The Puppetry Art Center of Taipei is a museum celebrating the art of puppetry in Taiwan (台北偶戲館 英文介紹). The museum is located in Songshan District of Taipei and is accessible via Nanjing Sanmin MRT station. Usually, there are not many people visiting, and there are many interactive displays for children who can even make their own puppet show here. ​

History
In 1998, Lin Jing-fu, the chairman of the Taiyuan Art and Culture Foundation, donated his personal collection of puppets. The Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs then decided to build the Taipei Puppet Theater Museum on land donated as part of Wei Ching Group’s community feedback plan for the Living Mall area. The site opened on August 7th, 2004.
The museum includes areas for glove puppetry, shadow puppetry, marionette theater, special exhibitions, backstage music, and a master workshop for national treasures.
The Taipei Puppet Theater Museum is located in the Songshan District of Taipei City, Taiwan. It is dedicated to the collection and exhibition of puppet culture. The now-demolished Living Mall shopping center used to be next door.

Hours:
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day

Price:
50 NT per person.
You can buy tickets for a discount on Klook here.

Tours: 
​You can buy discount tickets to the Taipei Puppetry Art Center for a discount on Klook here.
​
Where to Stay:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
 
How to get there:
By MRT/Bus: The building is within a 10 minute walking distance of Nanjing Sanmin MRT station or Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: The building is within a 10 minute walking distance of Nanjing Sanmin MRT station or Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station. There is limited parking nearby.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

​Map:
​Please see below:

Hobe Fort (Aka Huwei Fort) is a Qing Dynasty era fortress in Tamsui, New Taipei that once has massive guns that protected the waterways nearby. The fort is included in a historical monument ticket that allows you to see other historical buildings in the area. It is also one of the best preserved historical fortresses in Taiwan. ​

Background:
After the Sino French War in which the French threatened Tamsui and Keelung, the Qing Dynasty decided to fortify their coastline in Taiwan, building forts at Keelung, Tamsui, Penghu, Tainan, and what is now Kaohsiung.
Hobe fort in Tamsui was completed in 1888 and designed by Liu Mingchuan. 
The fort never saw any military action, which has helped preserve the fort. 
After the Japanese took over Taiwan, they took out the canons and turned the fort into a practice ground for troops. 
After the ROC took over Taiwan, they placed troops at the fort for a while, before turing the fort over to the central government, who have opened it to the public.
The walls of the fort are 4.2 meters thick and 7 meters high. There is also an outer earth wall. The fort only has one gate facing north.

Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM

Price: 
80 NT per person (includes entrance to Fort San Domingo and the Little White House)
You can book tickets to this fort and nearby historic sites on Klook here or KKday here. 

Hotels in Tamsui:
We have stayed at and recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, Klook here, Trip.com, Kayak here, or Hotels.com 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, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, Trip.com here, or Kayak here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The fort is near Heping Park off highway 2. Parking can be found in front of the fort. Looking for scooter rental in Tamsui? 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 Klook here or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus/taxi to the fort. 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. 

Map:
Please see below:

National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (literally National Founding Father Memorial Hall) sits in the northern part of Xinyi District of Taipei, and includes a large open square and gardens. The inside of the memorial hall commemorates the life of the founding father of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen, who is revered on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. In addition, the memorial hall has a performance hall, free rotating art exhibitions, and changing of the guard every hour. It is definitely a sight worth seeing on your trip to Taipei.

Background:
The memorial hall was completed in 1972 after 8 years of construction. 
Chiang Kai-shek's funeral in 1975 took place in the memorial hall. 
Originally the hall was only used to commemorate Sun Yat-sen, but recently it has become a cetner for the arts. The Golden Horse Awards festival is held annually here.
There is another Sun Yat-sen Memorial in Guangzhou and also one in Hong Kong.

Sun Yat-sen was born in 1856 in Guangdong, China, but also spent part of his childhood in Hawaii where he had family. He was an influencial leader in the Xinhai uprising the overtthrew the Qing Dynasty in 1911. After that, he was elected as the provisional president of China, and then stepped down for a short time in favor of the warlord Yuan Shikai who forced the last Qing emperor to abdicate. However Yuan Shikai then declared himself emperor. Sun then re-formed the Nationalist KMT party and military in Guangdong, and allied with the Chinese Commnist Party. With help from the Soviets, Sun's army made a push against Yuan in the First United Front. He then died suddenly from liver cancer in 1935 at the age of 58.
After Sun's death, the KMT generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek decleared himself president and led a war against the Japanese, then a civil war against the communists in which the KMT lost mainland China and retreated to Taiwan. 
Sun is considered to be one of the greatest leaders that China has ever known.

Hours:
9 AM to 6 PM.

Price:
Free

Art Exhibitions:
You can check the current art exhibitions on display here.

Tours:
​​You can join the Classic Taipei Landmarks Day Tour on TripAdvisor here.
You can also search for tours on Klook here, or KKday here​. 

Cherry Blossom Season: Cherry blossoms can be seen in the park from February to late March. Check our our full guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Taiwan here. ​

Hotels in Taipei:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), which are all very high quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City.
We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Budget Hotels: We have also stayed at and recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By MRT: Take the Blue line MRT to Dr. Sun Yat-sen memorial Hall Station and get off at exit 3 or 4. 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 car/scooter: Drive east of Zhongxiao East Road in Taipei and turn right on Guangfu South Road. There is a parking lot to the northwest that offers free scooter parking and paid car parking. 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 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:

Liberty Square (AKA Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall) is one of the most notable landmarks in Taipei, as well as a symbol and gathering place of freedom and democracy. featuring a large public square, Chiang Kai-Shek memorial, opera houses, and gardens. It is officially a monument to the Generalissimo and President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek. Its iconic scenery and architecture are a must-visit for anyone traveling in Taipei.

Background:
The building itself gets its inspiration from the Sun Yat-sen mausoleum in Nanking, China. It took four years to construct and was finished in 1980, five years after Chiang Kai-shek had died. 
The memorial hall has 89 steps which represent the age of Chiang when he died. Inside is his statue, along with a museum and exhibition dedicated to his life. 
The plaza became the main gathering place for many demonstrations in Taiwan, such as the Wild Liliy student movement that helped to fully democratize Taiwan by demanding full muilt-party elections, to which the then president Lee Teng-hui agreed. In 2007, then president Chen Shui-bian changed the named of the plaza to Liberty Square.
In 2017, plans were announced to transform the memorial hall to respect human rights and face history, referring to Chiang Kai-shek's leadership during martial law and the white terror, in which thousands of innocent Taiwanese civilians were imprisoned and killed.
Chiang Kai-shek's statue in the memorial hall has also been vandalized recently by pro-independence students. 

Hours:
Every day 9AM to 6PM.

Price:
Free admission.

Tours:
​You can also join the Classic Taipei Landmarks Day Tour on TripAdvisor here.
You can also search for tours on Klook here, or KKday here​. 

Cherry Blossom Season: Cherry blossoms can be seen in the park from February to late March. Check our our full guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Taiwan here. 
​
Hotels in Taipei:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), which are all very high quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City.
We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Budget Hotels: We have also stayed at and recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By MRT: Take either the green line or red line to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall station. 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 Car/scooter: Take either Aiguo Raod, Xinyi Road, or Renai Raod to western Taipei and you should see it. There is paid car parking underneath the opera houses but free scooter parking on the street. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 
​
Map:
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.

For other lantern festival events around Taiwan, check out our full Taiwan Lantern Festival Guide here. 

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.

Date and Time:
In 2025 the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival will be held Wednesday, February 12th from about 6 PM to 8:30 PM. 

2025: Wednesday, February 12th from 6 PM to 8:30 PM
2026: Tuesday, March 3rd
2027: Sunday, February 21st
2028: Wednesday, February 9th
2029: Tuesday, February 27th 

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. 

​Website:
https://2023skylantern.ntpc.gov.tw/#/info

Price:
Free

​Tours of Pingxi:
You can book a tour of Pingxi on Klook here, TripAdvisor here, or KKday here. ​
​​
Activities Around Pingxi:
Don't forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

Hotels Near Pingxi:
We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here and Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and recommend ​Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. ​You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here.  You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. 
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:
By Train: Take the TRA to 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.
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book a travel pass on Klook here. 
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. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here.
By Bus: You can also book tickets to travel to Pingxi via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
​Please see below:

The Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei (aka Moca Taipei) is a former Japanese colonial school building and also served as Taipei City Hall before it was converted into a modern art and exhibition space in Datong District Taipei. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei. 

Historical Background:
The building where the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei is currently housed was originally built in 1921 by the Japanese Jian Cheng Elementary School (Kensei Shogakko). The building was made using red brick western style architecture with classical and baroque elements.  
In 1945 when the KMT took over rule of Taiwan, it was converted into Taipei City Hall and was used for that purpose until 1994. After that, the building and Jian Cheng Junior High School which sits behind it were both renovated. 
The museum opened to the public in 2001. Since then, the museum has hosted numerous international exhibitions from artists around the world. 
The museum is popular on weekends, especially for elementary students who have free admission.

Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM. 

Ticket Price:
100 NT per person.
​You can book discount tickets on KKday here. 

Museum Website:
https://www.moca.taipei/en/

Tours:
​You can book discount bundle tickets to multiple museums in Taipei on KKday here or Klook here.

Hotels in Taipei:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:
By MRT: The closest MRT station is Zhongshan Station and is about a five minute walk. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
See below:

Bangka Qingshui Temple 艋舺清水嚴 (also known as Zushi Temple 祖師廟) is a religious center of the area, dedicated to the deity Master Qingshui, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. The temple is said to be one of the best examples of Qing Dynasty temple architecture in Taiwan. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei. 

​Historical Background:
Bangka Qingshui Temple was established in 1787 and completed in 1790 during the Qing Dynasty.
Master Qingshui was a Buddhist Monk born in 1047 from the Northern Song Dynasty who is honored for saving a town during a drought as well as other miraculous deeds. Currently there are numerous temples dedicated Qingshui throughout Asia.
Besides Qingshui, the temple also enshrines deities such as Mazu, Guan Sheng Dijun, Wenchang Dijun, Ksitigarbha, Confucius, Kuixing Xingjun, and Fude Zhengshen. 
Mengjia Qingshui Temple is a national monument in the Republic of China and is considered one of the three most important temples in Taipei, along with Mengjia Longshan Temple and Dalongdong Baoan Temple. 
Early settlements around the Taipei Basin were primarily developed by immigrants from Anxi, China, for whom Qingshui Ancestor serves as the guardian deity. This led to the establishment of numerous ancestral temples in the Greater Taipei area including Sanxia Qingshui Temple, Tamsui Qingshui Temple, and Ruifang Qingshui.
They raised 30,000 silver coins to build a temple with the incense of Qingshui brought from Qingshui Temple in Anxi, Quanzhou.
Several temples in the surrounding area were established from the incense transferred from Mengjia Qingshui Temple.
In 1817, a typhoon damaged the temple, prompting local residents to raise 5,000 silver coins for repairs. 
In 1853, a brawl took place known as the "Ding-Xia Feud" between early Quanzhou immigrants and Xiamen immigrants, over the rights to sell near the temple, leading to the partial destruction of the temple. 25,000 silver coins were raised for reconstruction, which was completed in 1867. The original three-hall layout of the temple was reduced to the front hall and main hall.
During the Sino-French War, the temple was believed to have helped repel French forces. 
In the early Japanese colonial period, the temple served as an affiliated school of the Governor-General's National Language School. The rear hall was destroyed by fire in 1940 and has not been rebuilt. In 1985, construction of a parking lot unearthed buried stone materials from the rear hall.
Restoration plans began in 1997 and the main and front halls have since been restored.
The temple was featured in the 2010 Taiwanese film "Monga," with many scenes shot within the temple premises.

Price:
Free

Hours:
7 AM to 5 PM

Tours:
You can book a 2-hr Raohe Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide, or Taipei at Night: Din Tai Fung Dinner & Raohe Street Night Market Guided Tour on 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.

How to get there:
By MRT:
Take the MRT green line to Ximen Station or Longshan Temple Station. The temple is about a ten minute walk to the east. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car:
If you travel there by car, there is very limited paid parking nearby. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. ​
By Scooter:
There is limited paid scooter parking nearby. Do not park on areas with a red line; this place is a hot spot for parking tickets, so beware. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By 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:

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a former tobacco plant in Taipei that has now been converted into a park, exhibition space, museum, and more. In this multifunctional park, you can enjoy the history of the old tobacco plant buildings, as well as ongoing exhibitions, art shows, restaurants, ​bookstores, and cafés. It is a great tourist stop in the heart of Taipei for both geeks and hipsters. 
 
History
​The buildings where the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park currently lies were constructed in 1937 as the Matsuyama Tobacco Plant of the Monopoly Bureau of the Taiwan Governor's Office during the Japanese rule of Taiwan.
After WWII, the ROC government took control of the plant and renamed it the Songshan Tobacco Plant of the Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Bureau. 
Due to declining demand for tobacco in Taiwan, the factory stopped producing cigarettes in 1998, and the area was converted into a park in 2001. 
In 2011, the old buildings here were renovated to accommodate exhibitions and performances on the site. 
The area includes old warehouses, inspection rooms, office buildings, a tobacco factory, an ecology pond, and more.
In 2024 Eslite began 24-hour operations of their bookstore here. 
The park is usually busy especially on weekends, due to many ongoing art exhibitions. ​

Hours:
8:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day

Price:
Free to visit
​
Hotels in Taipei:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
 
How to get there:
By MRT/Bus: The building is close to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall MRT station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 
By Car/Scooter: The building is just a few blocks west of Taipei City Hall Station on Zhongxiao East Road. There is limited parking nearby.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  

​Map:
​Please see below:

Yongan Fishing Harbor in Xinwu Township of Taoyuan is popular for its tourist seafood market, beautiful pedestrian bridge, as well as the newly created Yongan Conch Cultural Park (永安海螺文化體驗園區), which is a cultural and artistic center for the area. There are also great seaside bike paths nearby. Here you can enjoy the landscape, shop for freshly caught seafood, and also understand more about Hakka culture and the history of fishing in Taiwan. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Taoyuan. 

Historical Background:
Yong-an Fishing Harbor was established in 1953 and is a secondary class port. Before that it was known as Kaotouwu Port (崁頭屋港) which dates back to the 1800s during the Qing Dynasty, located on the north side of the mouth of the Shezi River.
Originally a small fishing port, Yong-an Fishing Port has expanded over the years, including dredging channels and extending to allow for larger fishing vessels. The current port is 27,600 square meters, with room for approximately 450 vessels in total. Now there are about 99 small fishing vessels that dock in the harbor. The main catches here are mackerel, squid, black scraper, bonito, shark, and yellowtail fish. 

"Yong-an Sea-view Bridge 永安觀海橋" was completed in 2002 and is 110 meters long and 20 meters tall. It is a large iron arched bridge spanning Yong-an Fishing Port. In the evening it also lights up with colorful LED lights. Yong-an Sea-view Bridge attracts many photography enthusiasts, Instagrammers, and sunset watchers.

Yong-an Fishing Port opened a tourist seafood market in 2004, making the surrounding coast become a popular tourist destination. It includes a two-story fish auction hall, where fishing vessels load and unload their catches.  Since its opening, the tourist seafood market has seen tens of thousands of visitors every year. 

Yongan Conch Cultural Park was completed in 2021. Sitting on 5.6 Hectares, the white building is meant to resemble a "conch curved shell" and symbolizes the Hakka people's spirit to take on the ocean (Yongan Harbor is the only fishing port in Taiwan mainly dominated by Hakka ethnic group). Designed by Dai Xiao-qin (戴小芹), it integrated elements such as Hakka Culture, marine life, and local ecology. It is also a green, energy saving building that won the 21st Public Construction Quality Award.

Price:
Free

Hours:
Yongan Seafood Market: ​9 AM to 7 PM every day
Yongan Conch Cultural Park : 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday to Sunday

Where to stay:
Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).  
We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).  
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Activities in Taoyuan:
Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

How to get there:
By Car: Take expressway 61 to Taoyuan and take the exit near Xinwu. The harbor is just west of the expressway. There is limited free parking near the harbor, and also paid parking nearby. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search  Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. 
By Scooter: Take provincial highway 15 south from Taipei and stop at Yongan Harbor.
Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options.
By Bus: From Zhongli TRA Station, you can take bus 5027A west to the harbor. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 
​​
Map:
See below:

Taipei Fine Arts Center is one of the largest art exhibition centers in Taipei City. It was the first contemporary art museum built in Taiwan. It is definitely a must-stop on your next trip to Taipei. 

Background:
The Taipei Expo Park was created in 2010 for the Taipei International Flora Exhibition which ran from November 2010 to April 2011. It used land from Yuanshan Park, Fine Arts Park, Xinsheng Park, and Dajia Riverside Park. Before the three parks were built, it was home to the former Taipei Children's Park and former Taipei Yuanshan Zoo, old military housing and military complexes, farmland, and a driver's education course. 

Taipei Fine Arts Center was originally built in 1983 over the former United States Taiwan Defense Command. It has held an annual art contest to help find the most talented artists in Taiwan, such as the Taipei Prize. 
The museum often holds international art exhibitions and encourages cross-cultural exchanges, such as sending Taiwan's art exhibitions overseas. 

​Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. 

Price:
30 NT per person

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

Hotels in Taipei:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get there:
By MRT: The closest MRT station is Yuanshan Station and is about a five minute walk. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy, however, bikes are not allowed in the park. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
See below:

The Pingtung Art Museum is the first municipal art museum established in Taiwan. Here you can enjoy art exhibitions as well as  other events. In addition, there is a restored Martial Arts Hall from the Japanese era right next door. 

Background:
The Pingtung Art Museum was originally the Administrative Office building for Pingtung City, and was completed in 1953. In 2005, the Pingtung City Administrative Building moved to a new location, and the building was used by the Pingtung County Ministry of Culture until it was officially converted into the Pingtung City Art Museum in 2007. In 2012, the art museum was given back to the Pingtung City Administrative Office, meaning that it became the first municipal art museum established in Taiwan.

Hours:
9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays)

Price:
Free

Tours and Activities in Pingtung:
There are many activities available in Pingtung, such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. 
You can find more tours of Kenting on Klook here or KKday here. 

Where to stay:
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
I have stayed at many hostels and hotels in Pingtung, and even almost bought a house here. Some places that I have stayed at and can recommend are Nanwan Kiki (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here), a B&B next to Nanwan Bay, Kenting's most popular Beach. There are also a few decent hotels near Kenting Street Night Market like Kenting Star Inn 888 (book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Booking.com here), or Kenting Dajianshan Hotel (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). You will notice that none of these hotels are five star resorts (I do not come to Kenting to waste my time at a resort, but you can still search Agoda, Booking.com, or Klook here for those) but they are in my opinion the above have the best value for the money. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes Pingtung City. The Art Museum is on Zhongzheng Road in the middle of the city. 
Looking for scooter rental in Pingtung? Click here or 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 Train: The Art Museum is about a 10 minute walk from Pingtung TRA Station. You can book tickets to Kaohsiung via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here, or book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can book tickets to travel to Pingtung via inter-city bus 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 search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

The Pingtung Martial Arts Hall has been recently restored and opened to the public. This building provides a unique glimpse into Taiwan's former Japanese colonial history. In addition, it also has space for art exhibitions. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Pingtung.

Background:
The Pingtung Martial Arts Hall was completed in 1929 mainly for the use of local police to practice martial arts. After the KMT took control of Taiwan, this building was used as a military service station. 
In 2018 the building began restoration work which was completed in 2019. 
For an overview of Martial Arts History and significance in Taiwan, check out this blog by Josh Ellis. 

Hours:
9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday to Sunday

Price:
Free

Tours and Activities in Pingtung:
There are many activities available in Pingtung, such as  snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. 
You can find more tours of Pingtung on Klook here or KKday here. 

Where to stay:
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
I have stayed at many hostels and hotels in Pingtung, and even almost bought a house here. Some places that I have stayed at and can recommend are Nanwan Kiki (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here), a B&B next to Nanwan Bay, Kenting's most popular Beach. There are also a few decent hotels near Kenting Street Night Market like Kenting Star Inn 888 (book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Booking.com here), or Kenting Dajianshan Hotel (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). You will notice that none of these hotels are five star resorts (I do not come to Kenting to waste my time at a resort, but you can still search Agoda, Booking.com, or Klook here for those) but they are in my opinion the above have the best value for the money. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes Pingtung City. The Pingtung Martial Arts Hall is on Zhongzheng Road in the middle of the city. 
Looking for scooter rental in Pingtung? Click here or 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 Train: The Martial Arts Hall is about a 10 minute walk from Pingtung TRA Station. You can book tickets to Kaohsiung via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here, or book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can book tickets to travel to Pingtung via inter-city bus 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 search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 
​
Map:
Please see below:

Rainbow Village is a brightly colored artistic former military dependents village located in Taichung, Taiwan. It was converted into a tourist destination by one of the former residents in order to save the village from destruction. The unique paintings cover almost the entire village and have become a major spot for tourists and Instagrammers. ​

Background:
​The artist behind the work, Huang Yung-Fu (黃永阜), was a KMT soldier who retreated from mainland China with the ROC army. He and his family were relocated to a dependent's village in Taichung, where they stayed permanently. Eventually, after over half a century the village became worn down and developers wanted to tear it down. In order to save his village, Mr. Huang painted the houses starting in about 2008, which caught the attention of local university students who campaigned to save the village.
Mr. Huang died January 23rd, 2024 at the age of 101. 
The village is now a popular tourist attraction, attracting more than a million visitors a year.
Check out this video recently made by the BBC for more information:

You can see above for a video on Mr. Huang. 

Price: Free

Hours: 24/7

How to get there:
Take highway 125 in Nantun, on the outskirts of the Taichung. The village is tucked into Zhongyang Road Lane 19.
Scooter Rental: Looking for scooter rental in Taichung? You can search Klook here or KKday here to look for options.
You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
Car Rental: If you are looking for car rentals in Taichung, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKDay here. You can also charter a car on KKday here. 
You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Bus: You can book a Taichung sightseeing bus on KKday here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

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

Attractions:
There are many amazing sites and attractions in Taichung, such as Gaomei Wetlands, Rainbow Village, Luce Chapel, Rainbow Village, Wuling Farm, Nantun Old Street, Xinshe Flower Garden, Lihpao Land Theme Park, National Museum of Natural Science, Wonder New Land Children's Park, Carton King Creative Park, Jurassic Planet Park, Museum of Illusions, Lavender Cottage, Okuma Center Fishing Museum, Basian Forest Recreation Area, Wooderlife Gaming Area, Dasyueshan Recreation Area, Wufeng Lin Family Garden, Moncoeur Garden, Yukids Island, Shoe Wonderland Factory Tour, Lihpao International STS Race Circuit, Muxinquan Leisure Farm, Guguan Hot Springs, Miyahar, Fushoushan Recreational Farm, Xinshe Castle, National Taichung Theater, and many more which are covered in this blog.
You can also book a Taichung pass for multiple attractions on Klook here or here. 

Activities:
Taichung has lots of indoor and outdoor activities available, such as Scuba Cube Hotel Indoor Diving Experience, Batting Cages, Indoor Skiing and Sledding, Car Race Track, Pilot an Aircraft, Glamping, Archery, Trampoline Center, Off-road ATVing, Hiking, see cherry blossoms, stargazing, Aboriginal Food Tour, cooking class, and much more on KKday here or Klook here. 
​
Hotels in Taichung:
Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center.  If you will only visit downtown, you can consider a day trip from Taipei.
We have stayed at and recommend the Norway Forest Travel Hotel, a convenient hotel right in front of Taichung Station (you can book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or compare prices on Kayak here), and Sin Fu Business Hotel which is also a great value for the money and great quality in downtown Taichung (you can book on Agoda here or compare prices on Kayak here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Map: Please see below:

Treasure Hill is a former military dependents village in Taipei, which has been converted into an art village. In addition to understanding more about Taiwan's wartime history here, you can also appreciate the many art spaces and coffee shops in the village. This place is a hipster's paradise.

Background:
​Treasure Hill was originally an anti-aircraft location for the Japanese military during WWII. The barracks and dormitories leftover by the Japanese were later taken over by KMT army veterans after the KMT retreated to Taiwan in the late 1940's. There were also a few illegal structures added to the village made from cement and sand from the Xindian River. After 1960, the area was converted into a military dependents village for the families of army veterans. 
After years of no illegal renovations and add-ons. the Taipei City government planned to demolish the village in 1980, and some were destroyed. However, because the city could not find a place for the poor families that still lived there, the demolition was halted. In 2006 demolition of houses near the riverside was completed, and over 100 residents were moved out of the village. Later on, the remaining legal houses were converted into the international arts village, and a few residents were allowed to remain. 

Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 11 AM to 10 PM

Price:
Free

Hotels in Taipei:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Taipei Marriot (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor 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, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Activities in Taipei:
You can look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. 
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Roosevelt Road, turn right toward Tingzhou Road Section 3. There is paid parking on the north 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 Gonguan Station. The village is about a 10 minute walk away. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

The Yuanshan Grand Hotel is one of the tallest traditional Chinese buildings in the world, and was the tallest building in Taiwan for nearly a decade. It also features multiple restaurants, a swimming pool, all day buffet, shops, and secret underground tunnels, slides, and bunkers. It is a major landmark in Taipei and definitely worth a visit even if you do not plan to spend the night there.

Background:
After the ROC government moved to Taiwan in 1949, there was no decent hotel for international travelers and foreign dignitaries, so Chiang Kai-shek planned the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, which was established in 1952. The swimming pool and other buildings were completed in 1953 and 1956, and the main hotel building was completed in 1973. 
Originally the land where the hotel stands was a Shinto shrine called the Taiwan Grand Shrine, left over from the Japanese Era.  
In 1995 a fire hit the top floors, and repairs were not completed until 1998,
Numerous foreign dignitaries including US presidents have stayed at the hotel.

Hours:
24/7 (it's a hotel)

Price:
Free to walk inside the lobby.
Rooms vary from about 3000 NT to 500,000 NT per night. 
The secret tunnel tour is 200 NT per person.

Hotel Room Booking
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, which was once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand. You can book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here.

Website:
https://www.grand-hotel.org/EN/official/about.aspx?gh=TP 

Tour times:
Every day at 11 AM and 2 PM (check with the front desk to make sure)
The tour is 200 NT per person
You can book a tour of the hotel and secret tunnels on Klook here, or KKday here which includes a lunch buffet. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: The Yuanshan Hotel is a big square building in Taipei near Shilin and Neihu on the Keelung River. You have to take a roundabout road up to the hotel which can be confusing, it may take you two passes to make it into the parking lot. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bus/MRT: There is a free shuttle bus from MRT Yuanshan Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Academia Sinica's Museum of History and Philology is one of the best museums in Taiwan. It has the largest collection of Chinese oracle bone remains in the world. It is also free, usually devoid of people, and has some of the most amazing ancient artifacts from Taiwan and China. It is like a mini National Palace Museum, and is worth a visit on your trip to Taipei.

Background:
The museum first began in 1933, just after the Institute of History and Philology was created in 1928 in Beijing. After 1949, the museum was moved to Taiwan as part of the ROC retreat to Taiwan. In 1965 the museum did merge with the National Palace Museum, and was reopened in 1986 when the museum building at Academia Sinica was completed. The building also underwent renovations from 1997-2002.
Much of the collection comes from when the institute was located in China, and includes thousands of pieces from prehistoric times, as well as the Shang, Chou, and Han Dynasties. 

Website:
http://museum.sinica.edu.tw/en/visit/

Hours:
Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Price:
Free!

Temperature:
The museum is kept at a cool 20 degrees Celsius, so dress accordingly.

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.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: There is paid car parking at Academia Sinica, and scooters must park outside.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By MRT/Bus: Take the blue MRT line to Nangang Exhibition Hall station, then transfer to any number of busses from exit 5 to Academia Sinica. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

​Map:
Please see below:

The National Palace Museum (aka NPM) in Taiwan has one of the largest collections of Chinese artifacts in the world, and perhaps the finest collection of Chinese art in the world. The museum is open year round and offers tours in many different languages. It is a must-see spot for any foreign tourist visiting Taiwan.

Background:
The National Palace Museum has over700,000 artifacts in two locations, one in Taipei (where most foreign visitors come, northern branch) and another in Chiayi (less visited southern branch). However only 3,000 artificats can be on display at a time, so the museum rotates artifact displays every two months. This way, you will likely be seeing something different every time you come.

​Originally the National Palace Museum was established in 1925 when the Republic of China ruled all of Mainland China, after the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty was expelled from the forbidden city. In 1931, Chiang Kai-shek ordered that the artifacts in the forbidden city be moved to Shanghai, and Later Nanking so that they would not fall into the hands of the Japanese until the Japanese surrendered in 1945. After the Chinese Civil War started that same year, Chiang Kai Shek ordered the artifacts be moved to Taiwan between 1948 and 1949, but not all the artifacts could be sent before the communists seized control of some of the remaining collection. Only 1/5 of the original collection from the forbidden city made it to Taiwan, but they were considered the best of the artifacts. 
For ten years the items sat in storage in Taichung until a small viewing hall was built in 1957. In 1965 the current site for the palace museum was established, and has been expanded over the years. The museum also plans further expansions in the future. 
The museum is a monument to Taiwan's (the Republic of China's) claim to be the true legitimate government of China, as it preserved and protected these artifacts from the communist destruction of heritage during the Cultural Revolution. China of course claims that the artifacts were stolen. However, the PRC's Forbidden City (also know as the National Palace Museum) and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan have exchanged artifacts since 2009. 

Hours:
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM every day (open till 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday).

Price:
350 NT per person. 
You can book discount tickets to the National Palace Museum on Klook here or KKday here. 
You can book a Taipei City Tour with National Palace Museum Ticket on on TripAdvisor here. 

FAQ:
Click here for the National Palace Museum's official FAQ. 

Tours:
You can book a Taipei City Tour with National Palace Museum Ticket on on TripAdvisor here. 
You can book discount tickets to the National Palace Museum on Klook here or KKday here. 
​
Hotels in Taipei:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), which are all very high quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City.
We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By MRT/Bus: Take the MRT to Shilin Station on the red line and then take any number of busses. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car/Scooter: From central Taipei I recommend driving there via the Ziqiang tunnel in Neihu/Dazhi which goes through the mountain straight to the museum. There is free scooter parking to the right of the entrance and paid car parking across the street. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 
​
Map:
Please see below:

Four Four South Village (aka Forty-Four South Village) is a former military dependents village that has been converted into a cultural park in Xinyi District of Taipei City. Now it is home to cafes, arts and crafts stores, bookstores, and a community center. Also, it has great views of the Taipei 101. It is worth visiting if you are in the area. 

Background:
Four Four South Village was named and built for the 44th Arsenal of the Combined Logistics Command and their families in 1948, after the ROC military retreated to Taiwan following defeat in the Chinese Civil War. The houses were cheaply built out of wood, concrete, bamboo, and tiles. The houses were small, and everyone had to share a communal bathroom. There was also no running water when it was built. Part of the village was destroyed in a fire in 1999, and the whole village was planned to be demolished in 2001, but local residents and cultural experts persuaded the government to preserve part of the village as a cultural heritage site. Now it sits as an important historical site close to the Taipei 101.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

Tours:
You can book a tour of 44 south village on TripAdvisor here. 
You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. 

Hotels in Taipei:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), which are all very high quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City.
We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By MRT: Take the MRT red line to the Taipei 101/World Trade Center station. The village is just a short one minute walk south. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car/Scooter: The village is just south of Xinyi Road, southwest of the Taipei 101. There is paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
​If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By 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:

Nangan is the largest Island in the Matsu Archipelago. Besides being the main transportation hub to the other islands in Matsu, it also has traditional stone house villages, military  museums, a giant statue of Mazu, a variety of local food, and much more to explore.

Background:
Thousands of years ago, stone aged peoples once inhabited the Matsu Islands, including Beigan Island itself. These stone aged people later disappeared. 
The Matsu islands were inhabited again around the Song Dynasty (990 - 1200 AD) by Chinese Fisherman, the descendants of whom still inhabit the islands today. 
Because the Goddess Mazu's corpse washed ashore on this island, Nangan is also known as Matsu Island. 
During the Chinese Civil War, Matsu was used as a military  outpost for the retreating ROC. During the years that followed, it withheld shelling and threats of invasion from China, helping to keep Taiwan free of communist control.
In 1992 after cross straight relations had warmed up, martial law was lifted on the islands and tourists were allowed to visit.
In  the year 2000, a ferry link with Fuzhou started to provide constant China Mainland visitors to the island, as part of the three links with China. 
​In 2003, the Nangan airport was completed, which made Nangan the true transportation hub of Matsu. 
Nangan has a population of 4,000 people, and is the largest island in Matsu in terms of population and geographical size. 

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. 

How to get there:
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.

Price:
By Boat:
500-2000 NT per person (one way from Taipei or Keelung). You can book ferry tickets to Matsu on KKday here. 
160 NT per person (one way from Beigan). You can book tickets between Nangan and Beigan Islands on KKday here. 
By Plane:
​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.

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. 

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. 

Hotels:
We have stayed at and recommend Fu Hwa Homestay​ on Nangan (you can book on Agoda here, Booking,com here, or Trip.com here), and B&B of Blueshine​ on Beigan (you can book on Agoda here, Booking,com here, or Trip.com here). Both places were excellent, and provided us a car ride to and from the airport for free. 
You can also check out our Taiwan hotels guide here.
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the island. 
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 

How to get around the island:
Nangan is a large, hilly island and it would be very hard to get around on foot or bicycle. We recommend one of the following
By 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, 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. 

Map:
Please see below:

The Miaoli Hakka Roundhouse is an exhibition center focused on local Hakka culture, as well as a tourist center, performance hall, and DIY art center. It was completed in 2014 and was built to resemble the Tulou Roundouses in Fujian, China. Taiwan has no historical roundhouses. Even if it is not historically accurate, it is a beautiful building with some very educational exhibitions on Hakka culture. 

Background:
The Hakka people are a subgroup of Han Chinese that migrated from North Central China to southern China to avoid social unrest, occupying now what is Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan. These moves were aided by "guest household" policies during at different times, such as under the Kangxi Emperor. 
The Hakka people have a distinctive culture and language differing than that of their neighbors, because they came from a different part of China when cultures in the north and south were very divergent. 
Roundhouses first appeared in China during the late Ming Dynasty (late 1500s). The were built round to match the many round hills in Fujian province. The Hakka people specialized in creating roundhouses, because it helped to centralize the community, create an easy defense against bandits and invaders, and save precious farmland. There are over 3000 roundhouses in Fujian, that attract over 4 million visitors a year. In 2008, the tulou roundhouses in Fujian became a UNESCO world heritage site. 
During the cold war, the US mistook these roundhouses for nuclear missile silos. 
Hakka people started moving to Taiwan in the late Ming Dynasty, along with Koxinga and other Ming loyalists.
Although there are no historical roundhouses in Taiwan, there are still many square Tulou (土樓) that served similar purposes as roundhouses.
The Miaoli Hakka Roundhouse was built in 2014 at a cost of 130 million NT. It was built to resemble the Tulou Roundhouses in Fujian, China. It is 3,400 square meters and has four stories.
After its construction, some people criticized the building for not being related to Taiwan Hakka culture. However, the government leaders defended the decision saying represented a fusion of Hakka culture which is a worldwide heritage, and that it was meant to increase tourism in the area.   

Price:
Free

Hours:
9 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays.

Tours: 
There are many tours and activities available in Miaoli such as Schokolake Chocolate Factory, Shangshun World, West Lake Resortopia, Suweila Manor, Baba Kengdao, Hobbit Valley, Zhuo Ye Cottage Duck Box and more on Klook here or KKday here. 

Accommodation:
We have stayed at and recommend Beautiful Landscape Resort, a fish farm and resort near Nanzhuang Old Street (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Yuan Motel, a high class car motel which includes a great breakfast buffet (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here). 

Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy 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. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Drive to the HSR station in Miaoli. There is paid parking across the street from the roundhouse. 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 Miaoli? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Train/HSR: Take the TRA Train to Fengfu Station, or take the HSR to Miali Station. The roundhouse is within walking distance. You can book tickets to Miaoli via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can book tickets to travel to Miaoli via inter-city bus 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 search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
​Please see below:

This glass building in Budai is the highest high-heeled structure in the world. It is not actually a real church, it is a classic tourist trap that is slowly fading in popularity. There is not much here except this and some seafood restaurants, but it was still fun to visit.

Background:
Budai is a fishing port village in Chiayi county and has the only ferry to Penghu from the main island of Taiwan.
Construction of the high-heel church was completed in 2016. It is composed of 300 pieces of blue glass and is 17.76 meters tall, 12 meters wide, and 25 meters long.
Many people were afraid that the building would be abandoned by tourists after completion because it is lacking in historical or cultural significance. It is said the chapel was built to honor the women that suffered a breakout of blackfoot disease which broke out in the area decades ago, which prevented them from wearing high heels and having a happy wedding.
After construction, it received the Guinness World Record for the highest high-heeled shaped structure in the world. 
Even though the high-heeled building is used as a wedding venue, it is not a real church and is not related to any religion. 

Hours:
24/7
​
Price:
Free

​Tours and Activities:
You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Chiayi such as glamping, Three Pigs Farm, Janfusun Fancy World, Taiping Suspension Bridge, Chateau de Jourdeness , Kumquat Tourist Factory, Taisugar Siantou Cultural Park, Meteor Garden, Veoveoana Tribe Tour, Danayi Valley, Batongguan Historic Trail, Xianghe Leisure Farm, Foot massage and many others through Klook here or KKday here. 

Accommodation:
We have stayed at and recommend Chiayi Crown Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), Shin Kao Hotel (you can book on Agoda here or Trip.com here), and YesHotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), which are all quality hotels for a reasonable price near Chiayi Station. We also recommend Shianghu Botique Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), with excellent quality for the money just our of Chiayi City center. Finally we have stayed at and recommend Fenchihu Street Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), which is within walking distance of Fenqihu Old Street, Fenqihu Station, and many amazing hikes in the area.
Find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.  We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy 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. 

How to get there:
By car/scooter: Take provincial highway 17 or Expressway 61 to Budai along the coast in Chiayi, then head west to the coast. The high heeled church is near the ocean in Budai and is hard to miss. Looking for scooter rental in Chiayi? You can check out 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: You can take bus 7209H from Chiayi HSR station, which takes about an hour and a half to reach Budai. You can book tickets to travel to Chiayi via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
You can book tickets to Chiayi via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.
By bicycle: Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here.

Map:
Please see below:

Formosa Boulevard Station has been named the second most beautiful MRT station in the world. It includes the largest glass piece of artwork in the world, which covers the roof and pillars in the central part of the station. Did I mention it's an MRT station? Yeah. Some people like to take selfies here. 

Background:
Formosa Boulevard Station is currently the only interchange station on the Kaohsiung MRT, connecting the red and orange lines. 
It's name in Chinese is simply "Formosa Station" referring to the Formosa Incident in 1979 (aka the Kaohsiung incident) which was a crackdown by the KMT on the pro-democracy movement in Taiwan and helped lead to the full democratization of Taiwan. 
The added the name "boulevard" to the English name, refers to Chungshan Road which is also known as Formosa Boulevard. 
The "Dome of Light" was designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata, and is made of over 4,000 glass pieces. The art piece took over 4 years to complete and the glass was shipped from Germany. The four main themes of the station are Water: The Womb of Life; Earth: Prosperity and Growth; Light: The Creative Spirit; and Fire: Destruction and Rebirth. It has a diameter of 30 meters. ​
In addition, large bending glass windows on the four main exits were designed by Shin Takamatsu Architect & Associates.
The station was completed in 2008 and had 18,000 daily passengers as of 2019. ​

Hours: 
6 AM to midnight. 

How to get there:
By Train: Take the TRA to Kaohsiung Station, and then switch to the MRT line. Get off at Formosa Station, and you have arrived! Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
You can also book a Kaohsiung Travel pass here. ​
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 17 in downtown Kaohsiung to the intersection of Chungshan 1st Road and Zhongzheng 4th Road. The station is underneath the roundabout. Looking for scooter rental in Kaohsiung? You can check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can check also out our scooter rental guide here.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can search Qeeq here, KKday here, or Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.

Accommodation
We have stayed at and recommend Chao She Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) IHI Sanduo Travel Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Mingli Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Hotels.com here) which are three inexpensive and high quality choices in downtown Kaohsiung. I also have stayed at and recommend Kaohsiung Meinong Rabbit Paul Homestay B&B (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here), a quiet B&B in rural Meinong, and Chengching Lakeside Resort​ (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com or Trip.com here)and the Grand Hotel Kaohsiung (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) which both offer breakfast buffet and free entrance into Chenqing Lake Park. I have also stayed at the 85 sky tower which offers great views of the city; you can search for rooms in the 85 sky tower on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here).
Find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 

Tours:
You can find more tours and activities in Kaohsiung such as Pier 2, Meinong Hakka Museum, Hamasen Railway Museum, Suzuka Circuit Park, i-Ride Kaohsiung Visual 5D Flying Theater, National Science and Technology Museum , Senya Village Restaruant, Austin Land, Ski School Indoor Ski Slope, and many more on Klook here or KKday here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 
​
Map:
Please see below:

The Taiwan Sugar Museum (aka Qiaotou Sugar Factory/Refinery) is a historical sugar refining Factory in Qiaotou District of Kaohsiung City. It was the first sugar factory in Taiwan and lasted nearly a hundred years. Now it has been converted into a museum and cultural center, and is one of the most popular attractions in the area.  

Background:
The first Han Chinese settlers to Qiaotou came during the late Ming Dynasty, along with Koxinga. The original name of Qiaotou District was was Xiaodianzai (小店仔), a name given because in the olden days there was a few shops near a the Yungui Bridge (允龜橋). Later during the Qing Dynasty, the row of shops became a long street known as Xiaodianzai Street (小店仔街). The Yunchong Bridge crossed a small ditch near the old street, and after a while people referred to the street as Qiaotou Street (literally the street at the head of the bridge). The ditch was later filled in with earth and the bridge was torn down, but it stood near the current stinky tofu stand.  
In 1901, during the Japanese era, the first sugar factory in Taiwan was built in Qiaotou. At it's height, it was producing 18,000 tons of sugar per year. After the fall of sugar production in the late 1900s due to the reduction of available land and the growing cost of producing sugar in Taiwan, the factory began to slow production. In 1999, the sugar factory stopped producing sugar, and in 2006 it was converted into a museum.
Due to its convenient transportation from both the MRT and TRA, the Qiaotou Sugar Museum has become a popular attraction, and is especially crowded on weekends. 
​
Hours:
9 AM to 4:30 PM

Price:
Free entrance, different areas inside may require additional entrance fees. 
Ten Drum Creative Park 十鼓文創園區: 350 NT

When to go:
Anytime, it never gets really crowded here.

Accommodation
We have stayed at and recommend Chao She Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) IHI Sanduo Travel Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Mingli Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Hotels.com here) which are three inexpensive and high quality choices in downtown Kaohsiung. I also have stayed at and recommend Kaohsiung Meinong Rabbit Paul Homestay B&B (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here), a quiet B&B in rural Meinong, and Chengching Lakeside Resort​ (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com or Trip.com here)and the Grand Hotel Kaohsiung (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) which both offer breakfast buffet and free entrance into Chenqing Lake Park. I have also stayed at the 85 sky tower which offers great views of the city; you can search for rooms in the 85 sky tower on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here).
Find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 

Tours:
You can find more tours and activities in Kaohsiung such as Pier 2, Meinong Hakka Museum, Hamasen Railway Museum, Suzuka Circuit Park, i-Ride Kaohsiung Visual 5D Flying Theater, National Science and Technology Museum , Senya Village Restaruant, Austin Land, Ski School Indoor Ski Slope, and many more on Klook here or KKday here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. ​

How to get there:
By Scooter/Car: From central Kaohsiung, take provincial highway 1 north (scooters) or national freeway 1 (cars) until you reach Qiatou. There is paid parking in front of the sugar factory. Looking for scooter rental in Kaohsiung? You can check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can check also out our scooter rental guide here.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can search Qeeq here, KKday here, or Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By MRT/TRA: Take the MRT or TRA to Qiaotou Train Station stop. The old street is just one block south of the train station. You can book tickets to travel to Kaohsiung via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
You can book tickets to Kaohsiung  via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
You can also book a Kaohsiung Travel pass here. ​
​
Map:
​Please see below:

Weiwuying, also known as the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, is a performance arts center in Fengshan District of Kaohsiung City. It is the largest arts venue under one single roof in the entire world. It has the largest pipe organ in Asia. It was also named as one of the top 100 places in the world by Time Magazine. The arts center also sits next to Weiwuying Metropolitan Park. It is a must see spot for any foreign tourist visiting Taiwan.

Background:
Before 1950, the land on which Weiwuying stands was undeveloped. After that, it was used as a military recruitment camp under the KMT. In 2003, it was decided to use the land as one of Taiwan's main stimulus projects. It was decided that an arts center should be built, and Mecanoo Architecten was chosen as the developer. Ground was broken in 2010, and the main building was completed in 2012. After some delays, the building was finally completed and opened in 2018. The building's shape was inspired by banyan trees in the nearby metropolitan park, with open spaces and walls similar to sitting in a banyan grove. Also, much of the steel needed for creating the unique curved shape was made by local shipbuilders in Kaohsiung. Over a meter of insulation was also added to the roof for sound-proofing. 
The center includes 2236 seats in the main theater, 1981 seats in the music hall, 1210 seats in the drama theater, 434 seats in the performance hall, as well as capacity for over 30,000 people in the grassy area near the building part of Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park. There is also an exhibition hall and business exhibition center. 
Since its opening, it has been nominated for multiple architecture awards. Also, it was named as one of the World's 100 Greatest Places by Time Magazine in 2019.

Hours:
11:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day (outdoor courtyard open 24/7)

Price:
Depends on the event.

Website:
https://www.npac-weiwuying.org/about?lang=en​

How to get there:
By MRT: Take the Kaosiung MRT Yellow line to Weiwuying Station. You can book tickets to travel to Kaohsiung via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
You can book tickets to Kaohsiung  via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
You can also book a Kaohsiung Travel pass here. 
By car/scooter: From central Kaohsiung drive east along Sanduo Road across national freeway 1 until you reach Weiwuying, it is hard to miss. There is plenty of paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Kaohsiung? You can check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can check also out our scooter rental guide here.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can search Qeeq here, KKday here, or Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.

Accommodation
We have stayed at and recommend Chao She Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) IHI Sanduo Travel Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Mingli Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Hotels.com here) which are three inexpensive and high quality choices in downtown Kaohsiung. I also have stayed at and recommend Kaohsiung Meinong Rabbit Paul Homestay B&B (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here), a quiet B&B in rural Meinong, and Chengching Lakeside Resort​ (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com or Trip.com here)and the Grand Hotel Kaohsiung (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) which both offer breakfast buffet and free entrance into Chenqing Lake Park. I have also stayed at the 85 sky tower which offers great views of the city; you can search for rooms in the 85 sky tower on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here).
Find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 

Tours:
You can find more tours and activities in Kaohsiung such as Pier 2, Meinong Hakka Museum, Hamasen Railway Museum, Suzuka Circuit Park, i-Ride Kaohsiung Visual 5D Flying Theater, National Science and Technology Museum , Senya Village Restaruant, Austin Land, Ski School Indoor Ski Slope, and many more on Klook here or KKday here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. ​
​
Map:
Please see below:

Su'ao's Crayon Castle (officially Luck Arts Crayon Factory) is a crayon factory castle in Su'Ao township in Yilan County, that has been specifically designed as a DIY experience center for kids where they can make their own arts and crafts, as well as their own set of markers, and crayon in the shape of Taiwan! The DIY activities include making markers and crayons, face painting, painting porcelain, making chalk, and water coloring. Basically, it is a paradise for young children. 

Background:
The Lucky Art corporation started in Yilan in 1990, and has four factories worldwide, two in Taiwan, and one in Shanghai and Vietnam. 
The factory in Yilan produces over 1.5 million crayons per day.
In 2008, the Lucky Art corporation opened its tourist crayon factory, which now sees more than 200,000 visitors per year. 
In 2017, the crayon castle was expanded to double its size, and added a parking lot that can accommodate over 200 cars. 

Price:
General DIY (4 activities and 100 NT coupon): 250 NT per person
Chalk DIY: 150 NT per person
Watercolor DIY: 350 NT per person
Paint Porcelain: 160 NT per person
Price for children under 90 CM: free
Parking: Free
​You can buy tickets for a discount on Klook here. 

Tours and Activities:
You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Yilan such as Taipingshan, Turtle Island, Lanyang Museum, Toucheng Leisure Farm, Zhang Mei Ama Capybura Farm, Bambi Land, Yinong Ranch, National Center for Traditional Arts, Taxi Museum, Glamping, Camping, ATV / 4-wheeling experience, SUP / paddle boarding, Ximeng Forest Theater, Surfing, Kayaking, Horse Riding, River Tracing, River Rafting, River Tubing, Pack Rafting, Water Biking, Snorkeling, Canoeing, Shrimping and many others through Klook here or KKday here. 

Accommodation:
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.
We have stayed at and recommend Ying Shih Guest House, a resort in Datong Township near Taipingshan and Fan Fan Hot Spring (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), and 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).
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy 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. ​

Hours:
8:30 AM to 6PM
(Tickets not sold after 4 PM. Sessions every half hour.)

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take National Freeway 5 south until it ends. You will see the Crayon Factory on your right as the road becomes the Haishan West Road. Looking for scooter rental in Yilan? You can search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals in Yilan, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Train: Take the TRA to Xinma Station (新馬站) and then walk or take a taxi the remaining 500 meters to the crayon factory. You can book tickets to travel to Yilan via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yialn via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here.  Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.
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 below: