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

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

How to get around in Changhua?
As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Changhua by taking the train, inter-city bus, or local bus. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. 

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

Baguanshan is perhaps the most famous religious site in Changhua, and has the best views of the city and the surrounding area. It is also known for its large buddha statue and viewing platform. There are also hiking trails and historical sights nearby. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Changhua.

Background:
Baguashan can literally be called "Eight Trigram Mountain" because Bagua means eight triangles placed together, which is said to ward off evil in Buddhism and Daoism. The mountain was named as a key battleground during the  Lin Shuangwen Rebellion, in which a clan of Hakka people rebelled and was crushed by the Qing Dynasty. 
Later during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, the mountain was used as a military base. During the ROC era, local resident Lin Qingyao built a temple here and a giant Buddha in 1956. A veteran's memorial martyr's shrine was also built by the ROC on the mountain.
The mountain itself is only 97 meters above sea level but still provides great views because it is surrounded by flat land. The mountain is slowly rising and in millions of years will create a mountain chain. 

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: Take provincial highway 1 to the foot of the mountain, then turn up. There is limited parking on the side of the road and two paid parking lots which can get full on weekends.
By Train: The mountain is within ten minutes' walking distance from Changhua TRA station.
​
Map:
See below:

Baguashan Red Hair Well is one of the few surviving wells from the Dutch rule of Taiwan. It was an important place to get fresh water in the region and was used as a communal washing area for many local residents. Now it stands as a cultural heritage site for the citizens of Changhua.

Background:
​Because Changhua does not contain many fresh and clean sources of water, a well was made to tap into the Zhuokou River water table. The Red Hair Well was made around 1611 by Dutch colonizers and was often used by Dutch soldiers and missionaries, therefore it was called "Red Hair Well" by the local people. Later a small shrine was made here, and it became a popular spot for local women to make a living washing clothes, due to the good quality clean water here. Even though not many people wash clothes here anymore, if the water is cut off due to natural disasters, you will find many women come to wash clothes here instead. 
Later a metal lid was put over the well to stop children and leaves from falling in. 
In 2008, the well was made a historical monument. 

Price:
Free

Hours: 
24/7

How to get there:
By car/scooter: Take provincial highway 1 to Changhua. The well is at the bottom of Bagua Mountain. 
By Train: You can reach here by foot within 10 minutes of Changhua TRA station. 

Map:
Please see below:

Changhua's Confucius Temple is one of the oldest Confucius Temples in Taiwan and one of the first Academies in Taiwan, dating back nearly 300 years ago. Today it is an important place for Confucian learning and a popular tourist attraction in Changhua. 

Historical Background:
The Changhua Confucius Temple was completed in 1726 during the Qing Dynasty, shortly after the Qing had taken control of western Taiwan. The construction was overseen by the magistrate of Changhua County, Zhang Gao. Later the temple was repaired in 1753 and later expanded. 
During the Japanese era, the Academy (Wen Miao) was used as a school.
After the ROC took Taiwan, the temple was repaired in 1952 and Confucian ceremonies were held on a regular basis. Later the temple was renovated in 1978.  
​The temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Changhua.

Hours:
8:30 AM to 5 PM 

Price:
Free
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Changhua Train Station, drive south until you reach provincial highway 19, then turn left until you reach the temple. The temple will be on your left. There is limited paid parking nearby.
By Train: From Changhua Train Station, the temple is within 10 minutes walking distance. 

Map:
Please see below:

If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko National Park. On an island full of mountains, rain forests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. 

Taroko National Park is well known for its  amazing marble cliffs and canyons carved out by the Liwu River. It is also a popular spot for hiking, rafting, and river tracing. If you have the time, come to the East coast and see it. If you don't have time, then make some time!

​History and Background:

Taroko National Park is well known for its  marble cliffs and canyons, and is also known as "The Marble Gorge." Millions of years ago, the rock we see today was sediment at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, but oceanic and tectonic pressure turned it into limestone, and later into marble. Later the Eurasian plate was uplifted where Taiwan is today, and a gorge was cut out of the limestone thanks to the Liwu River. 

Taroko means "human being," from the Truku tribal language. Originally the Tupido Tribe settled in the area of what is now Tianxiang Taiti mesa. They built the Tupido Tribe Trail which was only 30 cm wide, and resided there until they were massacred by the Japanese in 1914. In 1917, the Japanese expanded the original trail made by the Tupido Tribe to 1.5 M and forced aboriginal tribesmen to carry goods along the trail to the east coast. This is now the Zhuilu Old Trail. Currently only 3km of the trail is open to the public. The Japanese created a national park in the Area in 1937, which was disestablished by the ROC in 1945, and then reenstated in as a national park in 1986.

How to get there:
By Car: From Taipei, Take National Highway 5 to Yilan and then drive on the Suhua Highway 9 to Hualien. A few miles before Hualien City, the gorge will be on your right.
By Train: Take the train to Hualien station, and from there you can rent a scooter or car, or take a tour bus to the gorge.
​For more travel information see here.

Hours: 8:30AM-5PM (Zhuilu old trail is open from 7AM to 10PM).

Flying a Drone? 
​Apply for a drone permit here.

Price: Free! (Except Zhuilu old trail, which is 200 NT per adult. See below for more info.)

​Map: Please see a map of the places mentioned in this blog below:

Taiwan is a weird place, especially in the eyes of a western foreigner. In this blog listicle, we have filtered down the 10 most weird places we have visited in Taiwan. Most of these places are not scary, are actually quite beautiful, and you should visit them.

Let's get started. This list is not going to write itself. 

Shibawang Temple in Shimen, New Taipei can trace it's origins to over three hundred years ago. Today it is a popular stop along the north coast especially because of the many Zongzi stalls in front of the temple, selling these delicious snacks. Zongzi were traditionally used as offerings to deities by the local people here. It is a must stop location on your trip to the northeast coast.

Background:
It is said that originally about 300 years ago seven people and one dog were shipwrecked at this site, and a small shrine was built here to honor the dog, who was the lone survivor. Later the area became a graveyard, and a temple was built here around the time of WWII. 
In 1960 Taiwan's Nuclear Plant No. 1 was built on the site. The Taipower Company then rebuilt the temple at the entrance of the plant which was completed in 1975.
The new temple included space for Zongzi stalls and other night market like stalls, and soon it became a popular tourist site as well as religious center, and remains so to this day. Zongzi were traditionally used as offerings to deities by the local people here.
There is also a sister temple further up the mountain with a giant dog statue. 

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 Temple 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 Qianhua or Shibawang station.

Map:
Please see below:

Tianxiang Recreation Area features the widest and most flat terraces within Taroko Gorge. Here you can find Xiangde Temple, Tianfeng Pagoda, Pudu Suspension Bridge, and Silks Place Taroko, which are all surrounded by amazing high canyons and beautiful deep river ravines. It is a must see spot inside Taroko Gorge. 

Background:
Taroko National Park is well known for its  marble cliffs and canyons, and is also known as "The Marble Gorge." Millions of years ago, the rock we see today was sediment at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, but oceanic and tectonic pressure turned it into limestone, and later into marble. Later the Eurasian plate was uplifted where Taiwan is today, and a gorge was cut out of the limestone thanks to the Liwu River. 

Taroko means "human being," from the Truku tribal language. Originally the Tupido Tribe settled in the area of what is now Tianxiang Taiti mesa. They built the Tupido Tribe Trail which was only 30 cm wide, and resided there until they were massacred by the Japanese in 1914. In 1917, the Japanese expanded the original trail made by the Tupido Tribe to 1.5 M and forced aboriginal tribesmen to carry goods along the trail to the east coast. This is now the Zhuilu Old Trail. Currently only 3km of the trail is open to the public. The Japanese created a national park in the Area in 1937, which was disestablished by the ROC in 1945, and then reenstated in as a national park in 1986.

Tianxiang lies 455 meters above seas level, and lies at the convergence of the Dasha River and the Tazijili River, forming the Liwu River. 
Xiangde Temple was built in 1966 shortly after the central cross island highway was finished. It is a Buddhist monetary, and the area was chosen for it's quiet beauty. 

