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

Blog Posts

Our Travel Guide to Wulai – Taipei’s Amazing Mountain Paradise (烏來旅遊指南)

4/23/2025

0 Comments

 
Picture
Wulai District of New Taipei includes some of Taiwan’s most amazing waterfalls, hot springs, aboriginal culture, an old street with snacks and restaurants, a gondola, a train, an amusement park, hiking trails, camp sites, wildlife, and endless mountain scenery to explore. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei.
​
Planning your trip to Wulai? 

Here are some top travel tips for you:
  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October – November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best place to stay: Wulai SungLyo Spring Resort
  • Book tours and activities in Wulai on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Table of Contents
  • Background:
  • Hours:
  • Price:
  • Tours and Activities:
  • Hotels in Wulai:
  • How to get there:
  • Map:
  • Our Journey:
    • Drone Footage:
    • 360 Degree Panoramas:
  • Wulai Waterfall 烏來瀑布
  • Wulai Gondola/Cable Car 烏來纜車
  • Yun Hsien Amusement Park 雲仙樂園
  • Wulai Visitor's Center 游客中心
  • Wulai Trolley 烏來小火車
  • Wulai Old Street 烏來老街
  • Lansheng Great Bridge 攬勝大橋
  • Wulai Ayatal Museum 烏來泰雅民族博物館
  • Wulai Hot Spring Hotels 烏來溫泉飯店
  • Wulai Public Hot Springs (wild hot springs) 烏來公共溫泉,野外溫泉
  • Wulai Suspension Bridge 烏來吊橋
  • Neidong Waterfall 内洞瀑布
  • Luohao Dam 羅好水壩
  • Wusha Creek Falls 烏紗溪瀑布
  • Xinxian Suspension Bridge 信賢吊橋
  • Places we missed:
0 Comments

Family and Kids Travel Guide to Taipei 家庭及小孩台北旅遊指南

4/23/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Taipei is full of fun places and activities for kids. In the past few years, more and more fun parks, restaurants, museums, and theme parks have opened. In this blog, we will show you some of the funnest activities and places around Taipei that are fun for kids. ​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Tips For Travelling in Taipei with Kids:
  • Public toilets may be hard to find, but you can be sure to find them at MRT stations, government buildings such as libraries and administration buildings, gas stations, shopping malls and supermarkets, and a small number of convenience stores.
  • Bring sun protection. 
  • Bring an umbrella or rain gear.
  • Bring insect repellant.
  • Bring lots of water and stay hydrated, especially in the summer.

Tips for Travelling on Planes, Trains, or Buses with Kids:
  • Bring their favorite snacks
  • Bring a new toy or game for them to play with
  • If possible, book an exit row seat or a front row where there is more room
  • Get up and walk around the plane if it is a long flight
  • Bring headphones suitable for your kid’s ears if the small plug earphones don’t work well

Tips for Overcoming Jet Lag with Kids in Taiwan:

I have seen firsthand what jet lag can do to kids in Taiwan, so I have a few tips that may help you.
  • For the first day in Taiwan, take it easy (like short walks, visiting a park), but make sure your kids are awake until nighttime
  • Don’t do anything that involves lots of walking, hiking, or tours on the first day in Taiwan if your kids are jet lagged. This will make for grumpy kids and an unhappy vacation
  • Try to get your kids on a normal sleep schedule as fast as possible and avoid long naps during the day (which could mean waking up in the middle of the night later)
  • If your kids are going insane due to jet lag, find a place to rest and get them some snacks that they like from a nearby convenience store. That should liven their mood. Continue as needed until nighttime.


Basic Taipei Travel Tips:
  • There is no need to tip in Taiwan. It is not part of the culture here.
  • Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar, and many transactions such as for street food still require cash. For more information, check out our guide to the New Taiwan Dollar here. 
  • Get yourself a SIM card or portable WiFi such as from Gigago here so you can stay connected and don't get lost in the city.
  • If you are from a country that does not have a 90-day visa-free program with Taiwan, consider getting your visa sorted with Ivisa.com. You can also check out our immigration FAQ here. 
  • Get travel insurance in case of unforeseen events. You can compare prices on Insubuy here. 
  • The electrical voltage is 110V.
  • Get yourself an Easy Card, so you can travel easily on the MRT, Train, HSR, Youbike, and even shop at convenience stores. You can also book a Taiwan travel pass on Klook here. 
  • For more travel tips, check out our foreigner survival guide here. 

When should you go to Taipei?
In my opinion, the best weather in Taipei is from March-May, and October - November, when the temperatures stay around 26 degrees Celsius and there is not as much rain.
Summers are also nice, with the most sunny weather, but also hot and rainy. 
Winters can be cold (but not below freezing) and usually wet. 
Overall, there is no wrong answer as to what time of year you should visit Taipei. You will have a great time here at any time of year. 

