Foreigners in Taiwan - 外國人在臺灣
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        • Taiwan Cycling Guide – The Ultimate Guide to the Bicycle Kingdom 台灣騎自行車指南
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        • The Ultimate Travel Guide to Taipei 臺北旅遊指南 >
          • Yangmingshan National Park 陽明山懶人包 – Your Complete Travel Guide
          • Ultimate Guide to Taipei’s Old Streets 台北老街指南
          • The Ultimate Travel Guide to Pingxi and Shifen 平溪懶人包
          • The Ultimate One-Day Taipei Itinerary 一天在臺北怎麽旅遊
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          • The Most Awesome Day Trips from Taipei 台北一日遊景點
          • The Complete 2025 Beitou Hot Springs Guide: Soak Like Royalty 北投溫泉英文指南
          • The Best Views of the Taipei 101 (Best Places to see New Year’s Fireworks) 欣賞101煙火的最佳地點
          • The Best Beaches Near Taipei: North Taiwan’s Top 10 台北前10名的沙灘 >
            • Hualien Travel Guide 花蓮懶人包 – The Most Beautiful Part of Taiwan >
              • What to See and Do in Hualien Besides Taroko Gorge
              • Ultimate Taroko National Park Travel Guide – Explore the Deepest Marble Gorge on Earth 太魯閣國家公園懶人包
              • Taroko Gorge Travel Guide (太魯閣) – Taiwan’s Most Breathtaking Geological Feature
          • Tamsui Travel Guide – Taipei’s Amazing Historic Riverside Town 淡水最佳的景點
          • Taipei’s Waterfall Guide – Explore the City’s Most Breathtaking Falls 台北瀑布指南
          • Taipei Museum Guide – Discover the Best Museums in Taipei 臺北博物館指南
          • Taipei City Hiking Guide – The Best Hikes in Taipei 台灣爬山指南
          • Taipei 101: The Ultimate Guide to Taiwan’s Tallest Tower (臺北101)
          • Shifen Waterfall and Old Street Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
          • Qingtiangang Grassland: See Amazing Views and Buffalo Close-Up 擎天崗
          • Our Travel Guide to Wulai – Taipei’s Amazing Mountain Paradise (烏來旅遊指南)
          • Jiufen Old Street – Taiwan’s Amazing Mountainside Village 九份老街
          • Dihua Street and Dadaocheng – Taipei’s Amazing Historical Hipster Paradise 迪化街及大稻埕
          • Children and Parent’s Travel Guide to Taipei 小孩及家長台北旅遊指南
        • Taiwan’s Northern Coast Travel Guide – Discover a Beautiful and Amazing Coastline 台灣北海岸懶人包 >
          • Yehliu Geopark – The Amazing Crown Jewel of Taiwan’s Northern Coast 野柳地質公園
        • Keelung Travel Guide – Best Places to See in the Harbor City 基隆旅遊指南
        • Taoyuan Travel Guide – More Than Just an Airport City 桃園旅游懶人包
        • Travel Guide to Hsinchu 新竹懶人包 – Taiwan’s Charming Tech Hub
        • Miaoli Travel Guide – Discover this Amazing Mountainous Backwater 苗栗旅遊懶人包
        • Taichung Travel Guide 台中旅遊懶人包 – Discover Central Taiwan’s Hidden Secrets
        • Gaomei Wetlands – Complete Guide to Taichung’s Amazing Wildlife Area 高美濕地
        • Nantou Travel Guide – Taiwan’s Most Stunning Mountain Getaway 南投縣懶人包
        • Sun Moon Lake Travel Guide – Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Lake 日月潭旅游指南
        • Changhua Travel Guide – Fall in Love with Taiwan’s Historical Central County 彰化懒人包
        • Chiayi Travel Guide – Best Places to Visit, Eat & Explore 嘉義懶人包
        • Alishan 阿里山 – Taiwan’s Ultimate Mountain Destination
        • Alishan Forest Railway Travel Guide (阿里山森林鐵路) – Taiwan’s Most Scenic Rail Line
        • Yunlin Travel Guide 雲林旅遊懶人包 – A Rural Wonderland in Southwest Taiwan
        • Tainan Travel Guide: Discover Taiwan’s Oldest City & Ultimate Foodie Paradise – 臺南懶人包
        • Travel Guide to Kaohsiung – Southern Taiwan’s Most Vibrant City 高雄旅遊懶人包 >
          • Tianliao Moon World Travel Guide 田寮月世界 – Taiwan’s Out-of-this-World Geopark
          • Qijin (Cijin) Island Travel Guide – Koahsiung’s Best Beach Destination 旗津懶人包
          • Maolin Travel Guide 茂林旅游懶人包 – Our Favorite Place in Taiwan
          • Monkey Mountain (Shoushan) 壽山 – Taiwan’s Best Monkey-Spotting Location
          • Lotus Pond Travel Guide 蓮池潭 – Kaohsiung’s Scenic Temple Area
          • Cheng Ching Lake Ultimate Travel Guide 澄清湖完整導覽
          • Pingtung Travel Guide – Explore Taiwan’s Sunniest County 屏東旅遊懶人包
          • Kenting Travel Guide 墾丁懶人包 – The Best Beaches in Taiwan
          • Travel Guide to Yilan 宜蘭懶人包 – Beaches, Mountains, Hot Springs, and more
          • Guide to Toucheng 頭城懶人包 – Yilan’s Amazing Seaside Paradise
          • Taipingshan Travel Guide 太平山 – Discover Yilan’s Amazing Mountain Scenery
          • Our Guide to Taiwan’s East Coast 台灣東海岸指南 – Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Coastline
          • Taiwan’s East Rift Valley (Huadong Valley) Travel Guide 花東縱谷旅遊指南 – The Most Beautiful Places in Taiwan
          • Taitung Travel Guide – Top Things to Do in Taiwan’s Outdoor Tourism Paradise 台東懶人包
          • Taiwan National Public Holiday Guide 台灣國定假日指南
          • The Ultimate Taiwan Hotel Guide 臺灣飯店指南
          • The Ultimate Taiwan SIM Card, eSIM, and Portable Wi-Fi Guide
          • The Ultimate Taiwan Transportation Guide 台灣交通常見問題
          • The Ultimate Taiwan Butterfly Watching Guide 台灣賞蝴蝶指南
          • The Ultimate Foreigner’s Guide for Surviving in Taiwan 外國人在台灣存活指南
  • Home
  • Travel Guides
    • Full Taiwan Travel Guide
    • Outer Islands >
      • All Outer Islands
      • Xiaoliuqiu >
        • Xiaoliuqiu Ferry Guide
        • Xiaoliuqiu Snorkeling Guide
      • Penghu >
        • Shanshui Beach
        • Shili Beach
        • Aimen Beach
        • Serpent Head Mountain
        • Fongguei Cave
        • Moses Parting Sea
        • Penghu Great Bridge
        • Penghu Best Beaches
      • Green Island
      • Orchid Island
      • Kinmen
      • Matsu
      • Turtle Island
      • Keelung Islet
    • Taipei >
      • Full Guide to Taipei
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        • Puji Temple
        • Thermal Valley
        • Beitou Hot Spring Museum
        • Ketagalan Cultural Center
        • Beitou Park
        • Willie's Deli
      • Taipei 101
      • Museum Guide
      • Night Market Guide
      • Old Street Guide
      • Best Beaches
      • Waterfall Guide
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      • Best Views
      • Parents and Kids Guide
      • Best Day Trips
      • One Day Itenerary
      • Nangang
    • Northern Taiwan >
      • Keelung
      • Hsinchu
      • Taoyuan
      • Northern Coast
      • Yangmingshan
      • Pingxi Railway
      • Tamsui
      • Wulai
      • Heping Island
      • Four Furthest Points
      • Shiding
    • Southern Taiwan >
      • Kenting
      • Chiayi
      • Tainan
      • Kaohsiung
      • Pingtung
      • Maolin
      • Lotus Pond
      • Moon World
      • Cheng Ching Lake
      • Qijin
    • Eastern Taiwan >
      • Taroko Gorge
      • Tapingshan
      • Yilan
      • Hualien
      • Taitung
      • Taroko National Park
      • Toucheng
      • East Coast
      • East Rift Valley
      • Sanxiantai
    • Central Taiwan >
      • Sun Moon Lake
      • Alishan
      • Alishan Forest Railway
      • Nantou
      • Taichung
      • Miaoli
      • Changhua
      • Yunlin
    • Transportation >
      • Car Rental
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      • Transportation FAQ
      • Circling Taiwan by Car
    • Hotels / Accomodation >
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    • Geography and Weather >
      • Geography
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    • Travel >
      • Car Rental
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      • Foreigner Survival Guide
      • Hotel FAQ
      • International Driving Permit
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      • Sailing
      • Scooter/Moped Rental
      • Taipei FAQ
      • Tourist Sites FAQ
      • Transportation FAQ
    • People and Culture >
      • Economy / Living Standards
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    • Full Taiwan FAQ List
  • Blog
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    • Global Expat Travel Blog >
      • Hakka Kitchen
      • Bank Comparison
      • Snow Hakka
      • Mid-Autumn Festival
      • Ghost Month
      • Taiwan Vs. Thailand
      • Morakot
      • Gaemi
      • Mango Guide
      • Sand Fest
      • TD 19
      • Krathon
      • Typhoon Kong-Rey
      • Shen'ao Railbike
      • Museum of World Religions
      • Nanjichang Night Market
      • Popsmile Tourist Factory
      • Taiwan Science Center
      • Taiwan Better Than Thailand
      • Hualien Besides Taroko
      • Taiwan Car Rental Guide
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      • Taiwan Lantern Festival Guide
      • Tomb Sweeping Festival
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  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Twitter (X)
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Current Time and Date in Taiwan
    • Privacy
    • More >
      • Taiwan Travel Blog Posts >
        • Guide to Taiwan
        • Taiwan’s Outer Islands. >
          • Turtle Island (Guishan Island)
          • Green Island 綠島
          • Xiaoliuqiu Island (小琉球)
          • Keelung Islet (基隆嶼)
          • Orchid Island (Lanyu) 蘭嶼
          • Kinmen Islands Guide
          • Matsu Islands
          • Penghu Guide
        • Taiwan Cycling Guide – The Ultimate Guide to the Bicycle Kingdom 台灣騎自行車指南
        • The Ultimate Taiwan Scooter/Motorcycle Rental Guide 在臺灣租機車
        • The Ultimate Taiwan Car Rental Guide – Save Money on Your Next Trip 臺灣租汽車指南
        • Camping in Taiwan Guide – Everything you Need to Know 在台灣露營常見問題
        • Taiwan Blogroll – Top English Blogs to Follow for All Things Taiwan
        • The Ultimate Travel Guide to Taipei 臺北旅遊指南 >
          • Yangmingshan National Park 陽明山懶人包 – Your Complete Travel Guide
          • Ultimate Guide to Taipei’s Old Streets 台北老街指南
          • The Ultimate Travel Guide to Pingxi and Shifen 平溪懶人包
          • The Ultimate One-Day Taipei Itinerary 一天在臺北怎麽旅遊
          • The Ultimate Guide to Taipei’s Night Markets 臺北夜市指南
          • The Most Awesome Day Trips from Taipei 台北一日遊景點
          • The Complete 2025 Beitou Hot Springs Guide: Soak Like Royalty 北投溫泉英文指南
          • The Best Views of the Taipei 101 (Best Places to see New Year’s Fireworks) 欣賞101煙火的最佳地點
          • The Best Beaches Near Taipei: North Taiwan’s Top 10 台北前10名的沙灘 >
            • Hualien Travel Guide 花蓮懶人包 – The Most Beautiful Part of Taiwan >
              • What to See and Do in Hualien Besides Taroko Gorge
              • Ultimate Taroko National Park Travel Guide – Explore the Deepest Marble Gorge on Earth 太魯閣國家公園懶人包
              • Taroko Gorge Travel Guide (太魯閣) – Taiwan’s Most Breathtaking Geological Feature
          • Tamsui Travel Guide – Taipei’s Amazing Historic Riverside Town 淡水最佳的景點
          • Taipei’s Waterfall Guide – Explore the City’s Most Breathtaking Falls 台北瀑布指南
          • Taipei Museum Guide – Discover the Best Museums in Taipei 臺北博物館指南
          • Taipei City Hiking Guide – The Best Hikes in Taipei 台灣爬山指南
          • Taipei 101: The Ultimate Guide to Taiwan’s Tallest Tower (臺北101)
          • Shifen Waterfall and Old Street Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
          • Qingtiangang Grassland: See Amazing Views and Buffalo Close-Up 擎天崗
          • Our Travel Guide to Wulai – Taipei’s Amazing Mountain Paradise (烏來旅遊指南)
          • Jiufen Old Street – Taiwan’s Amazing Mountainside Village 九份老街
          • Dihua Street and Dadaocheng – Taipei’s Amazing Historical Hipster Paradise 迪化街及大稻埕
          • Children and Parent’s Travel Guide to Taipei 小孩及家長台北旅遊指南
        • Taiwan’s Northern Coast Travel Guide – Discover a Beautiful and Amazing Coastline 台灣北海岸懶人包 >
          • Yehliu Geopark – The Amazing Crown Jewel of Taiwan’s Northern Coast 野柳地質公園
        • Keelung Travel Guide – Best Places to See in the Harbor City 基隆旅遊指南
        • Taoyuan Travel Guide – More Than Just an Airport City 桃園旅游懶人包
        • Travel Guide to Hsinchu 新竹懶人包 – Taiwan’s Charming Tech Hub
        • Miaoli Travel Guide – Discover this Amazing Mountainous Backwater 苗栗旅遊懶人包
        • Taichung Travel Guide 台中旅遊懶人包 – Discover Central Taiwan’s Hidden Secrets
        • Gaomei Wetlands – Complete Guide to Taichung’s Amazing Wildlife Area 高美濕地
        • Nantou Travel Guide – Taiwan’s Most Stunning Mountain Getaway 南投縣懶人包
        • Sun Moon Lake Travel Guide – Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Lake 日月潭旅游指南
        • Changhua Travel Guide – Fall in Love with Taiwan’s Historical Central County 彰化懒人包
        • Chiayi Travel Guide – Best Places to Visit, Eat & Explore 嘉義懶人包
        • Alishan 阿里山 – Taiwan’s Ultimate Mountain Destination
        • Alishan Forest Railway Travel Guide (阿里山森林鐵路) – Taiwan’s Most Scenic Rail Line
        • Yunlin Travel Guide 雲林旅遊懶人包 – A Rural Wonderland in Southwest Taiwan
        • Tainan Travel Guide: Discover Taiwan’s Oldest City & Ultimate Foodie Paradise – 臺南懶人包
        • Travel Guide to Kaohsiung – Southern Taiwan’s Most Vibrant City 高雄旅遊懶人包 >
          • Tianliao Moon World Travel Guide 田寮月世界 – Taiwan’s Out-of-this-World Geopark
          • Qijin (Cijin) Island Travel Guide – Koahsiung’s Best Beach Destination 旗津懶人包
          • Maolin Travel Guide 茂林旅游懶人包 – Our Favorite Place in Taiwan
          • Monkey Mountain (Shoushan) 壽山 – Taiwan’s Best Monkey-Spotting Location
          • Lotus Pond Travel Guide 蓮池潭 – Kaohsiung’s Scenic Temple Area
          • Cheng Ching Lake Ultimate Travel Guide 澄清湖完整導覽
          • Pingtung Travel Guide – Explore Taiwan’s Sunniest County 屏東旅遊懶人包
          • Kenting Travel Guide 墾丁懶人包 – The Best Beaches in Taiwan
          • Travel Guide to Yilan 宜蘭懶人包 – Beaches, Mountains, Hot Springs, and more
          • Guide to Toucheng 頭城懶人包 – Yilan’s Amazing Seaside Paradise
          • Taipingshan Travel Guide 太平山 – Discover Yilan’s Amazing Mountain Scenery
          • Our Guide to Taiwan’s East Coast 台灣東海岸指南 – Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Coastline
          • Taiwan’s East Rift Valley (Huadong Valley) Travel Guide 花東縱谷旅遊指南 – The Most Beautiful Places in Taiwan
          • Taitung Travel Guide – Top Things to Do in Taiwan’s Outdoor Tourism Paradise 台東懶人包
          • Taiwan National Public Holiday Guide 台灣國定假日指南
          • The Ultimate Taiwan Hotel Guide 臺灣飯店指南
          • The Ultimate Taiwan SIM Card, eSIM, and Portable Wi-Fi Guide
          • The Ultimate Taiwan Transportation Guide 台灣交通常見問題
          • The Ultimate Taiwan Butterfly Watching Guide 台灣賞蝴蝶指南
          • The Ultimate Foreigner’s Guide for Surviving in Taiwan 外國人在台灣存活指南

Blog Posts

CTBC Financial Park Ice Rink 中信園區溜冰場

12/25/2024

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CTBC Financial Park’s Ice Rink in Nangang District of Taipei is Taiwan’s only outdoor skating rink. It also includes a man-made snow play area for people who have never experienced snow. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season, and the best part is it's free!

Background:
The CTBC Financial Park is the headquarters of China Trust Commercial Bank, which was completed in 2013. 
The free outdoor ice rink at the China Trust Financial Center Park has been running since 2015, as a charitable way to give back to the community. The ice rink can get especially busy during holidays and weekends, so it is best to book online in advance if you have a group of 10 or more. 

Price:
Free

Skating Season:
December to March every year (closed Chinese New Year's Eve)

Session Times:
Weekend Additional Session (Saturday and Sunday): 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
​First Session: 3:30 - 5 PM
Second Session: 5:30 - 7 PM
Third Session: 7:30 - 9 PM
Notes:
  • Tickets open 60 minutes before each session
  • Entrance is allowed in order of ticket number up to 150 people per session (170 people on weekends)
  • Limit one ticket per person, waiting on behalf of friends or family members is not allowed
  • Group booking tickets for 10 people or more is allowed 14 days in advance on the website, but is not allowed for weekends and holidays
  • Masks are required
  • Eating and Drinking is not allowed
  • Skates are 16 - 29 cm on a first come first serve basis. If they don't have your size, too bad. 
  • Only Children 6 years and older are allowed to skate alone. Children 6 years and under must have skating skills and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. To prove your under 6 years old child has skating skills, you must show photos or videos of them skating in the past. 
  • Be sure to dress warmly and wear long socks
  • Get there early to line up! Most sessions fill up even on weekdays. Expect to get there at least an hour before the session starts to make sure you get a ticket!

Website (Chinese only):
https://www.ctbcfinancialpark.com/activity/Detail/102?category=2 

Tours:
You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here.

Where to stay:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Activities in Nangang:
You can take 14% off the buffet at Courtyard Marriot Nangang on KKday here. 
You can also get a discount ticket to Crazy Car Café in Nangang, the only restaurant in Taiwan that offers Go-Karting, on KKday here.
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Nangang Road at Nangang Exhibition Center MRT station, turn north toward CTBC Financial Park. There is paid parking on the south entrance. 
Looking for 
scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  ​
By Bus/MRT: Take the MRT to Nangang Software Park Station. The Ice rink is across the street. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from 
Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

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Travelling Taiwan While Airbnb-ing Your Home for Income

12/19/2024

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​Taiwan, a dynamic blend of modern innovation and rich cultural heritage, is one of Asia’s most captivating destinations. From the vibrant night markets of Taipei to the stunning gorges of Taroko and the serene shores of Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan offers travelers a unique mix of natural beauty, cultural exploration, and culinary delights. For those planning an extended journey, renting out your home on Airbnb provides a practical solution to fund your adventure. By leveraging professional Airbnb Management Melbourne services and ensuring seamless connectivity with eSIM technology, you can generate passive income and maintain control over your property while experiencing all Taiwan has to offer.

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Chen Dejyu Shrine 陳德聚堂

12/18/2024

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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. 

✈️ Planning your trip to Taiwan? □□

  • Choose the best hotel on Agoda or find late escape deals on Booking.com
  • Book local tours and skip-the-line tickets to top attractions on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights
Background:
Soon after Koxinga conquered what is now Tainan from the Dutch in 1661, his Chief of General Staff Chen Ze 陳澤 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. Looking for scooter rental in Tainan? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for 
car rentals in Tainan, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
​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. ​You can book tickets to travel to Tainan via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Tainan via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.

Where to stay?
Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center.  If you only want to visit old Tainan, you can book a hotel near the west part of downtown and consider walking or cycling around the city. 
We have stayed at and recommend Liho Hotel, a quality hotel right next to Chikan Tower, and Famouse Hotel, which is another great hotel also within walking distance of Chikan Tower in old Tainan. 
You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  

Tours: 
You can find more tours and activities in Tainan such as SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Oyster Harvesting , Wind Surfing, Glamping and more on Klook here or KKday here. 

Map:
Please see below:

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Matsu Islands Travel Guide 馬祖列島懶人包 – More than Just Mazu

12/13/2024

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Matsu is a fun getaway just 45 minutes by plane from Taipei. Here you can find traditional stone villages, bioluminescent “blue tears,” wild sika deer, military museums, the world’s largest Mazu statue, a variety of local food, and much more to explore. In this blog, we will share with you some of the major sights and experiences you can enjoy on these islands.

Table of Contents
  • Historical Background:
  • How to get there:
    • By Plane:
    • By Ferry:
  • How to get around the islands:
  • Where to Stay:
  • When to go:
  • Tours and Activities:
  • Map:
  • Matsu In General:
    • Blue Tears 藍眼淚
    • Seafood 海鮮
    • Matsu Hamburger 馬祖漢堡
    • ​Traditional Stone Houses 傳統石頭屋
  • Daqiu Island 大坵島
    • Sika Deer 梅花鹿
    • Daqiu Abandoned Military Base 廢墟軍事基地
    • ​Daqiu Abandoned Fishing Village 廢墟漁村
  • Beigan Island 北竿島
    • Tangqi Village 塘崎村
    • Qinbi Village 芹壁聚落
    • Mastu Broadcasting Station 馬祖廣播站
    • Mount Bi 壁山
    • War and Peace Memorial Exhibition Center 戰爭和平紀念公園主題館
    • War and Peace Memorial Park 戰爭和平紀念公園
  • Nangan Island 南竿島
    • Mazu Religious and Cultural Park 媽祖宗教文化園區
    • ​Zhenghe Daidan Memorial Park 枕戈待旦紀念公園
    • Magang Qinguang Night Market 馬港親光夜市
    • Matsu Tianhou Temple 媽祖天后宮
    • ​​​Jinsha Village 津沙聚落
    • Iron Fort 鐵堡
    • ​​Beihai Tunnel 北海坑道
    • ​Dahan Stronghold 大漢據點
    • ​Jieshou Village 介壽村
    • Tunnel 88 八八坑道
    • ​Niujiao Village 牛角聚落
    • Mt. Yuntai 雲臺山
    • Matsu Folk Culture Museum 馬祖民俗文物舘
    • Chiang Chin-kuo Memorial Hall 經國先生紀念堂
  • Things We Missed:
    • Activities:
    • ​Dongyin Island:
    • Dongju Island
    • ​Xiju Island:

Historical 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 fishermen, 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-strait 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 islands: 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 has 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:By Plane:The easiest way to get around the islands is to take a plane from Songshan Airport or by boat from Taipei or Keelung Nangan and then go island hopping from there. Nangan is the main transportation hub for all the islands. Plane rides are about 2000 NT (one way from Taipei). There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here.
By Ferry:Ferry trips to Matsu are about 500-2000 NT per person (one way from Taipei or Keelung)
160 NT per person (one way from Beigan) You can book ferry tickets to Matsu on KKday here. 
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). 
You can book tickets between Nangan and Beigan Islands on KKday here. 
By Plane: There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here.

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.
You can book a ferry to Daqiu Island on KKday here. 

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.
You can book tickets between Nangan and Beigan Islands on KKday here. 

Nangan Island:
By Boat:
 There are daily ferries from Taipei or Keelung 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. 
You can book tickets between Nangan and Beigan Islands on KKday here. 
By Plane: There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here.

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. 
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 Ferries: The only way to get to smaller islands without airports is by ferry. You can check KKday here for ferry tickets or buy them at the harbor. 
By Scooter: We recommend riding a scooter as your #1 choice. It’s fast, and convenient, and there isn’t much traffic on the island. A scooter will cost about 500 NT per day to rent.
You can rent a scooter on Klook here or KKday here. 
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.
You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Car/Taxi: You can rent a car or hire a taxi for 200O NT per day. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bus: There are buses that go around the islands, but wait times can be 30 minutes or more. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Where to Stay:
We have stayed at and recommend Fu Hwa Homestay​ on Nangan and B&B of Blueshine​ on Beigan. Both places were excellent and provided us a car ride to and from the airport for free. 
You can also check out our Taiwan hotel guide here.
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the island. 

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. 
Tours and

Activities:
​Beihai Tunnel Rocking Boat: about 150 NT
Blue Tears Museum: about 300 NT
SUP/Paddle experience: about 2300 NT
You can search for other tours and activities on KKday here or Klook here. 

Map:
Please see below:

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Taiwan’s Outer Islands (台灣外島之旅游指南) – Guide to the Best Island Vacation Spots

12/13/2024

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Taiwan’s outer islands are some of the most beautiful and scenic places in the whole country, and each of them can be considered a secret paradise. You can find the best beaches, snorkeling, and diving on these islands. You can also find rich and important historical sites here. Transportation may be difficult, but you will never regret visiting Taiwan’s outer islands, and no trip to Taiwan should be complete without doing it.  In this blog, we will introduce the main outer islands in Taiwan that are open to tourists (there are 166 islands in Taiwan, this blog only covers a few), point out their unique traits, and compare them to each other.  This way you can best prepare for your trip to the outer islands, and at the same time know what you are missing out on. All the outer Islands are great, and I highly recommend visiting them all if you can.
​
Table of Contents
  • When to visit:
  • How to get there:
  • Where to stay:
  • Tours:
  • Map:
  • Major Outer Islands in Taiwan
  • Xiaoliuqiu Island 小琉球
  • Green Island 綠島
  • Orchid Island (Lanyu) 蘭嶼
  • Turtle Island (Guishan Island) 龜山島
  • Keelung Islet 基隆嶼
  • Matsu Islands 馬祖列島
    • Matsu – Beigan Island 北竿島
    • Matsu – Nangan Island 南竿島
    • Matsu – Daqiu Island 大坵島
  • Kinmen 金門
    • The Main Island of Kinmen 金門
    • Little Kinmen (Lieyu) 小金門 (烈嶼)
    • Dadan Island  (大膽島)
  • Penghu Islands 澎湖群島
    • ​Penghu – Qimei Island 七美鄉
  • Bonus: The three islands are connected to Taiwan by bridge
    • Heping Island 和平島
    • Sanxiantai 三仙台 
    • Qijin Island 旗津
  • Other Islands not included above:
  • General Scientific Comparison of the Islands:
    • Comparison and Analysis of Taiwan's Outer Islands from a Foreign Tourist Perspective:
      • Best Islands for snorkeling:
      • Best Islands for diving:
      • Best Islands for Culture:
      • Best Beaches on Taiwan's Outer Islands:
      • Best Islands for Food:
      • Best Islands for Exploring:
      • Best Place for Island Hopping:
      • Easiest Islands to get to:
      • Islands with the best weather year-round:
      • Islands with the best accommodation choices:
      • Most family-friendly islands:
      • Most extreme and exciting islands:
        • Totals:
    • Twitter online poll:
  • Final Comments:
When to visit:Xiaoliuqiu Island 小琉球: Anytime! Xiaoliuqiu is a tropical island that has warm water and temperatures (above 25 degrees Celsius) year-round. 

Green Island 綠島: The month of May is the best time to go to Green Island and Orchid Island when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons.

Orchid Island (Lanyu) 蘭嶼: The month of May, same as Green Island above. 

Turtle Island (Guishan Island) 龜山島: March-November. Boat tours are generally closed from December to February due to rough seas and cold weather. 

Keelung Islet 基隆嶼: Boats to Keelung Islet are only available from April to October due to northeasterly winds in the winter.

The Matsu Islands 馬祖列島: We recommend going to Matsu between April and June when you can see the “blue tear” phosphorescent microbes in the water.

Kinmen 金門: Autumn is said to be the best time to visit Kinmen, when there are still warm temperatures and not too much rainfall. 

Penghu 澎湖群島: Spring to Autumn. Winters are rather miserable.
How to get there:Xiaoliuqiu Island 小琉球 
By Boat: The only way to get there is via ferry from Donggang or Kaohsiung. You can purchase a tickets at Donggang Fishing Harbor (東港漁港), or through a tour agency such as Klook here or here, or KKday. You can also check out our Xiaoliuqiu Ferry Guide here.

Green Island 綠島 
By Plane: The only planes to and from Green Island come from Taitung City in Southeastern Taiwan. Costs: NT 1428 to Green Island and NT 1360 from Green Island. You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or a similar website.
By Boat: Ferry prices are about 1200 NT per person round trip/600 NT per single trip.
You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or a similar website.

Orchid Island (Lanyu) 蘭嶼 
By Plane: The only planes to and from Orchid Island come from Taitung. Costs: NT 1428 to Lanyu and NT 1360 from Lanyu. You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website.
By Boat: There are two places that offer ferry rides to Lanyu: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港) in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港) (2300 NT per person round trip/1150 NT per single trip). You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website.

Turtle Island (Guishan Island) 龜山島 
By Boat: The only way to get to Turtle Island is by boat from Wushih Harbor in Yilan. You can purchase a ticket at the harbor or book online in advance via Klook or KKday.

Keelung Islet 基隆嶼 
By Boat: In order to get to Keelung Islet, you first need to make your way to Badouzi Harbor (see map below). Next, you have to take a boat to the island. There are multiple ferry boats running to Keelung daily from April to October. You can book tickets on Klook here or KKday here. 

The Matsu Islands 馬祖列島 
By Plane: The easiest way to get around the islands is to take a plane/boat to Nangan and then go island hopping from there. Nangan is the main transportation hub for all the islands. 
By Boat: There are daily ferries from Keelung Harbor that usually take an overnight trip to Nangan, passing through Dongyin Island. 

Kinmen 金門 
By Plane: The only way to get from Taiwan to Kinmen is via an airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Penghu, and Kaohsiung.
By Boat: You can reach Kinmen from Xiamen at Wutong Port (五通碼頭) or Quanzhou at Shijing Port (石井碼頭), connecting at Shuitou Port (水頭碼頭).

Penghu 澎湖群島 
By Plane: There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip.
There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei.
By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one-way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one-way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one-way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT.
You can book ferry boat tickets on Klook here. 
Where to stay:Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. 
Tours:There are many tours available on the islands, including scooter rentals, boat tickets, and other activities. For more information, book with Klook here or KKday here. 
Map:

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Guide to Penghu 澎湖英文旅游指南- Taiwan’s Ultimate Island Destination

12/13/2024

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The Penghu Islands (澎湖英文)are the best island vacation getaway in Taiwan. Only an hour’s plane ride from Taipei, these islands provide multiple world-class beaches, as well as snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and other water activities. In addition, there are lots of restaurants, interesting historical sights, and accommodation options on these islands. Overall it is an ideal island vacation getaway that you should not miss.

Table of Contents
  • Historical Background:
  • Activities:
  • Tours:
  • Where to Stay:
  • When to go to Penghu:
  • How to get there:
  • Getting Around on the Islands:
  • Map:
  • What to see and do in Penghu?
  • Guanyin Temple Recreation Area 觀音亭親水遊憩區
  • Magong Ancient City Wall 馬公舊城墻 
  • Duxingshi Village 篤行十村 
  • Penghu Trans-Oceanic Bridge (Penghu Great Bridge) 澎湖跨海大橋
  • Chixi Columnar Basalt 池西柱狀玄武岩
  • Dayi Temple Sea Turtles 大義宮的海龜
  • Siyu East Fort 西嶼東臺
  • Siyu West Fort 西嶼西臺
  • Xitai Fake Cannon 西臺餌砲
  • Yuwengdao Lighthouse 漁翁島燈塔
  • Erkan Village 二崁聚落
  • Tongliang Great Banyan 通梁古榕
  • Hsiaomen Whale Cave 小門鯨魚洞
  • Penghu Aquarium 澎湖水族舘
  • The Best Beaches in Penghu 澎湖最佳沙灘
  • Penghu Shanshui Beach 澎湖山水沙灘 – The Best Beach in Penghu
  • Aimen Beach 隘門沙灘
  • Neian Beach 內垵遊憩區
  • Penghu Shili Beach 澎湖嵵裡沙灘
  • Lintou Golden Beach 林投金沙灘
  • Lintou Park 林投公園
  • Jianshan Beach 尖山沙灘
  • Moses Parting Sea 摩西分海
  • Fongguei Cave 風櫃洞
  • Penghu Serpent Head Mountain (Shetoushan) 澎湖蛇頭山
  • Qimei Island 七美鄉
  • Penghu Rice Wraps 澎湖飯糰
  • Activities and Places We Missed:

Historical Background:
The Penghu Islands were historically an important strategic position for trade and military defense in the area. The Dutch, French, and Japanese all led campaigns against these islands. The Dutch first invaded Penghu in 1622, but soon after retreated to Anping after a treaty was made with the Ming Dynasty.
Konxinga later took control of Penghu and Taiwan after defeating the Dutch in 1661, Later, Kongxinga’s kingdom fell to the Qing Dynasty.
In 1885 during the Sino-French war for control of Vietnam, the French sent a fleet to Taiwan but failed to take the island. Later they attacked the Penghu Islands and occupied them for a short time, before retreating to Vietnam due to the Treaty of Tianjin.
After Japan took control of Korea in 1894, they also attacked and occupied Penghu in 1895, after which the Qing Dynasty ceded the islands to them.
After World War II, the islands were given to the ROC government, which retreated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War and still controls the islands today under a free democratic government.

Activities:
Besides soaking in sun rays at the beach, there are many activities available in Penghu such as snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, sailing, canoeing, wakeboarding, massage, yachting, glamping, trampoline Water Sports, SUP / Paddle Boarding, kayaking, night fishing and more on Klook here or KKday here. 
Tours:There are many tours and activities available on the islands such as Island Hopping Tour, starlight Marine Ranch, seafood Barbeque, Sheraton Four Points Eatery, Dragon Palace Intertidal Zone, Jibei Sand Tail, and many more options on Klook here or KKday here. 
​For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. 

Where to Stay:
We have stayed at and recommend Han’s Hostel which had great service and is right next to Shanshui Beach, the best beach in Penghu (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here) a newly renovated homestay in downtown Magong with great service and great prices (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. 
You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here.

When to go to Penghu:
The best time to go is Autumn. Spring is also a nice time to go, but there is a greater chance of spring showers during that time. The summers may be too hot, and winters too cold and windy.

How to get there:
By Plane: 
There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung airports to Makung. the flight takes roughly under an hour. Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip. There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei, with charted flights to Hong Kong starting September 2018.
There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here.
By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one-way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one-way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one-way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT.
You can book ferry boat tickets from Chiayi on Klook here, or ferry boat tickets from Tainan on KKday here.  

Getting Around on the Islands:
By Ferry Boat: The only way to get to smaller islands without airports is by ferry. You can check Klook here or KKday here for ferry tickets or buy them at the harbor. 
By Scooter: We recommend taking a scooter as the most efficient and convenient type of transport on the islands. However, most places require a local scooter license. You can rent a scooter for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Car/taxi: A car is also sensible in Penghu because the main island is pretty spread out. You can rent a car for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bus: a bus is possible on the main island, but it will be slower and more unpredictable. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
​Please see a list of places we will cover in the map below:
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Turtle Island (Guishan Island) 龜山島 – Taiwan’s Volcanic Island Treasure

12/13/2024

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Guishan Island (literally Turtle Mountain Island) is a turtle-shaped island off the coast of Yilan in Eastern Taiwan. Once inhabited by fishermen, it is now a coast guard base but is open for day tours. The island tour includes beautiful sea cliffs, hiking, a lake, an abandoned village, military tunnels,  and whale watching just offshore. 

Table of Contents
  • Background:
  • Tours and Prices: 
  • Hours:
  • When to Go:
  • Where to Stay:
  • How to Get there:
  • Map of Guishan Island:
  • Map of how to get to Wushih Harbor:
  • Our Journey:
  • The Eight Scenes of Turtle Island
    • Scene 1: Turtle God Wearing a Hat 神龜戴帽
    • Scene 2: Turtle Cliff Wall  龜巖巉壁
    • Scene 3: Turtle Island Sulfur 龜島磺煙
    • Scene 4: Eye Cave Stalactites 眼鏡洞鐘乳石
    • Scene 5: Undersea Hot Spring Flowing Up 海底溫泉湧上流
    • Scene 6: Turtle Looking Toward the Sun 龜山朝日
    • Scene 7:  The Turtle God's Tail 神龜擺尾
    • Scene 8: Turtle Egg Wonder 龜卵奇觀 
  • Remains of Turtle Island Fishing Village
  • Guiwei Lake Trail
  • Fountain of Life – Cold Spring:
  • Leaving

Background:
Turtle Island has been inhabited since at least the Qing Dynasty. When the ROC took over Taiwan, the island had one elementary school and no hospital. Many people relied simply on religion to cure their sicknesses. During typhoons, the dock would sometimes be destroyed, leaving the island without food for days or weeks. Also, there were way more men on the island than women, and it was hard to convince prospective wives from Taiwan to go live on such a remote island with harsh conditions. As a result, the government relocated everyone living on Turtle Island to the main island of Taiwan in Toucheng township of Yilan in 1977. The people could have chosen to stay, but they went without protest. The ROC then made the island into a restricted military base. In 2000, the Island was opened for tourism, the military aspects of the island were phased down, and it was made into an ecological reserve. Now the island allows Tourists to come during the day, but no one is allowed to stay overnight.

Tours and Prices: 
Whale watching on a boat around the island: 800-1000 NT per person.
Once around the island on a boat and 2-hour tour of the island: 800-1000 NT per person.
Whale watching and island tour: 1200+ NT
Island tour including hiking to the top of the island: 1200+ NT
You can book a personalized tour and ferry boat tickets with Klook or KKday.
You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Yilan such as surfing, kayaking, horse riding, river tracing, river rafting, river tubing, pack rafting, water biking, snorkeling, canoeing, and many others through Klook here or KKday here. ​
Hours:2-4 hour tours start from 8:00 AM or later and end in the afternoon until about 4:00 PM.

When to Go:
March-November. These tours are generally closed from December to February due to rough seas and cold weather. 

Where to Stay:
There are no hotels on Turtle Island and staying overnight is forbidden.
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
We have stayed at and recommend Jiaosi Hotspring Hotel, a hotel with hot springs in each room (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here). We have also stayed at Toucheng Leisure Farm, a recreational farm and experience center in Toucheng (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, on Klook here, or on Trip.com here).

How to Get there:
​The only way to get there is by boat from Wushih Harbor in Yilan. 
To get to Wushih Harbor from Taipei, you can take the TRA train to Toucheng station, and then take a taxi from there. Otherwise, you can drive on National Highway 5 to Toucheng; there is free parking at the harbor (drive to the very end of the harbor).
You can purchase a ticket at the harbor or book online in advance via Klook or KKday.
 
 Map of Guishan Island:

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Green Island 綠島 – The Best Place for Diving in Taiwan

12/13/2024

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Green Island is a paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. Once a prison for political enemies of the KMT, it is now a tourist hot spot. It is one of the best places to snorkel and dive in Taiwan, one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world, and it also includes amazing volcanic rock formations and scenery all around the island. In this blog, we will explain how to get there, what to do, where to go, and how to enjoy this island.
Table of Contents
  • Background:
  • Weather and Climate:
  • When to go:
  • Rules to Consider:
  • How to get there:
    • By Plane:
    • By Boat:
  • Getting around the island:
    • Scooter Rental:
    • Car Rental:
    • By Bicycle: 
  • Where to Stay:
  • Tours and Activities:
  • Map:
  • Our Journey:
    • Drone Video:
    • Snorkeling Video:
  • Fugang Harbor 富岡漁港
  • Nanliao Harbor 南寮漁港
  • Green Island Old Street 綠島老街
  • Green Island Airport 綠島機場
  • Green Island Lighthouse 綠島燈塔
  • Wuyouku 烏油窟
  • Chaikou Snorkeling Area 柴口浮潛區
  • Gongguan Rock 公館鼻
  • Gongguan Fishing Harbor 公館漁港
  • General Rock and Triple Rocks 三峰岩及將軍岩
  • Elephant Rock 象鼻岩
  • Green Island White Terror Memorial Park 白色恐怖綠島紀念園區
  • Swollow Cave (Yanzidong 燕子洞)
  • Green Island Marine Research Station 綠島海洋研究站
  • Ch'ou-Ch'in Reservoir 綠島酬勤水庫
  • Niutoushan (Cow Head Mountain) 牛頭山
  • Guanyin Cave 觀音洞
  • Green Island Sika Deer Preserve 綠島梅花鹿生態園區
  • Youzihu 柚子湖
  • Laogu Stone Village 咾咕石古厝
  • Wangong Dong Sea Cave 彎弓洞
  • Little Great Wall 小萬里長城
  • Haisenping 海蔘坪
  • Sleeping Beauty Rock 睡美人岩
  • Pekingese Dog Rock 哈巴狗岩
  • Confucius Rock 孔子巖
  • Hot Spring Village 溫泉村
  • Guoshan Old Trail 過山古道
  • Ocean View Trail 綠島觀海步道
  • Zhaori Hot Springs 朝日溫泉
  • Fanchuanbi Grassland 帆船鼻大草原
  • Ziping 紫坪
  • Ziping Campground 紫坪露營區
  • Da Bai Sha Beach 大白沙
  • Fudi Dongtian 福地洞天
  • Shilang Snorkeling Area 石朗潛水區
  • Conclusion:
  • Places and things we missed:

​Background:
Green Island is the remnant of a volcano that formed millions of years ago and is part of the Luzon Volcanic Arc. Today you can see lots of volcanic rock all along the shoreline.
Green Island is the seventh largest Island in Taiwan. 
Green Island became inhabited hundreds of 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, and then to Orchid Island. It was called Jitanasey by the Tao people. It was also known to be inhabited by the Amis Tribe (阿美族) who reside today in Taitung. It was known by the Amis people as Samasana Island. 
The Island was first settled by Han Chinese fisherman from Xiaoliuqiu Island in 1813, who called the island Huoshandao (火燒島) or Bonfire Island. More Han settlers from Donggang arrived in 1850.
In 1937 the American Steamship SS President Hoover ran ground at Green Island and all aboard were saved. To thank the people of Green Island, the US donated to build the Green Island Lighthouse which was designed by the Japanese and finished in 1938, at 33.3 meters or 109 feet high. 
Green Island also served as a penal colony for political prisoners during the martial law era of Taiwan, which lasted from the late 9140s to the late 1980s. Some prisoners went on to help form the Democratic Progressive Party. The prison is now open to the public. 
Currently, the Island is powered by one diesel generator. It also includes an airport.
Currently, about 4500 people live on the island, and the main industries are tourism and fishing.

Weather and Climate:
The island has a tropical rainforest 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, and 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.
The 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 colder, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. 

Rules to Consider:
  • Do not go snorkeling or diving during bad weather, low tide, or big waves. 
  • Do not trespass private property or government property that is off limits (such as military base, weather station, reservoir, or garbage dump)
  • Always snorkel or dive with a buddy
  • Have fun

How to get there:
By Plane:
The only planes to and from Green Island come from Taitung City in Southeastern Taiwan. From Taipei, there are daily flights from Songshan Airport to Taitung, where you can switch to Daily Air which will take you the rest of the way to Green Island.
You can book discount tickets from Taipei to Taitung on KKday here. 
Flight times: As of the time of this blog, there were six flights per day by Daily Air Corporation from about 8 AM to 4 PM (Please note their website is only in Chinese). The flight from Taitung to Green Island takes about 15 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be canceled due to high winds or unfavorable weather. 
Costs: NT 1428 to Green Island and NT 1360 from Green Island.
By Boat:You can purchase boat ferry tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or KKday here. 
There are two places that offer ferry rides to Green Island: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港) in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港). However, to get there from Houbihu you need to stop in Lanyu, so I will focus this blog on departing from Fugang Harbor. There are also about three ferry companies that operate at both harbors. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at the about same times for the same prices (1200 NT per person round trip/600 NT per single trip).
Ferry Boat costs:
1200 NT per person round trip (600 NT per single trip) from Taitung. Ferry companies have roughly the same price.
Ferry Boat Times*:
7:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 8:20 AM arrival to Green Island.
8:30 AM departure from Green Island, 9:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor.
9:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 10:20 AM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time)
10:30 AM departure from Green Island, 11:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time)
11:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 12:20 PM arrival to Green Island.
12:30 PM departure from Green Island, 9:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor.
13:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 14:20 PM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time)
14:30 PM departure from Green Island, 15:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time)
15:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 16:20 PM arrival to Green Island.
16:30 PM departure from Green Island, 17:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor.
*Note: the above times change according to the seasons. There may only be one boat per day during winter, while all the boat times may be available during summer break and weekends. Please double-check which times are available before you go.
You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or KKday here.
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 400 NT per day.
You can book a scooter rental for Green Island on Klook here or KKday here. 
It may be better to book your scooter 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 Nanliao Fishing Harbor.
Car Rental:Price: expect 2000 NT per day.
You can rent a car for Green Island using KKday here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Where to Stay:
Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in the 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 better quality selection on Agoda.com. 
We stayed at and can recommend Fire Island Guesthouse, which is a high-quality B&B right on the east coast of the island. 
My hostel did not require that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (as was the case on Lanyu), but they required me to pay in cash.
Expect to pay 2000 – 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Green Island. 
Tours and Activities:There are many companies offering snorkeling, diving, SUPing, and other tours on Green Island. You can search for tours on Klook here or KKday here. 
You can also book discount tickets to Zhaori Hot Spring on KKday here. 
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

Map:
Please see a map of places we will cover in this blog below:

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Xiaoliuqiu Island (小琉球) – The Best Place to Snorkel in Taiwan

12/13/2024

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Xiaoliuqiu (aka Little Liuqiu, Lamay Island, or Lambai Island) is a small island paradise off the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The island is known for its clear water, amazing coral reefs, white sand beaches, and quiet laid-back atmosphere. Only a short half-hour boat ride from the Taiwan mainland, the island is easily accessible. In addition, the island is small enough that you can round the entire island by scooter in a matter of minutes.

Table of Contents
  • Historical Background:
  • Rules to consider:
    • Regulated Inter-tidal Zones:
  • When to go:
  • Tours:
  • Where to stay:
  • How to Get There:
  • Taking the Ferry:
  • Scooter Rental:
  • Bicycle Rental:
  • Cost of a Trip to Xiaoliuqiu:
  • Map:
    • Drone Footage:
  • Our Journey:
  • Snorkeling 浮潛
  • Gebanwan (Venice Beach) 蛤板灣 (威尼斯沙灘)
  • White Lighthouse 白燈塔
  • Hundred Year Old Banyan Tree (百年老榕樹)
  • Haizikou Harbor 海子口漁港
  • Shanfu Fishing Harbor (杉福漁港)
  • Shanfu Intertidal Zone 杉福潮間帶
  • Shanfu Ecological Trail (杉福生態廊道)
    • Old Gun Emplacement / Fort
  • Flower Vase Rock (花瓶石)
  • Baishawei Harbor 白沙尾漁港
  • Zhong'ao Beach (中澳沙灘)
  • Yuchengwei Intertidal Zone (漁埕尾潮間帶)
  • Yufu Harbor (魚福漁港)
  • Lobster Cave (龍蝦洞)
  • Xiaoliuqiu Aquarium (小琉球海生館)
  • Sunrise Pavilion (旭日亭)
  • 87 Highlands (八七高地)
  • Flying Coast 飛行海灘
  • Dafuting Natural Swimming Pool (大福亭天然游泳池)
  • Secret Beach (秘密沙灘)
  • Frog Rock 青蛙石
  • Yongan Bridge 永安橋
  • Sunset Pavilion (落日亭)
  • Lanhai Pavilion (藍海亭)
  • Devil's Cave (烏鬼洞)
  • Wild Boar Trench (Sanzhu Trench) Ecological Trail 三豬溝生態步道
  • Meirendong (Beauty Cave 美人洞)
  • Duzaiping Beach (肚仔坪)
  • Tourist Information Center (游客中心)
  • Food (食物)
    • Lizhu Rouyuan (麗珠肉圓)
    • Sea Turtle Cakes
    • Quan Deguo Xiao Breakfast Restaraunt 全德國小早餐店
    • Huang Family Mahua Twists (麻花捲)
    • Hong Mama Breakfast Shop (洪媽媽)
    • Huama Ice Shop 花媽冰店
    • Haokeduo (好客多)
    • Xiaoliuqiu Agriculture Association Store 小琉球農會超市
  • Hostels We Recommend 我們推薦的民俗
    • Other Points of Interest
  • Typhoon Nepartak Damage
  • Sunrise Pavilion 日出亭

Historical Background:
In 1622, a Dutch ship crashed on the island, two years before the Dutch began to rule Taiwan, and all but one of the crew members were killed by the aboriginal tribe living on the island at the time.
In retaliation, the Dutch sent a force to massacre the natives on the island. 300 men, women, and children were suffocated alive in a large cave, and the rest of the people were put into slavery by the Dutch. This was known as the Lamey Island Massacre. Later Chinese people began inhabiting the island in 1645.
Later the island fell into Qing, Japanese, and ROC rule.
Currently, the island is a township of Pingtung County with a population of over 10,000 people. Most of the people on the island rely on fishing and tourism for a living.
The island also has one of the largest concentrations of temples in Taiwan.
Xiaoliuqiu started to become a major tourist destination after 2004, reaching over 400,000 tourists per year.
Rules to consider:
  • Do not go snorkeling or diving during bad weather, low tide, or big waves.
  • Do not trespass private property or government property that is off limits (such as military base, weather station, reservoir, or garbage dump)
  • Do not get near or touch sea turtles
  • Do not enter regulated inter-tidal zones without a licensed guide (see more below)
  • Always snorkel or dive with a buddy
  • Have fun

Regulated Inter-tidal Zones:
In 2015 restrictions were placed on the inter-tidal zones in Xiaoliuqiu so that only those with a licensed guide could visit them and swimming is prohibited. These restrictions apply specifically to the following areas:
  • Dafu Harbor inter-tidal zone (north of Dafu Harbor)
  • Yanziping Beach
  • Shanfu Harbor Inter-tidal zone (north of Shanfu Harbor)
  • Gebanwan (Venice Beach)
There are other inter-tidal zones that are not regulated.

When to go:
Anytime! Xiaoliuqiu is a tropical island that has warm water and temperatures (above 25 degrees Celsius) year-round. However it is a little cooler and windier during the winter, and you should be sure to avoid Typhoons during summer (ferries will be canceled if there is a Typhoon).
However, it can get really crowded during summer break in July-August, so go during the off-season to avoid the crowds.

Tours:
You can book multiple tours such as snorkeling, scuba diving, SUP experience, Kayak Sailing, submarine ride, and more through Klook or KKday, such as the Xiaoliuqiu Experience Pass.
Where to stay:Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in the summer months and on weekends when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance.
Some places we have stayed at that I recommend are Yujing 6.8, which is a four-story house near Dafu Harbor (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), Boliu B&B (柏琉民宿) which is also a nice newly renovated hostel right on the main street near lots of restaurants (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), Haichan Hostel which is a traditional three-sided Taiwanese mansion near the beach (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), and Baisha Bay B&B which is a great place near the main harbor that is only one story so there are no stairs (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). All of the owners of these places were very helpful, and even helped me to move my luggage and rent scooters.
Some hostels require that you 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), but you should not have to do this if you book through Agoda or another hotel booking site.
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
How to Get There:The only way to get there is via ferry from Donggang or Yanpu Ferry Terminal in Pingtung. The ferry ride takes about 25 minutes. There is a ferry leaving from Donggang roughly every half hour from 7 AM to 5 PM.

Taking the Ferry:
Ferry from Donggang Harbor (東港漁港) to Baishawei Harbor (白沙尾漁港) on Xiaoliuqiu:
  • Price: 450 NT
  • Total travel time: 25-minute trip
  • Boats leave about every 30 minutes
  • The first boat leaves at about 7:00 AM and the last boat leaves at about 4:30 PM.
Ferry from Yanpu Harbor (鹽埔漁港) in Pingtung to Dafu Harbor (大福漁港) on Xiaoliuqiu:
  • Price: 450 NT
  • Total travel time: 25 minutes
  • Boats leave about every two hours
  • The first boat leaves at about 8:00 AM and the last boat leaves at about 4:50 PM.

Parking: There is free scooter parking and paid car parking at the fishing harbor (30 NT per car), but the fishing harbor does not allow overnight parking. Overnight parking near Donggang Fishing Harbor can cost up to 180 NT per day, but parking at Yanpu Harbor is usually free.

Public transport: There are many shuttles to and from Zuoying HSR station that leave hourly. The cost is about 200-300 NT per trip.
You can book tickets to Kaohsiung via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here, and then take a shuttle bus.
You can book a shuttle bus from Zuoying HSR Station to Donggang on Klook here or KKday here. The ride takes about an hour.
For more detailed information regarding transportation and ferry schedules, please check out our Xialiuqiu Ferry Guide here. 

Scooter Rental:
Gas Scooters:
Price: expect 300-400 NT per day.
You can book a scooter for a discount through Klook here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
In general, you will need a local scooter license or international driving permit (IDP), however, if you don’t have these it may still be possible to rent a gas scooter from a friendly scooter rental shop.
Be sure to book your rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed.
Helmet-wearing is not very much enforced, but it’s still the law, and you should definitely wear one for your own safety.
Electric Scooters: If you do not have a local scooter license or international driving permit (IDP), then you can still rent an electric scooter to get yourself around the island. Electric scooters do not require a license in Taiwan.
You can book an electric scooter on Klook here or KKday here and here.
Bicycle Rental:Riding a bike can be a great way to circle Xiaoliuqiu. You can circle the entire island is less than an hour.
You can ship a bicycle to Xiaoliuqiu for about 100 NT per round trip on the ferry.
There are not many bicycle rental options on Xiaoliuqiu besides electric scooters, so it may be easier to rent a bike in Donggang and ship it over. Usually, bicycle rentals are only about 100-200 NT per day. You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here.
You can book an electric scooter on Klook here or KKday here and here.
You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here.
Cost of a Trip to Xiaoliuqiu:Ferry ride: about 410 NT per round trip, about 30 minutes. The public ferry goes to Dafu Fishing Harbor (大福漁港), and private ferries go to Baishawei Fishing Harbor (白沙尾漁港). There are ferries that leave at least hourly from about 8 AM to 5:00 PM. You can purchase tickets at Donggang Fishing Harbor (東港漁港), or through a tour agency such as Klook here or here, or KKday.

Hotel / B&B rooms: 
about 2000-6000 NT per night. This will be the most expensive part of the trip.
Scooter rental: about 400 NT per day. There is a gas station on the back side of the island.
Snorkeling: about 300 NT per hour
Scuba diving: around 2500 NT for 2-3 hours
SUP experience: About 1000 NT for half a day.
Kayak Sailing experience: about 2000 NT for 2 hours.
Submarine adventure: about 2000 NT.
Total cost of a 4-day trip to Xiaoliuqiu for two people: 9,000 NT – 30,000 NT depending on the hotel and types of activities you choose.

Map:
​Please see below:

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Keelung Islet (基隆嶼) Travel Guide – A Little Island with Big Views

12/13/2024

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Keelung Islet is the tall, rocky island off the coast of Keelung City, Taiwan that has recently been reopened to tourists. The island features a trail to the lighthouse at the highest peak that provides breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Just a short trip from Taipei, and then a 20-minute boat ride, it is one of the most accessible outer islands that you can visit in Taiwan.
 
Table of Contents
  • Background:
  • Hours:
  • Price:
  • When to go:
  • How to get there:
  • Where to Stay:
  • Map:
  • Drone Footage:
  • 360 Degree Panorama
  • Our Journey:
    • Badouzi Harbor​ (1:16 PM)
    • Ferry Ride Around Keelung Island (2:13 PM)
    • Lesser Keelung Islet (2:40 PM)
    • Hike to Keelung Islet Lighthouse (2:57 PM)
    • Keelung Islet Lighthouse (3:50 PM)
    • Hike Back Down the Mountain (4:21 PM)
    • Beachside Path (4:58 PM)
    • The Ferry Ride Back (5:07 PM)
  • Baodouzi Weekend Night Market

Background:
Keelung Islet is a volcanic remnant dating back to the Pleistocene era about 1 million years ago and is part of the Ryukyu Volcanic Arc which is formed from the subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate under the Eurasian Plate. After the volcano was formed, it was slowly eroded away by wave action, creating a steep mountain peak with sides at about a 60-degree angle. The island is 182 meters tall (597 feet), 960 meters long (3139 feet), and 400 meters (1312 feet) wide. 
Except for crabs, birds, lizards, and insects, the island remained uninhabited until the Japanese stationed troops here during the colonization of Taiwan. 
After the ROC took control of Taiwan, the island continued to be a military base. 
In 1980, the Keelung Islet Lighthouse was completed. It was the first lighthouse in Taiwan built in an octagonal shape, and the first powered by solar power and batteries.
The islet was opened to tourists in 2001, however, tourism to the island was stopped in 2014 after Typhoon Maria ravaged the island, and was closed for five years until 2019. 
Currently, the island is open to tourists, but you cannot stay overnight there. The only people who live on the island are members of the Coast Guard who stay there on a rotational basis. 
Tourist boats take off daily from Baodouzi Harbor from April until October, and the island is closed to tourists during the winter months due to strong northeasterly winds. 
The island is popular, especially on weekends during the summer, but only 1200 people are allowed to visit each day, so you may have to book in advance. 

Hours:
Boats to Keelung Islet leave at about 8 AM, with the last boats leaving at about 1 PM.  Everyone has to be off the island before sundown. Each trip lasts about 3-5 hours depending on the itinerary. You can book boat tickets on Klook here or KKday here. 
Boats to Keelung Islet are only available from April to October due to northeasterly winds in the winter.

Price:
Boat trip to the island and hike to the lighthouse: about 700 NT
Boat trip to the island, lighthouse, and other places such as elephant trunk rock: about 1200 NT
Again, you can book tickets on Klook here or KKday here; booking on these sites is usually cheaper than buying tickets in person. 

When to go:
Boats to Keelung Islet are only available from April to October due to northeasterly winds in the winter.
If you visit from May – June you will be able to see white lily flowers, and August to September is golden spider lily season. 

How to get there:
In order to get to Keelung Islet, you first need to make your way to Badouzi Harbor (see map below).
By Car/Scooter: Drive to Keelung, then from downtown take provincial highway 2 East about 10 KM until you reach the turnoff to Badouzi Harbor, and there is some paid parking in front of the harbor. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
​By Train/Bus: Take the TRA to Badouzi (八斗子) station, then walk about 1 KM northwest until you reach the Badouzi Harbor.  You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Ferry: Next, you have to take a boat to the island. There are multiple ferry boats running to Keelung daily from April to October. You can book tickets on Klook here or KKday here. 
Where to Stay:We recommend Just Live Inn-Keelung and Yung Feng Hotel, which are two great quality hotels for a reasonable price in Keelung’s City Center.
You can book Just Live Inn-Keelung on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Klook here, Hotels.com here, Trip.com here, or Kayak here. 
You can book Yung Feng Hotel on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Hotels.com here, Trip.com here, Klook here, or Kayak here.

Map:

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Xinshe Sea of Flowers 新社花海

12/3/2024

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The Xinshe Sea of Flowers (aka Xinshe Sea of ​​Flowers and Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival 新社花海暨臺中國際花毯節) is a large field of flowers in Xinshe District of Taichung. The flowers usually bloom in the wintertime and are a major tourist attraction in the area. It is a great place for photography and taking selfies, and should definitely be on your bucket list for your next trip to Taichung. 

⛪ Planning your trip to Taichung? ⛰️

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Xinshe Sea of Flowers Times: November to December
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Norway Forest Travel Hotel or Sin Fu Business Hotel
  • Book tours and activities in Taichung on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

​Background:

The Xinshe Sea of Flowers first started in 2006 and has been held consecutively every year since. 
You can find fields of flowers all over rural Taiwan during winter. For the more touristy places, you can search 花海 in Google Maps and a bunch of places should pop up.
The sea of flowers is really busy during the month or so it is open, and traffic can be a challenge, especially on weekends. 

Times:
2024 Xinshe Sea of Flower dates: November 9th - December 31st 2024

Hours:
9 AM to 4 PM during the dates above

Tours:
There are many tours of Taichung available on KKday here or Klook here, such as an Instagram Day Tour, Historic Downtown and Sun Cake DIY Experience, Taichung Railway Station Walking Tour, Local Market Biking Tour, Aboriginal Food Tour, and much more on KKday here or Klook here. 

Hotels in Taichung:
Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center.  If you will only visit downtown, you can consider a day trip from Taipei.
We have stayed at and recommend the Norway Forest Travel Hotel, a convenient hotel right in front of Taichung Station (you can book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), and Sin Fu Business Hotel which is also a great value for the money and great quality in downtown Taichung (you can book on Agoda here. 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:
By Train/Bus: Take the TRA train to Fenguan Station, then take bus 91 to Xinshe, and switch to bus 271. The bus ride takes about an hour. You can also book a Taichung sightseeing bus on KKday here. 
By Car/ Scooter: From Central Taichung. take Dongshan Road east up the hill to Xinshe. The sea of flowers is not hard to miss on top of the plateau. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taichung? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. ​You can also check out our car rental guide here.  ​
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Market Biking Tour in Taichung on Klook here.  
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
​Please see below:

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     Author 作家

    I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. ​This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country.
    -Larry


    我來自美國, 我對台灣生活、工作和旅行有很豐富的經驗。我曾須艱辛地學習許多有關台灣的事情。但我已經了解到,台灣是世界上最適合外國人居住的地方之一。這個部落格不代表台灣每個外國人的意見。我只是想幫助其他人了解更多關於這個美麗的國家。
    -拉瑞

    Klook.com

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Planning your trip to Taiwan?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn when it is not too hot or cold and less rainy
  • How to get there: Plane tickets via Trip.com
  • Best places to stay can be found on Agoda
  • Book tours and activities in Taiwan on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

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

If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.