4 蟻窩營區).

View from above from the any nest and bird nest sites. 

View of the bird nest site (J2 鳥巢營區).

View of the dead tree platform camp site (J3 枯木營區)

View of the Jungle King platform (J1 森林王子).

This was our camping spot. It rained at night, and the platform above was not waterproof. I should have put a tarp up there. 
There were also outlets near the tent that we used to charge our phones. 

There are some amazing views of Taipei from Bishan Campground at night. I took the opportunity to take some night photos with my telephoto lens. 

That night the clouds were rolling right into the middle of the 101 which made for some nice photos. 

This is probably the best shot I took. 

My tripod is not the greatest so most of the shots were blurry.

Pretty soon it started raining kind of hard to I hurried back to the tent to rest for the night. 

Night shot of Taipei from Bishanyan.

Another view from Bishanyan Temple.

Near Bishan Campground are tons of hiking trails to choose from. I didn't get to explore many of them though. 

At the front of the trail were a few people selling food. 

Weather and time information near one of the hiking trail entrances. 

Entrance into the Bishan trail system. 

The maze of trails here is pretty extensive but most of it is just walks through the forest without much view.

Fancy resting pavilion at the top of one of the peaks. 

View of Yangmingshan, probably the best view out of all the trails. 

Another view looking toward Shilin. 

Paved trail and benches at the top. 

There were also tons of elderly people on the mountain in the early morning. 

Bishan Temple 碧山巖

Even if you do not end up camping, I recommend if you are in the area to visit Bishan Temple, which has some amazing views of Taipei. 

Usually there are stalls in the main parking lot selling fruits and vegetables. 

Bishan temple dates back to 1751 when it was just a small shrine on the mountain, but has gained popularity overtime, especially after some bandits were believed to be defeated by the Kaizhan Holy King (pictured above) in the area around the temple. For more information on the history of the temple, check out this blog by Josh Ellis. 

Panorama from Bishan Temple.

Looking west toward Songshan Airport. 

Looking East toward Keelung. 

This is what the viewing platform looks like on a clear day. 

View of Eastern Taipei. 

Closer view of Xinyi District. 

View above the temple via drone. 

The temple features a very long and spacious viewing platform which you can see most all of the Taipei Basin. 

The weather wasn't the greatest while camping up there. 

So I came back later, and the visibility was still not great. 

Smoggy view of Taipei. One day I will go back a third time on a clear day and get some better photos. 

View of greater Taipei looking east. 

An explanation of the Taipei basin in Chinese. 

A woman using one of the coin operated telescopes. 

Dim view of eastern Taipei. 

View directly east toward Keelung. 

View of Neihu and Nangang. 

Lot's of people were up there with me enjoying the view. 

Bishan temple in perspective.

Phoenix ornament on top of the temple. 

Worshipers in the main hall of the temple. 

Pavilion on the side of the temple. 

View looking up the mountain from the temple. 

Exit from the temple towards Baishihu Suspension Bridge. 

Baishihu Suspension Bridge 白石湖吊橋

Baishihu Suspension bridge is hard to miss, as it sits right next to the main road. Across the bridge are some farms, gardens, trails, and coffee shops. 

You can book a ticket to the Neihu Strawberry Garden on KKday here. ​

Explanation of the design of the bridge and how it can be stable even while rocking back and forth. 

The bridge is 116 meters long. Legend says if you make a wish while crossing the bridge, it will come true. 

View of the bridge. It is quite nice to walk across. 

View of the farmer's fields below. 

Foam covered tree trunk on the trail on the other side of the bridge. 

Small "Love Pond" with heart shapes grass island in the middle. 

The "couple's tree" near the lover's pond. 

I bet you are so excited to see the couple's tree right?

Originally there were two full grown Camphor Trees here which the locals called the "married couple trees." However is 2015 one of the trees was blown down during Typhoon Soudelor. After that, the people in the town planted another camphor tree as a replacement. 

It's a touching story, but hardly a tourist spot for outsiders. I smell a tourist trap. 

"Fufu" coffee, playing on the name of "couples' tree" in Chinese. 

A giant banana spider along the trail. 

This concludes our camping adventure at Bishan. I definitely recommend visiting here, especially for the views of Taipei and the free camping. 

You can book a ticket to the Neihu Strawberry Garden on KKday here. 

You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. 

​Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Check out our Taipei hiking and trails guide here. 
Check out our guide to Taipei’s Waterfalls here.

Also be sure to check out our full guide to Taipei here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. 

