Out in the foothills of former Kaohsiung County are tropical badlands, hills of easily eroding material that makes the landscape look so unique that you must think that it's on the moon. In the summer of 2014 the Foreigners in Taiwan team took a journey to this park in Tianliao which showcases these hills with trails and beautiful scenic views, and 4 years later here is the blog. It's definitely a strange landscape especially for Taiwan, and is worth a visit especially if you want to get some unique photos. You can also see some nearby mud hot springs.
□️ Planning your trip to Kaohsiung? □ Here are some top travel tips for you:
Geological History: Moon World is part of a stretch of badlands that cover a large swath of southern Taiwan near the central mountain range. Typical badlands are found in dryer climates, are composed of sedimentary rocks, typically have very little vegetation, and have deep valleys or ravines. The badlands in Taiwan are unique in that they are in a tropical rain forest. How is this possible? The rocks at Moon World are composed of mudstone, sandstone, shale, and chalk. Because of high alkaline levels due to chalk in the soil, trees and grass cannot grow, and basically the only plant that can grow in the soil is spiny bamboo. The lack of vegetation as well as high rainfall gives way to quick eroding hills, or badlands. The Caoshan River and the Ganglin Rovers also helped to carve out the landscape and bare hills. Because of the white greyish color, the hills seem to glow when in moonlight,hence the name "Moon World." However to the casual observer, the landscape looks like the surface of the moon as well. Hours: All Day. However buses and restaurants will not run all day (there is no 7-11, only round-table chicken quick fry restaurants 土鷄). Price: Free! 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 Bus: You can either take the Kaohsiung City bus Red 70B from the Gangshan MRT station, or Kbus 8042 from Tainan HSR 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: Take the Tianliao Exit on National Highway 3 and take provincial highway 28 to Tianliao. 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. Please refer to the map below:
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Yes, you should go to Kenting. Kenting has some of the best natural scenery in Taiwan, from beautiful white sand beaches that are warm year round to limestone mountains with hundreds of caves and waterfalls to explore. Although it may not be a world class beach resort destination yet, it should definitely be on your list on your trip to Taiwan.
Please note we have made an updated version of this guide on our new website here. □️ Planning your trip to Kenting? ☀️ Here are some top travel tips for you:
Historical Background: The area around the Hengchun Peninsula was once coral that has been uplifted over millions of years. The first people to live here were Taiwan aboriginals, from the Paiwan and Puyuma tribes (who caused the Rover Incident as portrayed in Seqalu: Formosa 1867). Kenting was first settled by Han farmers and fishermen during the Qing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from two words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pioneers of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The aboriginal people were mostly assimilated with the local Chinese population. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era, Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. The Whaling industry continued here in the ROC era until the international ban on whaling in 1986. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). When to go: Summer is the best time to go because there is warm sunny weather and not a lot of wind. However, there are more people and there may be Typhoons. Winters are windy and colder, but the water is still warm enough to swim in. Winter is a better time for activities like hiking and surfing. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Hengchun into Kenting National Park. Looking for scooter rental in Kenting? 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 Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. You can book tickets to Kenting 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 Kenting via inter-city bus on Klook here. Once in Kenting, you can save money by booking Kenting's bus pass. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. You can search for cheap flights in Taiwan here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Where to stay: 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 or 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 around in Kenting: 1. Rent a scooter - the best way to see Taiwan. Electric scooters that do not require a license are also readily available. For better range and speed, rent a gas scooter. You can search for scooter options here or here, and you can check out our scooter rental guide here. 2. Rent a car - more expensive than a scooter but may be more suitable for a large family. 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. 3. Take the Kenting bus - cheap but slower than your own transportation, and it doesn't stop everywhere. You can book tickets to travel to Kenting via inter-city bus on Klook here. 4. Cycle - you can rent a bicycle or bring your own. This is a great way to enjoy the scenery at a slower pace. You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 5. Hire a taxi - more expensive than a rental car but perhaps more convenient. You can also search for a car charter service here or here. Tours and Activities in Kenting: There are many activities available in Kenting, such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. You can find more tours of Kenting 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. Places we will cover in this blog:
Map of sites in this blog: 
Rainbow Bridge Near Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei
Taiwan is the best kept travel secret in Asia. There are many tourist destinations all over the country that are worthwhile for foreigners from all over the world to visit. In this blog, we will answer you questions about tourist sites in Taiwan.
□ Planning your trip to Taiwan? □ Here are some top travel tips for you:
Tourist Sites Map:
See below for our map of tourist sites in Taiwan:
Foreword: Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of questions. This is meant to only give a basic overview of Taiwan's tourist sites to those who have never been there. Also, the following "best" lists are based on our opinions based on years of experience as foreigners living in Taiwan only, and are not necessarily fact.
What to do in Taiwan?/ What is there to do in Taiwan? Hiking, mountain climbing, eating at a night market, shopping, surfing, snorkeling, river tracing, cycling, jogging, sight-seeing, paragliding, parasailing, and much much more! What is the best time to visit Taiwan? In our opinion summer is the best time to visit Taiwan, because that is when there is the most sunshine and the cold winds coming off the Taiwan Strait subside. However, many people cannot stand the Taiwan heat, which can reach 39 °C °F and 100% humidity. Also, if you want to do outdoor activities, river tracing is safest in the winter when there is less rain, but wind surfing is best in the winter when the winds are strong. Whatever you plan to do in Taiwan, the weather is usually bearable and there should be a time of year that suits everyone’s fancy. For more info, please visit our weather and climate FAQ. Where to visit in Taiwan?/ Where should I visit in Taiwan? Taipei: Taipei 101, National palace museum, Taipei Zoo and Gondola, Night markets, Beitou hot springs, Yeliu queen’s head, Pingxi Railway, and Jiufen. Taichung: Fengjia and Yizhong Street night markets, Tunghai University, Dakeng hiking trails, and Rainbow Village. Central Taiwan: Alishan, Jade Mountain, Sun Moon Lake, Lukang, and Anping Castle. Kaohsiung: Qijin Beach, Xiziwan Beach, Shoushan hiking trails, Buddah Light Mountain, Chengching Lake, Maolin Butterfly Valley, and Tianliao Moon World. Kenting: Kenting main beach, Baishawan, Kenting night market, Kenting national park, Kenting Aquarium, Xiaoliuqiu, and Jialeshui. Eastern Taiwan: Jiaoxi hot springs, Suao surfing, Tarako Gorge, Sanxiantai, Luye hot air balloon platform, rift valley rice fields, Jhiben hot springs. Outer Islands: All the outer islands! What should I eat in Taipei? Taiwan has some of the best food in the world, and it’s a big reason why foreigners like us love coming back. A lot of these foods cannot easily be found elsewhere, which makes leaving Taiwan that much harder. Our top 10 most delicious Taiwan foods are as follows: 1. Hot Pot Buffet 火鍋吃到飽 2. Roast Duck 烤鴨 3. Fried Chicken 炸鷄 4. Taiwan Lunchbox (Bento) 自助餐/便當 5. Bubble Milk Tea 珍珠奶茶 6. Red Bean Soup 紅豆湯 7. Dumplings and Fried Dumplings 水餃/鍋貼 8. Steamed Buns 包子 9. Fruit Shaved Ice 水果冰 10. Onion Pancake 葱抓餅 How much is the Taipei zoo? Adults – 60 NT Students – 30 NT Preschoolers and disabled persons – Free Groups of 30 or more – 30% discount What time does the zoo open/close in Taipei? 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM What times do night markets open/close in Taiwan? Around 6:00pm – Midnight. What are the best night markets in Taipei?
What are the best night markets in Taiwan?
What are the best old streets in Taipei?
What are the best old streets in Taiwan?
Why is Taiwan the heart of Asia? From a purely geographical perspective, Taiwan lies in a central location in East Asia, between China, Kong Kong, Macau, Japan, Korea, and is also close to the Philipines, and other southeat Asian countries, making it a prime spot for an Asian hub. Taiwan also is highly influenced culturally by other East Asian nations, such as China, Japan, and Korea. Please observe the map below:
How should I tour Taiwan?
My Taiwan tour or Taiwan tour bus. https://www.mytaiwantour.com/ https://www.taiwantourbus.com.tw/C/us/home Why visit Taiwan?/ Why go to Taiwan? Taiwan has friendly people, a safe environment, nice weather, good food, cheap cost of living, and tons of things to see and do! Why live in Taiwan? Taiwan is one of the best countries in the world with one of the best qualities of life. Taiwan boasts delicious food, great weather year round, amazing tourist sites, friendly people, cheap cost of living, and economic opportunity. Where is the Taipei 101? On Xinyi road in Taipei, on the red MRT line Taipei 101/World Trade Center station. See below for a map:
How many days does it take to tout Taipei? How many days should I tour Taipei?
This depends on how much time you have, I have been touring Taipei for 2 years already! What should I do in Taipei? Where should I travel in Taipei? 1 day tour: Morning: National Palace Museum Afternoon: Taipei 101 Night: Shihlin Night Market. 3 day tour: Day 1: National palace museum, Taipei 101, and Night markets. Day 2: Beitou hot springs, and Jiufen. Day 3: Yeliu queen’s head and Pingxi Railway. How do you pronounce Taipei? Tie Pay. Who is Chinese Taipei? What is Chinese Taipei? It is the name of Taiwan used in sporting events such as the Olympics as to not upset its bully neighbor the PRC (China). What should I buy in Taipei? Where should I shop in Taipei? If you are looking for cheap food, delicious snacks, and souvenirs, go to one of the many night markets in Taipei. If you are looking to buy expensive brand named items, go to an outlet or mall such as Sogo. How many national forest recreation areas are there in Taiwan? 18. Click here for a full list. Are there casinos in Taiwan? No. Gambling is prohibited in Taiwan, with very few exceptions. Where should I buy electronics in Taiwan? Online (PC Home and Shoppee), at a night market, at Carrefour, Cankun, or Guanghua Digital Plaza in Taipei. Where should I buy clothes in Taiwan? Pretty much everywhere. Cheap clothes can be found at night markets, Net, Uniclo, and Carrefour. If you want more expensive brands, go to an outlet or mall. Where is Taipei on a Map? Taipei City is located in northern Taiwan, laying in the middle of the Taipei Basin surrounded by New Taipei City. Please refer to the map below:
What is New Taipei City?
New Taipei city is the area surrounding Taipei city, and was formerly known as Taipei county. Where is New Taipei City? New Taipei City (formerly Taipei County), is located in northern Taiwan, surrounding Taipei City. Please refer to the map below:
How Many Islands does Taiwan have?
38! We counted. But there are many other offshore rocks, as well as disputed territory claimed by the ROC but controlled by other countries. For more information, click here. How many cities does Taiwan have? 23. For a full list of cities, click here. Why visit Taipei? Why Taipei? Taipei has friendly people, a safe environment, convenient public transportation, nice weather, good food, cheap cost of living, and tons of things to see and do! Where should I stay in Taipei? There are hundreds of hotels around Taipei the cater to different traveler interests and needs. I recommend Agoda.com as the best hotel search website. You can also try Aribnb. What is the Taipei 101? It was the highest building in the world from 2004-2010. It was designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners, and also had the fastest elevator in the world until 2016. It is an icon of Taiwan’s technological advancement. How is Taipei 101 earthquake proof? How does the Taipei 101 withstand earhquakes? The Taipei 101 is reinforced by concrete piles driven 80 meters below the ground and 30 meters into bedrock. In addition, it made of high strength reinforced steel and flexible materials. How much does the Taipei 101 sway? The most that the Taipei 101 damper has ever swayed was during Typhoon Soudelor, swaying 100 centimetres (39 in). How much did the Taipei 101 cost? NT$ 58 billion (US$1.934 billion) How does the Taipei 101 damper work? The damper works by offsetting strong wind gusts, absorbing the forces and turning them into kinetic energy, moving the damper. How was Taipei 101 built? The Taipei 101 was built in a period of 5 years from 1999-2004. The Taipei 101 is reinforced by concrete piles driven 80 meters below the ground and 30 meters into bedrock. In addition, it made of high strength reinforced steel and flexible materials. It was designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners, and also had the fastest elevator in the world until 2016. How is the Howard Plaza Hotel in Taipei? It’s a high end, 5 star hotel in Taipei, with just about all the amenities you can think of. What time does the MRT/Metro open/close in Taipei? The Taipei and Kaohsiung MRTs close at 12:00 AM midnight. They open again at 6:00 AM. The last train at the MRT usually leaves from 11:00PM-12:00AM midnight. To search for exact times for the last train, click here. What time does the Taipei 101 open and close in Taipei? The Taipei 101 Observatory is open every day from 9 AM to 10 PM. What time does the National Palace Museum open/close in Taipei? The museum is open 8:30 – 6:30 on weekdays and 8:30 – 9:30 on weekends year round. Where does the Taiwanese president live? The Taiwan president Tasi Ing-wen lives in the Presidential office building, a red brick structure originally constructed by the Japanese. Have any more questions about Taiwan's tourist sites, or have any suggestions for more sites to see in Taiwan? Please leave them in the comments below, and we might just add them to the list! Please like, follow, and share to help everyone know that Taiwan is a friendly and inviting place to travel year round!  Sadly, due to a recent earthquake, much of Taroko Gorge, Hualien’s most famous landmark, is no longer accessible to the public. However, there are plenty of other places to check out in Hualien. In this blog, we will share a list of other places to visit in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge.
Hualien is the largest county in Taiwan and is considered by many to be the most beautiful. It includes a breathtaking coastline along the Pacific Ocean, including cliffs thousands of meters high, marble gorges, fertile valleys, and a large section of Taiwan’s central mountain range. Hualien is simply a must-stop location on your trip to Taiwan. ⛰️ Planning your trip to Hualien? 🌊 Here are some top travel tips for you:
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For such a small island, Taiwan's geography is varied and complex. From lowland plains to alpine peaks, to badlands, volcanoes, tropical rainforests, and more, there are some amazing landscapes here to explore.
 Orchid Island (not to be confused with the Fijian Island of the same name), known in the local Tao language as Ponso No Tao (Island of the people), and in Chinese as Lanyu (蘭嶼) is a secret indigenous people’s paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. It is different than any other place in Taiwan and has the best-preserved indigenous culture anywhere in the country. If Taiwan’s best tourist activity is experiencing the culture of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, then Lanyu has the best tourist experience anywhere in Taiwan.
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Background: History: Orchid Island became inhabited about 800 years ago by the Tao indigenous people (達悟族) (aka Yami people 雅美族, which is a name coined by the Japanese, but the native people prefer Tao), which are thought to have traveled from the Batanes Islands in the Philippines, which are a little less than 200 KM away, cut off by the Bashi Channel. However, Orchid Island is very different than the Philippines. Beginning in 1644, some Dutch Sailors were sent to investigate the island, and some settled there among the natives. Because of this, the Island was known as Red Head Island (紅頭嶼) by the Chinese and the Japanese. After the Dutch were defeated in Taiwan, Lanyu was claimed but not controlled by the Qing Dynasty. The Japanese claimed the Island shortly after the Sino-Japanese War in 1895 but protected it as an “ethnological research site” and forbade outsiders from entering. After the Republic of China took over Taiwan following the end of WWII, they continued to ban visitors to the island until 1967, after which tourists were allowed to enter and public schools were built there. Christian missionaries began preaching and living on the island starting in the 1950s, and now basically all native people on the island are Christian (mixed with traditional beliefs). However, Christianity was introduced much earlier starting with the Dutch in the 1600s although to a lesser extent. In 1982 a nuclear waste storage plant was built on the south side of the Island without the islanders’ consent, causing protests from the inhabitants. Also because of this, the Island inhabitants receive free electricity. The island is volcanic in nature, with the last major eruption being over 5 million years ago. The highest mountain is 552 meters (1,811 feet). Currently, there are 2,400 people permanently living on the island, 90% of them being of native Tao descent. Tao Culture: The Tao people number about 2,000 living on Orchid Island, with about another 2,000 living on the Taiwan mainland. The Tao people rely on the sea for survival, and much of their traditions and lifestyle are centered on fishing. The Tao people are mostly Christian but also still practice many of their traditional beliefs. However their ancestral religion included a pantheon of Gods. Traditional roles for men are fishing while roles for women include harvesting taro and sweet potato and weaving. The men usually fish at night or early morning and rest on traditional wooden platforms during the day. Boats are made from planks of wood and are painted red, white, and black. The boat usually has human figures, waves, and the traditional sun image (red and black circles and sun rays) which is said to warn off evil spirits. Boats are considered sacred and the ultimate human creation. There is also a launching ceremony for new boats in which traditional clothes and headgear (such as silver helmets for men and wooden hats for women) are worn, pigs are slaughtered, and the boat is lifted into the air multiple times before being set in the water. Traditional clothes include loin cloths and vests for men, and aprons and vests for women. Young people on the street usually do not wear traditional dress. Flying Fish Festival: There are three basic seasons on Lanyu: one is the flying fish season when flying fish can be easily caught and used and lasts from February to May. The other seasons are from May to October and October to February when flying fish cannot be caught for ceremonial use. There are many taboos during flying fish season which are discussed below. The Flying Fish Festival lasts from about March to October when flying fish are caught. During this time many ceremonies take place such as for the beginning of the festival, plentiful harvest, etc. During the festival, there are multiple migrations of flying fish species near Lanyu. There are many taboos during this time, especially when it comes to catching and eating flying fish which are the main life source of the Tao people. Weather and Climate: The island has a tropical rainforest climate, with average high temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees year-round. The rainy months are in summer, especially due to Typhoons, but the most sunny days are also in summer (expect a lot of sun), and the most rainy days are in winter. Summer is the tourist season, but spring and fall are also popular times to visit. Winters are said to be dreary, and cold, and have constant northeastern winds that can stop airplanes and ferries from departing to the island. When to go: The best time to go they say is around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons which can cancel your transportation to the island. The typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be cold, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. Taboos:General Taboos:
How to get there: By Plane:You can book discount air tickets from Taipei to Taitung on KKday here. The only planes to and from Orchid Island come from Taitung. Flight times: As of the time of this blog, there were six flights per day by Daily Air Corporation from about8 AM to 4 PM (Please note their website is only in Chinese). The flight from Taitung to Lanyu takes about 25 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be canceled due to high winds or unfavorable weather. Costs: NT 1428 to Lanyu and NT 1360 from Lanyu. You can purchase plane tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website. By Boat:There are two places that offer ferry rides to Lanyu: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港） in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港). There are also two ferry companies that operate at both harbors. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at the same time for the same price (2300 NT per person round trip/1150 NT per single trip). Ferry Boat costs: 2300 NT per person round trip (1150 NT per single trip)from both Taitung and Pingtung. Both ferry companies have the same price. Ferry Boat Times: 7:30/7:00 AM departure, 9:30 AM arrival to Lanyu. 12:00/12:30 PM departure, 3:00 PM arrival to Lanyu. 9:30 AM departure from Lanyu, 11:30 arrival to Taitung or Pingtung. 3:00 PM departure from Lanyu, 5:00 PM arrival to Taitung or Pingtung. Both ferry companies depart and arrive at the same time at both locations. You can purchase ferryboat tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here. Getting around the island:Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours. Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance. Tours:You can book multiple tours and activities such as a Tribal Tour, Underground House Tour, day hiking, night hiking, snorkeling, scuba Diving, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, and Freediving. You can search for more tours through Klook here or KKday here. Scooter Rental: Price: expect 500 NT per day. You can book a scooter through Klook here or KKday here. Be sure to book your rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed. I am 100% percent certain you do not need a Taiwan local license to rent scooters here, however, they may ask for an international license (but I’m fairly sure they will let you rent without one). Helmet wearing is not enforced at all as you will quickly find, but it’s still the law. Also be careful to not hit any goats because they wander as they please. There is only one gas station next to Kaiyuan Fishing Harbor. Car Rental:Price: expect 2000 NT per day. You can rent a car for Lanyu on KKday here. Bicycle Rental:Price: Bike rental is about 400 NT per day. You can rent a bike for Lanyu on KKday here. Accommodation:Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in the summer months and on weekends when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance. There is a nice selection of rooms on Agoda. Here is a list of every registered hostel on the island, but it is in Chinese. My hostel required that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (this may not be an option if you are a foreign traveler, so make sure they accept credit cards if you do not have a Taiwan bank account). Expect to pay 2000 – 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Lanyu. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Map: Please see below: 
Yehliu is perhaps the most famous geological park in Taiwan, with its most famous landmark being the Queen's Head rock. These rock formations have been forming for thousands of years through erosion of soft sandstone due to wind and water. Hurry and see these formations soon before they are gone forever!
Background: The sandstone that forms the Yehliu formation was created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The Queen's head is formed by two layers of sandstone, one soft fast eroding layer on bottom and a harder layer on top. This kind of sandstone formation can be seen around the world and is known as a hoodoo. The Queen's head was named after Queen Elizabeth I, because it is thought to look like her. The head is eroding .2 to .5 CM per year and is expected to fall at any time! The name Yehliu comes from the Spanish name for the area "Putno Diablos" which was then also used by the Dutch, and transliterated by the Chinese settlers in the area as "Yehliu" in Chinese. Yehliu Ocean world is the largest aquarium in northern Taiwan and has one of the few outdoor sea life amphitheaters in Taiwan. The facility features an indoor aquarium and outdoor show that is geared toward children. Hours: Yehliu Geopark: 8 AM to 5 PM in winter (tickets not sold after 4:30) 8 AM to 6 PM in summer (tickets not sold after 5:30) Yehliu Ocean World: 9 AM to 5 PM Price: Yehliu Geopark: 120 NT per person. You can book discount tickets to Yehliu Geopark on Klook here and KKday here. Yehliu Ocean World: 450 NT per person. You can book discount tickets to Yehliu Ocean World on Klook here and KKday here. You can also book tickets to the Yehliu Ocean World Parent-Child playground on Klook here. Tours: You can book a tour to Yehliu on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Can I touch the rocks? Don't you dare touch the rocks! Activities along Taiwan's Northern Coast: Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen'ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We 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). 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 Bus: There are inter-city buses that leave hourly from Taipei Main Station and Taipei City Hall to Yehliu. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach Wanli. The turnoff to Yehliu comes right after Wanli beach. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By 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: Please see below: 
If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko National Park. On an island full of mountains, rain forests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan.
Taroko National Park is well known for its amazing marble cliffs and canyons carved out by the Liwu River. It is also a popular spot for hiking, rafting, and river tracing. If you have the time, come to the East coast and see it. If you don't have time, then make some time! Taroko National Park 2025 Update: Due to recent earthquakes, the road through Taroko Gorge up to Hehuanshan is open if you have your own vehicle, but only three times a day: 8 AM, 12 Noon, and 4 PM. You need to leave the park by 5:30 PM. There are many parts of the road that are just dirt or covered in potholes. Currently, only the Taroko National Park visitor’s center is open. But there are a few spots along the side of the road in Taroko Gorge where you can take photos. Again, all trails and everything else except the visitor center are closed. The Swallow Grotto road and Eternal Spring road are also blocked off. Even Qingshui Cliff lookout is closed and there is nowhere to park there. There is a lot of rock moving and reconstruction to do; it could take another 10 years for Taroko to fully reopen. However you can check out a list of other things you can do and see in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge here. History and Background: Taroko National Park is well known for its marble cliffs and canyons, and is also known as "The Marble Gorge." Millions of years ago, the rock we see today was sediment at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, but oceanic and tectonic pressure turned it into limestone, and later into marble. Later the Eurasian plate was uplifted where Taiwan is today, and a gorge was cut out of the limestone thanks to the Liwu River. Taroko means "human being," from the Truku tribal language. Originally the Tupido Tribe settled in the area of what is now Tianxiang Taiti mesa. They built the Tupido Tribe Trail which was only 30 cm wide, and resided there until they were massacred by the Japanese in 1914. In 1917, the Japanese expanded the original trail made by the Tupido Tribe to 1.5 M and forced aboriginal tribesmen to carry goods along the trail to the east coast. This is now the Zhuilu Old Trail. Currently only 3km of the trail is open to the public. The Japanese created a national park in the Area in 1937, which was disestablished by the ROC in 1945, and then reenstated in as a national park in 1986. When to visit? Hualien is great year round, but it can get a little hot in the summer, and Typhoon season and heavy rain season lasts from about May to October. If you are afraid of the heat and rain then you can visit during winter when the temperatures are mild and the climate is usually dryer. Sponsored Links Where to stay? Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center. If you only want to visit Hualien City and Taroko Gorge, you can consider booking a hotel near downtown, walking or cycling around the city, and taking a bus to Taroko Gorge. We have stayed at and recommend Dream Taiwan Homestay (Agoda / Booking.com / Expedia / Hotels.com), a high quality hostel for the money in downtown Hualien, Farglory Hotel (Agoda / Booking.com / Expedia / Hotels.com), right next to Farglory Ocean Park with amazing views of Hualien, and Goldenflower B&B (Agoda / Booking.com) in Yuli right next to Sixty Stone Mountain. You can 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: From Taipei, Take National Highway 5 to Yilan and then drive on the Suhua Highway 9 to Hualien. A few miles before Hualien City, the gorge will be on your right. By Train: Take the train to Hualien station, and from there you can rent a scooter or car, or take a tour bus to the gorge. For more travel information see here. You can book tickets to travel to Hualien via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. How to get around in Taroko Gorge: As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Tainan by taking the train, inter-city bus, local bus, biking, or just walking. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. By Bus: You can book a shuttle bus to Taroko Gorge from Hualien on Klook here. Scooter Rental: Looking for scooter rental in Hualien? You can search KKday here or Klook 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 Hualien, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Tours: You can find more tours and activities in Hualien such as Surfing, Paragliding, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Canoeing, River Tracing, River Rafting, Whale Watching, Snorkeling, Diving, ATV / 4-wheeling, Paintballing, Farm Dream Estates Zoo, Water Biking, Oyster Harvesting, Shrimp Harvesting, Indigenous Experience, Glamping, Cycling, Ziplining and much more on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Hours: 8:30AM-5PM (Zhuilu old trail is usually open from 7AM to 10PM, but for now is closed indefinitely). The road through Taroko Gorge up to Hehuanshan is open if you have your own vehicle, but only three times a day: 8 AM, 12 Noon, and 4 PM. You need to leave the park by 5:30 PM. There are many parts of the road that are just dirt or covered in potholes. Currently, only the Taroko National Park visitor’s center is open. However you can check out a list of other things you can do and see in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge here. Flying a Drone? Apply for a drone permit here. Price: Free! (Except Zhuilu old trail, which is 200 NT per adult. See below for more info.) Map: Please see below: 
Yangmingshan National Park is a mountainous area in Taipei and New Taipei, known for its volcanic activity, hiking trails, wildlife, waterfalls, hot springs, and sulfur vents. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taipei.
⛰️ Planning your trip to Yangmingshan? □ Here are some top travel tips for you:
Historical Background:
The area known as Yangmingshan now was formed by volcanoes about 700,000 years ago, forming many mountains about 1000 meters or less in northwestern Taiwan. The park still features active volcanoes, vents, and hot springs. The original name of the area was Caoshan (grass mountain 草山). During the Qing Dynasty, the area was used to harvest sulfur, and many of the hills were burned to help catch sulfur thieves, Qingtiangang likely being one of these areas. Sulfur mining was started in the Qing Dynasty by a British mining company that first obtained the rights to mine here in 1897. In 1927 during the Japanese era, Yangmingshan was made as the first national park in Taiwan, then known as Datunshan National Park Association. The area around Qingtiangang to Lengshuikeng was made into a ranch for water buffalo, and grass from Japan was planted here for them to graze. In 1950 after the ROC took Taiwan, Chiang Kai-shek renamed the park after the philosopher Wang Yangming, and called the area Yangmingshan. The KMT kept the ranch at Qingtiangang and continued to maintain it. They also built bunkers here and kept a garrison of troops. In 1985, after resolving many land disputes, Yangmingshan National Park was officially designated as a national park in the ROC era. Due to its easy accessibility from Taipei and many natural attractions, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Taipei City. Most visitors come on weekends, and it has parking lots and visitor's centers throughout the park. Hours: The visitor's centers are open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. However you can visit the park 24/7. Price: Free entrance into the park (car parking 30-50 NT， scooter parking 20 NT) You can book tours to Yangmingshan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here or here. Tours: You can check out tours to Yangmingshan such as a One-day Yangmingshan NP Beitou Hot Spring Park and Tamsui Tour Package, Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei, One Day Hike around Yangmingshan, or Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour and more on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. When to Go: Silver Grass Season: Mang Grass season goes from September to November. During this time you will be able to see silvery grass all over the mountain tops around the park. Cherry Blossom Season: Cherry blossoms can be seen in the park from February to late March. Snowfall: Once every few years it can snow here from December to February. The snow usually only lasts a day or two and melts away quickly. Best Weather: In my opinion, the best weather is in the summer when constant rain makes the air cleaner, and summer mornings are usually clear. Be sure to start hiking in the morning for the best views and sunshine, as afternoon thundershowers are common. 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. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take provincial highway 2A north to the park, where you can see the main attractions such as Zhuzihu, Qixingshan, Datunshan, Qingtiangang, etc. There are many parking lots, but car parking is limited on weekends and the number of cars allowed up the mountain is also limited. There is also paid scooter parking. On weekends this place can be packed, and cars can be backed up for up to an hour or more, so consider taking a scooter or bus. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Check out Qeeq here, 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: From Beitou MRT Station, Take Little Bus 19 (小19), or another bus to the park. You can book tickets to travel to Taipei via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Taipei via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: See below for a map of places mentioned in this blog:  The Penghu Islands （澎湖英文）are the best island vacation getaway in Taiwan. Only an hour’s plane ride from Taipei, these islands provide multiple world-class beaches, as well as snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and other water activities. In addition, there are lots of restaurants, interesting historical sights, and accommodation options on these islands. Overall it is an ideal island vacation getaway that you should not miss.
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The Penghu Islands were historically an important strategic position for trade and military defense in the area. The Dutch, French, and Japanese all led campaigns against these islands. The Dutch first invaded Penghu in 1622, but soon after retreated to Anping after a treaty was made with the Ming Dynasty. Konxinga later took control of Penghu and Taiwan after defeating the Dutch in 1661, Later, Kongxinga’s kingdom fell to the Qing Dynasty. In 1885 during the Sino-French war for control of Vietnam, the French sent a fleet to Taiwan but failed to take the island. Later they attacked the Penghu Islands and occupied them for a short time, before retreating to Vietnam due to the Treaty of Tianjin. After Japan took control of Korea in 1894, they also attacked and occupied Penghu in 1895, after which the Qing Dynasty ceded the islands to them. After World War II, the islands were given to the ROC government, which retreated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War and still controls the islands today under a free democratic government. Activities: Besides soaking in sun rays at the beach, there are many activities available in Penghu such as snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, sailing, canoeing, wakeboarding, massage, yachting, glamping, trampoline Water Sports, SUP / Paddle Boarding, kayaking, night fishing and more on Klook here or KKday here. Tours:There are many tours and activities available on the islands such as Island Hopping Tour, starlight Marine Ranch, seafood Barbeque, Sheraton Four Points Eatery, Dragon Palace Intertidal Zone, Jibei Sand Tail, and many more options on Klook here or KKday here. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Where to Stay: We have stayed at and recommend Han’s Hostel which had great service and is right next to Shanshui Beach, the best beach in Penghu (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here) a newly renovated homestay in downtown Magong with great service and great prices (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. When to go to Penghu: The best time to go is Autumn. Spring is also a nice time to go, but there is a greater chance of spring showers during that time. The summers may be too hot, and winters too cold and windy. How to get there: By Plane: There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung airports to Makung. the flight takes roughly under an hour. Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip. There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei, with charted flights to Hong Kong starting September 2018. There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here. By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one-way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one-way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one-way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT. You can book ferry boat tickets from Chiayi on Klook here, or ferry boat tickets from Tainan on KKday here. Getting Around on the Islands: By Ferry Boat: The only way to get to smaller islands without airports is by ferry. You can check Klook here or KKday here for ferry tickets or buy them at the harbor. By Scooter: We recommend taking a scooter as the most efficient and convenient type of transport on the islands. However, most places require a local scooter license. You can rent a scooter for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car/taxi: A car is also sensible in Penghu because the main island is pretty spread out. You can rent a car for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: a bus is possible on the main island, but it will be slower and more unpredictable. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see a list of places we will cover in the map below:  Guishan Island (literally Turtle Mountain Island) is a turtle-shaped island off the coast of Yilan in Eastern Taiwan. Once inhabited by fishermen, it is now a coast guard base but is open for day tours. The island tour includes beautiful sea cliffs, hiking, a lake, an abandoned village, military tunnels, and whale watching just offshore.
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Turtle Island has been inhabited since at least the Qing Dynasty. When the ROC took over Taiwan, the island had one elementary school and no hospital. Many people relied simply on religion to cure their sicknesses. During typhoons, the dock would sometimes be destroyed, leaving the island without food for days or weeks. Also, there were way more men on the island than women, and it was hard to convince prospective wives from Taiwan to go live on such a remote island with harsh conditions. As a result, the government relocated everyone living on Turtle Island to the main island of Taiwan in Toucheng township of Yilan in 1977. The people could have chosen to stay, but they went without protest. The ROC then made the island into a restricted military base. In 2000, the Island was opened for tourism, the military aspects of the island were phased down, and it was made into an ecological reserve. Now the island allows Tourists to come during the day, but no one is allowed to stay overnight. Tours and Prices: Whale watching on a boat around the island: 800-1000 NT per person. Once around the island on a boat and 2-hour tour of the island: 800-1000 NT per person. Whale watching and island tour: 1200+ NT Island tour including hiking to the top of the island: 1200+ NT You can book a personalized tour and ferry boat tickets with Klook or KKday. You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Yilan such as surfing, kayaking, horse riding, river tracing, river rafting, river tubing, pack rafting, water biking, snorkeling, canoeing, and many others through Klook here or KKday here. Hours:2-4 hour tours start from 8:00 AM or later and end in the afternoon until about 4:00 PM. When to Go: March-November. These tours are generally closed from December to February due to rough seas and cold weather. Where to Stay: There are no hotels on Turtle Island and staying overnight is forbidden. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We have stayed at and recommend Jiaosi Hotspring Hotel, a hotel with hot springs in each room (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here). We have also stayed at Toucheng Leisure Farm, a recreational farm and experience center in Toucheng (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, on Klook here, or on Trip.com here). How to Get there: The only way to get there is by boat from Wushih Harbor in Yilan. To get to Wushih Harbor from Taipei, you can take the TRA train to Toucheng station, and then take a taxi from there. Otherwise, you can drive on National Highway 5 to Toucheng; there is free parking at the harbor (drive to the very end of the harbor). You can purchase a ticket at the harbor or book online in advance via Klook or KKday. Map of Guishan Island:  Green Island is a paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. Once a prison for political enemies of the KMT, it is now a tourist hot spot. It is one of the best places to snorkel and dive in Taiwan, one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world, and it also includes amazing volcanic rock formations and scenery all around the island. In this blog, we will explain how to get there, what to do, where to go, and how to enjoy this island.
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Background: Green Island is the remnant of a volcano that formed millions of years ago and is part of the Luzon Volcanic Arc. Today you can see lots of volcanic rock all along the shoreline. Green Island is the seventh largest Island in Taiwan. Green Island became inhabited hundreds of years ago by the Tao indigenous people (達悟族) (aka Yami people 雅美族, which is a name coined by the Japanese, but the native people prefer Tao), which are thought to have traveled from the Batanes Islands in the Philippines, and then to Orchid Island. It was called Jitanasey by the Tao people. It was also known to be inhabited by the Amis Tribe (阿美族) who reside today in Taitung. It was known by the Amis people as Samasana Island. The Island was first settled by Han Chinese fisherman from Xiaoliuqiu Island in 1813, who called the island Huoshandao (火燒島) or Bonfire Island. More Han settlers from Donggang arrived in 1850. In 1937 the American Steamship SS President Hoover ran ground at Green Island and all aboard were saved. To thank the people of Green Island, the US donated to build the Green Island Lighthouse which was designed by the Japanese and finished in 1938, at 33.3 meters or 109 feet high. Green Island also served as a penal colony for political prisoners during the martial law era of Taiwan, which lasted from the late 9140s to the late 1980s. Some prisoners went on to help form the Democratic Progressive Party. The prison is now open to the public. Currently, the Island is powered by one diesel generator. It also includes an airport. Currently, about 4500 people live on the island, and the main industries are tourism and fishing. Weather and Climate: The island has a tropical rainforest climate, with average high temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees year-round. The rainy months are in summer, especially due to Typhoons, but the most sunny days are also in summer (expect a lot of sun), and the most rainy days are in winter. Summer is the tourist season, but spring and fall are also popular times to visit. Winters are said to be dreary, and cold, and have constant northeastern winds that can stop airplanes and ferries from departing to the island. When to go: The best time to go they say is around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons which can cancel your transportation to the island. The typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be colder, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. Rules to Consider:
How to get there: By Plane: The only planes to and from Green Island come from Taitung City in Southeastern Taiwan. From Taipei, there are daily flights from Songshan Airport to Taitung, where you can switch to Daily Air which will take you the rest of the way to Green Island. You can book discount tickets from Taipei to Taitung on KKday here. Flight times: As of the time of this blog, there were six flights per day by Daily Air Corporation from about 8 AM to 4 PM (Please note their website is only in Chinese). The flight from Taitung to Green Island takes about 15 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be canceled due to high winds or unfavorable weather. Costs: NT 1428 to Green Island and NT 1360 from Green Island. By Boat:You can purchase boat ferry tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or KKday here. There are two places that offer ferry rides to Green Island: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港） in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港). However, to get there from Houbihu you need to stop in Lanyu, so I will focus this blog on departing from Fugang Harbor. There are also about three ferry companies that operate at both harbors. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at the about same times for the same prices (1200 NT per person round trip/600 NT per single trip). Ferry Boat costs: 1200 NT per person round trip (600 NT per single trip) from Taitung. Ferry companies have roughly the same price. Ferry Boat Times*: 7:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 8:20 AM arrival to Green Island. 8:30 AM departure from Green Island, 9:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor. 9:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 10:20 AM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time) 10:30 AM departure from Green Island, 11:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time) 11:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 12:20 PM arrival to Green Island. 12:30 PM departure from Green Island, 9:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor. 13:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 14:20 PM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time) 14:30 PM departure from Green Island, 15:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time) 15:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 16:20 PM arrival to Green Island. 16:30 PM departure from Green Island, 17:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor. *Note: the above times change according to the seasons. There may only be one boat per day during winter, while all the boat times may be available during summer break and weekends. Please double-check which times are available before you go. You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or KKday here. Getting around the island:Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours. Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance. Scooter Rental:Price: expect 400 NT per day. You can book a scooter rental for Green Island on Klook here or KKday here. It may be better to book your scooter rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed. I am 100% percent certain you do not need a Taiwan local license to rent scooters here, however, they may ask for an international license (but I’m fairly sure they will let you rent without one). Helmet wearing is not enforced at all as you will quickly find, but it’s still the law. Also, be careful to not hit any goats because they wander as they please. There is only one gas station next to Nanliao Fishing Harbor. Car Rental:Price: expect 2000 NT per day. You can rent a car for Green Island using KKday here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Where to Stay: Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in the summer months and on weekends when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance. AirBnb has the most choices, however, there is also a better quality selection on Agoda.com. We stayed at and can recommend Fire Island Guesthouse, which is a high-quality B&B right on the east coast of the island. My hostel did not require that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (as was the case on Lanyu), but they required me to pay in cash. Expect to pay 2000 – 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Green Island. Tours and Activities:There are many companies offering snorkeling, diving, SUPing, and other tours on Green Island. You can search for tours on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book discount tickets to Zhaori Hot Spring on KKday here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Map: Please see a map of places we will cover in this blog below:  Some people out there may think that Taiwan and Thailand are the same country. However, one of these countries is clearly better than the other one. To help you understand why Taiwan is better than Thailand, we have laid out the key differences that you need to know here.
I have made Taiwan my permanent home for ten years, and Thailand is my favorite vacation spot in Asia which I have visited multiple times (you can check out our blog on Thailand here). Therefore I feel I am qualified to voice my opinion on this issue. To put it simply, Taiwan and Thailand are both great. Unfortunately, Thailand is much more popular as a tourist destination than Taiwan which is often overshadowed. That is why I have made this blog to show how Taiwan is better than Thailand, to try to convince someone to come to Taiwan instead of Thailand. Table of Contents  The National Taiwan Science Education Center in Shilin District of Taipei is the best place to learn science hands-on in Taipei. The center offers permanent exhibits on life sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and earth sciences, alongside special exhibitions. There is also a glass bridge on the top floor, a bike trapeze ride, an earthquake simulator, and DIY activities. There are also a number of restaurants inside. Overall it is a fun and educational journey for the whole family.
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In 2003, a new facility in Shilin was completed, with 11 floors above ground and 3 underground levels, officially opening to the public in 2004. In 2016, it began collaborating with surrounding institutions to form the Taipei Science and Art Park. The center offers permanent exhibits on life sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and earth sciences, alongside special exhibitions. It also hosts science fairs and educational programs for students, aiming to promote lifelong science education. The center is also involved in environmental education and received recognition as an environmental education facility in 2012. It is a popular area for tourists and schools on both weekends and weekdays. Hours:Closed on Mondays, except on public holidays Weekdays 9:00~17:00 Weekends 9:00~18:00 Bike Trapeze: Closed for one hour at noon, open until 4:00 PM Earthquake ride: Open until 4:10 PM Price:100 NT per person. You can buy tickets for a discount on Klook here. Trapeze Bike Ride: 80 NT per person Theater: 150 NT per person Other exhibitions: Depends Where to stay:We 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). 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). Activities in Taipei:There are many activities available to enjoy in Taipei such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities which you can book on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there:By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take Chengde Road North to Shilin and keep going until it becomes Provincial Highway 2A. The museum will be on your right, hard to miss. There is free scooter parking on the street and paid car parking underground, but it can fill up quickly. 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 red line MRT to Jiantan Station, then take bus 288 north to the Taipei Science Museum. 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 to see:  The “Moses Parting Sea” in Penghu is a 50-meter-long gravel path connecting the main island of Penghu to Chi Islet during low tide. This phenomenon has been likened to Moses parting the Red Sea in the Bible and has become one of Penghu’s major tourist attractions. It is definitely a must-visit if you come to Penghu.
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Historical Background: Chi Islet is an island in Huxi Township, Penghu County, Taiwan, with an area of approximately 0.0083 square kilometers. It is located east of Kuibi Mountain in Beiliao Village, at the northeastern corner of Penghu Main Island. The islet is about 120 meters long and 60 meters wide. During low tide, a roughly 50-meter-long gravel path emerges, connecting it to the main island. This phenomenon resembles the biblical “Moses parting the sea” scene, making the pathway one of Penghu’s most famous tourist attractions. However, due to the high number of visitors, the Tourism Bureau has restricted access to the islet since April 2017 to protect marine ecology and ensure visitor safety. Activities: Besides soaking in sun rays at the beach, there are many activities available in Penghu such as snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, sailing, canoeing, wakeboarding, massage, yachting, glamping, trampoline Water Sports, SUP / Paddle Boarding, kayaking, night fishing and more on Klook here or KKday here. Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands such as Island Hopping Tour, starlight Marine Ranch, seafood Barbeque, Sheraton Four Points Eatery, Dragon Palace Intertidal Zone, Jibei Sand Tail, and many more options on Klook here or KKday here. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Where to Stay: We have stayed at and recommend Han’s Hostel which had great service and is right next to Shanshui Beach, the best beach in Penghu (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here) a newly renovated homestay in downtown Magong with great service and great prices (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. When to go to Penghu: The best time to go is Autumn. Spring is also a nice time to go, but there is a greater chance of spring showers during that time. The summers may be too hot, and winters too cold and windy. How to get to Penghu: By Plane: There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung airports to Makung. the flight takes roughly under an hour. Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip. There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei, with charted flights to Hong Kong starting September 2018. There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here. By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one-way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one-way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one-way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT. By Ferry: You can book ferry boat tickets from Chiayi on Klook here, or ferry boat tickets from Tainan on KKday here. How to Get to Moses Parting Sea 摩西分海: By Scooter: From Makung, take Highway 204 southeast and then turn north on County Road 14. You will find the island along the coastline at the end of County Road 14. There is plenty of parking nearby. We recommend taking a scooter as the most efficient and convenient type of transport on the islands. However, most places require a local scooter license. You can rent a scooter for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car / taxi: From Makung, take Highway 204 southeast and then turn north on County Road 14. You will find the island along the coastline at the end of County Road 14. There is plenty of parking nearby. A car is also sensible in Penghu because the main island is pretty spread out. You can rent a car for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: You can get to Moses Parts the Sea via Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Magong Huxi Line. The bus stop is called Beiliao Kui-Bi Mountain. 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 the map below:  Fenggui Cave in Pengu is a basalt column sea cave named because of the whistling sound it makes as the wind passes by. Here there has also been a tower erected so that visitors can enjoy 360-degree views of the sea cave and nearby coastline. It is definitely a must-visit if you come to Penghu.
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Fenggui Cave is located at the end of the Fenggui Peninsula in Penghu County, Taiwan. The name “Fenggui 風櫃” literally means bellows, which were used to stoke fires in old kitchens, and was so named because the wind the blows on the rocks makes a similar sound. Basalt formations here have been eroded over the centuries by waves, forming a narrow sea cave. Inside the cave, there is a crack in the rock that reaches the land surface. When the tide rises to about seventy percent, the waves rush into the cave, compressing the air and water, which then shoots out through the crack, producing a loud noise. As the waves recede, air is drawn back into the cave through the crack, creating a large inhaling sound that resembles the sound of an old kitchen bellows. Activities: Besides soaking in sun rays at the beach, there are many activities available in Penghu such as snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, sailing, canoeing, wakeboarding, massage, yachting, glamping, trampoline Water Sports, SUP / Paddle Boarding, kayaking, night fishing and more on Klook here or KKday here. Tours:There are many tours and activities available on the islands such as Island Hopping Tour, starlight Marine Ranch, seafood Barbeque, Sheraton Four Points Eatery, Dragon Palace Intertidal Zone, Jibei Sand Tail, and many more options on Klook here or KKday here. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Where to Stay: We have stayed at and recommend Han’s Hostel which had great service and is right next to Shanshui Beach, the best beach in Penghu (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here) a newly renovated homestay in downtown Magong with great service and great prices (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. When to go to Penghu:The best time to go is Autumn. Spring is also a nice time to go, but there is a greater chance of spring showers during that time. The summers may be too hot, and winters too cold and windy. How to get to Penghu: By Plane: There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung airports to Makung. the flight takes roughly under an hour. Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip. There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei, with charted flights to Hong Kong starting September 2018. There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here. By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one-way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one-way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one-way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT. By Ferry: You can book ferry boat tickets from Chiayi on Klook here, or ferry boat tickets from Tainan on KKday here. How to Get to Fongguei Cave 風櫃洞: By Scooter: From Makung, take Highway 204 southeast and then turn southwest on Highway 201. You will find the cave along the coastline at the end of Highway 201. We recommend taking a scooter as the most efficient and convenient type of transport on the islands. However, most places require a local scooter license. You can rent a scooter for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car / taxi: From Makung, take Highway 204 southeast and then turn southwest on Highway 201. You will find the cave along the coastline at the end of Highway 201. A car is also sensible in Penghu because the main island is pretty spread out. You can rent a car for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: You can get to Feng Gui bus stop via bus 51B, 51C, or 51D. 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 the map below: 
Elephant Trunk Rock was a rock shaped like its name in the Shenao area of Ruifang District, New Taipei City. There are also many interesting rock formations in the area. It was one of the most recognizable rock formations on the north coast and a popular location for, kayakers, snorkelers, and Instagrammers.
Elephant Trunk Rock eroded away and fell into the sea on December 16th, 2023. You can still visit for great views here, but the elephant trunk is gone. Background: The sandstone and sedimentary that forms the Elephant Rock formation was created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. The Elephant's head was formed by easily eroding sandstone, with the area under the trunk being eroded away by the sea and waves. Elephant Rock is so named because it looks like an elephant. The area around Elephant Rock was a protected military base until the year 2000, after which civilians were allowed to freely visit. Kayaking and Snorkeling are also popular activities near the Elephant Rock. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours and Activities: At Elephant Rock there are many activities available to enjoy such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities which you can book on Klook here or KKday here. Hotels on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We 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). 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 Car/Scooter: Drive to Keelung, then from downtown take provincial highway 2 east about 10 KM until you reach the Shenziao harbor, and there is some paid parking if you drive to the very end, which will put you closest to Elephant Trunk Rock. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Train/Bus: Take the TRA to Badouzi (八斗子） station, then walk about 1 KM east until you reach the elephant rock on the coast. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By 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: Please see below: 
You may recognize the Chungshan Building from the back of the 100 NT dollar bill. Originally built as a meeting place for the now defunct National Assembly, the building is now rarely used for events. The fact that is the only building in the world built right on top of a sulfur vent means that it is hard to maintain, and many parts of the building are under constant repair. However it is full of precocious art and beautiful architecture, and it is open daily for tours.
Background: The land that the Chunghsan Building Currently rests on an active sulfur vent, formerly known as the Caoshan Hot Springs. During the Japanese era, this place was home to an elementary school and was the source of hot spring water for local hot spring hotels (and still is). After the KMT took Taiwan, the reason this location was chosen by Chiang Kai-shek for a government building was because of the locations remarkable Fengshui. The location aligns perfectly with nearby mountains and valleys to create the perfect stream for Fenshui to flow. The Chungshan Building started construction in October 1965 and was completed in November 1966, with construction time totaling only 13 months. This was due to planning from the architect Ms. Xiu Zelan (修澤蘭) and the backbreaking nonstop labor from the KMT military, which would be sure to break all labor laws today. Another reason for the speedy completion was that it was needed to be ready to commemorate the 100th birthday of the father of the ROC, Sun Yat-sen. In order to cope with the constant sulfur vents steaming out of the mountain, the building is equipped with giant exhaust pipes that go through the center of the building. This also helps to keep the building warm in winter. The foundations of the building go down 12 meters into the sulfur soil, and are coated with tar and aluminum to prevent corrosion. Also, much of the building is plated with pure gold to prevent corrosion. This is the only building in the world built on top of a sulfur vent. The building was meant to be the place for the National Assembly to meet, and also a place to show off the elegance of China to foreign dignitaries. Taiwan was thrown out of the U.N. in 1971, after which many fewer foreign heads of state visited Taiwan. The National Assembly was established in 1948 to elect the president of the Republic of China. Its power was then granted to the legislative Yuan and the Taiwanese people in the 1990s, in the wake of free elections in Taiwan, and it was officially disbanded in 2005, meaning the building no longer served any real purpose. Also in 2005, it was declared a national historical monument. The assembly hall as capacity for 1800 people and the cafeteria has room for 2000 people. Besides paid tours daily, sometimes presidential events and art exhibitions are held here. Price: 80 NT You can book a private tour to the Chungshan building on Klook here. Tours: You can book a private tour to the Chungshan building on Klook here. You can check out tours to Yangmingshan such as a One-day Yangmingshan NP Beitou Hot Spring Park and Tamsui Tour Package, Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei, One Day Hike around Yangmingshan, or Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour and more on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hours: Tour times are 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM daily and the tour lasts about an hour and a half. I highly recommend it. Be sure to get there about 10 minutes early. Be wary that for some national holidays the building is closed to the public. 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 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. How to Get There: By Bus: Take bus 260 from Shilin Station. The bus ride to the Chungshan Station stop takes about an hour. You can book tickets to travel to Taipei via inter-city bus on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Drive up provincial Highway 2A up into Yangmingshan National Park. The building sits at the intersection between Highway 2A and Yangjin Highway. There is free parking in front of the building. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Check out Qeeq here, 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. Map: Please see below: 
Laomei Green Reef is a popular tourist destination just a kilometer away up the coast from Baishawan, past Fugui Cape. If you catch the reef at a super low tide, the rocks will be covered in green algae.
Background: Laomei Green Reef was formed roughly 800,000 years ago by volcanoes spewing lava into the ocean creating Fuigui Cape. Later, Alagae began growing on the rocks. Now at low tide, the rocks look like they are a "green reef," hence their name. Because of its proximity to Taipei, there are sure to be many visitors, and because Taipei has the highest concentration of foreigners, be prepared to see a lot of other foreigners as well. Price: Free Parking: Free. There is a parking lot in front of the main entrance. If this is full, you can park along the road next to it. Tours: You can book a Private Laomei Green Reef Day Tour from Taipei on TripAdvisor here or KKday here. You can book a tour to Taiwan's North Coast on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Activities: Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen'ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We 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). 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 Bus: Take Keelung bus from either Danshui MRT station or Keelung TRA station. You can also take the yellow and white North Coast Shuttle Bus to Baishawan station. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Drive on Provincial Highway 2 out of Danshui to the northeast, or out of Keelung to the northwest. The beach area is near Sanzhi District 三芝區. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By 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: 
The Lanyang Museum focuses on Toucheng's history and artifacts. If you want to learn about the history of Toucheng, this is the place to visit. It is also a beautiful building, designed in the shape of Cuestas, or slanted rocks that appear commonly along Toucheng's coastline.
Background: Before Chinese settlers came, the area around Toucheng was inhabited by the Ketagalan Aboriginal tribe, whose language is now extinct. The name Toucheng literally means "first town" in Chinese, because it was the first settlement in Yilan, settled in the late 1700s. With the nearby Wushih and Touwei Harbors around the same time, it became the economic focal point of Yilan. However in the late 1800s and early 1900s Wushih Harbor and Touwei Harbor silted in, reducing their function. With the advent of the Japanese built Yilan railway line in the mid-1900's, as well as constant floods and continually silting of the harbors, Toucheng quickly lost its importance economically and fell into decay. After residents of Turtle Island were relocated to Daxi in Toucheng, Daxi Harbor was expanded and has become one of the largest fishing harbors in the area. Due to its close proximity to Taipei, Toucheng has become a major tourist area and may be the most popular surfing location in Taiwan. Price: 100 NT You can book discount exhibition tickets to the museum on KKday here or book a tour through Klook here. Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM every day except Wednesdays. Tours and Activities: You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Yilan such as Su'ao Crayon Castle, 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: We have stayed at and recommend Toucheng Leisure Farm. You can also book a room there on Klook here, Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda 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 TRA: Take the TRA to any of the stations in Toucheng. 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 rental: 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. By Car: From Taipei, take National Freeway 5 to Toucheng. Be careful to note that on Sundays there are highway controls for cars travelling from Yilan to Taipei from 3 PM to 8 PM, so avoid travelling back to Taipei at that time to beat the traffic. 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. Map: 
Maiyanshan is a small area on the northeast coast with aquaculture farms. There are interesting rock formations along the beach, and usually large waves here which are mesmerizing to watch. This place also has a few seafood restaurants and is worth a stop on your next trip to the northern coast.
Background: Meiyanshan (literally beautiful waves mountain) was formed thousands years ago by the collision of the Philippine and Eurasian Plates. The seaside area is named after Meiyan Mountain which watches over it. Because of its small size and with no other attractions nearby, it is often overlooked as a seaside destination. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 Tours and Activities: You can book a Stand Up Paddle Board experience at Jinshawan on Klook here or KKday here. You can book a tour to Taiwan's North Coast on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We 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). 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 Bus: Take bus 1811 from Taipei bus station to Meiyanshan stop. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car: Drive on provincial highway 2 out of Keelung to the northeast. The beach area is between Longdong and Ao'di. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By 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: Please see below: 
Bitou Cape (aka Bitoujiao/Bítóujiǎo) is a scenic area of coastline in Ruifang District of New Taipei, along the northeast coast, with popular hiking trails, interesting geological formations, a refurbished tourist military complex. and steep sea cliffs. It is a beautiful area along the coast that you should be sure to not miss.
Background: The sandstone that forms Bitou Cape was formed as sediment under the ocean millions of years ago and were then uplifted thanks to the collision of the Eurasian and Philippine plates. The rocks are mainly sedimentary and are part of the same formation that forms the special rock formations on the northern coast around Keelung. Because of this, there are many interesting eroded rock formations around the cape. The name Bitou (鼻頭) means the tip of the nose in Chinese. Bitoujiao Lighthouse was completed in 1897, built by the Japanese. Later it was repaired in WWII, and is still used today. The ROC army/navy military base at Bitou Cape has been sitting dormant for over 20 years, and was finally opened to the public as a rainbow "pink" military base to attract tourists on May 1st, 2020. The area is a popular weekend destination for many residents of Northern Taiwan. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours: You can book a tour to Bitou Cape on KKday here or Klook here. Activities along Taiwan's Northern Coast: Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen'ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We 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). 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 Car/Scooter: From Keelung, take provincial highway 2 east along the north coast until you reach the Bitou Fishing Harbor. There is limited parking near the harbor, and further free parking on the other side of the tunnel but it is a bit of a walk. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bus: From Keelung TRA Station, take Keelung Bus 791 east about two hours to Bitou cape. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By 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: Please see below: 
Linshanbi Cape is a rocky area on the south side of Baishawan Beach. Here you can find great views of the surrounding area, volcanic rock formations, as well as a variety of marine life. It is a great place to connect with nature along Taiwan's North Coast.
Background: "Linshanbi is a cape located next to Baishawan (White Sand Bay) to the west of Fuguei Cape, which is the northernmost point of Taiwan. It rises about 30 meters above the sea. Kike Fuguei Cape, Linshanbi has an abundance of andesite, evidence of volcanic eruption in the distant past. A circular rock formation at the northern edge of the cape looks natural but is actually a fish trap built by fishermen in early times. Fish and shrimp that enter the trap at high tide are captured in the trap when the tidal waters recede, leaving a wide variety of marine life for viewing fish, shrimp, crabs, snails, chitons, and anemones. This is a veritable classroom for teaching children to know sea life." Price: Free Parking: There is paid parking nearby. Hours: May, June, and October 9AM - 5PM July, August, and September 9AM - 6PM Tours: You can book a tour to Taiwan's North Coast on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can book a Private Laomei Green Reef Day Tour from Taipei on TripAdvisor here or KKday here. Activities: Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Archery, Tree Climbing, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Shen'ao Rail Bike, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We 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). 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 Bus: Take Keelung bus from either Danshui MRT station or Keelung TRA station. You can also take the yellow and white North Coast Shuttle Bus to Baishawan station. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Drive on Provincial Highway 2 out of Danshui to the northeast, or out of Keelung to the northwest. The beach area is near Sanzhi District 三芝區. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By 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: 
Longdong (aka Dragon Caves -龍洞 Lóngdòng) is a popular spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, and rock climbing. There is also a large sea cave there (pictured above) from where the place gets its name.
Background: The sandstone that forms Longdong was formed as sediment under the ocean millions of years ago and were then uplifted thanks to the collision of the Eurasian and Philippine plates. The rocks are mainly sedimentary and are part of the same formation that forms the special rock formations on the northern coast around Keelung. Because of this, there are many interesting eroded rock formations around the cape. The name Longdong (龍洞 Lóngdòng) means dragon cave in Chinese, named after the prominent cave in the area. The area is a popular weekend destination for many residents of Northern Taiwan. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours and Activities: You can book activities at Longdong such as Rock Climbing, Cave Draping, Diving, Snorkeling, SUPing, Freediving, and more on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Keelung, take provincial highway 2 east along the north coast until you reach the Longdong. There is limited parking near the harbor, and further free parking farther away. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bus: From Keelung TRA Station, take Keelung Bus 791 east about two hours to Longdong. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By 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: Please see below: 
Lovers Lake is a small lake a recreation area in Anle District of Keelung City. It has some easy trails, bridges, and a tower that looks over the area. The lake trails also connect to Dawulun Fort. Overall it is a nice scenic spot for a day trip in Northern Taiwan.
Background: The name "Lovers Lake" comes from the fact that there are actually two lakes, one larger and one smaller, so they are a like a couple in love. The sandstone that forms the area was created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. In the past the area was run by a private company, which went out of business. Recently the Keelung City government has taken over control, and has installed a trail that circles the lake. There is also a suspension bridge, windmill, and stone tower overlooking the lake. Nearby you can hike to Dawulun Fort or Eagle Rock that provide great views of the north coast. Currently the lake is popular with hikers and intagrammers, as well as wedding photographers. On the weekends it can get quite busy and parking can be hard to find. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours: You can book a hiking tour of Lover's Lake on KKday here. Activities: Don't forget that there are many activities available along Taiwan's Northern Coast such as Yachting, Fishing, Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Shen'ao Rail Bike, Night Fishing, Instagram Tour, Metaverse VR experience, Seaside Picnic, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels in Keelung: We recommend Just Live Inn-Keelung and Yung Feng Hotel, which are two great quality hotels for a reasonable price in Keelung's City Center. You can book Just Live Inn-Keelung on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Klook here, Hotels.com here, Trip.com here, or Kayak here. You can book Yung Feng Hotel on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Hotels.com here, Trip.com here, Klook here, or Kayak here, How to get there: By car/scooter: Take provincial highway northwest out of Keelung, and take a right on Jijin First Road toward Keelung Chang Kung Hospital. The Lover's lake parking lot is at the top of the hill before the road turns into one lane. There is limited parking, and you may have to park further away. The trail is not wheelchair or stroller friendly. However there is always plenty of scooter parking. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By 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. By Bus: Unfortunately there are no buses that directly get there, so you will have to walk from provincial highway 2, or take a taxi. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. Map: Please see below: |
Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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