Hengchun's old walled city is the best preserved walled city in Taiwan, with all the city gates intact, as well as most of the city wall. The city was built to help contain the native population after the Rover and Mudan incidents. It is definitely a well preserved historical area and worth a trip if you go to Kenting.
Historical Background: Originally the area around Hengchun was goverened by the Qing dynasty under Fengshan County. However after the Rover Incident and Mudan Incident (in which Taiwan indigenous tribes massacred foreign shipwrecked sailors), the Qing decided to take a more assertive role in governing the area and controlling the native populations. The walls of Hengchun were built as a brick wall and four gates in 1879, and after it was built Hengchun County was established, meaning eternal spring, due to the tropical climate in the area. After the Japanese took Taiwan, some of the walls were torn down to make roads. There was also a railway made that went through the south city gate. Many of the city gates lasted until well into the 1900s, but because they were made of wood they rotted and collapsed easily. Now the gates have been mostly restored, and much of the northern and eastern walls remain. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Map: Please see the existing city gates marked with red castle icons below:
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Maiyanshan is a small area on the northeast coast with aquaculture farms. There are interesting rock formations along the beach, and usually large waves here which are mesmerizing to watch. This place also has a few seafood restaurants and is worth a stop on your next trip to the northern coast.
Background: Meiyanshan (literally beautiful waves mountain) was formed thousands years ago by the collision of the Philippine and Eurasian Plates. The seaside area is named after Meiyan Mountain which watches over it. Because of its small size and with no other attractions nearby, it is often overlooked as a seaside destination. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 How to Get There: By Bus: Take bus 1811 from Taipei bus station to Meiyanshan stop. By Car: Drive on provincial highway 2 out of Keelung to the northeast. The beach area is between Longdong and Ao'di. 
The National Biology Museum and Aquarium in Pingtung is the best Aquarium in Taiwan and one of the best aquariums in Asia. It includes beluga whales, sharks, rays, penguins, and much more. It is a must see stop on your trip to Taiwan.
Background: The museum opened in 2000 after 9 years of planning and construction. There are tree main areas: Waters of Taiwan, Coral Kingdom, and Waters of the World. Originally there was a whale shark as part of the exhibit, but after protests the whale shark was released in 2013. The Aquarium was named the fourth best in Asiaby Trip Adviser. Price: 450 NT per person Hours: 9 AM to 5:30 PM Website: https://www.nmmba.gov.tw/en/cp.aspx?n=0239E2D50FEF52AA&s=C9F689206ECC0D26 How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 26 south to Checheng and turn right on Buqian Road until your reach the aquarium. By Bus: Take Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Kenting Express to the National Museum of Marine Biology stop. Map: Please see below: 
Shuiniukeng (aka Linkou Grand Canyon or Water Buffalo Valley) is one of the few off-roading areas around Taipei. If you have a 4x4, truck, or dirt bike, this could be a fun place to test out your off-road vehicle. Also you can sometimes spot cows grazing here.
Background: Shuiniukeng is so named because sometimes cows are left here to pasture. Originally the area was a hillside, pushed out of the ocean over thousands of years. Later, illegal gravel companies came here to harvest gravel, creating a giant hole in the hillside, making the current landscape we see today. Later the area became popular with instagrammers and off-road enthusiasts, and cows still come to graze here occasionally. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 How to get there: By Car: By car, you must come northbound on expressway 61 and turn right on the small road that leads to the area from the south. To get back, you have to pass under the highway and then turn south on expressway 61. By public transport: There is no way to get there by public transport except by walking from Linkou. Map: Please see below: 
Eluanbi Lighthouse is a nice place to relax on the very southern tip of Taiwan in Kenting National Park. It is surrounded by grassy park and hiking trails through tropical forests with coral rocks. It is also within walking distance the most southern tip of the island of Taiwan on Cape Eluanbi. It is a must visit place for travelers to Taiwan.
Background: The lighthouse is named after Cape Eluanbi, the most southern point of Taiwan. The lighthouse is also know as the light of East Asia because it is the brightest lighthouse in Taiwan. It was constructed in 1883 during the Qing Dynasty. At the time, 500 soldiers were sent to protect the lighthouse against native Paiwan aboriginal tribesmen. The lighthouse served as a fort also. Later the lighthouse was damaged by Qing Officials as they lost control of the island, and the Empire of Japan later repaired the lighthouse. The lighthouse was then damaged by allied bombing raids. After WWII, the ROC rebuilt the lighthouse again, and it was opened to the public in 1982. Price: Bicycle Rental: 60 NT per person Riding Time: The whole bike route is about 20 KM and takes 1-2 hours to complete. We were going really slow with many pit stops and it took us 2 hours. Hours: Roughly 7 AM to 6 PM, varying depending on the season. When to go: Probably winter is the best time to go, because during the summer it can get really hot and there is not much shade around. How to get there: By Bus: Take bus 9188 from Hengchun to Eluanbi Bus stop. It take about an hour to get there. By Car/Scooter: Drive south on provincial highway 26 until you reach Eluanbi Park. There is paid parking right next to the park entrance. Map: Please see below: 
Jinshawan (aka Golden Bay) is one of the nicest beaches in northern Taiwan. The sand is golden, the water shallow (and warm in the summer), and it is relatively well kept and clean. Due to its lack of public transportation and small size, it sees not so many visitors compared to other beaches in the area. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and kite surfing are all popular activities at this beach.
Background: Jinshawan (literally Gold Sand Bay) was formed thousands years ago by the collision of the Philippine and Eurasian Plates. Because of its small size and with no other attractions nearby, it is often overlooked as a beach destination. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 How to Get There: By Bus: Take bus 1811 from Taipei bus station to Golden Bay stop. By Car: Drive on provincial highway 2 out of Keelung to the northeast. The beach area is between Longdong and Ao'di. 
Nanya Rock (aka Nanya Peculiar Rock) is a layered sandtsone column on the shore of Ruifang District, New Taipei City. There are also many interesting rock formations in the area. It is one of the most recognizable rock formations on the north coast and a popular location for, kayakers, snorkelers, and instagrammers.
Background: The sandstone and sedimentary that forms Nanya Rock formation was created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The Rock was formed by easily eroding sandstone, with the area underneath being eroded away by the sea and waves. Nanya Rock is so named because it lies near Nanya Fishing Harbor in Ruifang. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Drive to Keelung, then from downtown take provincial highway 2 east about 20 KM until you reach Nanya harbor, and there is some free parking near the rock. By Bus: From Taipei bus station, take bus 1811 to Nanya Nanxin Temple station. Map: Please see below: 
Jialeshui Scenic Area is one of the most famous geological parks in Taiwan, with its most famous landmark being the Shanhai Waterfall which flows into the ocean. These rock formations have been forming for thousands of years through erosion of soft sandstone due to wind and water. Hurry and see these formations soon before they are gone forever!
Background: Jialeshui's original name was Gaoluoshui (高落水) meaning water falling from a high place, referring to Jialeshui Waterfall. Later when president Chiang Jingkuo visited the place, he renamed it Jialeshui (佳樂水), meaning a peaceful and happy place, and named the waterfall Shanhai Waterfall (山海瀑). The sandstone that forms the rocks in Jialeshui were created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with southern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The many rocks along the shore are thought to look like animals and have varying names as such. Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Price: Entrance fee: 80 NT per person (includes bus ride) Parking: 50 NT per car ro 30 NT per scooter Can I touch the rocks? Don't you dare touch the rocks! How to get there: By Bus: Take bus 8247 from Hengchun about half an hour to Jialeshui. By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 26 to its easternmost point to enter Jialeshui. There is a parking lot at the end of the road with paid parking. Map: Please see below: 
The Farglory U Museum, aka Farglory Architecture and Culture Museum, is a architecture museum in Xizhi, New Taipei. The museum give a brief history of world architecture and also has play areas and reading areas for children. Overall it is a worthwhile visit for the family while you are at IFG Mall.
Background: The Farglory U Museum is part of an exhibition space that is 250 pings on the fourth floor of the iFG mall. The museum was opened in 2015 and includes exhibition space and educational activities. The museum also celebrates Farglory's founder Zhao Tung-Xiong and tells the history of the company's rise to become one of the largest corporate conglomerates in Taiwan. Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM, closed Mondays. Price: Free Website: https://fgmuseum.org.tw/ How to get there: By car/scooter: From Taipei, take provincial highway 5 to the iFG mall in Xizhi. There is parking in the mall which is free if you buy something. The museum is on the fourth floor of the iFG Mall. By train: The museum is within walking distance of Xike TRA station. The museum is on the fourth floor of the iFG Mall. Map: Please see below: 
Badouzi is a rocky area along Taiwan's north coast in Keelung. It includes a seafood market, marine science museum, and a wide grassy area (Chaojing Park). There are also many interesting rock formations in the area. It is a popular location for its seafood, flying kites, hiking, and enjoying the ocean scenery.
Background: The sandstone and sedimentary that forms the Badouzi formations were created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The rock formations formed by easily eroding sandstone, by the sea and waves. The area around Chaojing Park was a protected military base and garbage dunmp, after which civilians were allowed to freely visit. Kite flying is also a popular activity at the park. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Marine Science Museum: 200 NT How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Drive to Keelung, then from downtown take provincial highway 2 east about 10 KM until you reach the the turnoff to Chaojing Park, and there is some paid parking if you drive to the very end, which will put you closest to the park. By Train/Bus: Take the TRA to Badouzi (八斗子） station, then walk about 1 KM northwest until you reach the Chaojing Park. Map: Please see below: 
Taiwan's northern coast is an amazing, beautiful area with unique geology and rocks, lots of sandy beaches, amazing mountain views and hikes, old streets, night markets, historical sites, and much more to discover. Don't not come here.
Here is a map of the locations we will cover in this blog: 
In an effort to treat foreign residents equally, Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior responded to complaints of foreign residents by changing the ARC Uniform ID numbering system to match the format used by Taiwan citizens. Because of this, every foreigner must change their ARC number the next time they change or update their ARC card starting Jan. 1 2021. So what do you need to do after your ARC number has changed?
Sail Rock Beach in Kenting is a small beach near Sail Rock, a large piece of coral rock that broke off the mainland. It features short yellow sandy beach and long, as well as clear water that is relatively warm year round. In addition, the beach has sunshine for most of the year. Popular activities include jet skiing, water skiing, surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. It has everything you would want from a Kenting beach but it is smaller and there are less people than Nanwan Beach.
Background: Sail Rock is 18 meters tall, and was formed with the upheavel of the Taiwanese mainland, until it broke off from the main limestone shelf that forms the Hengchun Peninsula. Its name comes from its shape which looks similar to a ship's sail. Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). The facilities at Sail Rock include showers, toilets, rentals, and a parking lot. Hours: Showers and Rentals: about 9 AM to 6 PM Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going pastHengchun into Kenting National Park. Continue past Kenting Street until you see sail rock on the shore. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at Middle Chuanfanshi stop （中船帆石）. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
Qiedong Waterfall (aka Qiedong Falls) is a tall set of waterfalls in Xizhi District of New Taipei City, Taiwan. It is easily accessible via a flat hiking path that takes about 3 minutes to walk there, and includes a large swimming pool and amazing natural scenery. It's spectacular cascading falls and pools have made it one of the most popular waterfalls in the area.
Background: Qiedong Waterfall is roughly 22 meters high (70 feet) and is broken up by four sections. It is largest waterfall on Dajianshan in terms of scale. The rock formations that form the Waterfall formed as sediment under the ocean millions of years ago and were then uplifted thanks to the collision of the Eurasian and Phillipine plates. The rocks are mainly sedimentary and are part of the same formation that forms the special rock formations on the northern coast around Keelung. The area also has some coal deposits, and there is an abandoned mine on the trail. The rocks here easily erode, making for odd shapes in the riverbed. Due to its ease of access and large pool, it is usually full of people, especially on weekends. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free When to go: Go in the spring time when there is more rain. If you go during the dry season, the waterfall will be quite small. Difficulty: Easy How to get there: By Bus: From Xizhi TRA station, take bus F911 to Fuji Mountain Villa stop, then walk through the neighborhood, which will take you to a mountain road on the back side. The waterfall is about a 15 minute walk from Fuji Mountain Villa. By Car/Scooter: From provincial highway 5 in Xizhi, turn up the mountain after reaching the Xizhi Administrative Building (汐止行政中心). Then go up the mountain and turn into Xiufeng Road, aka Fuji Mountain Villa. After that, drive through the neighborhood, which will take you to a mountain road on the back side. The waterfall is about a 3 minute ride from Fuji Mountain Villa. Map: Please see below 
An APRC (short for Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, aka PR) is perhaps the most desirable immigration status for most foreigners in Taiwan. By simply living in Taiwan for five years or more in a row and meeting a few other requirements, you can enjoy permanent residency in Taiwan and an open work permit. However the process and requirements are not so straight forward depending on your situation, therefore we have created this guide to help answer some common questions.
Foreword: Please note that this guide is for reference only. The ultimate authority on what documents are required and whether or not your application will be accepted is the immigration bureau. Some of the information in the blog may be inaccurate for your specific situation. For clarifications, please call the foreigner hotline directly (toll free): 0800-024-111. This information for this blog was taken from the NIA website and personal experience such as from calls to the immigration office, and in person visits to the immigration office. Personally I applied for an APRC as the spouse of a Taiwan national. My personal experience getting my APRC was a confusing and difficult process. I made many mistakes along the way. I have listed some of the key takeaways from this process as follows.
Now let's start the Q+A. 
Located right next to the beach is Kenting Street, a great night market for snacking and tourist oriented shopping. It is the main street in Kenting, and at night both sides come alive to become a tourist night market in Taiwan. It may be the most pure tourist night market in Taiwan, with most visitors coming from out of town to enjoy Kenting's warm weather and beautiful beaches.
Background: Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). Popular treats at Kenting Street Night Market include seafood, and there are many international restaurants on the street, as well as swimming gear. Because most customers are tourists from out of town, prices at this night market are a bit higher than other more localized markets in Taiwan. Hours: 6:30 PM - Midnight Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Hengchun into Kenting National Park. The night market will appear after you reach the Mcdonlads, and there is paid parking nearby. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Kenting Bus stop. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
Dajianshan Waterfall (aka Dajianshan Falls) is a set of waterfalls in Xizhi District of New Taipei City, Taiwan. It is easily accessible via a short, steep hiking path that takes about 15 minutes to walk up, and includes a six main tiers of waterfall and amazing natural scenery. It's spectacular cascading falls and pools have made it a most popular destination in the area.
Background: Dajianshan Waterfall is roughly 200 meters high (650 feet) from the lowest falls to the highest falls, and is broken up by six sections of waterfalls. The rock formations that form the Waterfalls formed as sediment under the ocean millions of years ago and were then uplifted thanks to the collision of the Eurasian and Philippine plates. The rocks are mainly sedimentary and are part of the same formation that forms the special rock formations on the northern coast around Keelung. The rocks here easily erode, making for odd shapes in the riverbed. Due to the difficult nature of the trail, it is usually free of people, even on weekends. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free When to go: Go in the spring time when there is more rain. If you go during the dry season, the waterfall will be quite small. Difficulty: Moderate, 200 meter elevation gain. Takes about an hour to complete. How to get there: By Bus: From Xizhi TRA station, take bus F911 to Fuji Mountain Villa stop, then walk through the neighborhood, which will take you to a mountain road on the back side. The waterfall is about a 15 minute walk from Fuji Mountain Villa. By Car/Scooter: From provincial highway 5 in Xizhi, turn up the mountain after reaching the Xizhi Administrative Building (汐止行政中心). Then go up the mountain and turn into Xiufeng Road, aka Fuji Mountain Villa. After that, drive through the neighborhood, which will take you to a mountain road on the back side. The waterfall is about a 3 minute ride from Fuji Mountain Villa, on the switchback just before Qiedong Waterfall. Map: Please see below
Many people lately have been complaining about being cut off while riding a bike or dealing with pedestrians in bike lanes. But what are the laws currently for bicycles in Taipei? One can search, but most crucial info is in Chinese. Below we have provided a summary of our findings as well as an appendix of the full translated Taipei bicycle laws for you.
(The following information was found at the Taipei Police Bureau website; their English materials are limited).
http://td.police.taipei/ct.asp?xitem=1111580&CtNode=31514&mp=108191 The relevant articles for bicycles are contained in the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act from articles 69-131. The Taipei Police Bureau only has English for articles 69-90, so I have painstakingly translated the relevant articles from article 90 to article 131. Because this is really long, I have put some of the most interesting parts first here below with commentary: Summary of Findings: When Should Bicycles Yield? According to article 124, slow moving vehicles (bicycles) have to yield to everything on the road, including people and objects. Also, they should also stay on the right side of the road. Article 124: Before driving, the driver should pay attention to whether there are obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, and should yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. When driving, drivers should follow the road traffic signs, markings, instructions, and be subject to traffic controller’s commands. When driving on a road, drivers should follow the marked signs or provisions of the road; if there are no signs or markings, drivers should follow the provisions below:
Bicycle Path Rules: According to article 124-1, bicycle paths in cities still give precedent to pedestrians. In other words, you must yield to pedestrians when travelling on bike paths. Sorry. Article 124-1: The competent authority of the road, the urban road authority or the police authority may, without blocking traffic or compromising safety, make a slow vehicle path on sidewalks and set the necessary signs or markings for slow travel. Slow vehicles should follow these lines on the path, and should give priority to pedestrians. Pedestrians and Buses: According to article 126, bikers should yield to pedestrians even when they J-walk. Also, much to my chagrin, bikes are always supposed to yield to buses, even to the point of stopping at an intersection for them. Article 126: When pedestrians are crossing the road, with or without traffic controllers, Drivers should let pedestrians to pass first. When traveling with buses or other mass transit vehicles, when approaching have turn signal sound or light, slow vehicles shall change lanes in accordance with regulations and give priority to these vehicles. Slow vehicles are prohibited from closely following or approaching, except where otherwise provided by the competent authority of the road. Bicycle Parking: According to article, 131 bikes can only be parked in designated parking spots with signs or painted lines. They can park in scooter parking. We will see if this changes, as with the onslaught of Obike Mayer Ke promised he would change these regulations. We will keep you updated with any developments. 2021 Update: Obikes and similar bicycle ride share programs are now a non-issue. In 2017 and 2018, Obike went out of business and most of the bikes were recycled or thrown away. If only their bikes didn't disintegrate into a pile of rust when exposed to the elements... Article 131: Slow moving vehicles cannot be parked unconditionally. Vehicles shall be parked in specified places or within the line markings, and park in an orderly line. In places where bicycle parking facilities are not provided, bicycles may park in motorcycle parking, but may not park in parking designated for cars or heavy motorcycles. Concluding Remarks: The rules for pedestrians and buses are reasonable, but I don't think anyone follows bicycle parking rules, and even less people get a ticket for it. I think that this law is so unenforced that it is laughable. I mean, you can't go up to every grandpa in the park and tell him he parked his bike in the wrong place. With Obike taking over thousands of scooter parking spots in the city (not to mention tons of bikes being thrown in bushes and rivers), the Taipei city government needs to act quickly to improve these regulations. Please click "Read More" for the full translated version of Taipei bike laws. Otherwise please like and share below! 
Kenting Dawan Beach (aka Kenting Beach Swimming Area) is a premier beach destination on the Taiwan mainland, and attracts a fair amount of visitors, especially those that stay at the Kenting Chateu Beach resort that sits right on the beach. It features beautiful yellow sand and the longest beach in Kenting. In addition, the beach is right next to Kenting Street Night Market, a great night market for snacking and tourist oriented shopping.
Background: Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). The facilities at Kenting Beach include a foot wash, and swimming is actually technically prohibited. Therefore usually you will not see many people on the beach. Hours: Kenting Beach: 24/7 Kenting Street Night Market: 6:30 PM - Midnight Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Hengchun into Kenting National Park. The beach will be on your right as you pass the a 7-11. There is a parking lot next to the beach. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Kenting Arch Stop (墾丁牌樓). By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
Tai'an Waterfall is a tall waterfall in Qidu District in Keelung City, Taiwan. It is easily accessible via a flat hiking path that takes about 10 minutes to complete, and includes amazing natural scenery. It's spectacular cascading falls are definitely worth a stop for anyone in Taiwan.
Background: Tai'an Waterfall is roughly 20 meters high and 2 meters wide (64 x 13 ft.). It is located on Cayan Mountain in Qidu. The rock formations that form the Waterfall formed as sediment under the ocean millions of years ago and were then uplifted thanks to the collision of the Eurasian and Phillipine plates. The rocks are mainly sedimentary and are part of the same formation that forms the special rock formations on the northern coast around Keelung. The area also has some coal deposits, and there is an abandoned mine on the trail. The rocks here easily erode, making for odd shapes in the riverbed. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free When to go: Go in the spring time when there is more rain. If you go during the dry season, the waterfall will be quite small. Difficulty: Easy How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Shifen Station, then walk along the main road south until you reach the Shifen Waterfall trail. It will be hard to miss; there are signs along the way. By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. The waterfall is to the left of the main bridge across the valley, and parking is plentiful. Scooter parking is free at the entrance. Map: Please see below 
Chuhuo (Eternal Flame) is an area where natural gas escapes from the earth and is burned as never ending flames in Hengchun Township of Pingtung County. The area lies just outside Kenting National Park. It is an interesting geological sight, what more reason do you need to visit than an endless fire? You should definitely stop by on your next trip to Kenting.
Background: Kenting was first settled by Chinese during the Qing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (ä¸ ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯ä¸) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. The fire at Chuohuo has been witnessed since before Han settlement in the area, by Paiwan indigenous people. The fire has moved slightly over the years, and sometimes the flames are brighter or dimmer. Chuhuo Natural gas is a product of the Kenting Shale formation in the area, which seeps up from cracks in the shale. Cooking or otherwise utilizing the natural gas to burn things is prohibited. Hours: 9 AM to 8 PM Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Hengchun into Kenting National Park and take Sheding Road to the Kenting National Forest Recreation Area parking lot. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
Xiufeng Waterfall is a tall waterfall in Xizhi District in New Taipei, Taiwan. It is easily accessible via a flat hiking path that takes about 10 minutes to complete, and includes amazing views of Taipei along the way. It's spectacular cascading falls are definitely worth a stop for anyone in Taiwan.
Background: Xiufeng Waterfall is roughly 10 meters high and 2 meters wide (32 x 13 ft.). It is located on Dajianshan in Xizhi, and connects with other Dajianshan trails in the area. The rocks here easily erode, making for odd shapes in the riverbed. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free When to go: Go in the spring time when there is more rain. If you go during the dry season, the waterfall will be quite small. Difficulty: Easy How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Shifen Station, then walk along the main road south until you reach the Shifen Waterfall trail. It will be hard to miss; there are signs along the way. By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. The waterfall is to the left of the main bridge across the valley, and parking is plentiful. Scooter parking is free at the entrance. Map: Please see below 
Baishawan Beach in Kenting (aka White Sand Bay, not to be confused with Baishawan Beach in New Taipei) is arguably the best beach in Taiwan, with excellent sand, warm clear water, warm temperatures year round, and fewer visitors than Kenting Beach.
Background: Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). Baishawan beach was a filming location for Life of Pi, acting as the tropical Mexican shoreline. Baishawan Beach was also named the "Best Kept Secret" beach in the world by BeachTomoto.com Hours: 24/7 Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After you pass Hengchun, take a right onto Longguang Road and keep going west toward the sea. The beach will be on your right as you travel south on county road 153. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Hengchun Bus Station, and then take the 305 Hengchun Bus to the White Sand Bay stop. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: 
The Swiss Mountain Village Castle was abandoned for over 20 years. Originally a meeting retreat for the Tai ji Men, a Taiwan religious group, it then came under possession of the government while its owner underwent tax investigation. In 2020, the charges on the man were dropped and the property was returned, but by that time it had been sitting in ruins for decades. I am not sure if the building will be renovated or torn down in the future.
Background: Taiji men was formed in 1966 and is a religion, but considers itself a school for physical and spiritual well being especially through the use of Tai Chi. For more info about the religion see here. The Swiss Mountain Village was one like any other in the area, a place where somewhat wealthy people in the Taipei area would build villas and retreats. Swiss Mountain Village in Xizhi is not the most ideal place to live now. Residents there have to deal with not having piped water from the city, for one. At the beginning, the neighborhood built a community center which is the castle we know now. Mr. Hong built the community center in 1996 to use as a meeting place for his religions events. What got Mr. Hong in trouble was a tax investigation to profits earned from some of his Tai Chi schools in Taipei. Originally the tax office thought that his schools should be taxed the same way as a cram school, but Hong contended that it was a non profit religious organization and should not be taxed. After over 20 years and 18 court battles Mr. Hong finally won the fight against the tax office, and the assets frozen during the legal fight were finally returned to him in 2020. For more about the background on this castle, see here. Since the property is now in private hands, I do not recommend visiting so I will not share the map location. The building may be renovated, but will more likely be torn down due to maintenance costs. During the 20 years or so that the land was frozen by the government, Mr. Hong did not pay taxes or management fees, which he still owes. 
Nanwan Beach in Kenting (aka South Bay) is the premier beach destination on the Taiwan mainland, and attracts more visitors than any other beach on the island. It features beautiful white sand and long, flat beaches, as well as clear water that is relatively warm year round. In addition, the beach has sunshine for most of the year. Popular activities include jet skiing, water skiing, surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. Located right next to the beach is Kenting Street, a great night market for snacking and tourist oriented shopping.
Background: Kenting was first settled by Chinese during theQing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from twp words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pionners of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). The facilities at Nanwan include changing rooms, showers, toilets, rentals, and a parking lot. Hours: Nanwan Beach: 8:30 AM to 9 PM Kenting Street Night Market: 6:30 PM - Midnight Price: Free When to go: Summer! It's when the water is warmest and the sun is hottest. However there will be more people in summer, and there could be Typhoons. Spring and Fall are also good times to go, as there will be less visitors and cooler temperatures. Winter is an okay time to go as well, it will be warmer than the rest of Taiwan and the water will still be warm enough to swim in. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Hengchun into Kenting National Park. The beach will be on your right as you pass the a 7-11. There is a parking lot next to the beach. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. Get off at the Nanwan Beach stop （南灣）. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. Map: Please see below: |
Author 作家We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Archives 檔案
September 2021
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