Qixingshan in Yangmingshan National Park (aka Qixing Mountain, Cising Mountain, Chising Mountain, or Seven Star Mountain) is considered the highest dormant volcanic peak in Taiwan, and the highest point in Taipei City. The area is also an important ecological area with protected species. There are a few paths to the top with varying difficulty, and it offers great views of the Taipei Basin and the sunset. ​

​Background:
The area known as Yangmingshan was formed by volcanoes more than 700,000 years ago, forming many mountains about 1000 meters or less in northwestern Taiwan. The park still features active volcanoes, vents, and hot springs.
The original name of the area was Caoshan (grass mountain 草山). During the Qing Dynasty, the area was used to harvest sulfur, and many of the hills were burned to help catch sulfur thieves. 
In 1927, during the Japanese era, Yangmingshan was established as the first national park in Taiwan, then known as the Datunshan National Park Association. 
In 1950, after the ROC took Taiwan, Chiang Kai-shek renamed the park after the philosopher Wang Yangming and called the area Yangmingshan. 
In 1985, after resolving many land disputes, Yangmingshan National Park was officially designated as a national park in the ROC era. 
Qixingshan is 1120​ meters tall, and is known as the highest dormant volcano in Taiwan. The last eruption here was about 700,000 years ago. Originally, the peak had a crater, but it slowly eroded into seven peaks, which is how it got its name. It is also known to snow in the area.
Qixingshan lies in the Beitou District of New Taipei City. 
It is a popular stop in Yangmingshan and has three main trails up to the top.
There is a large viewing platform that has great views of the Taipei Basin and the sunset. 

Hours:
24/7
​
Price:
Free
(parking 30 NT)
You can book tours to Yangmingshan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here or here.

Tours:
You can check out tours to Yangmingshan, such as a One-day Yangmingshan NP Beitou Hot Spring Park and Tamsui Tour Package,  Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei, One Day Hike around Yangmingshan, or Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour, and more on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Difficulty:
There are three trails that you can take to the top. Here is a dissection of each trail:
From Miaopu: Moderate: 700 meter elevation gain, 2.4 KM of walking one way, 2 hours to the top, and 2 hours back (4 hours round trip). This is the most difficult way up.
From Xiaoyoukeng: Easy: 400-meter elevation gain, 1.6 KM walk one way, 40 minutes to the top, and 40 minutes back (1.5 hours round trip). This is the easiest way up. 
From Lengshuikeng/Menghuan Pond: Easy: 450 meter elevation gain, 2.1 KM walk one way, 45 minutes to the top, and 45 minutes back (1.5 hours round trip). 
For a more detailed comparison of the three trails, check out this blog by Josh Ellis. 

Hotels in Taipei:
High-end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
We also recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take provincial highway 2A north to Yangmingshan. There are three trails to the top: from Xiaoyoukeng 小油坑, Lengshuikeng 冷水坑, and Miaopu 苗圃. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Check out Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here to search for options.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.   
By Bus: From Shilin MRT Station, Take Bus 1717 to Xiaoyoukeng 小油坑, Lengshuikeng 冷水坑, Menghuan Pond 夢幻胡 or Miaopu 苗圃 parking lots. You can book tickets to travel to Taipei via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 
​
Map:
Please see below: ​

Chec out our drone footage of Qixing Mountain above and below. All footage was taken with permission of Yangmingshan National Park. A permit is required to fly a drone here. 

You can also check out verticle footage of the main peak above and below.

View of the East Peak Below.

View of different cloud layers below.

360 Degree Panoramas:

Check out our panoramas from the Main Peak, East Peak, and South Peak below. 

Panorama of the East Peak above.

Our Journey:

I have attempted Qixing mountain twice and only finished once.

The first time I went we did not know what we were doing and ended up hiking from Miaopu. The hike from Miaopu is really difficult and we only made it to Seven Star Park before we gave up. I really regret going that way because I brought my parents, and now they will probably never get a chance to climb to the top of Qixingshan and enjoy the views there. 

The time I did finish though, we had perfect weather and some of the best photos I've ever taken on a hike in Taiwan. The hike from Xiaoyoukeng is easiest and it took us just over an hour from start to finish. Just see the photos below, it was absolutely gorgeous. It was also my first trip using my new Canon 800D.

Of the three trailheads, I highly recommend starting and finishing at Xiaoyoukeng if you bring your own vehicle, because it is fastest and easiest. If you come by public transportation, then I suggest starting from Xiaoyoukeng and finishing at Lengshuikeng. 

As I mentioned, the easiest way up is from the Xiaoyoukeng parking lot here.

Xiaoyoukeng 小油坑

3:59 PM, we arrive at Xiaoyoukeng.
​The easiest way to get to the top is from Xiaoyoukeng Parking lot. From there it is only about a half hour hike to the top.
"Climb Mt. Qixing and Look Down on Taipei"
"Mt. Qixing rises 1,120 meters making it the highest peak in Yangmingshan National Park. The Mt. Qixing Main Peak-East Peak Trail takes you from the northern to the southern ends of the mountain's ridgeline; if you walk its entire length, you will observe the completely different ecological aspects of the slopes at the two ends. The southern slopes are covered with a dense broadleaf forest and a high diversity of wildlife, while the northern slopes are strongly affected buy the northeasterly monsoons and are therefore covered primarily with grasslands. Beside the trail at the nearby Xiaoyoukeng you will find landscapes formed by post-volcanic features such as steam vents, fumaroles, and sulfur crystal formations, making this a fine place foe the observation of volcanic landforms.
Mt. Qixing Main and East Peak can be reached from the following four entrances: Miaopu (2.4 km to the main peak) Xiaoyoukeng (1.6 KM to the main peak) Lengshuikeng (2.1 KM to the east peak) and Menghuan Pond parking lot (2.2 KM to the east peak), When the weather is clear you will have 360 degree views of the whole Yangmingshan National Park from the Main and East Peaks, including the Datun Volcano Group, the terrain of the North Coast, Mt. Huangzui, Mt. Guanyin, and the Taipei Metropolitan Area."

4:05 PM. The steepest part is the trail the goes right next to the Xiaoyoukeng crater. Below you can see the Xiaoyoukeng parking lot and visitor's center. 

4:05 PM. Fog rolling in over Zhizihu.

4:05 PM. More of the trail above Xiaoyoukeng.

4:06 PM. Climbing stairs at the lip of Xiaoyoukeng crater.

4:06 PM. Fog and steam coming from the crater.

4:07 PM View of the edge of Xiaoyoukeng Crater.

4:08 PM.
"The plant ecology influenced by the northeasterly monsoons and sulfur fumes"
"MT Qixing, where you are now located, is the first geological barrier to intercept the northeasterly monsoons that sweep northern Taiwan. It is difficult for the plants to grow in these strong winds, and only tenacious plants such as Chinese silvergrass and Usawa cane have survived to become the dominant species here. Trees and shrubs that cannot withstand the wind can eke out an existence only in valleys or on leeward mountain slopes, where the wind is not so strong. This forms the very different vegetation landscapes that you see here.
When the silvergrass blossoms every autumn, if you look carefully you will discover that the color of the silvergrass around fumaroles is more brilliant. This is because, in an environment covered in sulfur vapor, the sulfur reddens the flower spikes. The sight of red silvergrass is so special that the Qing Dynasty geologist You Yong-he referred to it as "red mountain grass, seeming to burn."

4:10 PM.
"Quietly intense volcanic activity"
"As we walk past the fumaroles along the trail, we can see the best that is welling out the the earth and the smell a unique odor. These are indications of the intense post-volcanic activity that is taking place deep beneath your feet.
Post volcanic activity takes place because the hear that is contained in the magma chamber following a volcanic eruption raises the temperature of underground water, turning it into steam that emerges from the earth's surface in fumaroles, steam vents and hot springs. The yellow crystals that you see around many of the steam cents form when the sulfur-containing high temperatures gas from deep in the earth spews from the surface, comes in contact with the air, cools down, and creates spine-shaped crystals. The gas also contains sulfur dioxide and other toxic gases, so you don't want to get too close for too long."

4:10 PM. Above Xiaoyoukeng Crater, there are many sulfur deposits and steam vents in the valley the goes toward the top of the mountain.

4:14 PM. A closeup on the sulfur vents. 

There were also some landslides here after heavy rain that caused the trail to close for a while for maintenence. 

Aerial view from this part of the trail. 

4:15 PM. Quite a few places are spewing steam.

View from the valley above Xiaoyoukeng.

4:16 PM. Once you get out of the steam vent valley, you get to see some pretty amazing views.
"Views of the Datun Volcano Group"
"The Datun Volcano Group that you see before you is made up of many peaks resulting from major eruptions 2.5 million years and 700,000 years ago, gradually forming the terrain we see today., We can still see remnants of this volcanic activity in the many steam vents, fumaroles, and hot springs that dot the area.
Look at the peaks of the Datun Group. The flat mountain on the left is Datun Mountain Peak, with a navigation station of top. The mountain with the flat cone shape and the TV and radio antennas on top is Mt. Xiaoguanyinshan. The impressive mountain on the right is Mt. Zhuzi, which is currently a military controlled area."

4:16 PM. More steam coming from the Datunshan Viewing platform.

4:18 PM. First view of the Taipei Basin on the trail.

4:20 PM. Getting really close to a hot spring on the trail.

4:20 PM. View of Datunshan.

4:20 PM. Another view toward Xiaoyoukeng and Zhuzihu.

4:20 PM. Looking back at the steam vent.

4:28 PM. Steam coming from Xiaoyoukeng.

4:28 PM. Misty view of the Taipei Basin.

4:28 PM. Now we can see the top of the mountain. The mountain top is pretty flat before the main peak and is covered in bamboo.

4:28 PM. You can see people at the top of the mountain.

4:29 PM. Hiking in the shadows toward the top. This part of the mountain used to be a crater but has since eroded into seven peaks around a flat valley.

4:36 PM. Hiking through the bamboo.

4:38 PM. Silvergrass covering the other peaks.

4:41 PM. Another view of Datunshan.

4:41 PM. View of the Taipei Basin from the top.

4:41 PM. View looking east.

4:41 PM. ​

4:41 PM. ​

4:42 PM. People enjoying views at the top of the mountain.

View from the Main Peak.

Aerial view of the Main Peak with the East Peak in the background. 

Aerial view of the Main Peak from the south side.​

4:42 PM. ​Photo opportunity at the very top of the main peak.

4:42 PM. ​A woman enjoys the view looking toward Xiaoyoukeng Crater.

4:42 PM. ​Better view toward Xiaoyoukeng.

4:42 PM. ​View toward Little Guanyinshan.

4:42 PM. ​View of Xiaoguanyinshan and Jinshan below.

4:42 PM. ​The shadow of Mt. Qixing over Jinshan. I have not seen a shadow like this since hiking volcanic peaks in the US northwest.

4:42 PM. ​Cloaseup on the shadow. You can aslo see Yehliu and Wanli.

4:42 PM. ​View looking toward Keelung, with Qingtiangang grassland on the mountain.

View of the East Peak from the Main Peak.

4:43 PM. View of the east peak and Keelung.

Cloaser view of the east peak.

View of east Taipei in the background.

A man takes photos with central Taipei in the background.

Sign to nearby locations.

Last few steps to the east peak.

View of the main peak from the east peak.

Clearer view of Qingtiangang looking north.

Landscapes of the North Coast
Taipei is separated from the North Coast by Mt. Qixing and other mountains, but trails cut out by early pioneers brought them together and opened up Taipei’s markets to fish, farm, and handicrafts from the coast. As time went on and transportation developed, the coast became the backyard of Taipei and the island was transformed into today’s recreational area.
From your present position on the peak of Mt. Qixing you have a bird’s-eye view of the coastal landscapes and settlements of northern Taiwan. Keep in mind the economic activities and the processes of settlement and you can see Keelung Island in the distance and the city of Keelung along with the mountains and bays along the coast.
How many of these places can you identify?

4:55 PM. View of the sunset from the top of the east peak.

Amazing sunset over Taipei.

Closer view of the sun. My HDR setting made the river look weird, first time using it.

Another view of the Tamsui and Keelung rivers.

Looking toward cetnral Taipei.

Another view of the main peak.

Amazing sunet from the main peak.

Looking back at the east peak again.

The very last bit of sun over Guanyinshan.

Another view of the sun breaking through clouds.

5:07 PM. Silvergrass in the sunset.

There was a guy flying a drone there, wish I had brought my drone on the first trip. But as you can see, I did bring my drone on a later trip. You can fly here if you first apply for a permit from the park seven days in advance. 

5:22 PM. We begin our way down. Beautiful sky as we hiked back though the bamboo.

5:26 PM. More amazing sky as we got to the main viewing platform below, 

Amazing twlight viewq of Taipei.

Closer view of Sanchong.

View of converging rivers.

Another view toward Bali and the ocean.

You must take as many photos as you can while up here.

5:28 PM. Last bits of lingerling light on the top of the mountain.

Another view looking toward Linkou.

Last view of the Taipei Basin.

View of the valley above Xiaoyoukeng as we made our way down again.

Sunset through the steam of Xiaoyoukeng. 

Cave along the trail near Xiaoyoukeng. 

We made it back to the Xiaoyoukeng Visitor's Center, which has a bathroom.

Walking in the dark to Xiaoyoukeng with the aid of cell phone flashlight.

Night photo of Datunshan.

5:46 PM. Speak peak of Taipei.

5:52 PM. Shooting star over the Xiaoyukeng visitor's center!

Blurry photo of the road down.

Qixingshan is perhaps the most prominent peak seen from Taipei. I would like to showcase a few photos, such as this one from Qingtiangang Grassland. 

Another shot from Lesser Mount Nangang. 

Another shot from the satellite dishes on Yangmingshan.

One final shot from Lesser Mount Nangang. ​

You can book tours to Yangmingshan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here or here.

You can check out tours to Yangmingshan such as a One-day Yangmingshan NP Beitou Hot Spring Park and Tamsui Tour Package,  Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei, One Day Hike around Yangmingshan, or Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour and more on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

We will be sure to update this blog in the future. Thanks for reading and be sure to check out more of our guides to Taiwan coming soon!

Check out our full guide to Yangmingshan National Park here. 

You can also check out our full guide to Beitou here. ​

Check out our Taipei hiking and trails guide here. 

Check out our guide to the best day trips from Taipei here. 

Check out our list of the best views of Taipei here.

Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.