Tainan Snake King Zoo (aka World Snake King Educational Farm 台南市世界蛇王教育農場) is a private zoo in Guiren District of Tainan with many rare and exotic reptiles, birds, and big cats, and others. There is also a restaurant inside that specializes in snake and alligator meat. Despite accusations of maltreatment, the zoo is still legally operating and accepting visitors daily. You could say that the Mr. Huang, the Snake King Zoo owner is the “Tiger King" of Taiwan. And yes there is a tiger.
The farm is now for sale, so come and see the Snake King Zoo before it's gone!

Background:
The Snake King Zoo is 23 years old.
At the time of its creation, then president Lee Teng-Hui was pushing for alligator farming in Tainan, which is how the farm started. At that time, there was no animal protection laws, and no regulations on how big cages should be. However the zoo has improved conditions for the animals overtime. 
Over its history, it has raised over 5000 alligators. 
Recently the zoo has been caught up in accusations of maltreatment of its animals, however after inspection from the EPA no illegal activities were found, and the zoo took measures to improve the quality of care for its animals. 
During the  COVID-19 pandemic, local tourism in Taiwan boomed, but in the summer of 2020 the Snake King Zoo only saw a few visitors per day (compared to hundreds of visitors per day in its prime).
Due to lack of income and pressure from constant debt, the zoo owner Mr. Huang (80 years old) announced in August 2020 that thezoo was for sale at a price of 160 million NT.
The zoo also includes a museum and restaurant that sells snake and alligator meat.
​The zoo is still operating as normal but it seems its days are numbered. 

Hours:
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM every day.

Price:
100 NT (previously 200 NT) per person

How to get there:
By car/scooter: From Tainan HSR station, drive north on provincial highway 39, then take a left on Dade Road, and another left on Tainan City Highway 177. The Snake Zoo will be on your left, and there is parking available on site.
By bus: From Tainan HSR station, take the R3 shuttle north to  Guiren District Office stop, then walk north about 20 minutes (or take a taxi) to the zoo.

Map:
Please see below:

Macau is a small city and special autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, and the most densely populated place in the world. With a long history of Portuguese colonial rule mixed with Chinese culture, it is an interesting mix of east and west, with a unique cuisine and history. What is there to do when you only have two days in this urban paradise?

*cough*
After this pandemic is over of course.

Background:
The name Macau comes from the Sea Goddess Mazu. When Portuguese first came to the area, they asked for the name of the place, but the local Han Chinese fisherman though they were asking about the name of the nearby Mazu temple "Ma Kok 媽閣"
Macau had human settlements beginning six thousand years ago, and was part of China since 221 BC, but it was not really built as an established settlement until the Portuguese colonized it in 1557, via lease agreement with China.
I999, Portugal agreed to return Macau to China with the provision that it would retain its economic and political system for 50 years. After that time, Macau relied on the casino industry for growth, and now is one of the richest places in the world per capita.

How to get there:
By Plane: Daily flights are available from Macau International Airport. 
Routes from China: You can reach Macau by Ferry or Bus from Zhuhai or Hong Kong.

How to get around:
Bus: There are plenty of buses that go all over this small island.
Bikes: The area is small enough that you can get around by renting a bike.
Walking: You can walk around the most of Macau in a day, but it might get tiring.

​Map:
Please see below:

Xiaoliuqiu (aka Little Liuqiu, Lamay Island, or Lambai Island) is a small island paradise off the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The island is known for its clear water, amazing coral reefs, white sand beaches, and quiet laid back atmosphere. Only a short half hour boat ride from the Taiwan mainland, the island is easily accessible. In addition, the island is small enough that you can round the entire island by scooter in a matter of minutes.

Background:
In 1622, a Dutch ship crashed on the island, two years before the Dutch began to rule Taiwan, and all but one of the crew members were killed by the aboriginal tribe living on the island at the time.
In retaliation, the Dutch sent a force to massacre the natives on the island. 300 men, women, and children were suffocated alive in a large cave, and the rest of the people were put into slavery by the Dutch. This was known as the Lamey Island Massacre. Later Chinese people began inhabiting the island in 1645.
Later the island fell into Qing, Japanese, and ROC rule.
Currently the island is a township of Pingtung County with a population of over 10,000 people. Most of the people on the island rely on fishing and tourism for a living.
The island also has one of the largest concentrations of temples in Taiwan.
Xiaoliuqiu started to become a major tourist destination after 2004, reaching over 400,000 tourists per year.
in 2015 restrictions were placed on the inter-tidal zones in Xiaoliuqiu so that only those with a licensed guide could visit them and swimming is prohibited. These restrictions apply specifically to the Dafu Harbor inter-tidal zone (north of Dafu Harbor), Yanziping Beach, and the Shanfu Harbor Inter-tidal zone (north of Shanfu Harbor). Although there are other inter-tidal zones, these are not regulated. 

How to get there:
The only way to get there is via ferry from Donggang's Dongliu Ferry Terminal. The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes. There is a ferry leaving from Donggang roughly every hour from 7 AM to 5 PM.
Parking: There is free scooter parking and paid car parking at the fishing harbor (30 NT per car), but the fishing harbor does not allow overnight parking. Overnight parking near the fishing harbor can cost up to 180 NT per day, so consider parking further away if you want to save money on parking.
Public transport: There are many shuttles to and from Zuoying HSR station that leave hourly. The cost is about 200-300 NT per trip. 

Price:
Ferry ride: about 410 NT per round trip, about 30 minutes. The public ferry goes to Dafu Fishing Harbor (大福漁港), and private ferries go to Baishawei Fishing Harbor (白沙尾漁港). There are ferries that leave at least hourly from about 8 AM to 5:00 PM. 
Scooter rental: about 300 NT per day. There is a gas station on the back side of the island.
Snorkeling: about 300 NT per hour
Scuba diving: around 2500 NT for 2-3 hours
You can purchase a tickets at Donggang Fishing Harbor (東港漁港), or through a tour agency such as My Taiwan Tour or a similar website.

When to go:
Anytime! Xiaoliuqiu is a tropical island that has warm water and temperatures (above 25 degrees Celsius) year round. However it is a little cooler and more windy during the winter, and you should be sure to avoid Typhoons during summer (ferries will be cancelled if there is a Typhoon).
However, it can get really crowded during summer break in July-August, so go during the off-season to avoid the crowds. 

Map: Please see below:

Buyanting is a viewing pavilion in Ruifang District of New Taipei, which offers amazing views of Shangxi and Ruifang Districts of New Taipei as well as Keelung City. Lately it has become a popular spot for Instagrammers to come and take dangerous photos of them standing in the middle of the road.

Background:
Buyanting was built along the New Taipei City Highway 102 in 1966 (aka Ruishuang Road 瑞雙公路), at the border between Ruifang and Shuangxi. At the time, the road was the main route that connected Jiufen to Yilan, and thus connecting greater Taipei to Yilan. Later this road to Yilan was replaced by provincial highway 2, and 2A.
The name Buyan Pavilion means that the views here are “not loathsome” (不厭 Buyan) so you can sit here and enjoy the views all day.  The words "Buyan" are taken from a poems of the famous Tang Dynasty poet Libai.
From the pavilion, you can see the ocean and Keelung Harbor, as well as the Mudan Valley, and surrounding mountains.
It is a popular spot on the weekends, with many people stopping here for photos.
​
Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

​How to get there:
By car/scooter: From Jiufen, take highway 102 south and the pavilion will be on the way to Mudan. You can also go the other way from Mudan. There is plenty of free parking on the side of the road. 
​By bus: Sadly no bus service is available here! Unless you want a really long walk. 

Map:
Please see below:

Tainan was the capital of Taiwan during the Dutch Rule and Qing Dynasty, a span lasting over 200 years. During the Qing Dynasty earth and stone walls were built around the city, including 14 city gates. Today only four city gates remain, which we will explore in this blog. 

Historical Background:
The walls of Tainan first started as a brick wall around Fort Provintia in 1652.
After the Qing Dynasty took Taiwan, an uprising by 17 year old Zhu Yigui was successful in exiling the provincial government out of Taiwan after heavy taxation and a bad earthquake had left the people destitute. The Qing took back Tainan about a month later and Zhu Yigui was executed. Later a bamboo palisade was built around the City in 1733 to prevent further rebellion. Bamboo walls surrounded the city until about 1788. When the bamboo walls started to decay, the Fujian provincial government decided to make earthen walls around the capital city instead starting in 1788.
However by 1867, the earthen walls had crumbled due to heavy rains year after year, and they were repaired for the last time in 1875.
During the Japanese era, most of the walls of Tainan were destroyed because the Japanese thought that walls around the city stifled development. The west wall later became what is now Ximen Road. 
In its prime, there were a total of 14 city gates in the walls. Today, only four gates remain: Dongan Gate (東安門), Ningnan Gate 寧南門, Jingpo Gate 靖波門, and Duiyue Gate 兌悅門. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free
​
Map:
Please see the existing city gates marked with red castle icons below:

Salt Mountain (aka Qigu Salt Mountain) is a mountain made of salt in Qigu District of Tainan City. It is a remnant of the now defunct salt drying industry that thrived for over 300 years in Tainan. Nearby you can also enjoy the Qigu Salt Museum. If you are a fan of salt, this is the place for you.

Background:
Drying seawater in Tainan for salt production began as early as 1665 during the Kingdom of Tungning. The salt drying pools in Qigu were officially created in 1938 by the Japanese. These drying pools were constantly expanded on into the ROC era. 
However, as the price of imported salt became lower, Taiwan's domestic salt drying industry began to suffer, and the Qigu Salt Fields closed in 2002. Over 300 years of salt drying in Tainan came to an end.
In 2005, the Taiwan Salt Museum was opened which is right next to salt mountain. The museum features historical exhibitions and DIY activities.
Recently a number of works of art, amusement park rides, and statues have been set up near the salt mountain to attract visitors.

Price:
Salt Mountain: 50 NT 
Taiwan Salt Museum: 150 NT

Hours:
9 AM to 5:30 PM every day (the museum is closed on Wednesdays)

How to get there:
​By Car/Scooter: From central Tainan, take provincial highway 17 north to Qigu. At the intersection of highway 176, turn left on the 176 until you reach Salt Mountain. It will be on your right.
By Bus: From Tainan Station you can take the Blue Main Line to Jiali Station, then switch to BL20, then get off at Qigu Salt Mountain Station. The whole ride takes about two hours and is 115 NT one way.

Map:
​Please see below:

At this stage in my Chinese learning, I have hit a peak with spoken Chinese and I have been putting all my energy into learning more written Chinese. Chinese idioms are special because normally they are only four characters and you need to memorize what they mean in order to understand; this is the education that is taught in Taiwan elementary schools that I was never able to be a part of. It can be hard to pick up idioms just out of context. However there are not a lot of English resources that focus on just idioms, and the ones that do don't filter out the commonly used idioms. So I have created this list using commonly used idioms selected from the dictionary by a native speaker. If you can memorize these, you can drastically improve your formal Chinese reading and formal Chinese writing skills. This is a major project and it will probably take me a few years to cataloger all of the useful idioms in the dictionary. The list below is organized according to character stroke order and will be added upon regularly. FYI: the reason it is not a table is for SEO purposes, so this list can be found in Google. Also, all these translations are from yours truly, translated in my head by reading the Chinese definitions. 

在這個階段我的中文學習主要專注於閲讀及寫作。成語特別難因爲每一個都需要背起來，但是有太多沒有用的成語，所以我請了一位台灣朋友幫我整理比較常見的成語。以下是常用成語的中翻英對照表，我會陸陸續續把字典裏面所有有用的成語寫上去，可能要花個幾年的時間。以下所有翻譯都是我親自從中文字典里面的解釋直接翻成英文，如果有問題可以在下面留言。

The Chen Dejyu Shrine, (aka Chen Family Ancestral Hall) is one of the oldest Chinese buildings in Taiwan, with almost 300 years of history, dating back to the Kingdom of Tungning, built by the then chief of staff for Koxinga. It now stands almost perfectly restored building in the middle of Tainan, a monument to former times. 

Background:
Soon after Koxinga conquered what is now Tainan from the Dutch in 1661, his Chief of General Staff Chen Yonghua 陳永華 (or Chen Ze 陳, scholars argue this is the same person)  built this mansion, which was completed in 1644 during the Kingdom of Tungming in Taiwan or Ming Dynasty in China. Chen Yonghua's original birthplace was Haicheng County of Fujian Province. He was an important figure in the governance of the kingdom, including economic, education (including building the Tainan Confucius Temple), and legal aspects. During the Qing dynasty, the building was changed into the Chen family ancestral shrine.
The shrine faces west, and has three courtyards, two side rooms, and two shrines. Paintings on the walls were made by Chen Yufeng 陳玉峰, a famous painter and descendant of the Chen family in Tainan. 

Hours:
9 AM to 5PM, closed Mondays

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: From Tainan train station, go southwest on provincial highway 20, then turn right on Tainan City Highway 8. Turn right on Yongfu 2nd Road and the shrine is just behind the Famous Hotel.
​By bus: You can take bus 1 from the Tainan Train station to Hayashi Department store, and the shrine is about a six minute walk northwest.

Map:
Please see below:

Ershawan Fort (aka Ershawan battery or Tenable Gate of the Sea 海門天險), is a Qing Dynasty era fort that once guarded Keelung Harbor among a network of other forts. For a brief time was taken over by the French during the Sino-French War. Now it stands as a wonderfully preserved monument to the past, with great views of Keelung Harbor. 

Background:
Ershawan Fort started as a seaside fortification in 1840 as a response to the First Opium War. During the war, a British ship called the Nerbudda fired on the fort, destroying one of the soldier dorm rooms. The ship later bottomed out on a coral reef and the sailors were imprisoned. 
In August of 1884, 5 French ships under direction of general S. N. J. Lespes attacked the forts at Keelung, attacking from the side. Because the cannons in Ershawan Fort could not rotate, they were useless against the ships. Most of the canons and gunpowder were destroyed or exploded. The next day the French Forces invaded Keelung with a force of about 500 men. They made a cemetery nearby for their men, which was later moved to Ershawan Fort were it still remains to this day.
After the war, in an effort to protect the coal reserves near Keelung from the French, the then Imperial Inspector on Military Affairs Liu Mingchuan decided to improve fortifications in Keelung by relocating the Ershawan fortress to the nearby hillside. The new fortress was built in western style with the help of German technicians. The new fortress was completed in 1888 and included two 6 inch Armstrong guns and one 8 inch Armstrong gun. Liu Mingchuan also installed new revolving bases for the cannons, and created a camp below with the "Tenable Gate of the Sea."
After the Japanese took Taiwan, the fort was barely used and fell into decay. 
The fort was declared a national historic monument in 1997.
The fort and pathways were further restored in 2018.
Now it is a popular attraction in the area especially because of the great view of Keelung Harbor that can be seen from the fort. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From central Keelung, take Shoushan Road up the hill on the east part of the city and the fort is at the very top of the hill. There is limited free parking near the top. 
By Bus: There is no direct way to get there by bus, but you can take the 204 bus from Keelung Station to Keeling Stadium station and then walk up the hill about 1 KM to the fort. I think you can reach the fort from the harbor side, but I'm not sure where the entrance to the trail is.

​Map:
Please see below:

Tainan's Confucius Temple (aka Taiwan's Confucius Temple) is the oldest Confucius Temple in Taiwan and the first Academy in Taiwan, dating to the Kingdom of Tungning 300 years ago. Today it is an important place for Confucian learning and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tainan. 

Historical Background:
The Taiwan Confucius Temple was completed in 1665 during the Kingdom of Tungning, shortly after Koxinga and taken over Taiwan from the Dutch. The construction was overseen by Koxinga's son Zheng Jing and Chief of General Staff Chen Yonghua. It featured a Hall of Ethics, Hall of Great Achievement, and the First Academy of Taiwan. 
During the Qing Dynasty in 1685, the temple was further expanded and renovated. 
During the Japanese era, the Academy (Wen Miao) was used as a school and barracks.
After the ROC took Taiwan, the temple was well kept and Confucian ceremonies were held on a regular basis. 
As of the time of writing, currently the temple is under renovation, which is expected to be completed in September 2020. 
​The temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tainan.

Hours:
8:30 AM to 9:30 PM (open late so you can see it with lights)

Price:
50 NT per person.
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Tainan Train Station, drive south on provincial highway 20, then turn at the roundabout onto Nanmen Road. The temple will be on your right. There is limited paid parking nearby.
By Bus: From Tainan Train Station, take bus 2 west about 8 minutes to Tainan Confucius Temple Station. 

Map:
Please see below:

Wuliaojian in Sanxia District is one of the most popular hikes in greater Taipei. It features rope climbs, rock scrambling, and rock climbing, and has some amazing views of southern Taipei. Wuliaojian is everything but wuliao.  

Background:
Wuliao Jian stands at 639 meters above sea level, and the top features five peaks in the shape of a clenched fist. The climb requires ropes for some parts, and one peak called Qiaobi Xong Peak requires a 30 meter rock climb up a near sheer vertical cliff face. 
From the top you can enjoy views of Taipei such as Sanxia and Shulin Districts of New Taipei.
Currently the hike is very popular for local people especially on the weekends. 

Distance: 5.5 km, 

Elevation gain: 530 meters

Time needed: 3-5 hours

When to go:
Go on a sunny day when the rocks are dry, because some rock climbing is involved.
​Also consider going early in the morning or on a weekday, because the trails can get really clogged with crowds of people during the day on weekends. 

Equipment needed:
Gloves because you will need to slide down lots of ropes and you do not want to get rope burn. Also bring good hiking shoes and lots of water.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Sanxia Old Street, travel south on provincial highway three, and then keep left at the fork with provincial highway 7乙. The trail head is right in front of a small shop called Yuli Store (玉里商店).
By Bus: From downtown Sanxia, take bus F627 40 minutes south to Hezuo Bridge Station, which is the start of the trailhead.

Map:
​Please see below:

Chikan Tower (aka the former Fort Provintia 普羅民遮城)  is one of the most fascinating historical buildings in all of Taiwan. Originally built as a fort by the Dutch in the 1653, it was later made into two Chinese temples. Now it is a popular place for students to pray for good grades.

Historical Background:
Fort Provintia was built by the Dutch who controlled Taiwan at the time to fortify the western part of Tayuan, just two kilometres away from Fort Zeelandia; construction planning started in 1624 and it was completed in 1653. At the time the fort pointed canons at the Taijiang River. A Road was built from the Fort Provintia to Fort Zeelandia (Minquan Road today).
It was known by the local people as Red Hair Tower (紅毛樓 Hóng máo lóu) or Chikan Tower (赤崁樓 chì kàn lóu) which came from the plains aboriginal name Sakam, which was the settlement near the tower home to over5000 aboriginal villagers.
In 1652 the Guo Huaiyi Rebellion ( 郭懷一事件 guōhuáiyī shìjiàn) took place, in which Chinese settlers rose up against the Dutch due to heavy taxation. With the help of the aborigines, the Chinese were defeated and over 4000 Chinese were killed. 
As a result of the rebellion, the Dutch replaces bamboo walls around the fort with brick walls. 
In 1661, Fort Provintia was the first place that Koxinga attacked in his conquest of Taiwan. In the following months he conquered the Dutch and created the Kingdom of Donming in Taiwan. The fort was used as storage for gunpowder at the time.
After the Qing Dynasty took Taiwan, an uprising by 17 year old Zhu Yigui was successful in exiling the provincial government out of Taiwan after heavy taxation and a bad earthquake had left the people destitute. As part of the rebellion, the iron gates of Chikan Tower were destroyed. The Qing took back Tainan about a month later and Zhu Yigui was executed.
Later, typhoons and a large earthquake in 1862 left the tower in ruins.
In the 1800s, five temples were built on the ruins of Fort Provintia: Daishi Temple, Ocean God Temple, Fenghu Library, Wenchang Temple, and Wuzi Temple. 
During the Japanese Era, the temples were converted into student dormitories and an army hospital. During demolition of the Dashi Temple, they discovered the remnants of the Dutch Fort Provintia underneath. They then converted the tower into a museum which is basically in the same form today.
After WWII, the building was protected as a national historical monument and was made into a tourist attraction. Apparently there are also plans to improve the Dutch history of the site in the future. 

Hours:
8:30 AM to 9:30 PM (open late so you can see it with lights)

Price:
50 NT per person.
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Tainan Train Station, dive east on provincial highway 20, then turn left on Minzu 2nd Road. The Chikan Tower will be on your right.
By Bus: From Tainan Train Station, take bus 3 or five west about 8 minutes to Fort Provintia Station. 

Map:
Please see below:

Taiwan's International Hot Air Balloon Festival, held every year in Taitung County during the summer, is one of the premiere tourism events in the country. Prepare to be amazed by an array of balloons, or enjoy the amazing natural scenery in Taitung by taking a tethered or non-tethered hot air balloon ride.

Background:
Taiwan's hot air balloon festival started in 2011 in Luye Township of Taitung County, as a way for Taitung County to promote hot air balloon tourism.
In 2013 the event changed its name to the Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival and began to invite hot air balloons from other countries.

Price:
Tethered balloon ride (熱氣球繫留體驗): 550 NT to 650 NT
Non-tethered balloon ride （熱氣球空中自由飛行): about 10,000 NT 
Paragliding (滑翔傘): 1800-2500 NT

Hours/When to go:
Tethered Balloon Ride (熱氣球繫留體驗): 4PM- 6:30PM or 4:30AM to 6:30AM (July to August). The ride lasts about 5  minutes.
Ticketing website:  https://ttpass.tw/category/143
Untethered balloon ride （熱氣球空中自由飛行): Usually between 4AM and 6AM
Ticketing website: http://www.skyrainbow.com.tw/booking.php \ (there are others)
Warning: Hot Air Balloons can be cancelled with short notice due to bad weather such as too much wind, rain, or influence of a Typhoon. 
​
Live Feed:
Check out a live feed of the Luye highland here: 
https://tour.taitung.gov.tw/en/media/live-camera/livecamera

Website:
https://balloontaiwan.taitung.gov.tw/en

How to get there:
By Train/Bus: From Taitung TRA station, there is a shuttle bus that leaves to Luye Highland at 4:10AM, 4:30AM, and 4:50AM, as well as 3PM, 3:30PM, and 4PM (75-120 NT per ride).
Or, take the TRA to Luye station, and then walk, take a taxi, or take a bus to Luye Highlands (the train station is roughly 2 kilometers away from the highlands).
By Car: From Taipei, take National Highway 5 to Yilan, then drive south on provincial road 9 until you get to Luye. See the map below for the location of the Highlands. It will be hard to miss.
By Plane: Fly into Taitung Airport from Taipei, then take a taxi/bus to the highlands.
​
Map:
​Please see below:

Toucheng Old Street (officially Heping Street 和平街) is the oldest street in Yilan, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. It was once the economic center of Yilan, but it's importance was later replaced. Now it sits as a monument to the past, with few changes as compared to its former glory. It's definitely worth a stop on your trip through Yilan. 

Background:
Before Chinese settlers came, the area around Toucheng was inhabited by the Ketagalan Aboriginal tribe, whose language is now extinct.
The name Toucheng literally means "first town" in Chinese, because it was the first settlement in Yilan, settled in the late 1700s. With the nearby Wushih and Touwei Harbors around the same time, it became the economic focal point of Yilan. However in the late 1800s and early 1900s Wushih Harbor and Touwei Harbor silted in, reducing their function.
With the advent of the Japanese built Yilan railway line in the mid-1900's, as well as constant floods and continually silting of the harbors, Toucheng Old Street quickly lost its importance economically and fell into decay.
The old street has two temples, the major one being Toucheng Qingyuan Temple (頭城慶元宮) which dates back to 1796.
Currently the old street is a moderately popular tourist attraction with only a few shops. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Car: Take national highway 5 east to Yilan and then turn north to Toucheng. There is free parking near the community development center (頭城鎮港口社區發展協會), and the beach is just a short walk from there. 
By Train: Take the TRA to Wai'ao train station. It's about an hour ride from Taipei. From Wai'ao station, the beach is literally just a few steps away. 
​
Map:
Please see below:

Tainan's Eternal Golden Castle (also known as Erkunshen Battery 二鯤鯓砲台)  is one of the best preserved Qing Dynasty era forts in Taiwan. It features a moat, large walls, huge era cannons, and live canon firing at certain times in the day. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Tainan.

Background:
During the Mudan Incident in 1874, Japaneses military invaded Taiwan to punish certain aboriginal tribesman. 
As a result, the Eternal Golden Castle was completed in 1876 by the Qing Dynasty mainly to defend against Japanese invasion. During the Sino-French War, the facility was used to fire at and ward off French ships.
When Taiwan was seceded to Japan in 1895, some Taiwanese people tried to fight off the Japanese from the fort but their efforts were futile.
The Japanese did not use the fort and sold its cannons to Russia. 
The fort lie in ruins until 1975 when the Tainan City government began to make renovations. 
In 1999, further renovations were completed and it was opened as a public attraction. 

Hours:
8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Tuesday to Sunday

Price:
50 NT per person (or 150 NT for four historical sites in Tainan).

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From central Tainan go west on Minsheng Road until it becomes Anping Road. After that turn left across the river and keep going west until you see the fort.
Bu Bus: Take Tainan Bus 19 from Tainan Train Station to Eternal Golden Castle station. The ride takes about 30 minutes. ​​

Map:
​Please see below:

The former Tait & Co. merchant house is a well preserved residence dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Besides enjoying the era architecture, one can also enjoy historical exhibits inside the building. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Tainan. 

Background:
With the Treaty of Tientsin in 1856 as part of the Second Opium War, Great Britain became free to trade with China in a few select ports including Tainan. As a result, the Tait & Co. rented land near the then British Consulate in Anping, and built a western style residence and storehouse.
The Merchant house and storehouse were originally built for exporting tea,  sugar and camphor.
During the Japanese era, the Japanese controlled on a monopoly on most exports like sugar and tea, which cut profits from Tait & Co. and forced it to close Taiwan operations in 1911. After that, it was used by the Japanese to store salt, another important product from Tainan. 
After WWII, the building was used as anoffice and dormitory for Tainan Salt Works. 
In 1979, it was converted into the Taiwan Development was museum.
​It was remolded to include historical exhibits of early western settlers in Taiwan in 2004.

Price:
50 NT per person (or 150 NT for this and three other historical sites in Tainan).

Hours:
Every day 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From central Tainan go west on Minsheng Road until it becomes Anping Road. After that keep going until you see the tower. 
By Bus: Take Tainan Bus 2 from Tainan Train Station to Anping Old Fort station. The ride takes about an hour. 

Map:
Please see below:​

Wai'ao Beach (aka Gangao Beach 港澳沙灘, or Wai'ao Ocean Recreation Area 外澳海水浴場) in Toucheng township of Yilan County is one of the most popular surfing destinations in Taiwan. It features a long flat sandy beach and constant waves. It is also a special beach in Taiwan because you have a constant view of another island in the distance, Turtle Island. It is definitely a great beach worth visiting.

Background:
The name Wai'ao Beach comes from "Wai (meaning outside)" of the "Ao (meaning harbor),"  because the beach is just past Wushi Harbor. 
The beach has constant waves and many surf shops and showers nearby. 
The beach is usually kept pretty clean and there are umbrellas that you can rent. 
The sand is a darker color which means it can get hot in the sun.
Due to the convenient transportation to the beach, it has become one of the most popular beach destinations in northern Taiwan.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free:

How to get there:
By Car: Take national highway 5 east to Yilan and then turn north to Toucheng. There is free parking near the community development center (頭城鎮港口社區發展協會), and the beach is just a short walk from there. 
By Train: Take the TRA to Wai'ao train station. It's about an hour ride from Taipei. From Wai'ao station, the beach is literally just a few steps away. 

Map:
See below:

The Anping Tree house is a former salt warehouse in Tainan, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. The building is now completely covered in banyan trees, hence its name as the Anping Tree House. It is a special historical monument and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tainan. The house is completely covered in mangrove roots, making it look like the walls, roof, and floor are actually made from a living tree. 

Background:
The Anping Tree house was originally a warehouse built during the Qing dynasty storing sugar and camphor after the Qing Dynasty opened the port to international trade in 1858, created by Tait & Company behind the Tait & Company Merchant House. During the Japanese era, it was used to store salt, another important product from Tainan. 
After WWII, the building was used as a salt warehouse, and then it fell into disrepair for many years.
​It was opened as a tourist attraction in 2004.

Price:
50 NT per person (or 150 NT for this and three other historical sites in Tainan).

Hours:
Every day 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From central Tainan go west on Minsheng Road until it becomes Anping Road. After that keep going until you see the tower. 
By Bus: Take Tainan Bus 2 from Tainan Train Station to Anping Old Fort station. The ride takes about an hour. 

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.

Gold Mountain Ranch and Resort (aka Jinshan Yijing in Chinese, or simply "Horse Camp") is a campground and horse ranch in Jinshan District of New Taipei. A stay here includes activities such as horseback riding, four-wheeling, archery and bb-gun practice, and also a filling BBQ dinner and western style breakfast. Staying here makes you feel like you are in the rural American West, which is a unique experience in Taiwan. With a shortage of ranches and horse riding opportunities in Taiwan, Gold Mountain is a special place that you should not miss on your trip along Taiwan's northern coast. 

Background:
From my conversation with the Laoban (Boss), Mr. Z, as well as info from their website, Mr. Z. started this ranch about three years ago as a pet project, due to his love of horses. Before that he was in the restaurant business. He said that he searched the entire island for a suitable place for a Horse Ranch, which was his dream, and happened to find this spot of land where the ranch currently operates. When he started the ranch, he would still drive back to Zhonghe every night to take care of his ailing cat. Now he spends all his time taking care of the horses, even sleeping next to them at night in case something goes wrong. Now him and four other employees help to run the campground and ranch.
Currently the ranch has 6 horses, about five ATVs, and can accommodate 60 people. Soon they plan to open a restaurant and bar on the property, as well as a wilderness survival training camp. 

Hours:
Check in: 1 PM 
Check out: 11 AM
​
Price:
1600 NT - 2750 NT per night per person
Additional horse rides charged per hour/lesson.

Website: https://goldmrnr.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/goldmrandr/ 
​(like and share button below)

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take National highway 3 north to Wanli, then take provincial highway 2 along the northern coast until you reach Jinshan. Then take provincial highway 2A east to county highway 25, and turn right at Sanhe elementary school. Turn left when you see the sign for "金山驛境." The ranch is at the end of the road. It takes about 50 minutes from Taipei by car.
​By Bus/taxi: There are buses that leave from Taipei City Hall station to Jinshan hourly. The ride takes about an hour. From central Jinshan you can take a taxi (about 200 NT) to the ranch.

Map:
Please see below:

Tainan's Anping Old Street (aka Yanping Old Street 延平老街, or Taiwan's First Steet) is said to be the oldest street in Taiwan. Right next to Anping Fort and surrounded by many other historical sites, as well as the center of the culinary capital of Taiwan, it is a great place to enjoy Taiwan's interesting history and its delicious cuisine.

Background:
After the Dutch defeat in Penghu in 1624, they turned their sights instead to the island of Taiwan (Formosa) and began building on what were then sandbars in what is now Anping, Tainan (the inland sea that once existed here has long silted in). Anping Old Street was the first street they built in that settlement. 
Fort Zeelandia was completed in 1634 after 10 years of construction, built on the high ground of one of the sand bars, along with other forts in the area, such as Fort Zeeburg. It included a one story outer fort armed with cannons. There was also a three story inner fort for administration, including a church and jail. The bricks for the building were shipped in from Java.
The Dutch ruled most of Taiwan until 1661 when they were defeated by Ming Loyalists lead by Koxinga. Koxinga sieged fort Zeelandia, for nine months, killing 1,600 of the Dutch people there before they surrendered due to lack of water. The victory at Zeelandia proved to be the end of 38 years of Dutch rule in Taiwan, the survivors fleeing to Batavia. 
After Taiwan was taken over by the Qing Dynasty in the late 1600s, Tainan became the provincial capital of Taiwan. Fort Zeelandia fell into disrepair as the bay silted in. The bricks on the outer wall were harvested for the Eternal Golden Castle fort closer to the ocean. 
During the Japanese occupation, the fort was repaired and renamed Anping Fort. 
In 1975 the fort was further repaired and the tower improved to what currently stands. The Old Street also became more and more popular with tourists after the Fort's renovation. 

Price:
Anping Old Street: Free
Anping Fort: 50 NT per person (or 150 NT to see four of five sites: Anping Fort, 1661 Historical Shipyard, Chikan Tower, Anping Tree House, and Eternal Golden Castle)

Hours:
Anping Old Street: Every day 7 AM to 6:30 PM.
Anping Fort: Every day 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From central Tainan go west on Minsheng Road until it becomes Anping Road. After that keep going until you see the tower. There is free and paid parking nearby. There is a giant free parking lot near Anping Tree House. 
By Bus: Take Tainan Bus 2 from Tainan Train Station to Anping Old Fort station. The ride takes about an hour. 

Map: 
​Please see below:

Zhongjiao Bay (aka Zhongjiaowan 中角灣, or Zhongjiao Shazhu Wan 中角沙珠灣) is a long sandy beach in Jinshan District of New Taipei, known as the most popular surfing location in Northern Taiwan. It is popular for surfing and swimming, and nearby there are also hikes, interesting rock formations, and the nearby Jinshan Old Street and Jinshan Hot Springs. It is definitely a relaxing place to spend an afternoon. Nearby you can also find other sandy beaches such as Jinshan Beach and Xialiao Beach 下寮灣 (Jinshan Ocean Waterpark).

Background:
The first people to live in the Jinshan Area were plains indigenous peoples. The name "Jinabaoli" comes from the Chinese transliteration of the indigenous name of the place.
Chinese people began to settle here during the late Ming Dynasty, coming mainly from Fujian, and even more came to settle here during the Qing Dynasty. 
During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, a road was built to connect Jinshan to Keelung and Tamsui, making it easier for people to visit. This road was improved in the ROC period to become provincial highway 2. 
Jinshan now has a population of about 22,000 people. 
Currently Jinshan Beach is a popular place to visit for day-trippers from Taipei. 
Due to the shape of the bay facing east, Zhongjiaowan has constant waves year round.
Recently the area has been promoted as an international surfing base by New Taipei City. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free （showers: 10 NT - coin operated)

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Keelung, take provincial highway 2 north along the coast until you reach Jinshan and see the sign for Zhongjiaowan. The beach is located northwest from the old street. There is limited free public parking in front of the beach.
By Bus: There are busses that leave from Taipei City Hall station to Jinshan hourly. The ride takes about an hour. From the city center, the beach is a short walk (1 KM or so) or taxi ride.
​
Maps:
​Please see below:

Tainan Anping Fort (aka Fort Zeelandia) is an ancient fort in Tainan City that dates back to the Dutch rule of Taiwan. The fort sits right next to Anping Old street, making it a great place to understand Taiwan's culture and at the same time get some of the best snacking at the culinary capital of Taiwan. 

Background:
After the Dutch defeat in Penghu in 1624, they turned their sights instead to the island of Taiwan (Formosa) and began building on what were then sandbars in what is now Anping, Tainan (the inland sea that once existed here has long silted in).
Fort Zeelandia was completed in 1634 after 10 years of construction, built on the high ground of one of the sand bars, along with other forts in the area, such as Fort Zeeburg. It included a one story outer fort armed with cannons. There was also a three story inner fort for administration, including a church and jail. The bricks for the building were shipped in from Java.
The Dutch ruled most of Taiwan until 1661 when they were defeated by Ming Loyalists lead by Koxinga. Koxinga sieged fort Zeelandia, for nine months, killing 1,600 of the Dutch people there before they surrendered due to lack of water. The victory at Zeelandia proved to be the end of 38 years of Dutch rule in Taiwan, the survivors fleeing to Batavia. 
After Taiwan was taken over by the Qing Dynasty in the late 1600s, Tainan became the provincial capital of Taiwan. Fort Zeelandia fell into disrepair as the bay silted in. The bricks on the outer wall were harvested for the Eternal Golden Castle fort closer to the ocean. 
During the Japanese occupation, the fort was repaired and renamed Anping Fort. 
In 1975 the fort was further repaired and the tower improved to what currently stands.

Price:
Anping Fort: 50 NT per person (or 150 NT for four historical sites in Tainan).

Hours:
Anping Fort: Every day 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From central Tainan go west on Minsheng Road until it becomes Anping Road. After that keep going until you see the tower. 
By Bus: Take Tainan Bus 2 from Tainan Train Station to Anping Old Fort station. The ride takes about an hour. 

Map: Please see below:

The Fulong-Coaling-Sandiao Cape- bike route is one of the most biker friendly routes in Taiwan, the roughly 2 hour loop is something that the whole family can enjoy. It includes a 2KM ride through the Old Coaling Railroad Tunnel, as well as a ride along the Sandiao Cape coast on an enclosed bike path, where one can enjoy great views of the ocean, Turtle Island, wavy geological features on the coastline, and historical stone villages along the way. This bike route is highly recommended for people of all ages. 

Background:
The area around Fulong was originally inhabited by the Basay indigenous tribe who has a village and hunting grounds there.
In 1626, the Spanish landed near Fulong and renamed the location Santiago (transliterated from Taiwanese as Sandiao 三貂, as in Sandiao Cape). After the Qing colonized Taiwan, many Fujianese fisherman relocated to the area and began to build the iconic stone houses you can see today.
The Old Caoling Tunnel was ​built in 1924 during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, and is 2,167 meters long. At the time it was built, it was the longest tunnel in Taiwan.
The tunnel took 3 years to build due to delays from Malaria, remoteness of the location, and digging accidents killing 11 people and injuring over 300. 
The tunnel was only one lane wide, too narrow for electric trains, and so was decommissioned in 1985 and lay waste for 22 years.
The tunnel was reopened when the Coaling Bicycle Loop was created in 2007, using the old Caoling Tunnel as its main looping point. 

Also, along the northeast coast are some old fishing villages that have been around since the Qing Dynasty, including traditional stone houses. One of these historical villages called Magang (馬崗) is in threat of destruction to make way for a resort. however as Li Yongping out it "The thing that attracts modern travelers most is not 5 star hotels, but history and culture!" Save the Magang Stone Houses!
Besides these historical sites, there is amazing scenery along the bike ride, such as views of Turtle Island and long flat sections of layered rock (see below to know what I am talking about). 

Price:
Bicycle Rental: 100-500 NT depending on the bike
Electric Bicycle Rental: 300-400 NT

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:
The Old Caoling Tunnel is open from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
It is okay to walk through the tunnel on weekdays, but on weekends only bike traffic is allowed for safety reasons. 

When to go:
May to October when the weather is nice and the water is warm.
Winter on the northeast coast is cold and windy. 

How to get there:
By Train: Take the TRA train to Fulong Station. Walk straight from the station and you will see tons of bike rental shops. 
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 from Qidu in Keelung through the mountains past Shifen and Shuangxi until you reach Gongliao on the coast. The beach is right in front of the train station, and there is free parking in front of Dongxing Temple. From there you can walk to the train station where there are bike rentals everywhere. 

Map:
Please see below:

Chiayi is a mostly rural county in south-central Taiwan. Despite its relatively small population compared to other counties in Taiwan, it has some of the most beautiful scenery, delicious local food, and interesting history. Come for Alishan, and stay for everything else you find along the way.

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

How to get around in Chiayi?
As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Chiayi by taking the TRA train, Alishan Forest Railway, inter city 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. 

Need a Tour Guide?
You can purchase many of the tickets to the following places through a tour agency such as My Taiwan Tour or a similar website.

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