Fuji Harbor (aka Fuji Fishing Port) has one of the best seafood markets on Taiwan's northern coast, and specializes in the locally caught Crucifix Crab. In addition to the Mexican Hat shaped market, there are also quite a few restaurants here. It is definitely worth a stop for all seafood lovers in Taiwan.
Historical Background: Fuji Harbor originally was a very small fishing harbor along the coast. However in the year 2000, plans were made for a tourist fishing port. The construction began in 2009 and was completed in 2011, and began operations in 2013. The architect was Vicente Guallart, and the building was meant to be shaped like a bunch of Mexican hats. The most popular seafood here is the Crucifix Crab, but other crabs, octopus, and lobster are also popular. The area of ocean here sits at a confluence of sea currents, bringing an abundance of nutrients here for the crabs to eat. On weekends and holidays the seafood market is usually packed with people. Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels deals in Taiwan here. Hours: 10 AM - 8 PM every day Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial Highway 2 from either Tamsui or Keelung North to Shimen. The harbor is near downtown and is hard to miss. By Bus: From Tamsui MRT Station, you can take bus 862 to Fugui Cape Lighthouse Station. The harbor is then about a ten minute walk. Map:
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The Tofu Rocks in Hsinchu are really just concrete blocks to preserve the soil along the Touqian River. However, because of their enormous size, ease of walking to them, and unique shape, they have become a popular spot for Instagrammers. Many of the once perfectly square blocks have been worn down to look like Tofu.
Background: These blocks were originally meant to be used as infrastructure to protect the soil along the Touqian River from erosion. From Google Map history, it seems the Tofu Rocks were installed in 2015. Also from Google, search popularity for the term (豆腐岩）reached peak popularity in October 2016. In the years following, the rocks have become a popular Instagram location, and have been used in photos to pretend that the rocks are tofu, piano keys, etc. Most of the time you will not find many people here. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: The rocks are on the south side of the Touqian River near some farm fields. There is a dirt parking lot on the side of the river. By bus: There are no bus stops nearby. The nearest bus stop is by Costco, and it's a 30-minute walk there. Map: 
Lion Park sits above a quiet and beautiful stretch of coastline in Wanli District of New Taipei. There is also a 1 KM pedestrian path that connects the park to Dawulun beach. Popular activities here include hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, and watching the sunset.
Background: The sandstone and sedimentary rock that forms the coastline here 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 rocks here were formed by easily eroding sandstone, with the area underneath being eroded away by the sea and waves. Lion Park in Wanli was created by the Taiwan Lion's Club, Su'Ao chapter. The park includes a pavilion and a large stone sculpture that is popular with Instagrammers. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Drive to Keelung, then from downtown take provincial highway 2 west about 10 KM until you reach Lion Park, and there is some free parking at the park. By Bus: From Keelung, take bus 305 to Dawulun Beach. The park is about a 10 minute walk west along the coast. Map: Please see below: 
Many people lately have been complaining about being cut off while riding a bike or dealing with pedestrians in bike lanes. But what are the laws currently for bicycles in Taipei? What should you know about getting in a bicycle accident in Taiwan? One can search, but the most crucial info is in Chinese. Below we have provided our personal experience, a summary Taiwan bicycle laws, as well as an appendix of the fully translated Taipei/Taiwan bicycle laws for you.
My Experience riding a bicycle in Taipei First I would like to share my experiences with all of you. I have been riding a bicycle in Taipei for over six years now, and I have seen my fair share of accidents. I have collided with people opening their car doors, I have collided with other cyclists, had near misses with busses, and I have collided with bushes, the road, and pedestrians. A few weeks ago, I collided with a woman as we were both trying to cross the street during the green light for a pedestrian crosswalk. She walked out from behind a bus and I did not have enough time to react. My shoulder caught her arm, and she spun around and fell to the ground, while I continued forward. We both were at fault. I crossed the street from the main road, and she was not walking on the crosswalk. In the end, the police came, made a police report, and she was taken to the hospital for a fractured elbow. I tried to offer money for her medical costs, but she refused. She could have sued me for more money but she didn't because she is a nice person. But things could have gone much, much worse. From this experience, I have some basic advice for foreigners riding in Taiwan, especially if you plan on riding in Taiwan long term: Words of advice:
Looking for a bike tour of Taiwn? Click here to search for options. 
The first time I heard of Neiwan old street was when I asked my Mioali native coworker what there is to do in Miaoli. She told me there was a fun place called Neiwan. It turns out, Neiwan isn't even in Miaoli, it's in Hsinchu, but obviously, it is one of the most popular places in north-central Taiwan. I am not an expert on this location, but I would like to share my experience here with the world.
History: During the Japanese rule of Taiwan, Neiwan was mainly a lumber-driven town, as well as other industries such as mining and mineral extraction. Many Japanese-era buildings still remain in the city, such as the well-preserved police station. The main ethnicity here is Hakka, and you can still find lots of traditional Hakka food in Neiwan like their famed Zongzi. Some popular destinations for tourists are the Neiwan Theatre (内灣戲院）, built in 1950 and which was converted into a restaurant (recently closed), as well as the Neiwan Suspension bridge (pictured above). The Neiwan railway was started in 1944 by the ruling Japanese, but construction was interrupted by WWII. It was completed by the ROC government in 1951 to help transport mainly lumber and lime. Now it is used as a commuter train for the suburbs of Hsinchu as well as a destination for tourists. How to get there: By Train: Get off at Zhudong station and then take the Neiwan Liujia line. This takes about an hour from Hsinchu. By Car: From Taipei, take National Highway 3 to the Guanxi Exit and travel down provincial highway 3 to Neiwan. Map: 
Most scooter or car rental shops in Taiwan require foreigners to show their International Driving Permit (IDP) before they can rent. However, sometimes they want to see that you have a Taiwan driver's license. Either way, getting an international driver's permit (IDP) is the best choice if you plan to drive in Taiwan as a foreign tourist.
If you already have a Taiwanese license, you can also apply for an IDP in Taiwan so that you can drive in other foreign countries. Overall, the process is simple, fast, easy, and cost efficient. 
Hsinchu Train Station is the oldest active railway station in Taiwan. It is also one of the most magnificent and largest Japanese-era railway stations still operating in Taiwan. However, plans are underway for a new station, which would likely render this place a mere museum soon. It is definitely worth a look during your next trip to Hsinchu.
Background: The first Han settlers to what is now Hsinchu arrived in the early 1700s. They created the old bamboo city of Zhuqian, which later became a city made of brick and earthen walls. During the Qing Dynasty, Liu Mingchuan completed a railroad on the west side of Taiwan in 1893 that extended from Keelung to Hsinchu as its terminus. An earthen Min-style building was built as the Hsinchu Railway Station at that time. In 1896, a second-generation train station was built in Hsinchu, which was much larger and made of wood. After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1902, they created a new urban plan for Hsinchu and destroyed the old city wall. The railway was also improved, and a newer wooden station was built for Hsinchu, as the third generation station in the same year. Construction began on the fourth generation station in 1908, in front of the surviving Yingxi City Gate. Construction was completed in 1913, costing 22,500 Yen. This version of the station still stands today. The station is built in a fusion of Baroque and Gothic styles, with a steeply sloping tile roof and thick red brick walls. An office building was also built next to it. During WWII, part of the building was damaged during allied bombing raids. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, they repaired damage to the station caused during the war and connected the station to the newly opened Neiwan Line. In 1989, the fan-shaped roundhouse near the station was demolished. In 1994, the roof was upgraded to steel tiles. In 1998, the building was declared a national monument. In 2011, the train station was connected to the Liujia Railway Line which connects to the Hsinchu HSR station. The station was also connected to the Hsinchu Airport Line from 1939 until it was demolished in 2000. Before the pandemic, the station saw about 7 million passengers per year, the 7th busiest station in Taiwan. In the future, the station is planned for a "Hsinchu Grand Station Platform Plan" which will likely mean creating a new station mimicking Osaka station in Japan, and leaving the fourth generation station as a museum, much like has been done in Taichung and Kaohsiung. Price: Free unless you plan to board a train. Hours: 6 AM to Midnight How to get there: Take the TRA to Hsinchu Station. You can also visit from Zhonghua Road Section 2 in Hsinchu. Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels deals in Taiwan here. Map: Please see below: 
The National Taiwan Museum is the oldest and one of the best in the country and focuses on the natural, geological, and human history of Taiwan. Located in downtown Taipei, it is easily accessible, and you can spend an entire afternoon here. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei.
Background: The National Taiwan Museum was originally established in 1908 to commemorate the opening of the north-south railway in Taiwan and began with over 10,000 items related to Taiwan's academia, art, and industry. A Newer building was later built to house the collection in 1915. After the ROC took over Taiwan, it was known as the Taiwan Provincial Museum until 1999 when it changed its name to the National Taiwan Museum. It is the only museum established during the Japanese era that still stands today. The museum also underwent renovations in 2017. The museum has four areas: the main National Taiwan Museum (which is the focus of this blog), the Land Bank Exhibition Hall, Nanmen Park, and Railway Department Park. In the future, the Monopoly Bureau and the Mitsui Bussan Company Building will be added. Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays Price: 30 NT per person. You can book tickets here. How to get there: By MRT: The closest MRT station is NTU Hospital Station, and is about a 5 minute walk from the museum. It is also about a ten minute walk from Taipei Main Station. By car/scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels deals in Taiwan here. Map: 
A sailing class going on off Tainan's Yuguang Island.
With over 100 islands and a coastline of over 1500 KM on the main Island, warm tropical weather, and constant winds, Taiwan is known as a world-class sailing location. Sailing in Taiwan can be an exhilarating experience that provides a unique perspective on the island’s stunning coastline and surrounding waters. With its rich history and culture, Taiwan has become a popular destination for adventure seekers and travelers looking to explore its natural beauty via sailboat.
Brief Historical Background of Sailing in Taiwan: Even though Taiwan has thousands of islands and hundreds of kilometers of coastline, it still does not have a strong sailing culture as compared to other countries. The recreational boating industry in Taiwan only really began in 2009, when the Fisheries Agency began making floating docks for more recreational craft. Those docks are now filled to capacity, so prices are on the rise and demand is high. Boat owners are hopeful that Taiwan's authorities can further expand recreational marinas in Taiwan soon. Non-powered sailing in Taiwan is regulated by the coast guard, but all you have to do is send your itinerary to the coast guard via a smartphone app. Where to Sail in Taiwan: 
Hsinchu Park is full of historical and modern areas to explore. Here you can find a restored Japanese restaurant (which was also formerly an ROC dependents village), the Hsinchu Glass Museum, Hsinchu Confucius Temple, Qing Dynasty Fort, Hsinchu Zoo, and Hsinchu Flower Market. It is also the largest park in Hsinchu. If you don't know what to do in Hsinchu, you can literally stay the entire day in this park.
Background: The Area around Hsinchu Park was originally a hill called "Zhentou Shan" literally meaning "pillow hill," which is 55 meters above sea level. The Japanese formed the area into a park in 1925, the first public park in the area. They also built a martial arts hall here. The original Qing Dynasty Hsinchu Train station was built in the park where the current glass museum stands. The four existing wooden Japanese buildings currently in the park were built in about 1931 as a fine dining restaruant, and after WWII were converted to be part of the Air Force 11th Village (空軍十一村), built for ROC Air Force officers and their dependents, who likely worked at the nearby Hsinchu Airbase. The four buildings have now been converted into a restaurant, a gift shop, and two cafes. There were renovated in 2017. The building that houses the Hsinchu Glass museum was built in 1936 to house the Japanese royal family and government officials. The building is designed in European brick architectural style. It was converted into the glass museum in 1999. In the 1930s, the Hsinchu Zoo was also established. The Five Chinese Cannons are left over from the Opium Wars in 1840 and were planted on the hill to ward off British Ships. After WWII, the park was renamed "Zhongshan Park," and the part of the park with the pond was known as Lichi Park "麗池公園." The park originally included a radio tower, and a physical science school until it moved to Taichung in 1980. The sports stadium was originally created in 1959, and the Confucius temple was moved here in 1958. The park also includes Hsinchu Confucius Temple Hsinchu Zoo, Hsinchu Flower Market, Taiwan Insect Museum, a music hall, a gymnasium, and a sports stadium. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By car/scooter: From central Hsinchu, turn on to Shipin Road, and park near the south side of Hsinchu Park. There is an underground parking lot and paid parking on the side of the road. By TRA: Hsinchu Park is only a ten minute walk south from Hsinchu TRA station. Map: Please see below: 
The Taiwan Railway Museum (officially National Museum of Taiwan - Railway Department Park) is perhaps the best railway museum in Taiwan. It is built inside the old Railway Department of the Governor General of Taiwan and features multiple interactive exhibitions, thousands of artifacts, and a large miniature of Taipei's railway. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei.
Background: The beginnings of railways in Taiwan began with Liu Ming Chuan, Governor of Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty in the 1800s. The current site where the museum lies was once an artillery factory. After Japan took control of Taiwan, it was converted into the Taipei Railway Factory and was mainly used to repair locomotives and cars. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, they removed many of the buildings due to urban planning. The factory used to include over 40 buildings, but after the destruction of most of the buildings due to the construction of Taiwan's MRT in 2005, only 10 buildings remain. The main brick building that remains was once the Railway Department Office, which was used by subordinate railway officers. Other buildings that remain on the site include the cafeteria, the male washroom, the electrical room, the construction room, and the war command center. There are also remnants of the Artillery Factory used in the Qing Dynasty and the Taipei Railway Factory on the site. The Railway Museum began planning for restoration in 2009, with work commencing in 2014. The Museum finally opened to the public in 2020. For a deeper look into the history of this area, you can check outthis blog by Josh Ellis. Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays. Price: 100 NT How to get there: By MRT: I recommend the MRT Beimen Station to get there. By Car Scooter: You can try to visit by car or scooter but there is really nowhere to park or stop along the side of the road, but there is paid parking nearby. Map: 
Hsinchu Zoo is the oldest zoo in Taiwan and is the third-largest public zoo in the country. Admission here is only 50 NT and includes over 300 animals such as tigers, bears, hippos, monkeys, ostriches, emus, goats, and more. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Hsinchu.
Background: The Hsinchu Zoo was first established during the Japanese era in 1935 as part of a child's amusement park. During WWII, the animals in the zoo were moved to the Yuanshan Zoo in Taipei. The Hsinchu Zoo was then reopened after the war in 1953. The zoo later underwent renovations and expansions in 1960, 1971, and 1982. The zoo was also closed for two years for renovations between 2017 and 2019. Now it is a popular attraction visited mainly by local residents. Price: 50 NT per person Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM Closed Mondays How to get there: By Car/Scooter: The Zoo is on Shipin Road in the east District of Hsinchu City. There is plenty of pain parking near the zoo. By TRA: The zoo is within walking distance of Hsinchu TRA Station. Map: Please see below: 
The remains of the Taipei Prison wall are roughly 100 meters long, and were made from stones from the old Taipei City Walls during the Qing Dynasty. 14 allied airmen were executed in the prison just two months before the end of WWII. Now the wall provides a stark reminder of the area's past history.
Historical Background: The Taipei City prison was built during the Japanese era, and used stones from the former Taipei City Wall, which were quarried from quartz sandstone in the Dazhi area of Neihu. During WWII, the Japanese used the prison as a POW camp, placing mostly captured allied airmen and other political prisoners in the jail. 14 allied airmen were executed here just 58 days before the war ended. A plaque on the wall lists their names in memorial. The wall now sits between a park and the Southern Taipei Operations center of Changhua Telecom. There is a pedestrian path along the wall, and it is a popular spot for people to take a stroll or walk their dogs, but you will not usually see a lot of people here. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By MRT: The wall is only about a 2 minute walk from Dongmen MRT station on the red line. By car/scooter: There is limited paid parking on the side of the road along Jinshan South Road and Aiguo East Road. Map: 
Obtaining a driver's license in Taiwan can be the key to freedom, and let you see more of Taiwan faster than ever. Some countries have international agreements to recognize driver's licenses from other countries, but if your license has expired or if your country has no agreement with Taiwan, it probably means you need to take the driver's license test.
In this blog, I will show you how it is possible to pass the test for both cars and scooters without expensive and ineffective driver's education courses. 
Hsinchu's Flower market is a unique market that sells half food and half gardening products in Hsinchu City. It is only open on the weekends, but you can often find lots of people here buying plants and seeds to make their gardens. It is a worthwhile visit if you are in Hsinchu.
Background: Hsinchu's Weekend Flower Market was established in 1984 by Hsinchu's agricultural association. The market was closed for three months during the summer of 2021 because of the Pandemic. In addition to snacks, gardening tools, and local agricultural products, the market also sells many local art and craft items. Price: Free Hours: 8 AM - 7 PM Saturdays and Sundays How to get there: By car/scooter: From central Hsinchu, turn onto Shipin Road, and park near the south side of Hsinchu Park. There is an underground parking lot and paid parking on the side of the road. The temple is on the south side of the park. By TRA: Hsinchu Confucius temple is only a ten-minute walk from Hsinchu TRA station; it lies south of the station in Hsinchu Park. Map: 
The City Gates of Taipei are some of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Originally, five gates and a city wall were built here in the Qing Dynasty. Now only four gates remain, and only the North Gate remains in its original form. Now the city gates are popular landmarks, and you can also learn more about the old city walls and the history of the city at the Taipei Discovery Center in Taipei City Hall.
Historical Background:Taipei's city walls were originally planned for construction in 1879, soon after Taipeh Prefecture was established under the Qing Dynasty. However, it was found that the soil was too soft to support the enormous weight of the stone gates and walls, therefore construction was delayed until more stable ground was found to build the walls. The walls were finally completed in 1884. The length of the wall was 5 KM and included five gates: the East Gate (Jingfumen 景福門), West Gate (Baochengmen 寶成門), South Gate (Lizhengmen 麗正門), Auxiliary South Gate (Zhongximen重熙門), and North Gate (Chengenmen 承恩門). During the Japanese era in Taiwan, in 1904 the walls of Taipei were destroyed after less than 30 years, and Taipei was re-planned into the capital of Taiwan. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, the government rebuilt the East, South and Auxiliary South Gates. Only the North Gate has kept its original appearance from the Qing Dynasty. From 1976 to 2016, Taipei's north gate was partially covered by an overpass. Originally during the construction of the Zhongxiao Overpass, the North Gate was planned for demolition. However after the protest of scholars, the North Gate was preserved. After the Zhongxiao overpass was demolished in 2016, a small park was erected near the north gate to commemorate this historical edifice. Hours: City Gates: 24/7 The Discover Center of Taipei is open from Tuesday to Sunday every week, from 9 AM to 5 PM, Price: Free How to get there: By MRT: I recommend the MRT system or Ubike, or walking. You can walk to all the gates in about two hours or so. The Discover Center of Taipei can be reached by Taipei City Hall station. By Car Scooter: You can try to visit by car or scooter but there is really nowhere to park or stop along the side of the road. Map: Please see a map of the locations covered in this blog below: 
Taiwanese and American work cultures differ in several ways, from the time orientation to communication styles to the importance placed on hierarchy. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone hoping to work effectively in either culture.
台灣和美國的工作文化在幾個方面存在差異，例如溝通方式，等級制度, 加班, 等等。 了解這些差異對於任何希望在這兩種文化中有效工作的人來說都是至關重要的。 In this blog, we will explore general differences between work cultures in the USA and in Taiwan, and I will share some personal experiences and insights I have as an American after working ten years in Taiwan. Please note that this is just a general list, and my experiences do not reflect the working experiences of every foreigner in Taiwan, and not every American company or Taiwanese company conforms to the descriptions below. 在此篇部落格中，我們將探討美國和台灣工作文化之間的普遍差異，並分享我作為美國人在台灣工作十年後的一些個人經歷和感悟。請注意，這只是一個大概的列表，我的經歷並不代表每個外國人在台灣的工作經歷。並非每家美國公司或台灣公司都符合以下描述。 
Hsinchu's Confucius Temple is one of the oldest in Taiwan, and also one of the best preserved. It was originally planned for demolition in 1955 but was saved by residents who convinced local officials to move it to its current location in Zhongshan Park.
Background: Hsinchu's Confucius Temple was completed in 1817, during the Qing Dynasty in Taiwan. At the time, the city of Hsinchu was known as Zhuluo. Confucius temples during the Qing Dynasty were important symbols of civilization and culture, so the early Han settlers in Taiwan were eager to build such institutions in their newly settled land. After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1895, the temple was used as a dormitory and base for militia and was later converted into a public school, including dormitories and classrooms. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, the temple was also used by the military for some time. Originally the temple was located near Chenghuang Temple and stood in the middle of a sprawling market. For the market to expand, the Confucius temple was planned for demolition in 1955 to be replaced with more market and road space, however protests from local people helped to preserve it from destruction, but there were still plans to move the building. However, when not enough money could be raised to move the building, local merchants who set up shop near the temple donated nearly 1 million NT at the time to preserve it. The temple was moved to Zhongshan Park and became much smaller than it's original size, built on a smaller plot of land. The original temple stood where the current Hsinchu City Administration Building now stands. The temple was also restored again in 1986, 1999, and 2013. Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM Price: Free How to get there: By car/scooter: From central Hsinchu, turn on to Shipin Road, and park near the south side of Hsinchu Park. There is an underground parking lot and paid parking on the side of the road. The temple is at the south side of the park. By TRA: Hsinchu Confucous temple is only a ten minute walk from Hsinchu TRA station; it lies south of the station in Hsinchu Park. Map: Please see below: 
Hsinpu Old Street is a quiet historical street in Hsinpu Township of Hsinchu County. You will not find long lines of people or food stalls here, but you will find wide open fields and century-old traditional Hakka three-sided homes here in what was once an agricultural powerhouse of the region.
Background: The first Han settlers to Hsinpu arrived in the early 1700s, including mostly Hakka people. The name Hsinpu (literally meaning new riverbed)refers to the new farmland being developed along the Fengshan River. By the 1800s, Hsinpu had become an important agricultural area for rice, sugar, tea, and camphor, and a commercial district had appeared along Hsinpu Street, including 6 companies or shops. At the time, it was one of the most prosperous and busy areas in what is now Hsinchu County. However, during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, local residents revolted and much of Hsinpu Street caught on fire. Due to Hsinpu's geographical isolation, it has retained its rural roots and Hakka cultural heritage. Hsinpu currently has a population of about 32,000 and it continues to drop each year. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By car/scooter: From central Hsinchu, take provincial highway 1 north and turn west on Highway 118 in Zhubei. The old street is officially Heping Street (和平街), but the entire area in central Hsinpu can also be considered part of the old street. There is free parking on the side of the road. By bus: From Hsinchu Station, take bus 5619 to Hsinpu Old Street. The trip takes about 40 minutes. The old street is officially Heping Street (和平街), but the entire area in central Hsinpu can also be considered part of the old street. Map: Please see below: 
Shuangwan Bicycle path follows a quiet stretch of beach in northern Taiwan. The entire path is flat and only takes about an hour to complete, with a total length of 8KM. However, at low tide, it is full of rocks. There is also a popular bike path that connects it to the sandy beaches of Baishawan and Qianshuiwan.
Background: Shuangwan means two bays (referring to Baishawan and Qianshuiwan). Baishawan (literally White Sand Bay) was formed roughly 800,000 years ago by volcanoes spewing lava into the ocean creating Fuigui Cape. Later coral grew near the shoreline, which makes up for most of the white sand seen on the beach today. The white sandy beach extends about one kilometer along the coast. Now it is one of the most popular destinations on the north coast of Taiwan. Because of its proximity to Taipei, there are sure to be many visitors, and because Taipei has the highest concentration of foreigners, be prepared to see a lot of other foreigners as well. How to Get There: 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 Baishawan station. By Car: Drive on provincial highway 2 out of Danshui to the northeast, or out of Keelung to the northwest. The beach area is near Sanzhi District 三芝區. Price: Free Parking: Free. There is a parking lot in front of the main entrance. If this is full, you can park along the road next to it. Length: 8 KM or about 1 hour Bike Rental: There are Youbike stations in Sanzhi and at Baishawan Beach, and there is a bicycle rental shop in Shanzhi. Map: Please see below: 
The Pingxi Lantern Festival in New Taipei has some of the most popular attractions in Northern Taiwan, and is known as one of the best festivals in the world. Thousands of lanterns are set off during the festival, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Spring Lantern Festival Holiday. It is definitely worth experience if you are in Taiwan during Lantern Festival.
Background: The practice of lighting off sky lanterns in Taiwan began in Shifen, when during the Qing Dynasty local villagers would flee into the mountains during raids from bandits. Once the bandits had left, the remaining villagers sent sky lanterns into the air to let the fleeing villagers know that it was safe to come down from the mountains. The people of Shifen send off sky lanterns as a symbol of peace, and celebrate every year during Lantern Festival (元宵節), a Chinese holiday. Setting off sky lanterns as a tourist attraction began in the 1990's and you can find people lighting off lanterns every day from Shifen. Since 1990 the Lantern Festival has been held every year (expect 2021 due to COVID-19). The Pingxi Lantern Festival is part of larger festivities around Taiwan at the time, known as the Taiwan Lantern Festival. Because of the hundreds of sky lanterns set off every day, this creates an environmental problem with lantern trash piling around the forests and mountains of Pingxi District. The local people and volunteers help to clean up, but because of the tourism allure associated with lighting off the sky lanterns, it seems that this practice is not going away anytime soon. Hours: The Lantern Festival is usually held for the entire week that Lantern Festival falls on, which is the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar New Year. Setting off hundreds of lanterns at night is usually done during the evenings. In 2023 the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival will be held Sunday February 5th from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. 
Website:
https://2023skylantern.ntpc.gov.tw/#/info Price: Free 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! The main lantern setting is done at Shifen Square, which is right next to the Shifen Waterfall parking lot. 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: 
Guanxi Old Street is a quiet historical street in Guanxi Township of Hsinchu County. You will not find long lines of people or food stalls here, but you will find a traditional morning market and century-old brick archways and covered walkways.
Background: The area around Guanxi has been inhabited by Ayatal aboriginal peoples for thousands of years, and currently, there are two aboriginal villages in the township. The first Han settlers to Guanxi arrived in 1751, including mostly Hakka people. By the 1800s, Guanxi had become an important agricultural area for tea, tomatoes, strawberries, oranges, and other agricultural products. A commercial district had appeared along Datong Road, including multiple shops. At the time, it was one of the most prosperous and busy areas in what is now Hsinchu County. Guanxi currently has a population of about 27,000 and it continues to drop each year. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free How to get there: By car/scooter: From central Hsinchu, take provincial highway 1 north and turn west on Highway 118 in Zhubei. The old street is on the left of the main highway. There is free parking on the side of the road. By bus: From Hsinchu Station, take bus 5619 to Guanxi Old Street. The old street is on the left of the main highway. There is free parking on the side of the road. Map: Please see below: 
Hello faithful fans of the Foreigners in Taiwan website and blog.
I have some happy news! Our Facebook Page which was recently hacked and stolen has been recovered! You can find our recovered page here: https://www.facebook.com/foreignersintaiwanblog. Please follow this new page to keep up to date with our blog, and share content to help promote the amazing free country of Taiwan to the world. In this blog, I will tell you how I was hacked so you can avoid the same problem, and protect your business and assets that use Facebook Pages. I will also show you how our page was recovered (hint, it was not by using another hacker, those are all scams) and give you some ideas and effective methods you can try. The recovery process took about four months total for me (first hacked on September 30th, 2022, recovered on January 29th, 2023). 
Green World is an ecological farm in Beipu Township of Hsinchu County. It features over 70 hectares of open area, petting zoos, a reptile center, butterfly area, bird park, swan lake, and features animal shows. It is the largest and most diverse tropical rainforest ecological area in Asia and is definitely worth a trip.
Background: Green World Ecological Farm was established in 2004 and covers roughly 75 hectares of land, making it the largest and most diverse tropical rainforest ecological area in Asia. Over 50 hectares of land have been left as a nature preserve. The park features six main areas: swan lake, butterfly ecological park, discovery land area, bird ecological park, water plants park, and biodiversity adventure area. The park is popular with families and children and can get pretty packed on weekends and holidays. Price: 380 NT per person Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Website: www.green-world.com.tw/en/about.php How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Zhudong, take provincial highway three south until you reach the signs for Green World. You have to drive down a mountain road to get there. Parking is paid, even if you park on the side of the road. By Bus: Take bus 5608 from Hsinchu Station to Zhudong, then switch to bus 5626A which stops at Green World. The total bus journey takes about two hours. Map: Please see below: 
Hsinchu's Beimen Street is the oldest merchant street in Hsinchu, dating back to the Kindom of Tungming. Due to the completion of the railway and urban planning in the Japanese area, this street lost its importance, but many historical buildings here are still intact. It is one of the most impressive historical sites in Hsinchu and is worth a visit for anyone in the area.
Background: After the settlement of the area by Han Chinese farmers in about 1711 during the Kingdom of Tungming, what was then known as Zhuqianshe became the most important economic area in northern Taiwan. By 1723, a walled city was built here out of bamboo, because brick walls were forbidden for fear of a revolt against the Qing authorities. The name Zhuqiancheng (竹塹城) literally means bamboo moat city. The bamboo-walled city had four gates and its perimeter was about 1.4 KM long. In 1806, the city was upgraded with earthen walls. Beimen Street literally means North Gate Street, because it used to lead out to the north gate of the city, toward Bangka (modern Taipei), along the main road linking northern Taiwan. It was the most important economic area in Hsinchu until the end of the Qing Dynasty. Goods were brought from the old harbor to this street, where they were then distributed to other places nearby. Unfortunately, a fire took place here in 1901 which destroyed much of the original old wooden structures. After Japan took control of Taiwan, they created a new urban plan for the city. which moved the city center about 500 meters to the south around the East Gate. This along with the new Hsinchu TRA station meant that Beimen Street would gradually lose its economic importance. However many rich families still based their livelihood on this street, including the Beimen Gentry. There was also an incident during WWII when allied bombers attacked a mansion on the street, mistaking it for the Japanese governor's mansion. Hours: 24/7, but I recommend visiting at night when the night market it open. Price: Free How to get there: The old street is within walking distance of Hsinchu TRA station. Map: Please see below: |
Author 作家We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Archives 檔案
May 2023
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