How to get there:
By Car: From Taipei, Take National Highway 5 to Yilan and then drive on the Suhua Highway 9 to Hualien. A few miles before Hualien City, the gorge will be on your right. Tianxiang is 18 KM in.
By Train: Take the train to Hualien station, and from there you can rent a scooter or car, or take a tour bus to the gorge, and then get off at Tianxiang.
​For more travel information see here.

Hours: 24/7

Flying a Drone? 
​Apply for a drone permit here.

Price: Free! 

​Map: Please see below:

Jinshan Old Street (aka Jinbaoli Old Street 金包里老街 Jīnbāolǐ lǎojiē) is a popular historical street in Jinshan District of New Taipei. The most famous delicacy here is duck, but you can also find other traditional Taiwanese snacks among the numerous shops and restaurants here. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taiwan's Northern Coast. 

Background:
The first people to live in the Jinshan Area were plains indigenous peoples. The name "Jinabaoli" comes from the Chinese transliteration of the indigenous name of the place.
Chinese people began to settle here during the late Ming Dynasty, coming mainly from Fujian, and even more came to settle here during the Qing Dynasty. 
During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, a road was built to connect Jinshan to Keelung and Tamsui, making it easier for people to visit. This road was improved in the ROC period to become provincial highway 2. 
Jinshan now has a population of about 22,000 people. 
Currently Jinshan Old Street is a popular place to visit for day-trippers from Taipei. 

Hours:
All day until about 7 PM.

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Keelung, take provincial highway 2 north along the coast until you reach Jinshan. The old street is right in the middle of town and there is free parking on the side of the road not far from the old street.
By Bus: There are buses that leave from Taipei City Hall station to Jinshan hourly. The ride takes about an hour. 
​
Map:
​Please see below:

Checheng Zhenan Temple is an important place for Taiwanese fold religion and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Checheng Township of Pingtung. It is dedicated to Guanyu, a deified military general from the Eastern Han Dynasty of China. It is the most prominent landmark on highway 199 from Taitung to Pingtung. 

Historical Background:
Settlements in Checheng date back to the Kingdom of Tungming, when it was originally called Chaicheng or "firewood city." During the Qing Dynasty the name was changed to Checheng or "cart city."
The earliest recorded temple on this site dates back to 1897, with renovations later in 1915 and 1984. 
The temple is dedicated to Guanyu, a deified military general from the Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He is known as the Guan Holy Emperor. The temple also has deities of Mazu, Jigong, and the Lords of the Three Mountains. Overall this temple can be considered a Taiwan folk religion or Taoist temple. 
The temple features two parts, one normal looking two storey temple, and another four storey temple with a giant statue of Guanyu on top. 

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

Price:
50 NT per person.
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: You can either take the 199 from Taitung or provincial highway 26 south and then turn left on highway 199. IT is hard to miss because it is the highest building around surrounded by farmland. 
By Bus: From Hengchun, take bus 201 to Nandahai Road, after which the temple is only a six minute walk.

Map:
Please see below:

Fo Guang Shan (aka Buddah Light Mountain, Buddah's Light Mountain, or Buddha Memorial Center) is a Buddhist sect based in Dashu District of Kaohsiung. The headquarters in Dashu feature the largest Buddhist monastery in the country along with a 8 pagodas, a large pyramid, huge sitting buddha statue, and Buddha museum. The massive complex can fill a tourists itinerary for more than a day, and is TripAdvisor's top ten tourist landmarks in Taiwan.

Background:
The Fo Guang Shan religion was established by Hsing Yun in 1967, begning with the development of the monastery in Dashu. The religion is focused on Humanistic Buddhism, with an emphasis on technology.
Fo Guang Shan has since grown to be one of the largest charitable organizations in Taiwan. Currently it has established medical programs, several colleges, one university, and has presence in 173 countries.
The Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum started construction in 2008 and was completed in 2011. 
One of the most precious artifacts in the museum is the tooth of Sakyamuni Buddha. The grounds feature eight pagodas, hundreds of statues, 4 different museums, an auditorium, Jade and Golden Buddha Statues, and 48 underground palaces (time capsules).

How to get there:
From Kaohsiung, take provincial highway 29 north to Dashu, and it will be right in front of the National Highway 3 bridge. You can also travel there via public buses.
 
Price:
Free

Hours:
9 AM to 8 PM

Map:
Please see below:

Fengshan County New City in Fengshan District of Kaohsiung is not new, but it was the new rebuilt city after the old city of Fengshan in Zuoying was destroyed in a rebellion. It now stands as a monument to the past with only one surviving city gate and three batteries, from when the Qing Dynasty ruled western Taiwan. The old city sits in a pedestrian shopping area and is a nice place for a stroll. It is definitely worth a visit on your trip to Kaohsiung. 

Historical Background:
After the capture of Taiwan by the Qing Dynasty, they quickly set up a settlement in Zuoying in 1684 because of its strategic location between hills and mountains.
The walls of the Old City of Fengshan first started as earthen walls with a moat in 1721. Before this, the construction of city walls was forbidden by the Qing government to prevent rebellions, but after a rebellion by Chu Yi-kuei (朱一貴) in which he ruined the government buildings there with no protection, the Qing allowed walls to be built.
The uprising by 17 year old Zhu Yigui was successful in exiling the provincial government out of Taiwan after heavy taxation and a bad earthquake had left the people destitute. The Qing took back the capital of Tainan about a month later and Zhu Yigui was executed. 
In 1787 another rebellion by Lin shuang-wen (林爽文) ruined the old city, and afterward the local government relocated to the current Fengshan district of Kaohsiung and created a new Fengshan City in 1788. However the government was still attacked continuously.
In 1826, the government rebuilt the Old Fengshan City walls and improved them. During the Japanese Era, most of the remaining city gates and walls were destroyed for city planning and development purposes.

The New City of Fengshan had six gates and six batteries, and included a bamboo wall and an earthen wall. Currently only one city gate remains intact, as well as three batteries.
Originally there were four gates: the Outer North Gate (外北門, no longer exists), North Gate (北門, no longer exists), Greater East  Gate (大東門, no longer exists), East Minor Gate (東便門,  also known as Tongyi Gate 同儀門 still exists), South Gate (南門, no longer exists, also known as Anhua Gate 安化門), and West Gate (西門, also known as Jinghua Gate 景華門 which no longer exists).
Originally there were also six batteries: Pingcheng Battery (平成砲台, still exists),  Chenglan Fort (澄瀾砲台, extant), Xunfeng Battery (訓風砲台, extant), Yingen Battery (迎恩砲台, destroyed), Dongnan Battery (東南砲台, destroyed), and Dongbei Battery (東北砲台, destroyed).

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free
​
Map:
Please see the existing city gates and batteries marked with red castle icons below, and temples dating back to the old city in orange below:

The Old City of Fengshan in Zuoying is the oldest walled city on the island of Taiwan. It has survived rebellions, raids, and changes of power, and now stands as a well preserved monument to the past, from when the Qing Dynasty ruled western Taiwan. It is definitley worth a visit on your trip to Kaohsiung. 

Historical Background:
After the capture of Taiwan by the Qing Dynasty, they quickly set up a settlement in Zuoying in 1684 because of its strategic location between hills and mountains.
The walls of the Old City of Fengshan first started as earthen walls wiht a moat in 1721. Before this, the construction of city walls was forbidden by the Qing government to prevent rebellions, but after a rebellion by Chu Yi-kuei (朱一貴) in which he ruined the government buildings there with no protection, the Qing allowed walls to be built.
The uprising by 17 year old Zhu Yigui was successful in exiling the provincial government out of Taiwan after heavy taxation and a bad earthquake had left the people destitute. The Qing took back the capital of Tainan about a month later and Zhu Yigui was executed. 
In 1787 another rebellion by Lin shuang-wen (林爽文) ruined the city, and afterward the local government relocated to the current Fengshan district of Kaohsiung and created a new Fengshan City. However the government was still attacked continuously.
In 1826, the government rebuilt the Old Fengshan City walls and improved them, building them with concrete and granite stone, and at the time it was the most advanced city wall in Taiwan. However the city remained mainly unused because it was considered unlucky. 
During the Japanese Era of Taiwan, the Japanese made Zuoying a naval port and changed the area into a military zone. 
Zuoying continued as a military zone during the ROC era, but the old walled city of Fengshan was designated as a national monument.
Major renovations of the walls and gates occured in 1991 and renovations are still ongoing. 
Originally there were four gates: the North (also Gongcheng Gate 拱辰門), South (Ciwen Gate 啟文門), East (Fongyi Gate 鳳儀門), and West Gate (Dianhai Gate 奠海門, no longer exists).

