Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival (宜蘭國際童玩藝術節) is one of the largest children's festivals in Taiwan, occurring every year during summer break along the Dongshan River in Yilan. It features a large outdoor waterpark as well as musical performances, exhibitions, games, and cultural events. It has become a yearly tradition for many families in northern Taiwan.
Background: The festival first began in 1996 and has continued every year, except for 2008-2009 due to lack of funds, in 2003 because of SARS, and in 2020 due to COVID. The completion of the Hsueshan Tunnel in 2006 made it much easier for large amounts of people to travel quickly from Taipei to Yilan. The large event attracts many visitors from Taipei. During summer weekdays and weekends the venue can be expected to be totally packed with visitors. Hours: 10 AM to 8 PM (pool area closes at 6 PM), starting from the begining of July to mid-August every summer. Price: 350 NT on weekends and 250 NT on weekdays 50 NT parking fee for cars 20 NT parking fee for scooters Website: https://www.yicfff.tw/index.php?lang=5tKpKqHPsMZQ82iPyZj4TQ How to get there: By car/scooter: From National Highway 5 in Yilan, take provincial highway 7 east to Dongshan River Water Park. By bus: From Luodong TRA station, take bus GR21 to Dongshan River Water Park. Map: Please see below:
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New Taipei Metropolitan Park in Sanchong and Luzhou Districts is my favorite city park in northern Taiwan. It features long green grass fields, lots of sidewalks and places to rest, as well as rivers and ponds. It's a great place to ride a bike and exercise and relax if you are in the area.
Background: New Taipei Metropolitan Park was first began work in 2008 and it is still undergoing improvements. Originally it's name was "Greater Taipei Metropolitan Park 大臺北都會公園" but its name changed to New Taipei Metropolitan Park 新北都會公園 in 2009 to differentiate it from Taipei City. It sits on the Erchong Floodway, a flood overflow basin which began construction in 1987 and was finished in 1996. Before that, there were no levees here and Sanchong and the surrounding areas were prone to flooding every time a Typhoon hit, due to the rising of the Tamsui River. The area where the Erchong Floodway sits was once the direction that the Tamsui River flowed before this section silted in, diverting the flow of the river north. The park is 7.5 km long, which includes wetlands, grasslands, basketball courts, baseball fields, tennis courts, slides, bicycle paths, and much more. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 How to get there: By MRT: Take the purple line MRT to Sanchong Station. The station is inside the park. By Car/Scooter: From central Taipei, take provincial highway 1 south to Sanchong, and do not cross the bridge toward Xinzhuang. There is plenty of parking on the side of the road near the levee. By Bicycle: There are many Youbike stations nearby. Also there is a bicycle rental shop near the basketball courts. You can also bring your own bike. I highly recommend riding a bike here, it is safe and fun and there are tons of bike-friendly paths. Map: Please see below: 
Wulai Waterfall is the highest waterfall in northern Taiwan. Here you can find a street with snacks and restaurants, and a gondola that leads to a second tier of the waterfall and an amusement park. In addition there are hikes, wildlife, and endless mountain scenery to explore.
Background: Wulai was originally an Atayal aborigine village, its name meaning hot and poisonous. There has always been natural hot springs in Wulai, but much of that water has been channeled into hotels and public bathhouses. The free hot springs stood at the bottom of the hill next to the river, and was a collection of used hot spring water from the hotels and paid hot springs above. In its prime, it boasted the largest free outdoor hot springs in Taiwan. Recently the District of Wulai in New Taipei has become a major tourist attraction, partly because of its close proximity to Taipei. It has museums, waterfalls, a gondola, a train, an old street night market, and most of all hot springs. The main delicacies on the old street are Taiwan ingenuous foods such as wild boar meat and rice steamed in bamboo. Wulai waterfall is 80 meters high, making it the highest waterfall in northern Taiwan. It's highest point sits at 230 meters above sea level, and drops to 150 meters above sea level. The waterfall is also about 10 meters wide. Yunceng Amusement Park began construction in 1960 and was completed in 1970. It includes a gondola, hotel, swimming pool, canoe pond, and other activities. Originally it had a roller coaster, pirate ship, and other rides, but these have all been taken down. Hours: Waterfall: 24/7 Cable Car and Yun Hsien Amusement Park Entrance: 9 AM to 4:30 PM Price: Waterfall: Free Cable Car and Yun Hsien Amusement Park Entrance: 220 NT per person Delicacies: Wilde Boar meat, hot spring eggs, rice steamed in bamboo, among others. How to get there： By Bus: From central Taipei, take bus 849 to Wulai Waterfall. The trips takes about an hour and a half. By Car: From Taipei, take provincial highway 9甲 to Wulai. There is a large paid parking garage in front of the old street. You may also be able to find free parking further up the road closer to the waterfall but car parking is very limited. Map: Please see below of the places covered in this blog: 
The Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park in Machia Township of Pingtung is a large area in southern Taiwan that has traditional aboriginal villages, museums, exhibitions, live performances, artwork, and indigenous cuisine, as well as amazing mountain scenery. If Taiwan's biggest tourism draw is indigenous culture, then this place is a must stop on your trip to Taiwan.
Background: Taiwan Indigenous peoples have inhabited Taiwan for over 10,000 years. After Chinese and Japanese colonialism, they were pushed back mainly to the mountains. There are currently 16 officially recognized tribes, and a population of over 500,000 people, making about 2.5% of Taiwan's population. The Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park was established in 1987, and is 82.65 hectares. It includes museums, live shows, and shops showcasing Taiwan Indigenous culture. The park is located in Machia Township of Pingtung, and is nearby Sandimen, a township also know for its indigenous culture. How to Get There: Bus: From Pingtung you can take bus 8232, 8337, or 8233 toward Sandimen but it is about a 20 minute walk from the bus stop. By Car/scooter: From Pingtung City, take provincial highway 24 toward Sandimen and then turn on to Fengjing Lane. There is parking in front of the entrance. Price: 150 NT per person Hours: 8:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays. Map: Please see below: 
Taipei Children's Amusement Park (in Chinese "New Child's Amusement Park" 兒童新樂園 Értóng xīn lèyuán) is one of the funnest places for Children in Taiwan. Because it is run by Taipei City, the entrance fee is significantly subsidized, meaning you can have a full blown child amusement park experience for a fraction of the price. If you have kids, this is definitely a place you should stop to visit.
Background: Taipei Children's Amusement Park actually began as a park near Songshan Airport, built by the Japanese in 1937, near the old Taipei Zoo. In 1945, it was taken over by Taipei City under the ROC. In 1958 it changed its name to Zhongshan Children's Park because it was located on Zhongshan North Road, and was taken under private management. In 1968, the park was bought back by Taipei City. After the Taipei Zoo moved to Wenshan District in 1986, the extra room became added space for the children's park. In 1991, the name was changed to Taipei Children's Amusement Park. In 2008, the park was moved from its original location to near the Art Center in Shilin District, because an archaeological site was found there and the city wanted to protect the Keelung River. In 2014 the old Children's Amusement Park was closed and the new Amusement Park in Shilin Officially opened. Hours: Every day 9 AM to 5 PM Hours extended to 8 PM during summer and winter break, and hours are extended to 6 PM on Sundays and holidays. Price: Entrance: 30 NT Rides: 20-30 NT per ride (FromJune 1st - July 14th 2020, to overcome the effects of COVID-19, for children 12 and under the park offers a 50 NT ticket for entrance and all of the below rides!) Rides: Ocean Carousel: 20 NT Ferris Wheel: 30 NT Monorail: 20 NT Crazy (Flying) Bus: 20 NT Wave Swinger (Radial Swinging Chairs): 20 NT Telecombat (Spinning Aircraft): 20 NT Spinning Tea Cups: 20 NT Spinning Chairs: 20 NT Swinging Pirate Ship: 30 NT Magic Star Trek Roller Coaster: 30 NT Dancing Fly Tilting Wheel: 20 NT Bumper Cars: 30 NT Drop Tower Free Fall: 30 NT (for more info click here) (From June 1st - July 14th 2020, to overcome the effects of COVID-19, for children 12 and under the park offers a 50 NT ticket for entrance and all of the below rides!) How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take Chengde Raod North to Shilin and keep going until it becomes Provincial Highway 2A. The park will be on your right, hard to miss. There is free scooter parking on the street and paid car parking nearby. By MRT/Bus: Take the red line MRT to Jiantan Station, then take bus 288 north to the Children's Amusement Park. 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
March 2023
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