Tamsui's Little White House (officially the Tamsui Customs Officer's Residence) is an important historical building in Tamsui near Fort San Domingo. The ticket to Fort San Domingo and Hobe Fort also allows entrance to this building, so you should definitely check it out if you visit the area.
Background: As a result of the Second Opium War, China was forced to open more ports to the west, including in Tamsui and Tainan, therefore creating a need for the Qing government to create a customs office in Tamsui. The Tamsui Customs Officer's Residence was built in 1870 for the Custom Officer. The first customs officer was W. Maxwell of the UK. After the Japanese took control of Taiwan, the house was abandoned. Later after the ROC took control of Taiwan, the building was later annexed as part of the nearby Tamkang High School. In 1996, the building was set for destruction but was saved by local scholars who protested. In 2004, the building was renovated as a tourist attraction in its current form. Because of its stark white appearance, it has been nicknamed the "little white house" referring to the resemblance to the White House in Washington DC. Price: 80 NT (including entrance to For San Domingo and Hobe Fort) Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (tickets not sold after 4:30) How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The white house is passed the old street on highway 2. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the white house. Map: Please see below:
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Hobe Fort (Aka Huwei Fort) is a Qing Dynasty era fortress in Tamsui, New Taipei that once has massive guns that protected the waterways nearby. The fort is included in a historical monument ticket that allows you to see other historical buildings in the area. It is also one of the best preserved historical fortresses in Taiwan.
Background: After the Sino French War in which the French threatened Tamsui and Keelung, the Qing Dynasty decided to fortify their coastline in Taiwan, building forts at Keelung, Tamsui, Penghu, Tainan, and what is now Kaohsiung. Hobe fort in Tamsui was completed in 1888 and designed by Liu Mingchuan. The fort never saw any military action, which has helped preserve the fort. After the Japanese took over Taiwan, they took out the canons and turned the fort into a practice ground for troops. After the ROC took over Taiwan, they placed troops at the fort for a while, before turing the fort over to the central government, who have opened it to the public. The walls of the fort are 4.2 meters thick and 7 meters high. There is also an outer earth wall. The fort only has one gate facing north. Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM Price: 80 NT per person (includes entrance toFort San Domingo and the Little White House) How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The fort is near Heping Park off highway 2. Parking can be found in front of the fort. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus/taxi to the fort. Map: Please see below: 
The former British Consulate in Tamsui is over 100 years old, spanning a long and complex history in Taiwan. Originally built by the British, it was handed over to Australia, the USA, and then the ROC. Now it is a popular tourist destination in Tamsui.
Background: The spot where the consular residents lies is right next to Fort San Domingo, which was originally a wooden fort built by the Spanish who were vying for control of Taiwan in 1628. Later the fort came into Dutch control in 1642, and the Spanish were driven from Taiwan. In the process, the Spanish razed the fort to the ground. The fort was rebuilt in brick by the Dutch. The Dutch were expelled from Taiwan thanks to Konxinga and his Ming loyalists. The local Han Chinese at the time called the fort "Red Hair Fort 紅毛城" as a racial slur to the Dutch. Later, the fort was leased to the British government. The British built the consular residence in 1891, and continued to keep a presence there until 1972, and later it was given for a short time to Australia and the USA, and then given to the ROC government in 1980. Now the government maintains the fort as a tourist attraction. Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM Price: 80 NT per person (includes passage to the British Consulate, Hobe Fort, and the Little White House). How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The for is passed to old street on highway 2. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the fort. Map: Please see below: 
Longteng Bridge in Sanyi township of Miaoli County is a popular Japanese era bridge that has fallen and been destroyed by numerous earthquakes. The bridge can be reached by road or by rail from Sheng Hsing train station, and is a popular tourist spot in the area.
Background: This bridge was built by the Japanese in 1906. In 1935 the bridge was damaged by an earthquake to the point of being unusable. Another bridge was built soon after just a few meters to the side. In 1991, another earthquake further damaged to bridge to what remains now. Now the remains of the bridge serve as a memorial park for earthquakes in Taiwan. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By little tourist train: You can take the little tourist train from Shenghsing Station to the parking lot at Longteng Bridge. By TRA: Take the TRA to Sanyi train station, then take a taxi to the old bridge (20 min, 10KM). By car/scooter: Take Jianfeng Road in Miaoli to Longxi Raod, and then follow it until you reach the old bridge. There is a free parking lot and ample parking by the roadside. Map: Please see below: 
Fort San Domingo (aka 紅毛城 Hongmaocheng, “City of Red Hair") is one of the oldest buildings in Taiwan, with a nearly 400 year history. Originally built by the Spanish, it was handed over to nine different nations including the Dutch, Qing, Japan, British, Australia, USA, and the ROC. Now it is a popular tourist destination in Tamsui.
Background: Fort San Domingo was originally a wooden fort built by the Spanish who were vying for control of Taiwan in 1628. Later the fort came into Dutch control in 1642, and the Spanish were driven from Taiwan. In the process, the Spanish razed the fort to the ground. The fort was rebuilt in brick by the Dutch. The Dutch were expelled from Taiwan thanks to Konxinga and his Ming loyalists. After the Qing dynasty took Taiwan from the Ming loyalists, they repaired the fort in 1724. The local Han Chinese at the time called the fort "Red Hair Fort 紅毛城" as a racial slur to the Dutch. Later, the fort was leased to the British government, who continued to keep a presence there until 1972, and later it was given for a short time to Australia and the USA, and then given to the ROC government in 1980. Now the government maintains the fort as a tourist attraction. Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM Price: 80 NT per person (includes passage to the British Consulate, Hobe Fort, and the Little White House). How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The for is passed to old street on highway 2. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the fort. Map: Please see below: 
The Miaoli Hakka Roundhouse is an exhibition center focused on local Hakka culture, as well as a tourist center, performance hall, and DIY art center. It was completed in 2014 and was built to resemble the Tulou Roundouses in Fujian, China. Taiwan has no historical roundhouses. Even if it is not historically accurate, it is a beautiful building with some very educational exhibitions on Hakka culture.
Background: The Hakka people are a subgroup of Han Chinese that migrated from North Central China to southern China to avoid social unrest, occupying now what is Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan. These moves were aided by "guest household" policies during at different times, such as under the Kangxi Emperor. The Hakka people have a distinctive culture and language differing than that of their neighbors, because they came from a different part of China when cultures in the north and south were very divergent. Roundhouses first appeared in China during the late Ming Dynasty (late 1500s). The were built round to match the many round hills in Fujian province. The Hakka people specialized in creating roundhouses, because it helped to centralize the community, create an easy defense against bandits and invaders, and save precious farmland. There are over 3000 roundhouses in Fujian, that attract over 4 million visitors a year. In 2008, the tulou roundhouses in Fujian became a UNESCO world heritage site. During the cold war, the US mistook these roundhouses for nuclear missile silos. Hakka people started moving to Taiwan in the late Ming Dynasty, along with Koxinga and other Ming loyalists. Although there are no historical roundhouses in Taiwan, there are still many square Tulou (土樓) that served similar purposes as roundhouses. The Miaoli Hakka Roundhouse was built in 2014 at a cost of 130 million NT. It was built to resemble the Tulou Roundhouses in Fujian, China. It is 3,400 square meters and has four stories. After its construction, some people criticized the building for not being related to Taiwan Hakka culture. However, the government leaders defended the decision saying represented a fusion of Hakka culture which is a worldwide heritage, and that it was meant to increase tourism in the area. Price: Free Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays. How to get there: By train/HSR: Take the TRA Train to Fengfu Station, or take the HSR to Miali Station. The roundhouse is within walking distance. By car: Drive to the HSR station in Miaoli. There is paid parking across the street from the roundhouse. Map: Please see below: 
Tamsui Old Street (aka Danshui Old Street or Tamshui Old Street) is a street in Tamsui District of New Taipei famous for it's delicious food and historical atmosphere. It is one of the most popular and well known old streets in all of Taiwan. Some local delicacies here include A-gei, iron eggs, fried squid, and other seafood.
Background: Tamsui Old Street developed alongside the Tamsui Harbor, which was opened in 1860 during the Qing Dynasty as part of the Treaty of Tientsin which ended the Second Opium War. It was one of only eight ports in the entire Qing empire that was open to trade with the west. As a result, it became a focal point for trade in Taiwan. It was also the western terminus of the Danlan Old Trail, which was a network of roads and trails that sent tea and other goods from Yilan to Tamsui. It remained an important port until it started to silt in during the 1900s, and after the construction of Keelung Harbor. There are also a number of important historical buildings near Tamsui Old Street such as Fort San Domingo, Huwei Fort, and others. Tamsui Old Street has always existed next to the old harbor, and recently there have been projects from the local government to improve tourism, such as widening roads and making a riverside walkway. With the completion of the Red Line MRT with its terminus in 1997 right at the edge of the old street, Tamsui became an extremely popular destination for residents in greater Taipei and remains to be so today. Hours: Every day 11 AM - 8 PM. Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The old street is near the Tamsui MRT station. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and you have arrived. Map: Please see below: 
The Matsu Archipelago is a group of small islands off the coast of China that belong to Taiwan. Acting for a long time as military outposts for Taiwan, the islands have recently opened to tourists. Here you can find traditional stone house villages, magical "blue tear" bioluminescent phenomena, wild sika deer, military museums, a Mazu memorial park including the largest Mazu statue in the world, a variety of local food, and much more to explore.
Background: Thousands of years ago, stone aged peoples once inhabited the Matsu Islands. These stone aged people later disappeared. The Matsu islands were inhabited again around the Song Dynasty (990 - 1200 AD) by Chinese Fisherman, the descendants of whom still inhabit the islands today. Because the Goddess Mazu's corpse washed ashore on this island, Nangan is also known as Matsu Island. During the Chinese Civil War, Matsu was used as a military outpost for the retreating ROC. During the years that followed, it withheld shelling and threats of invasion from China, helping to keep Taiwan free of communist control. In 1992 after cross straight relations had warmed up, martial law was lifted on the islands and tourists were allowed to visit. In the year 2000, a ferry link with Fuzhou started to provide constant China Mainland visitors to the island, as part of the three links with China. In 1994 Beigan Airport was opened, and was the only airport in Matsu for 9 years. In 2003, the Nangan Airport was opened, which significantly lowered the number of travelers to Beigan. However fast and convenient boat travel has made it so that most tourists travel to both islands. Matsu (or officially Lienchiang County of Fujian Province 連江縣) consists of 36 islands or islets, with 5 major isalnds: Nangan, Beigan, Xiju, Dongju, and Dongyin, and minor islands including Daqiu, Xiaoqiu, Gaodeng, and Liangdao. Nangan has a population of 4,000 people, and is the largest island in Matsu in terms of population and geographical size. Beigan Island is the second largest island in Matsu (behind Nangan), and a population of about 2,500. Xiju and Dongju Islands sit next to each other and have a combined population of 1,500 people. Dongyin is the third largest island in terms of size and population, with about 1,300 people. Daqiu is a small island near Beigan with a population of 1 human and about 300 wild sika deer. Xiaoqiu is another small uninhabited rocky islet next to Daqiu. Gaodeng Island and Liangdao Islands are also sizable islands in the chain, but are military islands that are currently closed off to tourists. How to get there: The easiest way to get around the islands is take a plane/boat to Nangan and then go island hopping from there. Nangan is the main transportation hub for all the islands. Dongyin Island: By Boat: There are daily ferries from Keelung Harbor that usually take an overnight trip to Nangan, passing through Dongyin Island. The price for a one way ride is 400-2000 NT depending on the type of accommodation you want on the boat. Boats from Nangan leave twice a day and take 2 hours. The price for a one way ride is 350 NT. Beigan Island: By Boat: There are boats from Nangan Fu'Ao Harbor (南竿福奧港) to Beigan Baisha Harbor (北竿白沙港) every hour from 7 AM to 5 PM. There are no daily routes to Beigan from other islands (except Daqiu). By Plane: There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. Daiqu Island: Public Ferry from Nangan Fu'Ao Harbor (福澳港) (April to October): 350 NT round trip per person （Stops at Baisha Harbor in Nangan) Nangan departure times: 9:50 AM, 1:30 PM, Daqiu departure times: 12:10 Noon, 3:40 PM Trip takes about 20 minutes. Public Ferry from Beigan Qiaozi Harbor (橋仔港) (May to October): 300 NT round trip per person Beigan departure times: 8:30 AM, 2:30 PM, Daqiu departure times: 10:30 AM, 4:30 PM https://hotels.matsu.idv.tw/ferry.php Trip takes about 10 minutes. Chartered ferries: Around 300 NT per round trip. Nangan Island: By Boat: There are daily ferries from Keelung Harbor that usually take an overnight trip to Nangan, passing through Dongyin Island. There are boats from Beigan Baisha Harbor (北竿白沙港) to Nangan Fu'Ao Harbor (南竿福奧港) every hour from 7 AM to 5 PM. By Plane: There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. Dongju and Xiju Islands: By Boat: Ferries from Nangan leave every 3 hours, with three trips per day. The trip takes about an hour. Price is 200 NT one way. Price (to Nangan): By Boat: 500-2000 NT per person (one way from Keelung) 160 NT per person (one way from Beigan) By Plane: About 2000 NT (one way from Taipei) How to get around the islands: Matsu has large, hilly islands and it would be very hard to get around on foot or bicycle. We recommend one of the following By Scooter: We recommend riding a scooter as your #1 choice. It's fast, convenient, and there isn't much traffic on the island. A scooter will cost about 500 NT per day to rent. When braking on hills, use both brakes, otherwise you could lose traction on one tire and skid. Don't stop or park on a slope. Also, some hills that are too steep are closed off for scooters. By Car/Taxi: You can rent a car or hire a taxi for 200O NT per day. By Bus: There are buses that goes around the islands, but wait times can be 30 minutes or more. When to go: We recommend going between April and June when the "blue tear" phosphorescent microbes in the water will be the most visible at night. Also, winters can be cold and windy and summers very hot, and there could also be typhoons in the summer and fall. Map: Please see below: 
Nangan is the largest Island in the Matsu Archipelago. Besides being the main transportation hub to the other islands in Matsu, it also has traditional stone house villages, military museums, a giant statue of Mazu, a variety of local food, and much more to explore.
Background: Thousands of years ago, stone aged peoples once inhabited the Matsu Islands, including Beigan Island itself. These stone aged people later disappeared. The Matsu islands were inhabited again around the Song Dynasty (990 - 1200 AD) by Chinese Fisherman, the descendants of whom still inhabit the islands today. Because the Goddess Mazu's corpse washed ashore on this island, Nangan is also known as Matsu Island. During the Chinese Civil War, Matsu was used as a military outpost for the retreating ROC. During the years that followed, it withheld shelling and threats of invasion from China, helping to keep Taiwan free of communist control. In 1992 after cross straight relations had warmed up, martial law was lifted on the islands and tourists were allowed to visit. In the year 2000, a ferry link with Fuzhou started to provide constant China Mainland visitors to the island, as part of the three links with China. In 2003, the Nangan airport was completed, which made Nangan the true transportation hub of Matsu. Nangan has a population of 4,000 people, and is the largest island in Matsu in terms of population and geographical size. How to get there: By Boat: There are daily ferries from Keelung Harbor that usually take an overnight trip to Nangan, passing through Dongyin Island. There are boats from Beigan Baisha Harbor (北竿白沙港) to Nangan Fu'Ao Harbor (南竿福奧港) every hour from 7 AM to 5 PM. By Plane: There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. Price: By Boat: 500-2000 NT per person (one way from Keelung) 160 NT per person (one way from Beigan) By Plane: About 2000 NT (one way from Taipei) How to get around the island: Nangan is a large, hilly island and it would be very hard to get around on foot or bicycle. We recommend one of the following By Scooter: We recommend riding a scooter as your #1 choice. It's fast, convenient, and there isn't much traffic on the island. A scooter will cost about 500 NT per day to rent. When braking on hills, use both brakes, otherwise you could lose traction on one tire and skid. Don't stop or park on a slope. Also, some hills that are too steep are closed off for scooters. By Car/Taxi: You can rent a car or hire a taxi for 200O NT per day. By Bus: There is a bus that goes around the island, but wait times can be 30 minutes or more. When to go: We recommend going between April and June when the "blue tear" phosphorescent microbes in the water will be the most visible at night. Also, winters can be cold and windy and summers very hot, and there could also be typhoons in the summer and fall. Map: Please see below: 
Beigan Island is a one of the two largest Islands in Matsu (officailly Lienchiang County, Taiwan), and has some of the best preserved traditional stone made fishing villages on the islands. There are also many historical military sites, as the islands were part of the front line during the Chinese Civil War. It is easily accessible via airplane or boat from Taipei.
Background: Thousands of years ago, stone aged peoples once inhabited the Matsu Islands, including Beigan Island itself. These stone aged people later disappeared. The Matsu islands were inhabited again around the Song Dynasty (990 - 1200 AD) by Chinese Fisherman, the descendants of whom still inhabit the islands today. During the Chinese Civil War, Matsu was used as a military outpost for the retreating ROC. During the years that followed, it withheld shelling and threats of invasion from China, helping to keep Taiwan free of communist control. In 1992 after cross straight relations had warmed up, martial law was lifted on the islands and tourists were allowed to visit. In 1994 Beigan Airport was opened, and was the only airport in Matsu for 9 years. In2003, the Nangan Airport was opened, which significantly lowered the number of travelers to Beigan. However fast and convenient boat travel has made it so that most tourists travel to both islands. Beigan Island is the second largest island in Matsu (behind Nangan), and a population of about 2,500. How to get there: By Boat: There are boats from Nangan Fu'Ao Harbor (南竿福奧港) to Beigan Baisha Harbor (北竿白沙港) every hour from 7 AM to 5 PM. There are no daily routes to Beigan from other islands (except Daqiu). By Plane: There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. Price: By Boat: 160 NT per person (one way from Nangan) By Plane: About 2000 NT (one way from Taipei) How to get around on the island: Beigan is a large, hilly island and it would be very hard to get around on foot or bicycle. We recommend one of the following By Scooter: We recommend riding a scooter as your #1 choice. It's fast, convenient, and there isn't much traffic on the island. A scooter will cost about 500 NT per day to rent. When braking on hills, use both brakes, otherwise you could lose traction on one tire and skid. Don't stop or park on a slope. Also, some hills that are too steep are closed off for scooters. By Car/Taxi: You can rent a car or hire a taxi for 200O NT per day. By Bus: There is a bus that goes around the island, but wait times can be 30 minutes or more. When to go: We recommend going between April and June when the "blue tear" phosphorescent microbes in the water will be the most visible at night. Also, winters can be cold and windy and summers very hot, and there could also be typhoons in the summer and fall. Map: Please see below: 
Shimen Cave (aka Shimendong) is a sea cave on the Northwest Coast of Taiwan, in Shimen District of New Taipei. Its name (literally "stone gate") is the namesake for Shimen District in New Taipei. It is one of the major natural attractions along Taiwan's north coast.
Background: The sandstone that forms the Shimen Cave formation was created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The cave itself was formed by wave erosion on the cave. Shimen Cave was named a protected natural sight in 1933 during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, but has not had the same status since after WWII. Now two marble tablets sit on either side of the cave, put there by government leaders during the ROC martial law period. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial Highway 2 from either Tamsui or Keelung North to Shimen. The Shimen Cave sits on the very northern edge of Shimen District. By Bus: Take Keelung bus from either Danshui MRT station or Keelung TRA station. You can also take the yellow and white North Coast Shuttle Bus to Shimendong station. Map: Please see below: 
Daqiu Island is a small island in Matsu (Lienchiang County), Taiwan that is home to hundreds of wild Sika Deer, and is a "deer watching paradise.“ Once home to a small village, then ROC military base, this island is now home to only one man that takes care of the hundreds of deer on the small island. It is a worth while day trip for anyone visiting the Matsu Islands.
Background: Thousands of years ago, stone aged peoples once inhabited the Matsu Islands, including Daqiu Island itself. These stone aged people later disappeared. The Matsu islands were inhabited again around theSong Dynasty (990 - 1200 AD) by Chinese Fisherman, the descendants of whom still inhabit the islands today. Daqiu Island literally means "Big Hill" in Chinese. This is because the entire island is one big hill. Around 200 years ago, these fisherman started to inhabit Daqiu Island. At its height in 1970, the island had 45 households and 280 inhabitants. Due to poor quality of life, over fishing, and inconvenient transportation, most the of the inhabitants slowly moved to other islands in Mastu or Taiwan. In 1990, the last family on the island, surnamed Chen, moved off the island, leaving only soldiers and a military base as inhabitants. In 1996, the military base on Daqiu Island closed down, leaving it an uninhibited ghost island. In 2009, one man decided to move back to the island and start a tourist business based on the deer living on the island. Currently there are regular ferry boats to Daqiu from Nangan during the summer, but in winter the boats must be chartered. Why are there Sika Deer on Daqiu Island? Sika Deer were originally raised in Matsu during the Chinese Civil War (1950-1970s) as a food supply for soldiers to eat. However the soldiers did not like deer meat that much, and as tensions with China eased, the practice was discontinued. The 13 deer that remained were sent to Daqiu Island in 1981 and left to become wild. Now there are around 200 deer living on the island. When to go: We recommend going In Spring to early Summer (April to June). If you go earlier it will not be so hot during the day, and you will be able to see the Blue Tear phosphorescent microbes in the water at night all around Matsu. In the winter it is cold and windy, so we do not recommend going then. How to get there: Public Ferry from Nangan Fu'Ao Harbor (福澳港) (April to October): 350 NT round trip per person （Stops at Baisha Harbor in Nangan) Nangan departure times: 9:50 AM, 1:30 PM, Daqiu departure times: 12:10 Noon, 3:40 PM Trip takes about 20 minutes. Public Ferry from Beigan Qiaozi Harbor (橋仔港) (May to October): 300 NT round trip per person Beigan departure times: 8:30 AM, 2:30 PM, Daqiu departure times: 10:30 AM, 4:30 PM https://hotels.matsu.idv.tw/ferry.php Trip takes about 10 minutes. Chartered ferries: Around 300 NT per round trip. Ask your hostel in Beigan (like we did) or try the following phone numbers (in Chinese):龍福號娛樂漁船：馬祖北竿鄉塘岐村273-8號 電話0836-55077、0836-55661、傳真：0836-55662 梅花公主1號娛樂漁船：馬祖北竿鄉塘岐村272號 電話0910-884660、0836-55518 大雄壹號娛樂漁船：馬祖北竿鄉塘岐村240號 電話0836-55036、0928-146051 Map: Please see below: 
The Wanli UFO Houses (aka Futuros) are a neighborhood of abandoned futuristic houses near Wanli Beach (aka Emerald Bay, Green Bay, or Feicuiwan) in Wanli District of New Taipei, and are some of the most popular urban exploration and Instagram destinations in northern Taiwan.
If you are looking for the Sanzhi UFO houses (三芝飛碟屋), stop looking; the Sanzhi UFO houses were destroyed in 2010. There are UFO houses all around Taiwan, but Wanli has the largest group of these houses. Go see them soon before they are demolished too! Background: The UFO house village was created in the 1970s by a Taiwan construction company. At the time during martial law, Wanli beach was one of the few places that American servicemen could enjoy a beach vacation, as most beaches were closed off at the time. These UFO houses had these servicemen in mind. However, a slowing economy and the severing of official diplomatic ties with the USA prevented the area from taking off, and the UFO resort town fell into decay. For a more complete historical background on this area, check out this blog by Josh Ellis. Common Courtesy When Visiting:
Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Bus: There are many buses that pass the area. You'll want to get off at Green Bay (翡翠灣). By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach the Howard Green Bay Resort. Map: Please see below: 
The Pingxi Railway in New Taipei has some of the most popular attractions in Northern Taiwan. With a total of 7 stations (plus 2 if you count Ruifang and Houtong), there are endless places to explore, eat, hike, and enjoy Taiwan's history, culture, and natural beauty all in one place.
Background: Before the Pingxi Railway was built, during the Qing Dynasty a section of the Danlan Old Trail ran through roughly the same area, connecting Yilan to Tamsui. The Japanese completed the Pingxi Railway in 1921 in order to transport coal from the area. Most all of the stations and villages along the line were economically reliant on the coal industry until its downfall in the late 1990s. The coal industry remained strong after the ROC took over Taiwan after WWII, but slowly waned in the 1980s and 1990s due to the decrease in global coal prices. In the year 2000, Sanxia’s Lifeng Mine shut down operations, and Taiwan’s mining company closed, and thus all coal mining in Taiwan effectively stopped. The Pingxi Railway is a single track that is 12.9 KM long with 7 stations. Recently the government has offered many plans to connect the Pingxi Railway to the Taipei MRT via Jingtong to Jingmei, however due to many factors these plans have never been approved. The area around Pingxi and Ruifang is made up of sedimentary rock which easily erodes, creating many large waterfalls such as Shifen Falls, and pointy jagged peaks like the Pingxi Crags. Popular activities along the Pingxi Railway include hiking, river tracing, eating at one of the many old streets, setting off sky lanterns, and exploring the many historical coal mining sites. Hours: The first train reaches Sandiaoling daily at 5:25 AM and the last train leaves Jingtong at 8:33 PM. Price: 80 NT per person for a one day pass When to go: Any time of year is great. However, waterfalls are most enjoyable during the hot summer, and you may want to come for lantern festival when hundreds of sky lanterns are set off at once. To avoid crowds and packed trains, do not go on weekends or holidays. How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, buy the Pingxi Railway line one day pass, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at any station! By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. You can drive right or left to reach all of the stations on the Pingxi Railway line. But please know there is limited car parking around the stations. Map: Please see below: 
Bishan Campground (aka Bishan Camping Area) in Neihu District of Taipei City is the only free campground run by Taipei City. Near the campground is Bishan Temple, which has one of the best views of Taipei. Besides camping and temple worship, the area is also a popular hiking spot, and there are multiple tourist farms and tea shops to explore.
How to apply for a camping spot: You can apply using this online form (it's in English!): http://gisweb.taipei.gov.tw/TPCamp/en/ABishan.aspx You must apply at least 7 days in advance, but no more than 30 days in advance. You must enter your passport ID or Taiwan ID. You can check the status of the application online as well. For more info, check here (Chinese): https://www.geo.gov.taipei/mp10504b/ Price: Free Utilities:
Hours: Camping time starts at 2 PM and ends at 1 PM the next day. You can only stay for two nights at a time. How to get there: By Bus: You can take a bus to about 1 KM away from the campsite, but then you have to walk with all of that gear. If that's not what you want then you should take a taxi or your own vehicle. By Scooter/Car: From East Neihu, drive up Bishan Raod (碧山路) until you see the campground. It's hard to miss. Map: Please see below: 
Sandiaoling is a small station along the Pingxi Railway in Ruifang District of New Taipei, near Shuoren Village that was once reliant on coal mining. Officially the first station along the Pingxi Line, it is popular with hikers for nearby trails to waterfalls. The village also has a few historical sites such as the defunct Sandiao Mine and the abandoned Shuoren Elementary School. There are also quite a few tea and coffee shops here, perfect for resting hikers to relax. Sandiaoling Station is the only train station in Taiwan that is inaccessible by car; it can only be reached by foot.
Background: The name Sandiaoling Comes from the Spanish name Santiago, which was the name the Spanish gave to the of the nearby Fulong Village and Santiaogo Cape in when they landed there in 1626. Sandiao is the Taiwanese transliteration of Santiago. During the Qing Dynasty, Sandiaoling was also a town along the Danlan Old Trail that connected Taipei to Yilan. The Pingxi Line was completed in 1921 by the Japanese for coal transport, and opened to travelers in 1929. The reason that Sandiaoling Station is inaccessible by road is that originally it was only meant as a stop for railway workers who were directing trains at the fork here. Trains from Sandiaoling can either go up the Pingxi Line or travel on to Yilan. Another reason is that the Keelung River acts as a natural barrier to the nearest road. In 1968, another track was added between Houtong Station and Sandiaoling Station, so as to prevent train accidents, as Sandiaoling is a convergence of the Pingxi and Yilan lines. Coal mining at Sandialing stopped in the 1980s with the decline of the coal industry in Taiwan. In 2018, there were an average of 86 passengers per day to Sandiaoling Station. Hours: 24/7 （first train comes at about 5:30 AM, last train leaves at about 10:30 PM, with one train coming every half hour or so) How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Sandiaoling Station, and you have arrived! By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shuangxi. You then need to take highway 102 past Mudan (牡丹) and then turn left onto Houmu Public Road (侯牡公路), take it to the end and you will reach Shuoren Village near Sandiaoling Station (you then need to walk about 5 mintues to get the station). Map: Please see below: 
In an area full of majestic waterfalls, Sandiaoling's Three Tiered Waterfall Trail near Sandiaoling Station could be the most spectacular, with three large waterfalls over 30 meters tall in a row next to each other.
Background: There are many waterfalls along the Keelung River valley which runs through Pingxi and Ruifang; this is due to easily eroding sedimentary rock that makes up the terrain, which also makes for odd shapes and holes along rivers. The Sandiaoling waterfalls lie on a tributary of the Keelung River, in a mountain valley above the former mining village of Sandiaoling. Coming from Sandiaoling, the first waterfall you will see on the trail is Hegu Waterfall (合谷瀑布) which consists of two falls, the higher falls are 25 meters high and 9 meters wide, and the lower falls are 15 meters high and 6 meters wide. The second or middle waterfall is Motian Waterfall (摩天瀑布) which is 41 meters tall and 7 meters wide; it perhaps the tallest waterfall along the Pingxi Railway. The third or highest waterfall along the trail is Pipa Waterfall (aka Pipadong Waterfall 枇杷洞瀑布), and is about 31 meters high. Difficulty: This hike is moderately challenging; the whole hike take about an hour or two but there are ropes, chains, and ladders along the way, making for some gnarly climbs near the the top two waterfalls. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Sandiaoling Station, then walk along the tracks to Shuoren Elementary School (碩仁國小); the trail starts at the entrance of the school. By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. Then take highway 106 to Wufenliao (五分寮), and take the road down to the trail head, where there is plenty of free parking. From here the first waterfall you will come across is Pipadong Waterfall (coming down from above). You can also drive to Sandiaoling Station and use the directions above. Map: Please see below: 
Fulong Beach is my favorite beach in greater Taipei. It is easily accessible by public transportation (TRA Gongliao Station) has beautiful golden sand, a large shallow swimming area, and tons of food options within walking distance. The paid part of the beach features sand sculptures and lifeguards, while the free part of the beach is less clean but there are no annoying lifeguards to whistle at you all the time, making it a foreigners paradise.
Background: Fulong Beach lies next to Fulong Village in Gongliao District of New Taipei, at the mouth of the Shuang River. It is special in Taiwan for its rare golden color. The beach has been a popular swimming destination since the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. In 1959, the TRA created public showers and bridge that goes to the other side of the sandbar that you see today. The Fullon hotel resort sits in front of the paid beach and is a popular destination for Taipei residents. Taiwan's fourth nuclear reactor lies in the background of the beach, but it has never been operational and likely never will be due to the anti-nuclear power movement in Taiwan. Near the beach one can go camping at Longmen campground or biking on the Caoling bicycle loop. Price: Paid Fullon Hotel Beach: 100 NT per person Public beach next to Dongxing Temple: Free Hours: Paid Fullon Hotel Beach: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (extended to 9 PM on Sat/Sun in summer) Public beach next to Dongxing Temple: 24/7 When to go: May to October when the weather is nice and the water is warm. Winter on the northeast coast is cold and windy. Fulong sand sculpture season dates: April 19th - August 25th (2019). How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA train to Fulong Station. Walk straight from the station down to the beach! By Car/Scooter: Take provincial higway 2 from Qidu in Keelung through the mountains past Shifen and Shuangxi until you reach Gongliao on the coast. The beach is right in front of the train station, and there is free parking in front of Dongxing Temple. Map: Please see below: 
The Taiwan Coal Museum (aka New Pingxi Coal Mine Museum) is a former coal mine turned museum near Shifen Station on the Pingxi Railway line. Here you can ride in era coal carts and have an authentic experience of Taiwan coal mining life. The mine is the only one in Taiwan that still holds mining rights, and the only one with operating "one eyed monk" electric locomotives that you can actually ride.
Background: The museum is located on the old site of the New Pingxi Coal Mine (新平溪煤礦) which started operations in 1965. However by 1997 the mine had closed down due to lower prices for importing coal. The museum was completed in 2001 as the Taiwan Coal Mine Museum, then renamed in 2012 as the New Pingxi Coal Mine Museum under new management. The Pingxi Railway was completed in the 1920s during the Japanese colonization of Taiwan, in order to ship coal from mines nearby. The area around Pingxi was once the most prosperous mining locations Taiwan, bringing in hundreds of thousands of tons of coal in a year. However the coal mining industry died down and the mining industry was shut down due to safety issues and low coal prices in the 1990s, Price: 200 NT per person Hours: 9 AM - 5PM, tickets are no longer sold after 4 PM. How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Shifen Station, and the walk up the hill the highway 2 north until you reach the museum. It's about a 15-20 minute walk from the station. By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin; the museum is on your left after the tunnel right before you reach the Shifen bridge. Map: Please see below: 
Shenkeng Old Street is one of the largest and busiest old streets in New Taipei, known for its famous tofu delicacies, and old Taiwan feel. Here one can enjoy delicious food, beautiful scenery, and buy nostalgic Taiwan related souvenirs. The Tofu here is truly incredible; Shenkeng is known as the Tofu capital of Taiwan, so you should definitely stop by here on your next trip to Taipei.
Background: During the Qing Dynasty, the town of Shenkeng 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 Shenkeng was on the Southern Path. The Southern Path winded from Mengjia Old Street to Liuzhangli, then to Shengkeng which was a major business center at the time. From Shenkeng the road then went to Shiding, Pinglin, and then Yilan. The Southern path was the quickest way to Yilan. In addition, there was a boat dock in Shenkeng that connected it to Mengjia Old Street in what is now central Taipei, making it an important shipping point for tea grown in the mountains nearby. During the Japanese Era in 1915, Shenkeng Old Street was made wider by knocking out the first floors on each side of the street for pedestrian traffic, which can still be seen today as a defining feature of Shenkeng Old Street. After World War 2, the train to Yilan replaced the need for a boat dock for shipping in Shenkeng, and the town slowly fell out of importance. National Highway 3 and National highway 5 were constructed near Shenkeng in 1993 and2006 respectively, making Shenkeng again an important stop on the way to Yilan. In 2008 the New Taipei City government along with local residents created the Shenkeng Historical District and paved the way for the restoration and tourism on the old street. Since then it has been a major tourist attraction for Taiwanese locals. Delicacies: Local delicacies at Shengkeng Old Street include Stinky Tofu, Fried Tofu, Tofu Hot Pot, Tofu Ice Cream, Read Bean Soup, Zongzi, and various other tofu related products. Tofu in Chinese cuisine is similar to cheese in the West. It requires fermentation creating various flavors. Hours: Every Day from about 10 AM to 10 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 afternoon when it is not as busy, How to get there: By Scooter: Take local highway 106 east from Muzha (Wenshen District) or local highway 109 south from Nangang District. The old street is right in the middle of town. You can park for free at the park to the north of the old street. By Car: You can take national Highway 5 and get off at the Shiding exit, or take National Highway 3 and get off at the Shenkeng Exit. There is parking near the southern entrance in the form of a mechanical parking garage, and there is also underground parking under the park to the north of the old street. By Bus: There are a number of buses that pass by the old street coming from Wenshan District or Nangang District of Taipei that leave from near the Blue Line Nangang Exhibition Center Station or Brown line MRT Taipei Zoo/Muzha Station. Map: Please see below: 
You've heard of Taipei (Tainorth 臺北) Taichung (Taimiddle 臺中) Taitung (Taieast 臺東) and Tainan (Taisouth 臺南), but what about Taixi (Taiwest 臺西)? It exists. It's a small coastal township in Yunlin County, with the main industry there being oyster harvesting. There isn't much to see here besides oyster farms and wetlands, but I still recommend going there at least once for bucket list checking purposes.
Background: Taixi was first colonized by Chinese people in the 1800s, first by the Ting family, which were Muslim Chinese that immigrated from Fujian province. They built a mosque there, but over time the family all converted to Taoism, and the mosque has since been converted into a Taoist Temple. Now, over 70 percent of the people living in Taixi are descendants from the Ting family. The main industry here is oyster farming, but radish farming and eco-tourism of the local wetlands and Taixi Seaside Park also bring in some income. A large section of sea off the coast of Taixi also has been planned for land reclamation for industrial use. Currently there are 24,212 people living in the township, which is divided into 15 villages. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 How to get there: By Car: Take National Highway 1 to Yunlin, then take wither Freeway 61 or 78 west to Taixi. Scooter: Take Freeway 17 along the west coast of Taiwan until you reach the town, which is on the northern coast of Yunlin. By Bus: From the Yunlin High Speed Rail Station, you can take the city bus to Taixi, which is about an hour bus ride away. Map: Please see below: 
Lingjiao Old Street is a small street next to Lingjiao Station and the famous Lingjiao Waterfall. The old street has not been commercialized like the other popular old streets on the Piongxi Railway. Now that the Taiwan coal mining boom is over, the old street is a relic of the past that has stayed basically unchanged from those times.
Background: The town of Lingjiao was named because it sits at the foot of a mountain (the name meaning literally "foot of the peak"). Lingjiao was a mining town on the Pingxi Railway, and a station there was completed during the Japanese Era in 1929. From about 2000, the Taiwan coal mine industry had shut down due to the low cost of importing coal and safety issues involved with coal workers. As of 2018, only an average of 28 people a day visit the station, probably most of which go to visit Lingjiao Waterfall. Perhaps the most impressive historical building in the area is the Tsai Residence, which we will cover in the blog below. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Lingjiao Station. By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. Then turn right and go west on county road 106 until you reach the Lingjiao Station turnoff. Map: Please see below: 
Orchid Island (not to be confused with the Fijian Island of the same name), known in the the local Tao language as Ponso No Tao (Island of the people), and in Chinese as Lanyu (蘭嶼) is a secret indigenous people's paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. It is different than any other place in Taiwan, and has the best preserved indigenous culture anywhere in the country. If Taiwan's best tourist activity is experiencing the culture of Taiwan's indigenous peoples, then Lanyu has the best tourist experience anywhere in Taiwan.
Background: History: Orchid Island became inhabited about 800 years ago by the Tao indigenous people (達悟族) (aka Yami people 雅美族, which is a name coined by the Japanese, but the native people prefer Tao), which are thought to have traveled from the Batanes Islands in the Philippines , which are a little less than 200 KM away, cut off by the Bashi Channel. However Orchid Island is very different than the Philippines. Beginning in1644, some Dutch Sailors were sent to investigate the island, and some settled there among the natives. Because of this, the Island was known as Red Head Island (紅頭嶼) by the Chinese and the Japanese. After the Dutch were defeated in Taiwan, Lanyu was claimed but not controlled by the Qing Dynasty. The Japanese claimed the Island shortly after the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, but protected it as an "ethnological research site" and forbid outsiders from entering. After the Republic of China took over Taiwan following the end of WWII, they continued to ban visitors to the island until 1967, after which tourists were allowed to enter and public schools were built there. Christian missionaries began preaching and living on the island starting in the 1950s, and now basically all native people on the island are Christian (mixed with traditional beliefs). However Christianity was introduced much earlier starting with the Dutch in the 1600s although to a lesser extent. In 1982 a nuclear waste storage plant was built on the south side of the Island without the islanders consent, causing protests from the inhabitants. Also because of this, the Island inhabitants receive free electricity. The island is volcanic in nature, with the last major eruption being over 5 million years ago. The highest mountain is 552 meters (1,811 feet). Currently there are 2,400 people permanently living on the island, 90% of them being of native Tao descent. Tao Culture: The Tao people number in about 2,000 living on Orchid Island, with about another 2,000 living on the Taiwan mainland. The Tao people rely on the sea for survival, and much of their traditions and lifestyle is centered on fishing. The Tao people are mostly Christian but also still practice many of their traditional beliefs. However their ancestral religion included a pantheon of Gods. Traditional roles for men are fishing while roles for women include harvesting taro and sweet potato and weaving. The men usually fish at night or early morning and rest on traditional wooden platforms during the day. Boats are made from planks of wood and are painted with red, white, and black. The boat usually has human figures, waves, and the traditional sun image (red and black circles and sun rays) which is said to warn off evil spirits. Boats are considered sacred and the ultimate human creation. There is also a launching ceremony for new boats in which traditional clothes and headgear (such as silver helmets for men and wooden hats for women) are worn, pigs are slaughtered, and the boat is lifted into the air multiple times before being set in the water. Traditional clothes include loin cloths and vests for men, and aprons and vests for women. Young people on the street usually do not wear traditional dress. Flying Fish Festival: There are three basic seasons on Lanyu: one is the flying fish season when flying fish can be easily caught and used in and lasts from February to May. The other seasons are from May to October and October to February, when flying fish cannot be caught for ceremonial use. There are many taboos during flying fish season which are discussed below. The Flying Fish Festival lasts from aboutMarch to October when flying fish are caught. During this time many ceremonies take place such as for the beginning of the festival, plentiful harvest, etc. During the festival, there are multiple migrations of flying fish species near Lanyu. There are many taboos during this time, especially when it comes to catching and eating flying fish which are the main life source of the Tao people. Weather and Climate: The island has a tropical rain forest climate, with average high temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees year round. The rainy months are in summer, especially due to Typhoons, but the most sunny days are also in summer (expect a lot of sun), and the most rainy days are in winter. Summer is the tourist season, but spring and fall are also popular times to visit. Winters are said to be dreary, cold, and have constant northeastern winds that can stop airplanes and ferries from departing to the island. When to go: The best time to go they say is around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons which can cancel your transportation to the island. Typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be cold, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. Taboos: General Taboos:
How to get there: By Plane: The only planes to and from Orchid Island come from Taitung. Flight times: As of the time of this blog, there were six flights per day byDaily Air Corporation from about8 AM to 4 PM (Please note their website is only in Chinese). The flight from Taitung to Lanyu takes about 25 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be cancelled due to high winds or unfavorable weather. Costs: NT 1428 to Lanyu and NT 1360 from Lanyu. By Boat: There are two places that offer ferry rides to Lanyu: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港） in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港). There are also two ferry companies that operate at both harbors. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at the same time for the same price (2300 NT per person round trip). Ferry Boat costs: 2300 NT per person round trip from both Taitung or Pingtung. Both ferry companies have the same price. Ferry Boat Times: 7:30 AM departure, 9:30 AM arrival to Lanyu. 1:00 PM departure, 3:00 PM arrival to Lanyu. 10:00 departure from Lanyu, 12:00 arrival to Taitung or Pingtung. 3:30 PM departure from Lanyu, 5:30 PM arrival to Taitung or Pingtung. Both ferry companies depart and arrive at the same time to both locations. Getting around the island: Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours. Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance. Scooter Rental: Price: expect 500 NT per day. Be sure to book your rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed. I am 100% percent certain you do not need a Taiwan local license to rent scooters here, however they may ask for an international license (but I'm fairly sure they will let you rent without one). Helmet wearing is not enforced at all as you will quickly find, but it's still the law. Also be careful to not hit any goats because they wander as they please. There is only one gas station next to Kaiyuan Fishing Harbor. Car Rental: Price: expect 2000 NT per day. Don't rent a car unless you absolutely need to. Renting scooters should be sufficient for most travelers. Accommodation: Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in summer months and on weekends, when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance. AirBnb has the most choices, however there is also a nice selection on Booking.com. Here is a list of every registered hostel on the island, but it is in Chinese. My hostel required that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (this may not be an option if you are a foreign traveler, so make sure they accept credit cards if you do not have a Taiwan bank account). Expect to pay 2000 - 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Lanyu. Map: Please see below:  My wife's mother was born in Erlun Township, Yunlin County, Taiwan (二崙鄉, 雲林縣) in the 1960s. When she was a little girl, she was raised in a Sanheyuan (三合院) owned by her grandfather. Her father owned a spot of land next to the elementary school. When she was in elementary school her father built this house. Originally it was two stories. The house was built for about 100,000 NT at the time.
This abandoned and decaying house is nothing special; there are thousands of similar abandoned houses throughout Taiwan, especially in rural areas. However, it's story perhaps can shed some light on the individual struggles of the Taiwanese people as well as the changes going on in Taiwan society as a whole. 
Maokong is only one of a few Gondolas in Taiwan, but it is the most accessible. You can get there via the Taipei MRT. After embarking on the Gondola, you can view grand vistas of Southern Taipei, and then explore the mountainous streets of Maokong, which has tea shops, street food, restaurants, temples, hiking trails, and great views.
Background: The Maokong Gondola was completed in 2007 to improve transportation to Maokong, a tea growing area in Southern Wenshan District of Taipei City. Before, the district could only be reached by small mountain roads. The Gondola was closed from 2008-2010 due to Typhoon damage. Popular activities in the area include tea drinking, hiking, and picture taking. There are four stations on the Gondola: Taipei Zoo Station, Taipei Zoo South Station, Zhinan Temple Station, and Maokong Station. A one way trip takes 12 minutes, and gondola cars which can fit up to eight people (five people in glass cars) come every few seconds. Maokong gets its name from the eroded holes in the rocks around the area; the name literally means “Cat Hole.” The area has been one of the largest areas for tea production in Taipei since the Qing Dynasty. After the completion of the Gondola in 2007, tourists to the area have increased significantly. Hours: 9 AM to 9 PM Price: 120 NT per person one way from Taipei Zoo Station to Maokong Station. How to get there: By MRT: Take the brown line MRT to the Taipei Zoo station, then walk south a few hundred meters until you reach the gondola station on the east side of the main road. By Car/Scooter: Drive to the Taipei Zoo, and park somewhere on the street or in a parking lot, the walk to the Gondola Station. (You can also take the Gondola from the southern station inside the Zoo or from Zhinan Temple) Map: Please see below: |
Author 作家We are US Expats that have extensive experience living and working 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
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