Hours:
24/7

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

The Old Fengshan City Confucius Temple Chongsheng Shrine in Zuoying, Kaohisung dates back to the 17th centruy and is the second oldest Confucious Temple in Taiwan. The temple has survived typhoons, revolts, and allied air raids. Now only a part of it sits in the middle of an elementary school yard.

Historical Background:
The Old Fengshan City Confucius Temple Chongsheng Shrine dates back to 1685 when the first part of the Confucious Temple was built in Fengshan during the Qing Dynasty. It survived revolts, typhoons, other natural disasters, and was constantly repaired and expanded. 
During the Japanese era in 1914, a new public primary school was built and the Confucious temple was incorporated as part of the school. Later, in order to expand dormitories, the sides of the courtyard, main entrance, and main temple were torn down. The spirit tablets were transferred to the Tainan Confucious Temple. 
During allied air raids in Kaohsiung, what was left of the temple was completely destroyed except one building, which was the Chongsheng Shrine.
After the ROC took over Taiwan, the Chongsheng Shrine acted as Kaohsiung's confucious temple until the new Zuoying Confucious Temple could be built in 1976, and most of the important shrine artifacts were moved to the new temple. 
In 1982, the shrine was renovated. Later, more temples were built around Lotus Lake.
Now the shrine sits in the school yard at Fengshan Old City Elementary School, and is thought to bring good luck to the students. 

Hours:
Anytime besides school hours (7:30 AM to 4 PM on weekdays).

Price:
Free

How to Get There:
By Car/Scooter: From central Kaohsiung, go north on provincial highway 17 and then turn north on Zuoyingxia Road. The temple is on your right in the Elementary school yard and is hard to miss. There is free and paid parking all around near Lotus Lake. 
By Train: From the north you can walk to the pond from Zuoying HSR station, or from the south you can walk there from Zuoying Jiucheng TRA Station. 

Map:
Please see below:

The Lotus Pond in Zuoying District of Kaohsiung is one of the most beautiful scenic areas in Taiwan. Much of the lake is full of traditional Chinese temples, gardens, and architecture. Because of its size, it cannot be properly appreciated by only going there for one afternoon; there are simply too many things to see and do there. In this blog, we will provide you a detailed virtual tour of the entire lake.

Historical Background:
Lotus Pond was originally a small natural pond next to what is now the Zuoying Confucious Temple. Starting from 1686 after the Qing Dynasty captured Taiwan from the Kingdom of Tungming, the pond was gradually expanded for water storage and irrigation purposes. Also, lotus plants were cultivated on the pond, giving it its name. It was known as one of the eight beautiful scenes of Fengshan Old City. It also became a hotbed for temple building, and now over 20 temples stand by the lake. 
In 1951 the Qiming Temple, Spring and Autumn Pavilions, and Guanwu God Temple were completed. 
In 1976 the Dragon and Tiger pagodas were completed. 
In 1978 Wuli Pavilion was completed.
Every year over a million visitors come to the park, although these numbers have gone down in recent years due to aging infrastructure and lack of new attractions. It is a haven for retired Taiwanese people to come and relax.
Due to its close proximity to the Zuoying Jiucheng TRA station and Zuoying HSR station, it is also a popular attraction for tourists in Kaohsiung. 

Price:
Free

Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM (Dragon and Tiger Pagodas)
 
How to Get There:
By Car/Scooter: From central Kaohsiung, go north on provincial highway 17 and then turn north on Xinzhuang 1st Road. The pond is on your left and is hard to miss. There is free and paid parking all around the lake. 
By Train: From the north you can walk to the pond from Zuoying HSR station, or from the south you can walk there from Zuoying Jiucheng TRA Station. 

Map:

Yinhedong Waterfall (aka Yinhe Cave Waterfall) is an easily accessible sight in Xindian District of New Taipei, and perhaps the most picturesque in all of Taiwan. It is easily accessible by public transportation, and the hike takes less than ten minutes to get there from the trailhead. The waterfall includes a cave and temple that are great for taking phots. It's spectacular cascading falls are definitely worth a stop for anyone in Taiwan. 

Background:
Yinhedong Waterfall is about 30 meters high and is separated into two parts by a cave in the middle of the waterfall. It is located near the town of Xindian, and it's name literally means "Silver River Cave" or "Milky Way Cave."
The waterfall lies a tributary of the Qingtan River which runs down tho the Xindian River, which runs into the Tamsui River. The rocks here easily erode, making for odd shapes in the riverbed. 
The earliest known discovery of the waterfall is by Chen Qiuju, who led a rebellion against the Japanese and used the cave as his hideout. The Japanese later discovered the cave and in 1914 a temple was built in the cave. The temple was renovated in 1958, and now the main god worshipped is Guanyin Bodhisattva. 
Now the waterfall is a popular attraction in the mountains of New Taipei with many other popular trails nearby. ​

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Gondola: From Xindian MRT station, you can take the green 12 bus to Yinhedong Station. According the Google the fastest way to get to Yinhe Cave from central Taipei is by taking the Maokong Gondla to Maokong Station, then taking the trail down to Yinhe Road and the waterfall trail entrance. I't about a hal hour or 2KM walk from the Maokong Gondola to the trail entrance. 
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 9 east from Xindian toward Pinglin, then turn left off the main highway once you reach Yinhe Road. The waterfall is to the right of the first switchback in the road, and car and scooter parking are free on the side of the road near the entrance.
​​
Map:
Please see below

Cheng Ching Lake (aka Cheng Cing Lake or Ching Qing Lake) in Kaohsiung is one of the most beautiful parks in Taiwan. Much of the lake is full of traditional Chinese gardens and architecture. Because of its size, it cannot be properly appreciated by only going there for one afternoon; there are simply too many things to see and do there. In this blog, we will provide you a detailed virtual tour of the entire lake.
 
People often don’t realize that Kaohsiung has a lot to offer to tourists. Many of the places down south aren’t represented as well in English as other sites in Taipei, which is why we want to help everyone realize what a great place it is. I used to live in Kaohsiung and exercised at Cheng Ching Lake daily, and it was like living in paradise every day. There are many Kaohsiung residents that visit the lake daily for free, and I envy them.

Historical Background:
Cheng Ching lake is the largest lake in Kaohsiung. Originally it was only a small irrigation pond, but in 1940 the Japanese diverted water here from the Gaoping River to act as a water supply for the surrounding area. During that time it was called Dabei Lake (大埤湖), however Chiang Kai-Shek (the leader of the ROC) renamed it Cheng Ching Lake (澄清湖) in 1963.
The ROC army used the lake as a base shortly after the Chinese Civil War, and built an underground tunnel and bunker to prevent against nuclear attack, which has now been converted into the Cheng Ching Lake Exotic Marine Life Museum. The lake contains a number of memorials to ROC soldiers, such as memorial plaques, army veterans mausoleum, and Fuguo island to commemorate soldiers that fled to the island of the same name in Vietnam during the Chinese Civil War.
The lake is meant to resemble Xihu (西湖, west lake) in Hangzhou, China. Chiang Kai-shek built a winter chateau on the lake, one of 30 guests houses that were built for him in Taiwan. 
Surrounding the lake are a number of other notable sites including the Kaohsiung Yuanshan Hotel Resort, Cheng Ching Lake Baseball Field, Cheng Ching Golf Club, Kaohsiung number 7 waterworks station, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and Cheng Ching Lake Youth Activity Center.
Chengqing Lake is also a water source for a large area of Kaohsiung. Because of this (as well as risk of drowning), fishing and swimming in the lake are forbidden.
Every year over a million visitors come to the park, although these numbers have gone down in recent years due to aging infrastructure and lack of new attractions. It is a haven for retired Taiwanese people to come and relax, and more and more young people seem to forget it exists.

Price:
100 NT per person
50 NT for students, 60/100 NT for cars (there is a discount for cars on weekdays), and 30 NT for scooters.
Kaohsiung residents: free!

Hours: 4 AM - 9 PM (no entry after 6 PM)
 
How to Get There:
By Car/Scooter: There are two entrances to the park, one on the north side and one of the south side. There are plenty of places to park once inside. The price is 60/100 NT for cars (there is a discount for cars on weekdays), and 30 NT for scooters.
By Bus: From the Weiwuying MRT station, you can take the 70A bus straight to the main entrance.

Map:

The Kaohsiung Confucius Temple (aka Qishan Confucius Temple) is the largest Confucius Temple in Taiwan. It was built over the former Qishan Shinto Shrine. Today it is an important place for Confucian learning and a popular tourist attraction in former Kaohsiung County. 

Historical Background:
The Kaohsiung Confucius Temple was completed in 1985 over the ruins of the former Qishan Shinto Shrine.  Covering an area over 4 hectares, it is the largest Confucius Temple in Southeast Asia, if you count Taiwan as Southeast Asia.
The Qishan Shinto Shrine was built in Gushan Park in 1936. It was later destroyed by the KMT after the Japanese left Taiwan after WWII. Parts of the original Shinto Shrine can be found around the park.
Qishan's Confucius Temple is not the only Confucius temple in Taiwan. There is another one in Zuoying, so the temples trade years for annual Kaohsiung Confucius ceremonies. 

Hours:
9 AM to 5 PM (closed on Mondays)

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Kaohsiung, take National Highway 10 or provincial highway 28 to Qishan. The temple is on the top of the hill near the center of town. 
By Bus: From Zuyping HSR station, you can take the E01A bus to Qishan. It's about a 20 minute walk from the Qishan Bus Station. 

Map:
Please see below:

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

How to get there:
By Train: Take the TRA to Shuangxi Station, the old street is a short walk south.
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.

Map:
​Please see below:

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

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

Hours:
9 AM to 5PM, closed Mondays

Price:
Free

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

Map:
Please see below:

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

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

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

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

Map:
Please see below:

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

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

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

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

Map:
Please see below:

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

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

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

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

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

Map: 
​Please see below:

Chukou Village in Fanlu Township (番路鄉) of Chiayi is a pleasant stop along the Alishan Highway, It features multiple suspension bridges, mountain temples, rivers and waterfalls, and lots of hikes. If you have time you should definitely stop here and enjoy the scenery. 
​
Background:
Fanlu gets its name from the Cou Tribe that named the area Fan Village, and was an important trading spot between Han Chinese settlers and indigenous tribes-people. Fanlu Township was briefly a part of Tainan county after WWII, but was moved back to Chiayi county in 1951. Currently it has 11,000 residents. 
When the Alishan Forest Railway is damaged, this placed becomes an important stop for many travelers along the Alishan Highway.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Chiayi, take provincial highway 18 east until you reach the first switchbacks up the mountain. Chukou Village is at the base of the mountain; it's hard to miss. 
By Bus: From Chiayi Bus Station, take bus 7216A to Chukou Station (about 1.5 hours).

Map:
​Please see below:
​

The Chung Tai Shan Monastery in Puli, Nantou County (aka Chung Tai Chan Buddhist Temple) is a large monastery, built by the same architect that built the Taipei 101. The building features a full size wooden pagoda inside the main tower, as well as a Buddhism museum. It is the tallest Buddhist Monastery in the world. 

​Background:
​The Chungtai Shan Buddhist Temple is a large complex built as the headquarters for the Chung Tai Shan Buddhist Monastic Order.
The Monastic Order was founded in 1987 by Master Wei Chueh. Now the order has branches all over the world.
The monastery itself was completed in 2001, and is 136 meters tall. The cheif architect behind the building was Chu-Yuan Lee, the same architect that built the Taipei 101. It is the tallest Buddhist Monastery in the world, and the second largest in Taiwan behind Foguangshan.

Hours:
8 AM to 5:00 PM every day

Price:
​Free

How to get there:
Car/Scooter: Take County Road 78 out of Puli (Shoucheng Raod) and continue north until you see the large monastery. It is hard to miss. There is free parking near the monastery.
Bus: Take an intercity bus from Taichung to Puli Bus Station. From there, take Nantou Bus 6651C to Chung Tai Monestary Station.
​
Map:
Please see below: