Taiwan is strange and new to foreigners. Many things in Taiwan take foreigners by surprise. As Americans we want Taiwanese people to know what kind of questions foreigners have when first coming to Taiwan. This is by no means a complete list, but is written with the intent to help Taiwanese and Foreigners have a better understanding of one another’s culture.
台灣對外國人很陌生，很稀奇。台灣有的東西會把外國人嚇一大跳。身為美國人的我們想要讓台灣人了解我們外國人對台灣常發生的問號。這不是一個很完整的列表，只是為了讓台灣跟外國跟了解彼此的文化。

10. Why are There so Many Scooters? 怎麽這麽多機車？ 

Hualien's Nanbin Park is one of the most accessible beach location in Hualien. It also features a night market and a large grassy park and bike path to enjoy the oceanside views. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Hualien.

Background:
In the 1800s, Nanbin Park was the first area that Han Settlers landed their boats, and began to farm the local land. Later, the harbor was moved further south where it was less windy.
Nanbin Park covers about 1 KM of coastline near Hualien City.  It includes a bike path, camp ground, palm trees, a playground, sand pit.
At night there is also a small night market here in the parking lot.
​
Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: From central Hualien, take highway 193 south along the coast until you get to Nanbin Park.
By bus: Sadly there are no bus stops near Nanbin park. The closest bus stop is at Dongdamen Night Market. 

Map:
​Please see below:

Taiwan is a weird place, especially in the eyes of a western foreigner. In this blog listicle, we have filtered down the 10 most weird places we have visited in Taiwan. Most of these places are not scary, are actually quite beautiful, and you should visit them.

Let's get started. This list is not going to write itself. 

Haiweizi is a small beach along the coast in Tamsui. Once there was a bike path here, but it was damaged by wave action, so no one is allowed on the south side of the beach. It it usually devoid of people and is a nice place for a stroll.

Background:
Originally the bike path here was part of a 2.5 KM stretch. However after some wave action in 2021, rocks started to cover the bike path and the foundation was damaged. Therefore out of concern for safety, the New Taipei government closed the area to the public. However that has not stopped some citizens from clearing out the rocks and enjoying the amazing ocean scenery here anyway. 

Hours:
24/7
​
Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: From Tamsui, make your way north to Danhai and go on Houzhou Road Section 1 north until you reach the ocean. There is free parking on the side of the road. 
By LRT: From LRT Kanding station, the seaside area is about a 1 KM walk away.

Map:
Please see below:

The Qingshui Cliffs in Taroko National Park on the coast of Hualien are some of the most spectacular geological features in the country, and the world. The tallest peak on the cliffs is 2,408 meters (7,900 feet) above sea level, and drops straight into the Pacific Ocean. It is a spectacular sight to behold.

Background:
Taroko National Park is well known for its  marble cliffs and canyons, and is also known as "The Marble Gorge." Millions of years ago, the rock we see today was sediment at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, but oceanic and tectonic pressure turned it into limestone, and later into marble. Later the Eurasian plate was uplifted where Taiwan is today, and the cliffs were lifted out of the ocean. The cliffs are subject to constant erosion and rockslides are common. 
The cliffs are roughly 12 KM long and rise to over 2400 meters. 
They are a popular scenic stop along the Suhua highway that connects Yiland and Hualien.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free:

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Hualien, Take highway 9 north until you reach the Qingshui Cliff lookout. There are actually a number of places to see the cliffs.
By Bus: There is no public bus to the cliffs. You will have to rent a scooter or take a tour bus. 

Our Journey:

I have been to the Qingshui Cliffs many times. It is definitely a must stop location on your trip around Taiwan or to the east coast. 

Check out our drone video above for an overview of the area.

​Or check out the 360 degree spherical panorama above.

There are basically two areas to see the cliffs. From Chongde, and the main viewing area. In front of the Chongde Qingshui Cliff viewing area, there is some parking, but not much. Scooters should be fine.

Walking down the Chongde area, there is this tunnel, I am not sure the main purpose.

View of the cliffs from Chongde.

Another view.

View looking south. You will notice some fishing nets on the water, that take advantage of the currents to catch fish in fixed nets. 

"Liwu River Alluvial Fan"
The Liwu river deposits a ton of crap from Taroko gorge here, which has become flat land. 

View looking toward Qixingtan.

And the trail stops here. 

Trail is open, kind of.

There is a giant rock slide here.

So this is about as good as it gets.

Another view of the cliffs.

View looking up.

Another view from the end of the trail. I am sure you could make it down if you wanted. 

Check out more photos of the Chongde area in the photo gallery above.

Now to the main viewing area. 

There is slightly more parking here, and you can see the ocean from here. 

View of the old road above.

TRA tracks come through here too. 

"Railway Tracks Along the Cliff"
The north link railway opened in 1980, connecting Hualien to northern Taiwan. It was electrified in 2003, and became double track in 2005. IT is 79.2 Km long and has 31 tunnels, including Xinguanyin Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in Taiwan. Travelers can enjoy the amazing pacific ocean scenery from the trains.  

View looking back at the mountains. 

Huge sheer cliff. 

The viewing area screeches along this abandoned piece of road. 

Another view looking back at the mountains in Taroko. 

Main view of the cliffs. 

The water here is beautiful. 

Vertical view. 

Abandoned stretch of road here. 

Tall cliffs.

That lead to the ocean.

Do not fall off the cliff. 

The road pretty much ends here. 

But the abandoned tunnel lies beyond. 

View looking back from the end of the road. 

Looking down into the water from above. 

Milky water from crushed rocks. 

"From the Northern Road to the Su-hua Highway"
The northern road was built in 1874 during the Qing Dynasty, and connected Yiland and Hualien. The Japanese then built a 121 KM road that vehicles could travel on in 1931. Later the ROC government improved this road to become the Suhua highway.

"Sea Cliff on the Pacific"
These cliffs were carved by the ocean over 6 million years. The cliffs rise to over 1000-2000 meters, the highest peak being Mt Qingshui at 2408 meters. 

View via drone. You have to apply for a permit in advance from Taroko park before you can fly here. 

Looking straight down on the cliffs. 

Looking back down south. 

Looking down at the viewing area. 

View up north. 

Closer view of the abandoned tunnel. Don't go there, for your own safety. 

But if you are curious you can check out this video by Xiaofei, who risked his life for this footage. 

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out more of our blogs on Hualien to come!

A few years ago, it was popular to make lists with answers to: "you know you have lived too long in Taiwan when..." and I never got around to making one until now. So here is a recent, up to date, modern list of items to tell if you have lived too long in Taiwan. 

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.

Background:
Qianshuiwan beach (literally meaning shallow water bay) was formed roughly 800,000 years ago by volcanoes spewing lava into the ocean. 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 a 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. It is a popular area especially during the summer months when it is warmer. It is especially known for the many outdoor restaurants along the beach, that makes it feel like an overseas destination. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

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 Qianshuiwan station.
By Car: 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. 

Map:
Please see below:

Qixingtan is the best beach in Hualien City. It is a few KM long and also features a long grassy park next to it. It is famous for its oval shaped stones which tourists like to stack together. It is definitely worth as stop on your next trip to Hualien. 

Background:
Qixingtan gets its name because originally it was a lake close to the seashore, that was in the shape of the Big Dipper (or Qixing 七星, seven stars). During the Japanese era, the lake was filled in in order to make an airport, which is now used by the Taiwan air force. 

Afterward, the residents instead called what before was Yueya Bay (月牙灣), a crescent beach nearby Qixingtan to honor their lost lake.
Qixingtan has now become a major tourist attraction, with thousands of visitors a year, and many hotels nearby.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
Car/Scooter: From central Hualien, take highway 9 north until you reach past Mintou street and turn right. Keep going until you reach the beach. There is more parking at the middle and north sides. 
Bus: From central Hualien, you can take bus 308 to Hualien Manbo Park. The beach is just a short walk away. 

Map:
​Please see below:

If you feel like leaving the country for some different scenery, you can instead head over to the Shimen Songshan terraced fields in New Taipei (aka 100 year stone terrace fields 百年石砌梯田)
near the border of Yangmingshan National Park. Here you can enjoy walking around the only stone terraced fields in the entire country. 

Background:
The area known as Yangmingshan now was formed by volcanoes about 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.
About 100 years ago, settlers came to cultivate the mountainous area here. They used the easily obtainable volcanic rocks and used them to build stone terraces in the hills in order to plant crops. This kind of terraced field in Taiwan can only be found here. 
Currently the most famous crop here is the Chrysanthemum Flower, which flowers about in mid-June.  

Hours:
You can visit the fields here anytime, but the coffee shop here is only open on weekends until 4 PM.

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Laomei Beach in Shimen, take highway 19-1 Laobengshan Road up the mountain until you reach the terraced fields, they are hard to miss. 
By Bus: You can take bus 867 which departs from Tamsui to Shuntian Shengmu Temple bus stop, and you are there! No more walking required. 

​Map:
​Please see below:

Shihmen Recreation Area (aka March Cave, Mochi Cave, Shimen, or Shimendong) is a unique geological area on the coast of Hualien County (not to be confused with Shimen in New Taipei). It is famous for it's large, car shaped cave. It is still a beautiful and unique stretch of coastline.

Historical Background:
Shimen literally means "rock gate" get's it's name from the caves along the coast here. The area is made up of hard sedimentary rock placed over softer sandstone, which after thousands of years of waves from the ocean, creates unique rock formations. Now it is a major tourist attraction along Taiwan's east coast. 

How to get there: Take highway 11 south from Hualien City about 60km or two and a half hours. If you do not have a scooter or car, buses also stop along this route. You can also take bus 1140A which takes about three hours.

Price: Free

Hours: 24 hours a day

​Map: Please see below:

Some would say Ecuador is the banana capital of the world, and that is probably right, but I’m sure Taiwan bananas are just as good. One of the great things about living in Taiwan is you can buy fresh bananas on the street almost everywhere, so if you are a banana connoisseur like myself you will not have worry about bananas going bad (I eat bananas single every day).
有人會說厄瓜多爾是世界香蕉之基地，但我相信台灣的香蕉也一樣好。住在台灣的好處之一就是到處都可以在街上買到新鮮的香蕉，所以如果你像我一樣是個香蕉鑑賞家，你就不用擔心香蕉壞掉的沒香蕉吃（我每天吃香蕉）。

Taiwan is home to amazing national parks known for beaches, mountains, and even volcanic eruptions. The famous movie “Life of Pi '' was shot in Taiwan because it serves the beautiful natural scenery. The country is also famous for its rich culture, finger-licking good food, lantern festivals, and shilin night market. 
 
Many people prefer to throw themselves into an adventure or experience without paying much heed or attention to the details and the information they should collect before going to a new place. This lack of knowledge can lead people to suffer in various ways, from hiking in flip flops, and forgetting travel and other vital documents, to even packing a suitcase of summer clothes and having to arrive at a place with chilling weather.
 
If you’re traveling to Taiwan for the first time and want to be prepared for everything beforehand, follow these 6 tips and enjoy your trip. ​

1. Make a List of the Things You Wish to Do There 
There are many things that you can enjoy in Taiwan. You can check out their night markets because that’s where the real gastronomes go. These markets are famous for promising to keep your belly happy while keeping your wallet unscathed. It is highly recommended to visit the Taiwanese Teahouse on your trip. This cultural gem is known for its unique tea experience.

2. Taiwan Visa Policy 
The countries with relaxed entry requirements are a fan favorite for obvious reasons. Luckily, many nationalities can enter Taiwan visa-free and stay between 30 days to 90 days. If your age is between 18-35, you can qualify for a working holiday visa scheme offered by Taiwan to 15 countries. Before you book your flight, travel guides at BitLux Travel stress the importance of making sure the travel company you have chosen is aware of all the rules and regulations. Visa on arrival and e-visa services are also suspended in Taiwan at the moment. A US passport holder is allowed to enter and stay in Taiwan for 90 days, but if your passport has a validity of less than 90 days, you will only be allowed to stay there for as long as your passport is valid. 

3. Paper Money 
It’s all about the cash in Taiwan, mainly because debit cards aren’t very popular yet. The Taiwan dollar is used everywhere; some places may accept cards, but it’s best to carry cash on you. Taiwan has a large number of ATMs, so you can keep your debit card with you. Visa and MasterCard are also fairly accepted in Taiwan. In the major cities of Taiwan like Taipei, Taichung, and Tainan, credit cards are accepted by almost all hotels and grocery shops. 


4. Book Accommodation 
You can book accommodation for the first two nights to save yourself from the hassle of getting lost in a city you’ve never been to before without having somewhere to stay. Many websites online offer accommodations for an affordable price. You can book your accommodation through those websites and guarantee a place to stay during your trip. You can also enjoy the services that these websites offer during your stay. 

5. Language Barrier 
This is perhaps one of the most challenging things to adjust to in Taiwan. Mandarin is the official language there, while Taiwanese is also spoken by many. Therefore, it is advisable to start learning Mandarin as soon as possible. 
 
Although there is a possibility that you can comfortably navigate the country using only the English language, you may run into certain difficulties since not everyone can communicate with you. Only a few people in Taiwan speak English and aren’t fluent in it. They likely know just the basics to engage with tourists. 

6. Getting Around in Taiwan 
There are different modes of transportation in Taiwan. You can get around through rail; the efficient railway system connects all major cities. It is the most preferred way of traveling in Taiwan, as its high-speed rail is equivalent to Japan's bullet train. 
Uber drivers are available in Taiwan in Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Changhua, and Kaohsiung. Buses, cars, and even scooters are other means of moving around. 

 Taiwan is a highly safe travel destination, even if you are a solo female traveler. Crime is literally non-existent and it’s safe for you to roam around the streets at night. It’s a beautiful representation of Chinese culture and a fairly easy place to explore. 8-12 days is an ideal amount of time to discover Taiwan and all its glory. Make sure you follow the tips mentioned above and enjoy your trip to this exquisite country! 

The Dragon Boat Festival (aka Double Fifth Festival) is a special time of year, during which Taiwan gets a major holiday vacation and there are Dragon Boat Races. During this time, people also must eat Zongzi. We have created this guide for you to see the official dragon boat races all around Taiwan and understand more about this special cultural festival.

Historical Background:
Originally Dragon Boat Festival may have started during the Qin Dynasty as a day to remove evil spirits and bad luck that were thought to appear on the fifth day of the fifth month.
The best known origin story for the Dragon Boast Festival is that it commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a famous poet and official  of the Chu Dynasty during the Warring States Period. He opposed the Chu Dynasty joining an alliance with the Qin, and therefore was banished. When the Qin Dynasty finally took over the Chu Dynasty, he committed suicide by entering the Miluo River (汨羅江 Mìluójiāng) and drowning himself.
It was said that the local people went looking for him by rowing dragon shaped canoes, and threw sticky rice balls into the water so that the fish would eat the rice and not Qu Yuan's body. Because of this, during Dragon Boat Festival everyone eats stick rice, or Zongzi, and holds dragon boat races to commemorate Qu Yuan's memory. 
Another tradition is for people to balance eggs, which is thought to bring good luck during the "unlucky" holiday. 
Dragon Boat races usually involve a team rowing together, while someone beats a drum to keep rhythm and someone else stands at the front of the boat to catch the flag. 
Dragon Boat Festival is an official holiday in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, China, and is celebrated by Chinese heritage communities throughout Asia and the world. 

When is Dragon Boat Festival?
The fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. 

2022: June 3rd
2023: June 22nd
2024: June 10th 
2025: May 31st 
2025: June 19th
2026: June 9th 

When are Dragon Boat Races in Taiwan?
Training starts about a month before Dragon Boat Festival
The actual races begin a few days before or on Dragon Boat Festival, and can last a few days after as well. Races usually last the whole day. 

Where are Dragon Boat Races in Taiwan?

Taipei International Dragon Boat Championships: 國際龍舟錦標賽
Dates: (June 3-June 6 2022)
Location: Dajie Riverside Park 大佳河濱公園 (under Dazhi Bridge going to Neihu near the airport along the Keelung River. There is parking at the riverside park, but it can get very crowded late in the day).

Keelung Dragon Boat Festival 基隆龍舟競賽
Dates: (June 3 2022)
Held at Badouzi Harbor 八斗子

Hsinchu County Dragon Boat Festival 新竹縣縣長盃龍舟競賽
Dates: (June 3 2022)
Held at No. 156 Chifu Road Hsinfeng Township,  at the pond in front of Chihe Temple. 
新豐鄉新豐村十五鄰池府路一五六號池和宮前池和湖舉行

Miaoli Dragon Boat Races 苗栗龍舟賽
Dates: (June 3 2022)
Held at dragon boat ferry dock along the Zhonggang River in Zhunan.
竹南鎮港墘里中港溪畔的龍舟碼頭

Changhua Taiwan International  Dragon Boat Races 台灣國際競技龍舟錦標賽 
Dates: (June 1-June 3 2022)
Location: Lukang, along the FuLu River near Lukang Old Street (彰化福鹿溪水域)

Yunlin Dragon Boat Races  雲林龍舟賽
Dates: (June 3, 11-12 PM 2022)
Location: Kouhu Township, Yiwu Wet Pond at the north pond (本縣口湖鄉宜梧滯洪池北池)

Chiayi Dragon Boat Races 嘉義龍舟比賽
Dates: (closed in 2022 due to COVID)
Location: Dongshi Harbor 東石漁港

Tainan International Dragon Boat Championships: 台南市國際龍舟賽
Dates:  (closed in 2022 due to COVID)
Location: Yunhe River in Tainan Between Anyi Bridge and Chengtian Bridge, near Anping Old Street 臺南市運河（安億橋至承天橋河段）

Kaohsiung Love River Dragon Boat Festival: 高雄愛河端午龍舟嘉年華
Dates: (June 3-June 5 2022)
Location: The Love River between Kaohsiung Bridge and Zhongzheng Bridge (愛河， 高雄橋-中正橋).

Pingtung County Dragon Boat Race 屏東縣端午龍舟競賽
Dates: (June 2- June 3 2022)
Location: Underneath Donggang Great Bridge in Donggang (東港大橋).

Yilan County Dragon Boat Race 宜蘭縣端午龍舟競賽
Dates: (closed in 2022 due to COVID)
Location: Dongshi Harbor 東石漁港
Along the Yilan River near Qinghe Bridge 宜蘭河慶和橋

Hualien County Dragon Boat Race 花蓮縣端午龍舟競賽
Dates: (June 3 - June 4 2022)
Location: Liyu Lake 鯉魚潭

Penghu County Dragon Boat Festival 澎湖縣龍舟競賽
Dates: (June 3 2022)
Location: Makung No. 3 Harbor (澎湖縣馬公第3漁港).

Kinmen County Dragon Boat Festival 金門縣龍舟競賽
Dates: (June 3 2022)
Location: Guningtou Shuangli Lake (金門縣金寧鄉古寧頭雙鯉湖).


Map:
Please see below for a map of dragon boat racing locations.

Shalun Beach is a long sandy beach with shallow water in Tamsui, New Taipei. It is a popular beach for locals, and now has convenient access to public transportation via the LRT, making it the closest and fastest beach to reach from Taipei. However, swimming here is forbidden and there are no showers. It is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. 

Background:
During the Japanese era, this beach was made into a resort area. After the ROC took control of the island, they made it into a military zone. However after martial law was lifted, the beach opened to the public. After years of water pollution, the beach was closed to the public in 1999. Despite this, people still visited the beach, but some people died by being caught in the rip tide here. Therefore the beach is now patrolled by the coast guard, who may warn potential swimmers to stay out of the water. Swimming is forbidden here, and there are no showers or amenities nearby. 
Despite this, it is still a popular sunbathing spot due to its close proximity to Taipei.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: Take provincial highway 2 乙 all the way to the northwest and keep going, the beach will be there.
By LRT: Literally right next to LRT Shalun station. 

Map:
Please see below: