The "Dajia Stone House" in Taichung reminds many people of the movie Up. It's called the stone house because of the pile of stones in front, and the colored balls are floaties used for fishing that the owner has collected over time. Please be respectful when visiting because people still live in this house.
Background: According to a news report by ITN here, The owner of the Dajia Stone house is Mr. Liu, who began collecting rocks and fishing instruments to decorate his house 40 years ago. Currently, Mr. Liu lives in the house with his wife and son. However, the house has become a popular photo destination only recently, to which Mr. Liu is pleased. Despite this other neighbors nearby have complained to the city government about the smell, cockroaches, and rats that the pile of rubble attracts. Parts of the rubble have been cleaned up before by Taichung's sanitation division, only to have Mr. Liu verbally abuse those trying to clean the mess and pile on more garbage later. More cleaning is planned for the future, as well as fines for Mr. Liu if he does not keep his house clean. How to get there: By Bus: You can also book a Taichung sightseeing bus on KKday here. By Car/ Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taichung? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Market Biking Tour in Taichung on Klook here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Hotels in Taichung: 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. We have stayed at and recommend the Norway Forest Travel Hotel, a convenient hotel right in front of Taichung Station (you can book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), and Sin Fu Business Hotel which is also a great value for the money and great quality in downtown Taichung (you can book on Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Map: Please see below:
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Dajia Old Street (aka Shuntian Road Old Street) is a historic area in Taichung, including Qing-era and Japanese-era buildings, shops, and Jenn Lann Temple. It is known as one of the oldest settlements in the Taichung. The town is also home to the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage, the largest religious procession in Taiwan. Here you can also find food stalls and restaurants as well as Chinese medicine, clothing shops, and jewelry shops. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taichung.
Background: The area where Dajia Old Street stands was originally the land of the Taokas Aborigine Tribe, which was a Taiwan plains tribe that has some members that now live in Puli Township of Nantou. The first Chinese settlers came to this area in the late 1600s during the kingdom of Tungming, and created a settlement known as Dajia, near the Dajia River. During the 1700s, more settlers from Lukang came north and began to settle the land. Soon the area became filled with shops and became the center of commerce for the area and a transportation hub for goods. In the 1800s, a bamboo wall was built around the town creating a city enclosure. During the Opium Wars, a British ship called the Brig Ann ran aground nearby and the survivors were attacked by local militia who thought they had launched an amphibious assault, and falsely claimed that they had sunken enemy ships and defeated their army. The city of Dajia was also captured during the Daichaochun Incident (戴潮春事件), a rebel uprising during the Qing Dynasty, which was soon quelled by the Qing soldiers. During the Japanese invasion of Taiwan, nearby Da'an port was barraged by Japanese ships, but the local people quickly surrendered to the Japanese. The old street also includes buildings from the Japanese Era with baroque facades. Today the old street is still a popular shopping area in Dajia with historical significance. The town is also home to the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage, the largest religious procession in Taiwan, which transports the sea goddess Mazu between Dajia and Xingang, Chiayi. Hours: 24/7 Tours: You can book a tour of Dajia Old Street on Klook here or KKday here. Hotels in Taichung: 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. We have stayed at and recommend the Norway Forest Travel Hotel, a convenient hotel right in front of Taichung Station (you can book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), and Sin Fu Business Hotel which is also a great value for the money and great quality in downtown Taichung (you can book on Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By TRA: From Dajia TRA station, the old street is just a short walk away. You can also book a Taichung sightseeing bus on KKday here. By Car/ Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 1 along the west coast until you reach Dajia The old street is in the center of town. Looking for scooter rental in Taichung? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Market Biking Tour in Taichung on Klook here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Nantun Old Street is a historic area in Taichung, including historic buildings, shops, and Wanhe Temple. It is known as the oldest settlement in the Taichung Basin. Here you can also find food stalls and restaurants as well as Chinese medicine, clothing shops, and jewelry shops. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taichung.
Background: The area where Nantun Old Street stands was originally the land of the Babuza Aborigine Tribe, which was a Taiwan plains tribe that has some members that now live in Puli Township of Nantou. The first Chinese settlers came to this area in 1684, and created a settlement known as Litoudian (犂頭店 literally plough shop) that sold mainly farming tools to local settlers. Soon the area became filled with shops and became the center of commerce for the area and a transportation hub for goods moving north and south. There is a tradition during every Dragon Boat Festival for local residents to wear clogs and stomp on the streets. This is because in the olden days, Pangolins would hide near houses and hibernate, but if they were woken up, they could help to till the earth and provide a good harvest for the local farmers. The old street also includes buildings from the Japanese Era with baroque facades. Like many other old streets in Taiwan, it became obsolete with the completion of Taiwan's railway system. Today the old street is still a popular shopping area in Nantun with historical significance. Hours: 24/7 Tours: You can book a tour of Nantun Old Street on Klook here. Hotels in Taichung: 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. We have stayed at and recommend the Norway Forest Travel Hotel, a convenient hotel right in front of Taichung Station (you can book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), and Sin Fu Business Hotel which is also a great value for the money and great quality in downtown Taichung (you can book on Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Bus: From Taichung station, you can take bus 290 to the old street. You can also book a Taichung sightseeing bus on KKday here. By Car/ Scooter: From Central Taichung. take Nantun Road East until you come to Wanhe Road. The historical area sits around that intersection. There is limited scooter parking on the side of the road and some paid car parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taichung? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Market Biking Tour in Taichung on Klook here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Taipei has some amazing old streets waiting to be discovered by you. Each one of the old streets around Taipei has a special story to tell that can help you understand more about Taiwan's History and Culture. In this guide, we will introduce the most popular old streets in Taipei, as well as some that are less well-known.
What is an "Old Street?" Taiwan's "old streets" can be difficult to define. There are technically "old streets" in every town in Taiwan, but what makes them famous enough to become known as the old street of the town? One can say that if there are enough historical buildings preserved in one spot, this can be considered an old street. However, sometimes old streets are put together by the local government and turned into a market or renovated historical area, or pedestrian area, with lots of stalls selling food and snacks and attracting lots of tourists. This is the kind of old street that most people want to visit, but we will cover both non-touristy old streets and touristy old streets in this blog. Brief Historical Background of Taipei: The land on which Taipei now stands on what was once part of Basay tribal land. The Basay people had lived on the land for thousands of years before the first Chinese settlers ever came. Chinese settlers from Fujian began living here during the Dutch rule in the 1600s. The first Chinese settlers came to the area in the mid-1800's during the Qing Dynasty. They created a public area for drying rice and grain, called Dadaocheng (大稻埕) which also became the central market in the area. The earliest trading shops were built in 1851, mainly selling rice, sugar, camphor, and tea. Dihua Street (迪化街) was created around this time, making it the oldest street in Taipei. Most of the buildings were one story and made of red brick in Fujian style, and later western style houses were built. The walls and gates of Taipei were completed in 1884. In 1891, the first train connecting Keelung and Taipei was completed. During the Japanese era, 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, Taipei continued as the capital city, as well as the financial hub of Taiwan. During the Taiwan miracle, many rural families moved from southern Taiwan to factories and offices in Taipei, making Taipei the most populous urban area in Taiwan. Currently, Taipei is the most advanced and affluent city in Taiwan. It also has Taiwan's most advanced public transportation system, making it easy for millions of commuters to live outside the city where rents are cheaper. Now, most of Taiwan's economic activity is based in this city. Basic Taipei Travel Tips:
When should you go to Taipei? In my opinion, the best weather in Taipei is from March-May, and October - November, when the temperatures stay around 26 degrees Celsius and there is not as much rain. Summers are also nice, with the most sunny weather, but also hot and rainy. Winters can be cold (but not below freezing) and usually wet. Overall, there is no wrong answer as to what time of year you should visit Taipei. You will have a great time here at any time of year. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Taipei: There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Taipei that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out KKday here or Klook here which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. Attractions in Taipei: There are many attractions that you can enjoy in Taipei such as Taipei 101 Observatory, Taipei 101 460 Skyline Observatory, Taipei Children's Amusement Park, Maokong Gondola, National Palace Museum, Yehliu Ocean World, Yehliu Geopark, National Museum of Marine Science and Biology, i-ride 5D cinema, Astronomical Museum, Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, Double Decker Sightseeing Bus, Miramar Ferris Wheel Ticket, Taipei Zoo, Heping Island Park, Ju Ming Museum, Yuanshan Hotel Secret Road, National Taiwan Museum, New Taipei Gold Museum, Futian Leisure Farm, Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence, Chi Po-lin Museaum, Beitou Museum, Tsao Wonderland, Railway Museum, Fort San Domingo, 13 Levels Archaeology Museum, Austin Land, Museum of World Religions, Formosan Aboriginies Museum, ASE Parent-child Park, teamLab Future Park, Yukids Island, VR Experience, Bat Cave, Neidong Waterfall, Candlestick Islet, Jurassic Snow Park, Zhonghe High5 Amusement Park, Longshan Temple, Xingtian Temple, Ningxia Night Market, Yansan Night Market, Meteor Garden, Yingge Old Street, and many more attractions on Klook here or KKday here. Activities in Taipei: Indoor Skiing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, Archery, Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Tree Climbing, Urban Camping, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Escape Room, Shen'ao Rail Bike, Laser Gun Experience, Batting Cages, Bowling, Paintball, Flight Simulation Experience, Taipei Tram Driving Experience, Rail Simulation Experience, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop and more on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: The only way to get to Taiwan is via airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei's Songshan and Toayuan Airport. Taoyuan Airport: Taoyuan is Taiwan's largest airport and typically has cheaper flights and more flight times to choose from. It's about an hour's journey from Taoyuan Airport to the center of Taipei. You can travel via MRT, HSR, bus, or taxi to get to Taipei. You can get 30% off the Taoyuan Airport VIP lounge on KKday here. Songshan Airport: Songshan is a small airport in Taipei's city center, and can be a convenient option for people traveling within Asia. The airport is right on the Taipei MRT brown line. You can book cheap flights to Taiwan on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here. How to get around in Taipei: Taipei's transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around in Taipei below: By Train: Gets you to the city center of all major cities in Taiwan. It is about 800NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Roughly half the price of the HSR. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By HSR: (High-Speed Rail) – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bus: Buses can be tricky. Long-range buses such as Ubus and King Bus are easier to understand and cheaper than the local train. They can take you to the city center of every city throughout Taiwan and to remote tourist destinations such as sun moon lake. A long-range bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung is about 500 NT. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Click here or here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike bike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Tourist Site Map: Check out our map below of tourist sites in Taiwan, which is constantly updated: 
Lover's Tower, which is about a ten hike through the woods from Lover's Lake. It is one of the best spots to enjoy the scenery on Taiwan's Northern Coast. It is definitely a must-visit on your next trip to Keelung.
This blog is about the Lover's Tower in Keelung. For more information about Lover's Tower at Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf, click here. Background: The name "Lovers Lake" comes from the fact that there are actually two lakes, one larger and one smaller, so they are like a couple in love. The sandstone that forms the area was created between 10 and 20 million years ago and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. In the past, the area was run by a private company, which went out of business. Recently the Keelung City government has taken over control and has installed a trail that circles the lake. There is also a suspension bridge, windmill, and stone tower overlooking the lake. Nearby you can hike to Dawulun Fort or Eagle Rock which provides great views of the north coast. Currently, the lake is popular with hikers and Instagrammers, as well as wedding photographers. On the weekends it can get quite busy and parking can be hard to find. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours: You can book a tour to Lover's Tower on KKday here. Activities: Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Yachting, Fishing, Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Shen'ao Rail Bike, Night Fishing, Instagram Tour, Metaverse VR experience, Seaside Picnic, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels in Keelung: We recommend Just Live Inn-Keelung and Yung Feng Hotel, which are two great quality hotels for a reasonable price in Keelung's City Center. You can book Just Live Inn-Keelung on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Klook here, Hotels.com here, Trip.com here, or Kayak here. You can book Yung Feng Hotel on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Hotels.com here, Trip.com here, Klook here, or Kayak here, How to get there: By car/scooter: Take Provincial highway northwest out of Keelung, and take a right on Jijin First Road toward Keelung Chang Kung Hospital. The Lover's Lake parking lot is at the top of the hill before the road turns into one lane. There is limited parking, and you may have to park further away. The trail is not wheelchair or stroller friendly. However, there is always plenty of scooter parking. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. By Bus: Unfortunately, there are no buses that directly get there, so you will have to walk from Provincial Highway 2, or take a taxi. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. Map: Please see below: 
The Luce Memorial Chapel in Tunghai University, Taichung has a unique shape that has made it the icon of Taichung City. It is the central landmark of Tunghai University, completed in 1962 in honor of Rev. Henry Luce. Now it is one of Taichung City's most popular tourist attractions.
Background: The Luce Memorial Chapel was built in 1962 at Tunghai University (THU), in honor of Henry Luce. Tunghai University was founded with the ideals of Christianity and holistic education. Not long after the university's founding in 1955, the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia decided that because the university was so far away from central Taichung Dadu Mountain, they needed a church to make it more convenient for students and faculty to worship. The chapel does not belong to a particular denomination but is considered a protestant church. The Chapel is dedicated to Henry Luce, an American magazine magnate who founded Time, Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated. Mr. Luce was born to Presbyterian missionaries in China, and later moved to the United States as a young boy. He played a role in creating a good public image of Chiang Kai-shek and Song Mei-ling helping mold American foreign policy toward Taiwan. The chapel is built on a hexagonal base and has a unique curved reinforced concrete roof, known as a conid structure, and is 19.2 meters tall. The building is also said to be influenced by the Yale University Art Gallery. Originally the building was planned to be made from wood but concrete was later chosen as more durable for Taiwan's environment. The architects were I.M. Pei and Chi-kuan Chen. I.M. Pei designed the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris. In 2023, the chapel underwent renovations which were expected to be completed on November 2nd, 2023. The chapel is a popular tourist stop, especially on weekends. Hours: Around 4 PM until 2 AM, every day. Tours: You can book a tour of Luce Chapel on KKday here. There are many tours of Taichung available on KKday here or Klook here, such as an Instagram Day Tour, Historic Downtown and Sun Cake DIY Experience, Taichung Railway Station Walking Tour, Local Market Biking Tour, Aboriginal Food Tour, and much more on KKday here or Klook here. Hotels in Taichung: 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. We have stayed at and recommend the Norway Forest Travel Hotel, a convenient hotel right in front of Taichung Station (you can book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or compare prices on Kayak here), and Sin Fu Business Hotel which is also a great value for the money and great quality in downtown Taichung (you can book on Agoda here or compare prices on Kayak here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car/ Scooter: From Central Taichung. take Taiwan Avenue (Provincial Highway 12) East until you get up the hill to the entrance of Tunghai University. There is limited scooter parking on the side of the road and some paid car parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taichung? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: From Taichung station, you can take bus 324 to Tunghai University. You can also book a Taichung sightseeing bus on KKday here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Market Biking Tour in Taichung on Klook here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
The Yingge Ceramics Museum (official the New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum 新北市立鶯歌陶瓷博物館) is a museum, DIY center, and art gallery for ceramics in Yingge District of New Taipei City. Here you can learn about the history of brick and pottery making in Taiwan, make your own pottery, as well as enjoy amazing works of art from local artists.
Background: The history of ceramic making in Yingge dates back nearly 200 years with the first potter, Wu An, who migrated from Guangzhou, and brick maker Chen Kun and the industry grew from there. Today Yingge is still the biggest ceramic-producing area in Taiwan, with over 800 ceramic businesses there. Plans for the Yingge Ceramics Museum began in 1988, and the building was finally completed in the year 2000, made mostly of raw concrete and glass. Currently, the museum holds over 3000 artifacts, including many Taiwanese traditional building materials and pottery. Hours: General Admittance: 9:30 AM - 5 PM every day Children's pottery DIY: Thursday - Saturday 9:40-10:40; 11:00-12:00; 14:00-15:00; 15:30-16:30 (200 NT per child; *only for children 4-10 years old) Closed for Chinese New Year, as well as the first Monday of each month. Price: Entrance ticket: 80 NT per person Children's pottery DIY: 200 NT per child (see above) Website: https://en.ceramics.ntpc.gov.tw/ Tours: You can book a day tour to Yingge Old Street on Klook here or KKday here. DIY Activities: You can also book a Pottery and Ceramic DIY class at Yingge Old Street on KKday here or a Jewelry DIY class on KKday here. You may have to book a few days in advance. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Scooter: From central Taipei. provincial highway 3 southwest from Tucheng to Sanxia. Then turn right on the 110 to Yingge. The old street is right in the middle of town. You can park for free on the side of the road nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: You can take National Highway 3 and get off at the Sanxia exit and keep going right (north) to Yingge. There is paid parking near the museum. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Train: Taking a train to Yingge is the most convenient way to get here. The old street and museum are within walking distance of Yingge TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bus: There are a number of buses that pass by the old street coming from Taipei, such as bus 910. You can also book tickets to travel to Yingge via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Yingge Old Street (also known as Yingge Ceramics Old Street) is the ceramics and pottery capital of Taiwan. Most of the shops here focus on some kind of ceramics or pottery of some kind. There are also many wood carvings and other sculptures available, as well as DIY pottery making. In addition, you can check out the nearby New Taipei City Ceramics Museum and New Taipei City Art Museum.
Background: The name Yingge literally means "eagle's song." The history of ceramic making in Yingge dates back nearly 200 years ago with the first potter, Wu An, who migrated from Guangzhou, and brick maker Chen Kun and the industry grew from there. In the olden days, the old street was surrounded by smoke stacks from ceramic ovens. This continued until the 1990s, when the old street started to focus more on artwork instead of industrial products. The old street was also renovated to be more tourist friendly. Today Yingge is still the biggest ceramic producing area in Taiwan, with over800 ceramic businesses there. Plans for the Yingge Ceramics Museum began in 1988, and the building was finally completed in the year 2000, made mostly of raw concrete and glass. Currently the museum holds over 3000 artifacts, including many Taiwanese traditional building materials and pottery. Popular products sold at the old street include household products, artistic ceramic products, china, ovens, utensils, pots, and other ornaments. Hours: 10 AM - 7 PM every day Price: Free Tours: You can book a day tour to Yingge Old Street on Klook here or KKday here. DIY Activities: You can also book a Pottery and Ceramic DIY class at Yingge Old Street on KKday here or a Jewelry DIY class on KKday here. You may have to book a few days in advance. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Scooter: From central Taipei. provincial highway 3 southwest from Tucheng to Sanxia. Then turn right on the 110 to Yingge. The old street is right in the middle of town. You can park for free on the side of the road nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: You can take National Highway 3 and get off at the Sanxia exit and keep going right (north) to Yingge. There is paid parking near the old street. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Train: Taking a train to Yingge is the most convenient way to get here. The old street and museum are within walking distance of Yingge TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bus: There are a number of buses that pass by the old street coming from Taipei, such as bus 910. You can also book tickets to travel to Yingge via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
Taichung is the second largest city in Taiwan, and includes a vibrant city, delicious food, amazing coastline, and dazzling mountains. In addition, Taichung's central location in Taiwan makes it easy to visit other nearby counties. In this blog, we will show you some of the most worthwhile sites to see on your next trip to Taichung.
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 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. We have stayed at and recommend the Norway Forest Travel Hotel, a convenient hotel right in front of Taichung Station (you can book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or compare prices on Kayak here), and Sin Fu Business Hotel which is also a great value for the money and great quality in downtown Taichung (you can book on Agoda here or compare prices on Kayak here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Basic Taichung Travel Tips:
How get to Taichung? You can book tickets to travel to Taichung via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Taichung via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. How to get around in Taichung: As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Hsinchu 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. Scooter Rental: Looking for scooter rental in Taichung? You can search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. Car Rental: If you are looking for car rentals in Taichung, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKDay here. You can also charter a car on KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: You can book a Taichung sightseeing bus on KKday here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Tours: There are many tours of Taichung available on on KKday here or Klook here, such as an Instagram Day Tour, Historic Downtown and Sun Cake DIY Experience, Taichung Railway Station Walking Tour, Local Market Biking Tour, Aboriginal Food Tour, and much more on KKday here or Klook here. Attractions: There are many amazing sites and attractions in Taichung, such as Gaomei Wetlands, Rainbow Village, Luce Chapel, Rainbow Village, Wuling Farm, Nantun Old Street, Xinshe Flower Garden, Lihpao Land Theme Park, National Museum of Natural Science, Wonder New Land Children's Park, Carton King Creative Park, Jurassic Planet Park, Museum of Illusions, Lavender Cottage, Okuma Center Fishing Museum, Basian Forest Recreation Area, Wooderlife Gaming Area, Dasyueshan Recreation Area, Wufeng Lin Family Garden, Moncoeur Garden, Yukids Island, Shoe Wonderland Factory Tour, Lihpao International STS Race Circuit, Muxinquan Leisure Farm, Guguan Hot Springs, Miyahar, Fushoushan Recreational Farm, Xinshe Castle, National Taichung Theater, and many more which are covered in this blog. You can also book a Taichung pass for multiple attractions on Klook here or here. Activities: Taichung has lots of indoor and outdoor activities available, such as Scuba Cube Hotel Indoor Diving Experience, Batting Cages, Indoor Skiing and Sledding, Car Race Track, Pilot an Aircraft, Glamping, Archery, Trampoline Center, Off-road ATVing, Hiking, see cherry blossoms, stargazing, Aboriginal Food Tour, cooking class, and much more on KKday here or Klook here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Map: See below for a map of places we will cover in this blog: 
Ningxia Night Market is one of the most popular night markets in Taipei. The night market takes up two city blocks and includes food stalls as well as sit-down areas and restaurants. Popular delicacies here include Oyster Omelet, fried chicken, fried squid, and much more. The night market is also very close to the Dadaocheng historical area and is often considered to be a part of it. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei.
Historical Background: Ningxia Night Market began as a few food stalls on on the Jiancheng Roundabout (建成圓環) on Chongqing North Road, not long after the Danshui Railway Line was built in 1908. It was the most popular night market in Taipei during the Japanese Era. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, it continued to be a popular night market known for great food and cheap prices. After Chongqing North Road was widened in 1973, most of the stalls moved north to either side of Ningxia Road. Ningxia Road was refurbished in 2006 making it more sanitary and environmentally friendly. In 2015, it was named the best night market for shopping, the friendliest night market, the most charismatic night market, the most environmentally conscious night market, and the best-tasting night market in Taipei. As for the roundabout, the local government saw it as a run-down area with lots of illegal stalls. There were also two large fires there in 1993 and 1998. In 2002, then Taipei Mayor Ma Yingjeou tore down the old roundabout and built a glass restaurant area in its place. However, restaurant owners found that the new building was poorly designed and bad for business, and the popular restaurants moved out. Later on, in 2008 the area was rebuilt again, but there was a scandal involving how the area was rented, and so the area shut down in 2011. In 2016, the roundabout was made into a park. Hours: Open from 5 PM until 1 AM, every night. Tours: You can book a food tour of Ningxia Night Market on Klook here or TripAdvisor here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By MRT: Take the Red Line to Shuanglian Station and then take exit 1 or 2 west out of the station. The night market is about two blocks down the road. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Scooter: Take Chongqing North Road in central Taipei until you reach Ningxia Road. You can park on the side of the road near Ningxia Road. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: Take Chongqing North Road in central Taipei until you reach Ningxia Road. You can park on the side of the road near Ningxia Road. There are some paid parking garages around the night market. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: See below: 
Nangang's Bottle Cap Factory, now POPOP Taipei, was a Japanese era factory built 80 years ago and stopped production in 2004. Now it has been converted into a space for meetings, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, musical performances etc.
Background: Nangang's Bottle Cap Factory was built during the Japanese era in 1943, and continued operating until 2004, providing bottling parts for over 14 wine manufacturers. It was then abandoned until 2010 when Taipei City chose the spot for urban revitalization. The bottle cap factory renovation was completed in 2020. Currently there is space for meetings, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, musical performances, a night market, and more. On weekends it attracts hundreds of visitors especially when there are special events. Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM every day Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take Civic Boulevard or Nangang Road to Nangang Station. The bottle cap factory is just north of the station, across the street. There is paid parking at Nangang Station. By TRA/HSR/MRT: Take the TRA/HSR/MRT/inter-city bus to Nangang Station. The bottle cap factory is just north of the station, across the street. Map: Please see below: 
Foreward: This blog has taken me countless hours over a few years to compile, so if you want to share the information or photos in this blog, please provide a link and proper citation back to this web page.
The New Taiwan Dollar is the national currency of Taiwan (ROC), and it includes five main bills and five main coins that are currently in circulation. It is one of the sure signs that Taiwan is a free and independent nation. Have you ever wondered what the meaning or significance of the designs on these bills? Well in this blog we will explore these in depth. History: Old Taiwan Dollar: Ever wonder what happened to the old Taiwan Dollar? It was the official currency of Taiwan after 1945, replacing the Japanese Yen that had previously been used at roughly the same price. It was discontinued in 1949 due to hyperinflation that hit China after WWII due to the Chinese Civil War, which also affected Taiwan and the Taiwan Dollar. To help solve hyperinflation, the New Taiwan Dollar was created June 15, 1949 as the official currency of Taiwan, after the ROC lost the Chinese Civil War and retreated to Taiwan. The currency was valued as 1 New Taiwan Dollar to 40,000 Taiwan Dollars. New Taiwan Dollar Beginnings: The New Taiwan Dollar currency was adopted as the official currency of the Republic of China only in 1961. Before that, Kinmen and Matsu had their own special currency notes, which have been discontinued. In 2001, the New Taiwan Dollar currency stopped being printed at the Bank of Taiwan, and is now printed at Taiwan's Central Bank. The New Taiwan Dollar bills and coins have gone through many changes over the years, but most of them have included either Chiang Kai-shek or Sun Yat-sen on the face of the notes. After 1976 until 2001, most notes were either 10 NT, 100 NT, 500 NT, and 1000 NT. From then until now, there have been five generations or series of notes and coins. This blog will focus on the current fifth series. For a full list of historical notes, click here. Previous Versions: Before the year 2000, prior generations of bank notes were easily copied, as they lacked special marking and printing techniques. Counterfeit bills were often used in night markets and vegetable markets because they would not be scrutinized for their authenticity. In addition, former bills were less durable and could be ruined even if just put through a washing machine cycle. Although current bills can also still be ruined in a washing machine...sigh. Also the fourth generation of bills(which began circulation in 1982) did not include a 20 NT coin or a 200 or 2000 NT bill; and people normally only used 1 NT, 5 NT, 10 NT, 50 NT, 100 NT, 500 NT, and 1000 NT. Because this was not very long ago, part of the reason the 20 NT, 200 NT, and 2000 NT are not widely used is because people are still used to using only 10 NT, 100 NT, 500 NT and 1000 NT. Current Version: Starting in the year 2000, the central bank began printing the modern fifth generation version of New Taiwan Dollar notes that we use today. The current 100 NT note was first printed in 2000, the 200 NT and 2000 NT notes were first printed in 2001, and the current 500 NT and 1000 NT notes were first printed in 2004. In 2001, the 20 NT coin was introduced, but other coins remained the same. New Taiwan Dollars can be denoted as TWD, NTD or NT$. Visiting Taiwan soon? You can also find more tours of Taiwan on Klook here or KKday here. You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels in Taiwan here. Common symbols on the New Taiwan Dollar:
Current coins and bills in circulation (fifth series of the new Taiwan Dollar): 
The Swiss Mountain Village Castle was abandoned for over 20 years. Originally a meeting retreat for the Tai ji Men, a Taiwan religious group, it then came under possession of the government while its owner underwent tax investigation. In 2020, the charges on the man were dropped and the property was returned, but by that time it had been sitting in ruins for decades. I am not sure if the building will be renovated or torn down in the future.
Background: Taiji men was formed in 1966 and is a religion, but considers itself a school for physical and spiritual well being especially through the use of Tai Chi. For more info about the religion see here. The Swiss Mountain Village was one like any other in the area, a place where somewhat wealthy people in the Taipei area would build villas and retreats. Swiss Mountain Village in Xizhi is not the most ideal place to live now. Residents there have to deal with not having piped water from the city, for one. At the beginning, the neighborhood built a community center which is the castle we know now. Mr. Hong built the community center in 1996 to use as a meeting place for his religions events. What got Mr. Hong in trouble was a tax investigation to profits earned from some of his Tai Chi schools in Taipei. Originally the tax office thought that his schools should be taxed the same way as a cram school, but Hong contended that it was a non profit religious organization and should not be taxed. After over 20 years and 18 court battles Mr. Hong finally won the fight against the tax office, and the assets frozen during the legal fight were finally returned to him in 2020. For more about the background on this castle, see here. Since the property is now in private hands, I do not recommend visiting so I will not share the map location. The building may be renovated, but will more likely be torn down due to maintenance costs. During the 20 years or so that the land was frozen by the government, Mr. Hong did not pay taxes or management fees, which he still owes. Tours in Taipei: There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Taipei that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. Activities in Taipei: You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. 
Shiding District is a secret mountain paradise in New Taipei City, in northern Taiwan (新北市石碇區). Lots of people simply pass through here without knowing much about what there is to see. In this guide I will show you some of the secret historical and nature destinations in this amazing place.
Historical Background: The name Shiding comes from boats transporting goods from the area that used to use large rocks (shi 石) in the river as anchors (ding 碇). The Shiding administrative area (石碇堡) was created during the Qing Dynasty and extended from Keelung to Wenshan District. The area around Shiding Old Street was the first area to be developed by Han Chinese in Shiding. In the early days during the Qing Dynasty, the Han Chinese settlers here mainly grew tea and leeks. During the Qing Dynasty, Shiding was an important stop along the Danlan Old Trail (淡蘭古道 which means the road between Tamsui and Yilan), which was split into three paths, and Shiding was on the Southern Path. The Southern Path winded from Mengjia Old Street to Liuzhangli, then to Shengkeng, and onto Shiding which was a major tea producer at the time. From Shiding, the road then went to Pinglin and then Yilan. The Southern path was the quickest way to Yilan. During the Japanese Era until the 1980s, the major industry in the area was coal mining, As the coal mining industry winded down in the 1980s and 90s in Taiwan due to lower worldwide coal prices, the economy in Shiding suffered and many people left. The multi story buildings near Shiding Old street are a testament to the economic prosperity of the coal mining era. Currently Shiding is sparsely populated with the main economic activity including tea farming and agriculture. Tours of Shiding: You can book a tour to Shiding on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car: Go east on National Freeway 5, then get off at the Shiding interchange. Continue east until you reach Shiding Old Street. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Scooter: From Taipei, take highway 106 east from Shenkeng toward Shiding, pass through Shiding Bao Tunnel, and soon you will come to Shiding Old Street. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bus: From Taipei City Call MRT station, you can take bus 912 to Shiding High School, after that you will have to switch to bus 666 which will take you all the way to the old street (total about 40 minutes). You can also book tickets to travel to Shiding via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: 
Pinglin Old Street (also known as Pinglin Shopping District 坪林商圈) is a small street in the mountainous Pinglin District in New Taipei. There are some great tea shops here, a tea museum, Qing dynasty stone houses, and beautiful views of the Beishi River and surrounding mountains. Also, there are some great hiking trails and camp sites nearby. If you love tea, Pinglin is the place for you.
Background: The first documented Han Chinese settlers came to Pinglin in 1821, mainly for agriculture. In the early days during the Qing Dynasty, the Han Chinese settlers here mainly grew tea and leeks. The only road through Pinglin at the time was the Danlan Old Trail (淡蘭古道). During the Qing Dynasty, Pinglin was an important stop along Danlan Old Trail (which means the road between Tamsui and Yilan), which was split into three paths, and Pinglin was on the Southern Path. The Southern Path winded from Mengjia Old Street to Liuzhangli, then to Shengkeng, and onto Shiding and then Pinglin which was a major tea producer at the time. Pinglin, the trail went over the mountains to Yilan. The Southern path was the quickest way to Yilan. During the Japanese Era until the 1980s, the populations remained small and the main economic output came from tea. Pinglin is the largest producer of Paozhong Tea (包種茶) in Taiwan. When National Freeway 5 was completed in 1990, originally there was no access to Pinglin. After much protest, a referendum was brought to the people, and 97% of voters agreed to allow access to National Freeway 5. Currently the Pinglin Shopping District covers Pinglin Old Street, Pinglin Middle School, Pinglin Agricultural Association, Tea Museum, and many other small tea shops in the area. It is a popular stop along National Freeway 5. Price: Free Hours: About 8 AM to 5 PM. Tours: You can also book a tour to Pinglin on KKday here or TripAdvisor here. Activities: Here you can river trace, SUP / Paddleboard, and more on KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car: Go east on National Freeway 5, then get off at the Pinglin interchange. Continue east until you reach Pinglin Street. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Scooter: From Taipei, take highway 106 east from Shenkeng toward Shiding, pass through Shiding Bao Tunnel, and continue over the mountain past Huafan University, over to Pinglin. The street is at the center of town. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bus: From Taipei City Call MRT station, you can take bus 912 to Bafenliao Station, the switch to bus 923 to Pinglin Station. The ride should take about 2 hours. You can also book tickets to travel to Pinglin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below. 
As one of the most secret and unknown tourist attractions in Taipei City, Nangang Tea Mountain is a large mountain area that offers pleasant hikes, great views, historical buildings, no crowds, and most of all tea. It is one of only two mountain tea growing areas in Taipei City, the other being Maokong. Hopefully this blog will help you understand how much natural beauty and intact history this is in Nangang District.
Background: Nangang 南港means “South Port” in Chinese. This south port once rested on the southern banks of the Keelung River near what is now the Neihu MRT depot in Nangang District, Taipei. There was a "North Port" on the Keelung river in what is now Xizhi. Nangang was once part of Neihu District before it split in the ROC era. In the earliest times, Nangang was known as an industry hub for coal, brick making, and tea farming. In order to ship goods from Neihu to Nangang rail station, at least two suspension bridges were made across the Keelung River. Hours: Trails: 24/7 Tea Processing Demonstration Center: Tuesday-Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM Price: Free Hotels in Taipei: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Marriot (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Nangang: You can take 14% off the buffet at Courtyard Marriot Nangang on KKday here. You can also get a discount ticket to Crazy Car Cafe in Nangang, the only restaraunt in Taiwan that offers Go-Karting, on KKday here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Nangang Road at Nangang Exhibition Center MRT station, turn south toward the mountains and keep going straight on Acadamia Sinica Road until it turns into Jiuzhuang Street. Keep going all the way up the mountain and you have reached the tea district. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/MRT: Take the Southeast Little 5 bus from Nangang Exhibition Center MRT station. It takes about half an hour to get to the Tea Processing Center from there. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
The Yuanshan Grand Hotel is one of the tallest traditional Chinese buildings in the world, and was the tallest building in Taiwan for nearly a decade. It also features multiple restaurants, a swimming pool, all day buffet, shops, and secret underground tunnels, slides, and bunkers. It is a major landmark in Taipei and definitely worth a visit even if you do not plan to spend the night there.
Background: After the ROC government moved to Taiwan in 1949, there was no decent hotel for international travelers and foreign dignitaries, so Chiang Kai-shek planned the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, which was established in 1952. The swimming pool and other buildings were completed in 1953 and 1956, and the main hotel building was completed in 1973. Originally the land where the hotel stands was a Shinto shrine called the Taiwan Grand Shrine, left over from the Japanese Era. In 1995 a fire hit the top floors, and repairs were not completed until 1998, Numerous foreign dignitaries including US presidents have stayed at the hotel. Hours: 24/7 (it's a hotel) Price: Free to walk inside the lobby. Rooms vary from about 3000 NT to 500,000 NT per night. The secret tunnel tour is 200 NT per person. Hotel Room Booking We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, which was once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand. You can book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here. Website: https://www.grand-hotel.org/EN/official/about.aspx?gh=TP Tour times: Every day at 11 AM and 2 PM (check with the front desk to make sure) The tour is 200 NT per person You can book a tour of the hotel and secret tunnels on Klook here, or KKday here which includes a lunch buffet. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: The Yuanshan Hotel is a big square building in Taipei near Shilin and Neihu on the Keelung River. You have to take a roundabout road up to the hotel which can be confusing, it may take you two passes to make it into the parking lot. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/MRT: There is a free shuttle bus from MRT Yuanshan Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Pudu Changsheng Bridge is known as the most beautiful bridge in northern Taiwan. It is an old stone bridge that was built in 1953 to connect two small villages in the mountains of Shiding District. Now it is a popular spot for hikers and photographers.
Background: Puduchangsheng Bridge was finished in July 1953, to connect two mountain villages: Yuguiling Village (玉桂嶺村) and Fengtou Village (峰頭聚落) in Shiding. People had been living in these mountain villages since1887 during the Qing Dynasty. The trail between the two villages is about 650 meters long. The cost of the bridge construction was donated by the local villagers. Even though Yuguiling Road has now been built to connect the villages, the bridge still stands as a beautiful monument to the past. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours: You can book a tour to Shiding on TripAdvisor here, Klook here or KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car Scooter: Take highway 106 east through Shiding until you reach the large U shaped bridge before Yongding Village. Do not get on the bridge, and take a right under the bridge up the mountain valley. Keep going straight until you reach Yuguiling Road, and turn left. Keep going until you see the bridge on your right side after about 500 meters. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: Take bus 795 from Shiding until you reach Tengliaokeng 藤寮坑 station. From there it is about 4 KM or one hour to get to the bridge, not ideal. You can also book tickets to travel to Shiding via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
The Taiwan Presidential Office building is the office of all presidents of Taiwan, past and present. One of the many historical buildings in Taipei, it is a beautiful Japanese-era brick building, with a built-in museum inside. It is open for tours to the public on weekdays and is definitely worth a visit.
History The building was first constructed during the Japanese rule of Taiwan for the Governor-General of the island. A plan was chosen that included an eleven-storey tower and European-style elements. Like other Japanese buildings in Taiwan, it faced east toward the rising sun. Construction began in 1912 and it was completed in 1919. Some of the bricks for the building came from the Songshan Brick Kiln which we have blogged about earlier. It was the highest building in Taipei until it was overtaken by the Hilton in 1973. The building was damaged during an air raid in 1945 and was not repaired until the Taiwan Provincial Government under the ROC raised funds. When the ROC retreated to Taiwan in 1950, it became the Office of the President Chiang Kai-Shek. Since then, every sitting president of the ROC has used this building as their office, and it is currently used by President Tsai Yingwen. For more information click here. Tour Times: The office is open for visitors from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on weekdays and on some Weekends. For a list of Weekends schedules click here: https://english.president.gov.tw/Page/124 If those times don’t work, alternatively you can reserve a tour yourself here: https://service.president.gov.tw/EN/Page/126 You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By MRT/Bus: The building is close to the NTU hospital MRT station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. By Car/Scooter: There is limited parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Map: 
The Farglory U Museum, aka Farglory Architecture and Culture Museum, is a architecture museum in Xizhi, New Taipei. The museum give a brief history of world architecture and also has play areas and reading areas for children. Overall it is a worthwhile visit for the family while you are at IFG Mall.
Background: The Farglory U Museum is part of an exhibition space that is 250 pings on the fourth floor of the iFG mall. The museum was opened in 2015 and includes exhibition space and educational activities. The museum also celebrates Farglory's founder Zhao Tung-Xiong and tells the history of the company's rise to become one of the largest corporate conglomerates in Taiwan. Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM, closed Mondays. Price: Free Website: https://fgmuseum.org.tw/ Tours: You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By car/scooter: From Taipei, take provincial highway 5 to the iFG mall in Xizhi. There is parking in the mall which is free if you buy something. The museum is on the fourth floor of the iFG Mall. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By train: The museum is within walking distance of Xike TRA station. The museum is on the fourth floor of the iFG Mall. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Longshan Temple is one of the most popular Temples in Taipei, and sits right in the middle of historical Wanhua District of Taipei.
This temple dates back to 1738, and was built by Chinese settlers in Fujian in honor of the Longshan Temple in Fujian. The main deities worshipped here are Mazu and Guanyu. Due to its easy access to the Taipei MRT, the temple sees a lot of visitors. Historical Background: The land that Longshan Temple stands on was once part of Basay tribal land. The Basay people had lived on the land for thousands of years before the first Chinese settlers. The area at Bangka was a trading center for the Basay people before Chinese settlers ever came. Maps dating to the Dutch rule in the 1600s marked Bangka as a trading location. The name Bangka (or Měngjiǎ in Taiwanese Mandarin) comes from the fact that the Basay tribe called the Chinese trading ships that visited "Bangka" which means canoe, and was transliterated into Southern Min as (Bangkah 艋舺) which literally means small boat. Later when the Japanese came they mistakenly heard Bangka as “Mange” in Japanese (Wàn huá 萬華 in Chinese), which is the current name of the area. The settlement at Bangka (Měngjiǎ 艋舺) quickly grew into the largest settlement in Northern Taiwan. Settlements at Dadaocheng and Bopiliao nearby also began to sprout up. Huaxi Street Night Market has been established for over 50 years. It used to be a red light district before prostitution was banned in Taiwan in 1991. Now it specializes in strange meats such as snake, turtle, and deer meat as well as animal blood. It is also known as "Snake Alley." You can also find normal Taiwanese night market snacks here. Longshan temple dates back to 1738, and was built by Chinese settlers in Fujian in honor of the Longshan Temple in Fujian. The main deities worshipped here are Mazu and Guanyu. Due to its easy access to the Taipei MRT, the temple sees a lot of visitors. Price: Free Hours: 4 PM to midnight every day Tours: You can book a walking tour of Huaxi Street Night Market on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a Private Street Food Tour of Taipei on TripAdvisor here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Ximending, go west on Guilin Road until you reach Huaxi Street. There is plenty of scooter parking on the street and paid car parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By MRT: Take the blue line to Longshan Temple station, then walk northwest about two blocks to the night market. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: 
Daxi Old Street is one of the largest and busiest old streets in Taiwan, known for its dried tofu delicacies, and old Taiwan feel. Here one can enjoy delicious food, beautiful scenery, and buy nostalgic Taiwan related souvenirs. This may be the biggest and best old street in Taiwan, so you should definitely stop by here on your next trip to northern Taiwan.
Background: The area around Daxi Old Street was originally inhabited by Ayatal Ingenious people. It's original name was Daguxian, which means great water. In about 1818, Han Chinese settlers came to cultivate the area, and used the Dahan River as a means of transporting goods. The Dahan River did not have a problem with silting, which means it remained a major water transportation hub long after other river ports in northern Taiwan. During the Japanese Era, the streets were planned out along the old street, with most commercial activity happening on Heping Road 和平路, Zhongshan Road 中山路, Xinnan Street 新南路, and surrounding alleys. During this time, the old street was a major transportation hub for camphor, dried tofu, rice, and tea. Currently the old street is one of the largest and best preserved in Taiwan, and is a popular weekend destination due to its proximity to greater Taipei. Delicacies: Local delicacies at Daxi Old Street include peanut brittle and dried tofu. Wood carving shops are also well known here, Hours: Every Day from about 9 AM to 6 PM, with more shops opening later in the day. Price: Free When to go: If you go during weekends or holidays, it can get really crowded but that is also the time when most all of the shops and stalls are open. If you want to avoid the crowds you can try going early in the morning when it is not as busy. Tours: You can book a tour to Daxi Old Street on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels near Daxi: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take local highway 116 east to Daxi from Taoyuan by scooter, or National Freeway 3 by car. Then taken provincial highway 3 to the old street. You can park across the river and walk to the old street via the suspension bridge, or try to find limited parking near the old street on the other side of the river. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: From Taoyuan TRA station, you can take bus 5096 to the old street. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Wulai 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. It has an old Japanese era coal mining railroad track which has been restored with a working train. 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. Hours: Wulai Old Street: Roughly 10 AM to 8 PM Cable Car and Yun Hsien Amusement Park Entrance: 9 AM to 4:30 PM You can book tickets to the gondola and to Yun Hsien theme park on Klook here or KKday here. Neidong Waterfall: 8 AM to 5 PM. You can book tickets to Neidong Forest Recreation Area on KKday here or Klook here. Price: Wulai Old Street: Free Cable Car and Yun Hsien Amusement Park Entrance: 220 NT per person You can book tickets to the gondola and to Yun Hsien theme park on Klook here or KKday here. Neidong Waterfall: 65 NT per person. You can book tickets on KKday here or Klook here. Hot Spring Bath: 300-500 NT. You can look for hot spring bath experiences on Klook here or KKday here. Delicacies: Wilde Boar meat, hot spring eggs, rice steamed in bamboo, among others. Hotels in Wulai: There are many hot spring hotels in Wulai that have a hot spring tub right in the room. We have stayed at and recommend Wulai SungLyu Hot Spring Resort, which is a hot spring resort with great views just above Wulai Old Street. You can book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Hotels.com here, TripAdvisor here, Trip.com here, Klook here, Kayak here, or Expedia here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there： By Bus: From central Taipei, take bus 849 to Wulai Old Street. The trips takes about an hour and a half. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on a bus to Wulai on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a Taipei travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: 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 up the mountain. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below of the places covered in this blog: 
Shuangxi Old Street is a small old street in Shuangxi Village of Shuangxi District. The old street dates back to the Danlan Old Trail, one of the first Qing settlements in the area, and a church established by George Mackay. The street itself is mainly historical and does not attract many tourists. Now Shuangxi is a quiet town with some snacks and restaurants, lots of nature sights, mountain roads, camp sites, and hiking trails nearby.
Background: The name Shuangxi comes from the name of the two rivers that converge inside the town, the Mudan River (牡丹溪) and the Pinglin River (平林溪). During the Qing Dynasty, Shuangxi was an important stop along the Danlan Old Trail (淡蘭古道 which means the road between Tamsui and Yilan), which was split into three paths, and Shuangxi was on the Northern Path. The Northern Path winded from Mengjia Old Street to Nuannuan, then to Ruifang, and onto Jiufen and Houtong. From Houtong, the road then went to Mudan and then Shuangxi, then went along the coast to Yilan. During this time, most of the things traded were tea leaves and agricultural goods. There was once a ferry dock in Shuangxi to help ship goods out to sea along the Shuang River. Historically Shuangxi and the areas nearby have been rural, and in the 1900s relied on coal, gold, and mercury mining to drive the economy. The mining industry died down in the late 1900s and is now defunct. Currently Shuangxi District has a population of only about 10,000 people, and is dropping every year. The Shuangxi Train Station is a second tier station, with Tze-Chiang class trains stopping here. There are about 1600 people coming and leaving the station every day. Now it is a quiet town with a fair amount of tourists, especially cyclists, and lots of nature sights, mountain roads, and hiking trails nearby. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours and Activities: There are many activities available here near Shuangxi such as Windsurfing, SUP /paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and more on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book tickets to the international Sand Sculpture Art festival on Klook here or KKday here. Hotels near Shuangxi: We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Shuangxi Station, the old street is a short walk south. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, on provincial highway 5 until you reach Keelung, then take provincial highway 2B to Shuangxi. You then need to take county raod 102 to Mudan. The old street is only one lane, so you can get stuck if driving a car. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Search KKday here for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike bike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Shiding Old Street (aka Shiding East Street) is a small street in the busiest part of the mountainous Shiding District in New Taipei. There are some great restaurants here, an old mining town feel, great views of old multi-story houses towering over the rivers, and beautiful surrounding mountains. Also, there are some great hiking trails and scenery nearby.
Background: The name Shiding comes from boats transporting goods from the area that used to use large rocks (shi 石) in the river as anchors (ding 碇). The Shiding administrative area (石碇堡) was created during the Qing Dynasty and extended from Keelung to Wenshan District. The area around Shiding Old Street was the first area to be developed by Han Chinese in Shiding. In the early days during the Qing Dynasty, the Han Chinese settlers here mainly grew tea and leeks. During the Qing Dynasty, Shiding was an important stop along the Danlan Old Trail (淡蘭古道 which means the road between Tamsui and Yilan), which was split into three paths, and Shiding was on the Southern Path. The Southern Path winded from Mengjia Old Street to Liuzhangli, then to Shengkeng, and onto Shiding which was a major tea producer at the time. From Shiding, the road then went to Pinglin and then Yilan. The Southern path was the quickest way to Yilan. During the Japanese Era until the 1980s, the major industry in the area was coal mining, As the coal mining industry winded down in the 1980s and 90s in Taiwan due to lower worldwide coal prices, the economy in Shiding suffered and many people left. The multi-story buildings near Shiding Old Street are a testament to the economic prosperity of the coal mining era. Currently Shiding Old Street is a popular stop near National Highway 5. Besides the local food and history, there are also some great hiking trails and scenery nearby. Price: Free Hours: About 8 AM to 5 PM. Tours: You can book a tour to Shiding Old Street on TripAdvisor here, Klook here or KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car: Go east on National Freeway 5, then get off at the Shiding interchange. Continue east until you reach Shiding Old Street. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Scooter: From Taipei, take highway 106 east from Shenkeng toward Shiding, pass through Shiding Bao Tunnel, and soon you will come to Shiding Old Street. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bus: From Taipei City Call MRT station, you can take bus 912 to Shiding High School, after that you will have to switch to bus 666 which will take you all the way to the old street (total about 40 minutes). You can also book tickets to travel to Shiding via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 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
December 2023
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