Taiwan's 228 Museum commemorates the 228 incident and surrounding history, including the martyrs, victims, and hardships they went through. It is one of the best places to learn about one of the most important events in Taiwan's history, and learn about Taiwan's authoritarian past and struggle for freedom has shaped the present. The best part is it's free.

The National 228 Memorial Museum is not to be confused with the smaller Taipei 228 Memorial Museum in 228 Peace Memorial Park. 

Historical Background:
228 refers to the February 28th incident, which was an uprising of the local Taiwanese people against the KMT government in 1947, two years after the KMT had taken control of Taiwan, after decades of Japanese colonial rule of the island. Taiwanese people became disgruntled under what they saw as poor governance and a lack of local political participation. Food prices started rising and unemployment was high. The KMT was also wary of revolt and communist subversion. On February 27th, 1947 KMT agents physically struck a woman accused of smuggling cigarettes', after which an officer fired at the crowd of nearby angry bystanders. The next day on February 28th, protesters assembled and were fired at again, and protesters were also able to seize a radio tower and broadcast the news to the whole island. Under President Chiang Kai-shek and provincial government Chen Yi, protests were put down by the KMT army, thousands of civilians were killed, and many more thousands were imprisoned. Martial law was later imposed in Taiwan for 38 years and political dissent was silenced, in what was known as the White Terror period. This is considered the most important historical event in Taiwan's modern era. 
The current building that houses the 228 Memorial Museum was built in 1931 during the Japanese era and was used for events and gatherings. After KMT took control of Taiwan, the building served as the Taiwan Provincial Consultative Council until 1958 and was later rented by the US government as the American Cultural Center, and later rented by the Scouts of China (Taiwan's boy scouts). The building was then renovated from 2002 to 2011 and was reopened on February 28th, 2011 as the 228 Memorial Museum. The museum is usually not very crowded even on weekends.

Price:
Free
​
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM.

How to get there:
By MRT: The Museum is about a five-minute walk from CKS Memorial Hall Station. 
By car/scooter: From Taipei main station, turn south on Chongqing South Road. The museum will be on your right. There is limited parking near the museum. 

You can also find tours of Taipei as well as tickets to other museums in Taiwan on Klook here. 
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Map:

Taiwan's Postal Museum provides a unique history of Taiwan from the perspective of its postal service. It includes some of the first stamps ever made in the world, every stamp Taiwan has ever made, and a vast collection of stamps from most other countries in the world. In addition, it shows a history of postal services in Taiwan and throughout the world, as well as DIY activities. It is a fun and interesting visit for the whole family. 

Historical Background:
The Taiwan Postal Museum was founded in 1965 by Liu Cheng-han (劉承漢), who attended the 12th  Universal Postal Union Congress in Paris and noticed that most other countries had created postal museums, such as the first postal museum created by Germany founded in 1872. 
Taiwan's Postal Museum was first located in Xindian District of New Taipei. A New building for the museum was created with 12 stories in Taipei, and the museum was moved to the new building in 1981. 
In 2015, a smaller Taipei Beimen Postal Museum was created.
In 2021, a Kaohsiung Postal Museum was also established.
The Postal Museum is usually not very crowded, but there are more people there on weekends. 

Price:
30 NT per person.
​
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM (tickets stop being sold at 4:30 PM).

How to get there:
By MRT: The Museum is about a five minute walk from CKS Memorial Hall Station. 
By car/scooter: From Taipei main station, turn south on Chongqing South Road. The museum will be on your left. There is limited parking near the museum. 

You can also find tours of Taipei as well as tickets to other museums in Taiwan on Klook here. 
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Map:

Wulu Fort in Haiduan Township of Taitung County was originally made by the Japanese to suppress an uprising by the Bunun indigenous tribe. Now it stands as a monument to Taiwan's colonial past. The area also has great views of the Wulu Gorge and Wulu Village along Taiwan's South Cross-Island Highway. 

Historical Background:
As per the sign on sight, the history of Wulu Fort is as follows:
"Wulu Battery was constructed in 1927 when the Japanese were building the Guanshan Cross-Ridge TRail (now the South Cross-Island Highway) from Xinwu to Wulu. This cannon, manufactured by the Russians in 1903, was captured by the Japanese during the Russio-Japanese War and shipped to Taiwan for the Japanese Police to use in the suppression of an uprising of the aboriginal Bunun tribe. Batteries were also built in neighboring Saku (Dalun) and Madiangulu (Motian); but Wulu Battery is the only one that has survived, a witness to the bloody and tragic history of the Japanese occupation."
Usually, this area is not crowded. If you visit, it is likely you will be the only person there.​

Price:
Free

Hours:
24/7

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Taitung, take provincial highway 9 north until you reach provincial highway 20 (South Cross-Island Highway) then turn west up into the mountains. Turn off at Wulu Village. The fort is just above the elementary school. 
By Bus: From Guanshan TRA station, you can take bus 8178 to Wulu. The Fort is about a 25 minute walk from the bus station.

Map:

The Taitung White House is a strange-looking house built by hand by a former KMT soldier. It's a popular location and you can usually spot an Instagrammer or two here taking photos of the oddly shaped house, which reminds people of Howl's Moving House.

Historical Background:
​The Taitung White House began construction in 1966 by Li Wenchang (李文昌), who was an ROC soldier born in 1928 in Guangxi and moved with the ROC army to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War. He built the house while he was still serving in the military. Originally the house was made of wood, then he added brick to the walls. After a local coast guard station was abandoned in 1970, he moved the materials from the coast guard station over to build his house into the four-story building we see today. 
Mr. Li had a son who later went on to become an Architect, and urged him to move to Kaohsiung in his old age, but Mr. Li refused this offer. 
In 2015 a nearby animal feed factory was torn down to make way for a hotel being built here, making the white house much more obvious to passersby. 
Mr. Li still lived at the house and was a bit of a recluse but still agreed to interviews from the media. He rejected offers from others to purchase the property. 
Mr. Li finally died in his home at the age of 89 in 2017. ​
For further background on the house, you can check out this blog by Josh Ellis. 
As of the time of this article, the White House is still standing and there are no plans to sell it or tear it down that I am aware of. It is still a popular attraction in Taitung. 
Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free:

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Go south on Provincial Highway 11 until you reach Taitung City. The house is near the southeast corner of Taitung near the ocean on Zhengzheng Road.
By bus: From Taitung TRA station, take a bus to central Taitung. The house is about a 20-minute walk from any bus stop. 

​Map:

Hsinchu is not only Taiwan's technological hub, but is also rich with historical sights, Hakka culture, and natural beauty. It has numerous old streets, preserved Japanese-era and Qing-era buildings, zoos, mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, and much more to explore. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan.

History of Hsinchu:
After the settlement of the area by Han Chinese farmers in about 1711, what was then known as Zhuqianshe became the most important economic area in northern Taiwan. By 1723, a walled city was built here out of bamboo, because brick walls were forbidden for fear of a revolt against the Qing authorities. The name Zhuqiancheng (竹塹城) literally means bamboo moat city. The bamboo-walled city had four gates and its perimeter was about 1.4 KM long. In 1806, the city was upgraded with earthen walls. In 1828, the city walls and gates were finally made into brick, with the perimeter covering 2.7 KM, and walls 5 meters high, the center of the city being the Chenghuang City God Temple. In 1901, the Japanese government decided to redesign the City of Hsinchu and destroyed all the gates and walls except the existing East Gate. 
In the ROC era, the Hsinchu Science Park was established in 1980 under President Chiang Jingkuo, and was made to model silicon valley. TSMC, Taiwan's most important corporation, was formed in 1987 with its headquarters in the park and created a technological hub, making Hsinchu indispensable to Taiwan's economy.  

When to visit:
It is best to visit from April to November when the weather is warm and less windy.
There is a constant, cold northeasterly wind from December to March especially along the coast. However, the winter in general is more dry.

Where to stay:
Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center.  If you will only visit downtown, you can consider a day trip from Taipei.
You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get around in Hsinchu:
As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Miaoli by taking the train, 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. You can look for rentals, tours, and other transportation options here. 
​
Map:
See below for a map of places we will cover in this blog:

A few weeks ago I was invited to a friend's farmhouse in Hsinchu. This three-sided house is nothing special; there are thousands of similar houses throughout Taiwan. However, in this blog, you can explore what life was like for most Taiwanese families in the not so distant past.​

Orchid Island (not to be confused with the Fijian Island of the same name), known in the the local Tao language as Ponso No Tao (Island of the people), and in Chinese as Lanyu (蘭嶼) is a secret indigenous people's paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. It is different than any other place in Taiwan, and has the best preserved indigenous culture anywhere in the country. If Taiwan's best tourist activity is experiencing the culture of Taiwan's indigenous peoples, then Lanyu has the best tourist experience anywhere in Taiwan.

Background:
History:
Orchid Island became inhabited about 800 years ago by the Tao indigenous people (達悟族) (aka Yami people 雅美族, which is a name coined by the Japanese, but the native people prefer Tao), which are thought to have traveled from the Batanes Islands in the Philippines , which are a little less than 200 KM away, cut off by the Bashi Channel. However Orchid Island is very different than the Philippines.
Beginning in1644, some Dutch Sailors were sent to investigate the island, and some settled there among the natives. Because of this, the Island was known as Red Head Island (紅頭嶼) by the Chinese and the Japanese.
After the Dutch were defeated in Taiwan, Lanyu was claimed but not controlled by the Qing Dynasty.
The Japanese claimed the Island shortly after the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, but protected it as an "ethnological research site" and forbid outsiders from entering.
After the Republic of China took over Taiwan following the end of WWII, they continued to ban visitors to the island until 1967, after which tourists were allowed to enter and public schools were built there.
​Christian missionaries began preaching and living on the island starting in the 1950s, and now basically all native people on the island are Christian (mixed with traditional beliefs). However Christianity was introduced much earlier starting with the Dutch in the 1600s although to a lesser extent. 
In 1982 a nuclear waste storage plant was built on the south side of the Island without the islanders consent, causing protests from the inhabitants. Also because of this, the Island inhabitants receive free electricity.
The island is volcanic in nature, with the last major eruption being over 5 million years ago. The highest mountain is 552 meters (1,811 feet).
Currently there are 2,400 people permanently living on the island, 90% of them being of native Tao descent. 
Tao Culture:
The Tao people number in about 2,000 living on Orchid Island, with about another 2,000 living on the Taiwan mainland. The Tao people rely on the sea for survival, and much of their traditions and lifestyle is centered on fishing. 
The Tao people are mostly Christian but also still practice many of their traditional beliefs. However their ancestral religion included a pantheon of Gods. 
Traditional roles for men are fishing while roles for women include harvesting taro and sweet potato and weaving. The men usually fish at night or early morning and rest on traditional wooden platforms during the day.
Boats are made from planks of wood and are painted with red, white, and black. The boat usually has human figures, waves, and the traditional sun image (red and black circles and sun rays) which is said to warn off evil spirits. Boats are considered sacred and the ultimate human creation. There is also a launching ceremony for new boats in which traditional clothes and headgear (such as silver helmets for men and wooden hats for women) are worn, pigs are slaughtered, and the boat is lifted into the air multiple times before being set in the water. Traditional clothes include loin cloths and vests for men, and aprons and vests for women. Young people on the street usually do not wear traditional dress.
Flying Fish Festival:
There are three basic seasons on Lanyu: one is the flying fish season when flying fish can be easily caught and used in and lasts from February to May. The other seasons are from May to October and October to February, when flying fish cannot be caught for ceremonial use. There are many taboos during flying fish season which are discussed below. 
The Flying Fish Festival lasts from aboutMarch to October when flying fish are caught. During this time many ceremonies take place such as for the beginning of the festival, plentiful harvest, etc. During the festival, there are multiple migrations of flying fish species near Lanyu. There are many taboos during this time, especially when it comes to catching and eating flying fish which are the main life source of the Tao people. 

Weather and Climate:
The island has a tropical rain forest climate, with average high temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees year round. The rainy months are in summer, especially due to Typhoons, but the most sunny days are also in summer (expect a lot of sun), and the most rainy days are in winter. Summer is the tourist season, but spring and fall are also popular times to visit. Winters are said to be dreary, cold, and have constant northeastern winds that can stop airplanes and ferries from departing to the island.

When to go:
The best time to go they say is around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons which can cancel your transportation to the island.
​Typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be cold, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. 

Taboos:
General Taboos:

• Do not take pictures of or enter any of the underground houses without permission.
• Do not use any of the resting pavilions without permission, and if you are given permission take off your shoes before entering.
• Do not visit schools when they are in session.
• Do not speak loudly or shout while inside the villages.
• When villagers are performing traditional rituals, watch from a distance and keep quiet.
• Do not touch or enter into traditional canoes
• Do not disturb the ecology or habitat when snorkeling, hiking, etc.
• Do not bring any plants or animal parts with you when you leave Lanyu.

Flying Fish Season Taboos (February to June):

• Do not take photos or get near the fisherman or catch when they are coming ashore
• Do not touch or get into canoes to take photos.
• Women should keep away from canoes due to traditional beliefs.
• Do not bring oranges to beaches or harbors or give oranges as gifts, as this is believed to be a curse.
• Do not ask the fisherman what they are doing, this is thought to bring them bad luck for their catch.
• Do not try to fish without asking locals the proper time and place to do so.
• Avoid swimming and snorkeling in or near traditional fishing harbors. Always ask your hostel owner or other locals where it is okay to swim and snorkel.
• Do not fish for flying fish especially using nets or motor boats
• Do not harm or remove coral

Basic Courtesy:

• Know the taboos above before coming to Lanyu.
• Do not photograph local people or things without permission.
• Come to Lanyu with an open mind, and try to understand and sympathize with the people’s culture and way of life.

How to get there:
By Plane:
The only planes to and from Orchid Island come from Taitung.
Flight times: As of the time of this blog, there were six flights per day byDaily Air Corporation from about8 AM to 4 PM (Please note their website is only in Chinese). The flight from Taitung to Lanyu takes about 25 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be  cancelled due to high winds or unfavorable weather. 
Costs: NT 1428 to Lanyu and NT 1360 from Lanyu.
You can purchase a tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website.
 

By Boat:
There are two places that offer ferry rides to Lanyu: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港） in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港). There are also two ferry companies that operate at both harbors. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at the same time for the same price (2300 NT per person round trip/1150 NT per single trip).
Ferry Boat costs:
2300 NT per person round trip (1150 NT per single trip)from both Taitung or Pingtung. Both ferry companies have the same price.
Ferry Boat Times:
7:30/7:00 AM departure, 9:30 AM arrival to Lanyu.
12:00/12:30 PM departure, 3:00 PM arrival to Lanyu.
9:30 AM departure from Lanyu, 11:30 arrival to Taitung or Pingtung.
3:00 PM  departure from Lanyu, 5:00 PM arrival to Taitung or Pingtung.
Both ferry companies depart and arrive at the same time to both locations. 
You can purchase a tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website.
​

Getting around the island:
Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours.
Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance.

Tours:
You can book multiple tours such as diving, snorkeling, night fishing, night hiking, and cultural tours through Klook. 

Scooter Rental:
Price: expect 500 NT per day.
Be sure to book your rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed.
I am 100% percent certain you do not need a Taiwan local license to rent scooters here, however they may ask for an international license (but I'm fairly sure they will let you rent without one).
Helmet wearing is not enforced at all as you will quickly find, but it's still the law.
Also be careful to not hit any goats because they wander as they please.
There is only one gas station next to Kaiyuan Fishing Harbor.
​You can book a scooter through Klook here. 

Car Rental:
Price: expect 2000 NT per day.
Don't rent a car unless you absolutely need to. Renting scooters should be sufficient for most travelers.

Accommodation:
Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in summer months and on weekends, when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance.
There is a nice selection of rooms on Agoda.
Here is a list of every registered hostel on the island, but it is in Chinese.
​My hostel required that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (this may not be an option if you are a foreign traveler, so make sure they accept credit cards if you do not have a Taiwan bank account).
Expect to pay 2000 - 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Lanyu. 

Map:
​Please see below:

The Miniatures Museum of Taiwan was the first miniature museum in Asia, and with 200 items is the second largest miniature museum in the world. The collection includes Medieval architecture, Disney characters, doll houses, scenes from fairytales, and more. It is definitely worth a stop for miniature enthusiasts everywhere. 

Background:
Taiwan's miniature museum was founded in 1997 by Mr. Lin Wen-ren (林文仁) and his wife, who had amassed a large private collection for their children before planning to make a museum. The Miniatures Museum of Taiwan was the first miniature museum in Asia, and with 200 items is the second largest miniature museum in the world. The collection includes Medieval architecture, Disney characters, doll houses, scenes from fairytales, and more. The most precious miniature in the museum is the replica of Buckingham Palace which took three years to complete, and the most extensive miniature is the "Thunder River Town."
The miniature museum is popular for both children and adults and may be crowded on weekends. 

Hours:
10 AM to 6 PM every day

Price:
Adults: 250 NT at the door, 219 NT if booked on Klook. 
Children under 6: Free
You can book tickets on Klook here, as well as a tour of Taipei. 

How to get there:
By MRT: Take either the orange line or the green line MRT in Taipei to Songjiang Nanjing Station, and take exit 4. The museum is about a five-minute walk from the MRT station. 
By car/scooter: There is some paid parking along Jianguo Road.

Map:

The first time I heard of Neiwan old street was when I asked my Mioali native coworker what there is to do in Miaoli. She told me there was a fun place called Neiwan. It turns out, Neiwan isn't even in Miaoli, it's in Hsinchu, but obviously, it is one of the most popular places in north-central Taiwan. I am not an expert on this location, but I would like to share my experience here with the world.

History:

During the Japanese rule of Taiwan, Neiwan was mainly a lumber-driven town, as well as other industries such as mining and mineral extraction. Many Japanese-era buildings still remain in the city, such as the well-preserved police station. The main ethnicity here is Hakka, and you can still find lots of traditional Hakka food in Neiwan like their famed Zongzi.

Some popular destinations for tourists are the Neiwan Theatre (内灣戲院）, built in 1950 and which was converted into a restaurant (recently closed), as well as the Neiwan Suspension bridge (pictured above).

The Neiwan railway was started in 1944 by the ruling Japanese, but construction was interrupted by WWII. It was completed by the ROC government in 1951 to help transport mainly lumber and lime. Now it is used as a commuter train for the suburbs of Hsinchu as well as a destination for tourists.

How to get there:
By Train:
Get off at Zhudong station and then take the Neiwan Liujia line.
This takes about an hour from Hsinchu.

By Car:
From Taipei, take National Highway 3 to the Guanxi Exit and travel down provincial highway 3 to Neiwan.

Map:

Hsinchu Train Station is the oldest active railway station in Taiwan. It is also one of the most magnificent and largest Japanese-era railway stations still operating in Taiwan. However, plans are underway for a new station, which would likely render this place a mere museum soon. It is definitely worth a look during your next trip to Hsinchu.

Background:
The first Han settlers to what is now Hsinchu arrived in the early 1700s. They created the old bamboo city of Zhuqian, which later became a city made of brick and earthen walls. During the Qing Dynasty, Liu Mingchuan completed a railroad on the west side of Taiwan in 1893 that extended from Keelung to Hsinchu as its terminus. An earthen Min-style building was built as the Hsinchu Railway Station at that time. 
In 1896, a second-generation train station was built in Hsinchu, which was much larger and made of wood. 
​
After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1902, they created a new urban plan for Hsinchu and destroyed the old city wall. The railway was also improved, and a newer wooden station was built for Hsinchu, as the third generation station in the same year. 
Construction began on the fourth generation station in 1908, in front of the surviving Yingxi City Gate. Construction was completed in 1913, costing 22,500 Yen. This version of the station still stands today.

The station is built in a fusion of Baroque and Gothic styles, with a steeply sloping tile roof and thick red brick walls. An office building was also built next to it. 
During WWII, part of the building was damaged during allied bombing raids. 
After the ROC took control of Taiwan, they repaired damage to the station caused during the war and connected the station to the newly opened Neiwan Line. 
In 1989, the fan-shaped roundhouse near the station was demolished. In 1994, the roof was upgraded to steel tiles. In 1998, the building was declared a national monument. In 2011, the train station was connected to the Liujia Railway Line which connects to the Hsinchu HSR station. The station was also connected to the Hsinchu Airport Line from 1939 until it was demolished in 2000.
Before the pandemic, the station saw about 7 million passengers per year, the 7th busiest station in Taiwan. 

In the future, the station is planned for a "Hsinchu Grand Station Platform Plan" which will likely mean creating a new station mimicking Osaka station in Japan, and leaving the fourth generation station as a museum, much like has been done in Taichung and Kaohsiung. 

Price:
Free unless you plan to board a train.
​
Hours:
6 AM to Midnight

How to get there:
Take the TRA to Hsinchu Station. You can also visit from Zhonghua Road Section 2 in Hsinchu. 

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


Map:
Please see below:

The National Taiwan Museum is the oldest and one of the best in the country and focuses on the natural, geological, and human history of Taiwan. Located in downtown Taipei, it is easily accessible, and you can spend an entire afternoon here. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei.

Background:
​The National Taiwan Museum was originally established in 1908 to commemorate the opening of the north-south railway in Taiwan and began with over 10,000 items related to Taiwan's academia, art, and industry. A Newer building was later built to house the collection in 1915. After the ROC took over Taiwan, it was known as the Taiwan Provincial Museum until 1999 when it changed its name to the National Taiwan Museum. It is the only museum established during the Japanese era that still stands today. The museum also underwent renovations in 2017. 
The museum has four areas: the main National Taiwan Museum (which is the focus of this blog), the Land Bank Exhibition Hall, Nanmen Park, and Railway Department Park. In the future, the Monopoly Bureau and the Mitsui Bussan Company Building will be added. 

Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays

Price:
30 NT per person.
You can book tickets here. 

How to get there:
By MRT: The closest MRT station is NTU Hospital Station, and is about a 5 minute walk from the museum. It is also about a ten minute walk from Taipei Main Station. 
By car/scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. 

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

Map:

Hsinchu Park is full of historical and modern areas to explore. Here you can find a restored Japanese restaurant (which was also formerly an ROC dependents village), the Hsinchu Glass Museum, Hsinchu Confucius Temple, Qing Dynasty Fort, Hsinchu Zoo, and Hsinchu Flower Market. It is also the largest park in Hsinchu. If you don't know what to do in Hsinchu, you can literally stay the entire day in this park.

Background:
The Area around Hsinchu Park was originally a hill called "Zhentou Shan" literally meaning "pillow hill," which is 55 meters above sea level. The Japanese formed the area into a park in 1925, the first public park in the area. They also built a martial arts hall here. 
The original Qing Dynasty Hsinchu Train station was built in the park where the current glass museum stands. 
The four existing wooden Japanese buildings currently in the park were built in about 1931 as a fine dining restaruant, and after WWII were converted to be part of the Air Force 11th Village (空軍十一村), built for ROC Air Force officers and their dependents, who likely worked at the nearby Hsinchu Airbase. The four buildings have now been converted into a restaurant, a gift shop, and two cafes. There were renovated in 2017. 
The building that houses the Hsinchu Glass museum was built in 1936 to house the Japanese royal family and government officials. The building is designed in European brick architectural style. It was converted into the glass museum in 1999. 
In the 1930s, the Hsinchu Zoo was also established. 
The Five Chinese Cannons are left over from the Opium Wars in 1840 and were planted on the hill to ward off British Ships. 
After WWII, the park was renamed "Zhongshan Park," and the part of the park with the pond was known as Lichi Park "麗池公園." 
The park originally included a radio tower, and a physical science school until it moved to Taichung in 1980. The sports stadium was originally created in 1959, and the Confucius temple was moved here in 1958. 
The park also includes Hsinchu Confucius Temple Hsinchu Zoo, Hsinchu Flower Market, Taiwan Insect Museum, a music hall, a gymnasium, and a sports stadium. ​

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: From central Hsinchu, turn on to Shipin Road, and park near the south side of Hsinchu Park. There is an underground parking lot and paid parking on the side of the road. 
By TRA: Hsinchu Park is only a ten minute walk south from Hsinchu TRA station.

Map:
​Please see below:

The Taiwan Railway Museum (officially National Museum of Taiwan - Railway Department Park) is perhaps the best railway museum in Taiwan. It is built inside the old Railway Department of the Governor General of Taiwan and features multiple interactive exhibitions, thousands of artifacts, and a large miniature of Taipei's railway. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei.

Background:
The beginnings of railways in Taiwan began with Liu Ming Chuan, Governor of Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty in the 1800s. The current site where the museum lies was once an artillery factory. After Japan took control of Taiwan, it was converted into the Taipei Railway Factory and was mainly used to repair locomotives and cars.
After the ROC took control of Taiwan, they removed many of the buildings due to urban planning. 
The factory used to include over 40 buildings, but after the destruction of most of the buildings due to the construction of Taiwan's MRT in 2005, only 10 buildings remain. 
The main brick building that remains was once the Railway Department Office, which was used by subordinate railway officers. Other buildings that remain on the site include the cafeteria, the male washroom, the electrical room, the construction room, and the war command center. There are also remnants of the Artillery Factory used in the Qing Dynasty and the Taipei Railway Factory on the site. 
The Railway Museum began planning for restoration in 2009, with work commencing in 2014. The Museum finally opened to the public in 2020. 
For a deeper look into the history of this area, you can check outthis blog by Josh Ellis. 

Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays. 

Price:
100 NT
​
How to get there:
By MRT: I recommend the MRT  Beimen Station to get there. 
By Car Scooter: You can try to visit by car or scooter but there is really nowhere to park or stop along the side of the road, but there is paid parking nearby. 

Map:

The remains of the Taipei Prison wall are roughly 100 meters long, and were made from stones from the old Taipei City Walls during the Qing Dynasty. 14 allied airmen were executed in the prison just two months before the end of WWII. Now the wall provides a stark reminder of the area's past history. 

Historical Background:
The Taipei City prison was built during the Japanese era, and used stones from the former Taipei City Wall, which were quarried from quartz sandstone in the Dazhi area of Neihu. During WWII, the Japanese used the prison as a POW camp, placing mostly captured allied airmen and other political prisoners in the jail. 14 allied airmen were executed here just 58 days before the war ended. A plaque on the wall lists their names in memorial. 
The wall now sits between a park and the Southern Taipei Operations center of Changhua Telecom. There is a pedestrian path along the wall, and it is a popular spot for people to take a stroll or walk their dogs, but you will not usually see a lot of people here.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By MRT: The wall is only about a 2 minute walk from Dongmen MRT station on the red line.
By car/scooter: There is limited paid parking on the side of the road along Jinshan South Road and Aiguo East Road.  

​Map:

The City Gates of Taipei are some of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Originally, five gates and a city wall were built here in the Qing Dynasty. Now only four gates remain, and only the North Gate remains in its original form. Now the city gates are popular landmarks, and you can also learn more about the old city walls and the history of the city at the Taipei Discovery Center in Taipei City Hall. 

Historical Background:Taipei's city walls were originally planned for construction in 1879, soon after Taipeh Prefecture was established under the Qing Dynasty. However, it was found that the soil was too soft to support the enormous weight of the stone gates and walls, therefore construction was delayed until more stable ground was found to build the walls. The walls were finally completed in 1884.
The length of the wall was 5 KM and included five gates: the East Gate (Jingfumen 景福門), West Gate (Baochengmen 寶成門), South Gate (Lizhengmen 麗正門), Auxiliary South Gate (Zhongximen重熙門), and North Gate (Chengenmen 承恩門). 
During the Japanese era in Taiwan, in 1904 the walls of Taipei were destroyed after less than 30 years, and Taipei was re-planned into the capital of Taiwan. 
After the ROC took control of Taiwan, the government rebuilt the East, South and Auxiliary South Gates. Only the North Gate has kept its original appearance from the Qing Dynasty. 
From 1976 to 2016, Taipei's north gate was partially covered by an overpass. Originally during the construction of the Zhongxiao Overpass, the North Gate was planned for demolition. However after the protest of scholars, the North Gate was preserved. After the Zhongxiao overpass was demolished in 2016, a small park was erected near the north gate to commemorate this historical edifice. 
Hours:
City Gates: 24/7
The Discover Center of Taipei is open from Tuesday to Sunday every week, from 9 AM to 5 PM,

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By MRT: I recommend the MRT system or Ubike, or walking. You can walk to all the gates in about two hours or so. The Discover Center of Taipei can be reached by Taipei City Hall station. 
By Car Scooter: You can try to visit by car or scooter but there is really nowhere to park or stop along the side of the road. 

Map:
Please see a map of the locations covered in this blog below:

Hsinpu Old Street is a quiet historical street in Hsinpu Township of Hsinchu County. You will not find long lines of people or food stalls here, but you will find wide open fields and century-old traditional Hakka three-sided homes here in what was once an agricultural powerhouse of the region. 

Background:
The first Han settlers to Hsinpu arrived in the early 1700s, including mostly Hakka people. The name Hsinpu (literally meaning new riverbed)refers to the new farmland being developed along the Fengshan River. By the 1800s, Hsinpu had become an important agricultural area for rice, sugar, tea, and camphor, and a commercial district had appeared along Hsinpu Street, including 6 companies or shops. At the time, it was one of the most prosperous and busy  areas in what is now Hsinchu County. 
However, during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, local residents revolted and much of Hsinpu Street caught on fire. 
Due to Hsinpu's geographical isolation, it has retained its rural roots and Hakka cultural heritage. 
Hsinpu currently has a population of about 32,000 and it continues to drop each year. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: From central Hsinchu, take provincial highway 1 north and turn west on Highway 118 in Zhubei. The old street is officially Heping Street (和平街), but the entire area in central Hsinpu can also be considered part of the old street. There is free parking on the side of the road. 
By bus: From Hsinchu Station, take bus 5619 to Hsinpu Old Street. The trip takes about 40 minutes. The old street is officially Heping Street (和平街), but the entire area in central Hsinpu can also be considered part of the old street. 

Map:
Please see below:

Guanxi Old Street is a quiet historical street in Guanxi Township of Hsinchu County. You will not find long lines of people or food stalls here, but you will find a traditional morning market and century-old brick archways and covered walkways. 

Background:
The area around Guanxi has been inhabited by Ayatal aboriginal peoples for thousands of years, and currently, there are two aboriginal villages in the township. 
The first Han settlers to Guanxi arrived in 1751, including mostly Hakka people. By the 1800s, Guanxi had become an important agricultural area for tea, tomatoes, strawberries, oranges, and other agricultural products. A commercial district had appeared along Datong Road, including multiple shops. At the time, it was one of the most prosperous and busy areas in what is now Hsinchu County. 
Guanxi currently has a population of about 27,000 and it continues to drop each year. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: From central Hsinchu, take provincial highway 1 north and turn west on Highway 118 in Zhubei. The old street is on the left of the main highway. There is free parking on the side of the road. 
By bus: From Hsinchu Station, take bus 5619 to Guanxi Old Street. The old street is on the left of the main highway. There is free parking on the side of the road. ​

Map:
Please see below:

Hsinchu's Beimen Street is the oldest merchant street in Hsinchu, dating back to the Kindom of Tungming. Due to the completion of the railway and urban planning in the Japanese area, this street lost its importance, but many historical buildings here are still intact. It is one of the most impressive historical sites in Hsinchu and is worth a visit for anyone in the area.

Background:
After the settlement of the area by Han Chinese farmers in about 1711 during the Kingdom of Tungming, what was then known as Zhuqianshe became the most important economic area in northern Taiwan. By 1723, a walled city was built here out of bamboo, because brick walls were forbidden for fear of a revolt against the Qing authorities. The name Zhuqiancheng (竹塹城) literally means bamboo moat city. The bamboo-walled city had four gates and its perimeter was about 1.4 KM long. In 1806, the city was upgraded with earthen walls. 

Beimen Street literally means North Gate Street, because it used to lead out to the north gate of the city, toward Bangka (modern Taipei), along the main road linking northern Taiwan. It was the most important economic area in Hsinchu until the end of the Qing Dynasty. Goods were brought from the old harbor to this street, where they were then distributed to other places nearby.
Unfortunately, a fire took place here in 1901 which destroyed much of the original old wooden structures. After Japan took control of Taiwan, they created a new urban plan for the city. which moved the city center about 500 meters to the south around the East Gate. This along with the new Hsinchu TRA station meant that Beimen Street would gradually lose its economic importance. 
However many rich families still based their livelihood on this street, including the Beimen Gentry. There was also an incident during WWII when allied bombers attacked a mansion on the street, mistaking it for the Japanese governor's mansion. 
​
Hours:
24/7, but I recommend visiting at night when the night market it open. 

Price:
Free

How to get there:
The old street is within walking distance of Hsinchu TRA station.

Map:
Please see below:

Hsinchu City God Temple, or Chenghuang Temple, dates back to the Kingdom of Tungming and was built in the middle of the old bamboo-walled city of Zhuqian. Currently, it is the religious center of the city and also has its own night market. It is one of the most impressive historical sites in Hsinchu and is worth a visit for anyone in the area.

Background:
After the settlement of the area by Han Chinese farmers in about 1711 during the Kingdom of Tungming, what was then known as Zhuqianshe became the most important economic area in northern Taiwan. By 1723, a walled city was built here out of bamboo, because brick walls were forbidden for fear of a revolt against the Qing authorities. The name Zhuqiancheng (竹塹城) literally means bamboo moat city. The bamboo-walled city had four gates and its perimeter was about 1.4 KM long. In 1806, the city was upgraded with earthen walls. In 1748, the Chenghuang City God temple was completed, being built in the center of the city.

The temple was refurbished and restored in 1792, 1799, and 1924. 
In 1891, the Guangxu Emporer visited Taiwan and held a prayer meeting here. He left a plaque that still stands today which reads "Golden Gate Protection (金門保障)," which is meant that the temple would provide protection to the entire island of Taiwan. The temple also features six different halls. Parades and activities are held regularly at the temple. 
There is also a night market that surrounds the temple known as the Chenghuang Temple Night Market (新竹市城隍廟夜市).

Hours:
24/7, but I recommend visiting at night when the night market is open. 

Price:
Free

How to get there:
The temple is within walking distance of Hsinchu TRA station.

Map:
Please see below:

Beipu Old Street is a popular old street in Beipu Township of Hsinchu county. Once an economic center for tea production, as well as coal mining in the area, later it became well-known for its traditional Hakka cuisine. Currently, the old street is crowded with tourists on weekends who come for treats such as Persimmon cakes and Taro Mooncakes.

Background:
The area around Beipu was first inhabited by Saysiyat Aboriginal peoples and was first settled by Han Chinese farmers in 1835. A wall of bamboo was built around the city to ward off attacks from Aboriginals. Later during the Japanese era, Beipu housed an experimental tea farm. Later in the ROC era, coal mining became the main economic activity nearby. Also, provincial highway 3 was built to skirt around the town, which meant that many shops decided to move off the old street. However, due to the many delicious Hakka snacks sold and restaurants on the old street, Beipu still attracted many tourists.
Famous historical buildings along the old street include Jinguangfu Mansion, Shui A-Hsin Mansion, and Beipu Citian Temple.
A period TV drama series called "Gold Leaf 茶金" was filmed here, based on novel by Huanh Kuo-hua, filmed in 2021. It went on to receive 16 nominations at the Golden Bell Awards. Maybe you have heard of it. It's on Netflix. 
Now Beipu Old Street has become a popular tourist location and can be very crowded on weekends. 

Hours:
9 AM to 5:30 PM every day.

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: Take highway 122 or expressway 68 to Zhudong, then turn south on Provincial Highway 3. The Old Street is hard to miss in the center of Beipu. There is free parking on the side of the road outside the old street. 
By bus: From Zhudong TRA station, you can take the 5700 shuttle bus to the old street, which takes about 20 minutes. 

Map:
​Please see below:

Yilan is a gem on Taiwan's northeast coast. It has rugged mountains, waterfalls, a flat coastal plain, a volcanic island, hot springs, and some of the best beaches in Taiwan. In addition you can find night markets, seafood markets, museums, and much more to explore here. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan. 

Historical Background of Yilan:
Before Chinese settlers came, the area around Yilan was inhabited by the Ketagalan Aboriginal tribe, whose language is now extinct. The name Yilan comes from this language. 
The town 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 continual silting of the harbors, Toucheng Old Street quickly lost its importance economically and fell into decay.
The Japanese also built logging railways up to Taipingshan to harvest lumber. 
The first path between Yilan and Hualien was a trail built in the Qing Dynasty that was completed in 1876, in order for the Qing to better control aboriginal peoples on the east coast. Later after Japan took control of Taiwan, they widened the path and built 9 bridges and 14 tunnels along the way, making it drivable for cars (one way only) by 1932. Because much of the road was next to cliffs that underwent constant landslides, it was considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world at the time. In the 1980s the ROC government further widened the road, and the two-lane highway was completed in 1990. In 2020, the section of road between Su'ao and Dong'ao was bypassed by a tunnel. 
Currently Yilan has a population of over 450,000. An High-Speed Rail extension is planned for Yilan, and is expected to be completed by 2036.

You can find a map of places we will cover in this blog below:

Hsinchu City's East Gate, or Yingxi Gate, is the last standing gate of the old walled city of Zhuqian, and also one of the last remnants of the entire city wall itself. It is one of the most impressive historical sites in Hsinchu and is worth a visit for anyone in the area.

Background:
After the settlement of the area by Han Chinese farmers in about 1711, what was then known as Zhuqianshe became the most important economic area in northern Taiwan. By 1723, a walled city was built here out of bamboo, because brick walls were forbidden for fear of a revolt against the Qing authorities. The name Zhuqiancheng (竹塹城) literally means bamboo moat city. The bamboo-walled city had four gates and its perimeter was about 1.4 KM long. In 1806, the city was upgraded with earthen walls. In 1828, the city walls and gates were finally made into brick, with the perimeter covering 2.7 KM, and walls 5 meters high, the center of the city being the Chenghuang City God Temple. The east gate was known as Yingxi Gate (迎曦門), the west gate was known as Yishuang Gate (挹爽門), the South Gate was known as Gexun Gate (歌薰門), and the North Gate was known as Gengchen Gate (拱宸門). The east, west, and south gates all had cannons. There were also four main roads named after each gate. Outside the city, a moat was built. During the Opium Wars, another earthen half-circle of wall was built to fend off the English who had attacked the nearby. This earthen city was much bigger than the original brick city wall and included 8 more city gates. 
In 1901, the Japanese government decided to redesign the City of Hsinchu and destroyed all the gates and walls except the existing East Gate. Part of the old moat exists still as well.
The East Gate has been preserved, recently being renovated in 1999, and has now been made into a park and square, as well as an art exhibition space. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
The north gate is within walking distance of Hsinchu TRA station. There is limited paid parking nearby.

Map:
​Please see below:

Four Four South Village (aka Forty-Four South Village) is a former military dependents village that has been converted into a cultural park in Xinyi District of Taipei City. Now it is home to cafes, arts and crafts stores, bookstores, and a community center. Also, it has great views of the Taipei 101. It is worth visiting if you are in the area. 

Background:
Four Four South Village was named and built for the 44th Arsenal of the Combined Logistics Command and their families in 1948, after the ROC military retreated to Taiwan following defeat in the Chinese Civil War. The houses were cheaply built out of wood, concrete, bamboo, and tiles. The houses were small, and everyone had to share a communal bathroom. There was also no running water when it was built. Part of the village was destroyed in a fire in 1999, and the whole village was planned to be demolished in 2001, but local residents and cultural experts persuaded the government to preserve part of the village as a cultural heritage site. Now it sits as an important historical site close to the Taipei 101.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free:

How to get there:
By MRT: Take the MRT red line to the Taipei 101/World Trade Center station. The village is just a short one minute walk south. 
By Car/Scooter: The village is just south of Xinyi Road, southwest of the Taipei 101. There is paid parking nearby.

Map:
Please see below:

This glass building in Budai is the highest high-heeled structure in the world. It is not actually a real church, it is a classic tourist trap that is slowly fading in popularity. There is not much here except this and some seafood restaurants, but it was still fun to visit.

Background:
Budai is a fishing port village in Chiayi county and has the only ferry to Penghu from the main island of Taiwan.
Construction of the high-heel church was completed in 2016. It is composed of 300 pieces of blue glass and is 17.76 meters tall, 12 meters wide, and 25 meters long.
Many people were afraid that the building would be abandoned by tourists after completion because it is lacking in historical or cultural significance. It is said the chapel was built to honor the women that suffered a breakout of blackfoot disease which broke out in the area decades ago, which prevented them from wearing high heels and having a happy wedding.
After construction, it received the Guinness World Record for the highest high-heeled shaped structure in the world. 
Even though the high-heeled building is used as a wedding venue, it is not a real church and is not related to any religion. 

Hours:
24/7
​
Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: Take provincial highway 17 or Expressway 61 to Budai along the coast in Chiayi, then head west to the coast. The high heeled church is near the ocean in Budai and is hard to miss. 
By bus: You can take bus 7209H from Chiayi HSR station, which takes about an hour and a half to reach Budai. 

Map:
Please see below:

For you expats or foreigners who have never left Taipei, Changhua is a large mostly rural county in central Taiwan. For years I myself never visited, because I didn't know what was there and had no reason to go. It turns out there are quite a few attractions here in this secret paradise.
Below I will list some of the best places in Changhua that I have visited. I will be sure to update this blog as I visit more places later. 

Historical Background:
Before Han settlement, Changhua was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan, a well was made to tap into the Zhuokou River water table. The Red Hair Well was made around 1611 by Dutch colonizers and was often used by Dutch soldiers and missionaries, 
During the Qing Dynasty, the city of Lukang became an important trading port, because of the depth of the water and the fact that it was closer to Fujian province than other cities in Taiwan. The main product shipped to Fujian was rice. In the 1800s, Lukang was Taiwan's second largest city, with as many as 20,000 residents, even more than Banka (modern day Taipei) and second only to Tainan. 
Later on, the port began to silt in, and the railroad bypassed the city, meaning that economic activity here went downhill. However because the city has changed so little in the past 200 years, it has become a cultural relic preserved from the past. The city also has over 200 temples. 
After the railroad was moved to Changhua City, it became the most important economic region in the county. 
Despite being the smallest county in Taiwan by area, Changhua County is the most populous county in Taiwan. It is often described as being part of the Taichung-Changhua metropolitan area. 

How to get around in Changhua?
As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Changhua by taking the train, 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. 

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