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

Tours in Taipei:
There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Taipei that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. 
Here are some of the post popular tours of Taipei on Tripadvisor:
  1. Yehliu, Jiufen & Pingxi Day Tour from Taipei
  2. The 10 Tastings of Taipei With Locals: Private Street Food Tour
  3. Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup
  4. Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour
  5. Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei
  6. Half-Day Muslim Friendly Tour in Taipei City
  7. Private Taipei Tour for Families
​
Attractions in Taipei:
There are many attractions that you can enjoy in Taipei such as  Taipei 101 Observatory, Taipei 101 460 Skyline Observatory, Taipei Children's Amusement Park, Maokong Gondola, National Palace Museum, Yehliu Ocean World, Yehliu Geopark, National Museum of Marine Science and Biology, i-ride 5D cinema, Astronomical Museum, Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, Double Decker Sightseeing Bus, Miramar Ferris Wheel Ticket, Taipei Zoo, Heping Island Park, Ju Ming Museum, Yuanshan Hotel Secret Road, National Taiwan Museum, New Taipei Gold Museum, Futian Leisure Farm, Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence, Chi Po-lin Museaum, Beitou Museum, Tsao Wonderland, Railway Museum, Fort San Domingo, 13 Levels Archaeology Museum, Austin Land, Museum of World Religions, Formosan Aboriginies Museum, ASE Parent-child Park, teamLab Future Park, Yukids Island, VR Experience, Bat Cave, Neidong Waterfall, Candlestick Islet, Jurassic Snow Park, Zhonghe High5 Amusement Park, Longshan Temple, Xingtian Temple, Ningxia Night Market, Yansan Night Market, Meteor Garden, Yingge Old Street, and many more attractions on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here​. 

Activities in Taipei:
Indoor Skiing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking,  River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, Archery, Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Tree Climbing, Urban Camping, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Escape Room, Shen'ao Rail Bike, Laser Gun Experience, Batting Cages, Bowling, Paintball, Flight Simulation Experience, Taipei Tram Driving Experience, Rail Simulation Experience, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop rand more on Tripadvisor here, 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. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
The only way to get to Taiwan is via airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei's Songshan and Toayuan Airport. 
Taoyuan Airport: Taoyuan is Taiwan's largest airport and typically has cheaper flights and more flight times to choose from. It's about an hour's journey from Taoyuan Airport to the center of Taipei. You can travel via MRT, HSR, bus, or taxi to get to Taipei. 
You can get 30% off the Taoyuan Airport VIP lounge on KKday here. 
Songshan Airport: Songshan is a small airport in Taipei's city center, and can be a convenient option for people traveling within Asia. The airport is right on the Taipei MRT brown line. 
You can book cheap flights to Taiwan on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here.

How to get around in Taipei:
Taipei's transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around in Taipei below:
By Train: 
Gets you to the city center of all major cities in Taiwan. It is about 800NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Roughly half the price of the HSR. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By HSR: (High-Speed Rail) – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here.  
By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Bus: Buses can be tricky. Long-range buses such as Ubus and King Bus are easier to understand and cheaper than the local train. They can take you to the city center of every city throughout Taiwan and to remote tourist destinations such as sun moon lake. A long-range bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung is about 500 NT. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. 

By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD.
By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Click here or 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 bike 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. 

Taipei Child-Friendly Tourist Site Map:
Check out a map below of the places we will cover in this blog.

Read More
0 Comments

Wulai Waterfall 烏來瀑布

4/21/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Wulai Waterfall is the highest waterfall in northern Taiwan. Here you can find a street with snacks and restaurants, and a gondola that leads to a second tier of the waterfall and an amusement park. In addition there are hikes, wildlife, and endless mountain scenery to explore.​

Planning your trip to Wulai?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best place to stay: Wulai SungLyo Spring Resort
  • Book tours and activities in Wulai on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
Wulai was originally an Atayal aborigine village, its name meaning hot and poisonous. There has always been natural hot springs in Wulai, but much of that water has been channeled into hotels and public bathhouses. The free hot springs stood at the bottom of the hill next to the river, and was a collection of used hot spring water from the hotels and paid hot springs above. In its prime, it boasted the largest free outdoor hot springs in Taiwan. Recently the District of Wulai in New Taipei has become a major tourist attraction, partly because of its close proximity to Taipei. It has museums, waterfalls, a gondola, a train, an old street night market, and most of all hot springs. The main delicacies on the old street are Taiwan ingenuous foods such as wild boar meat and rice steamed in bamboo. 

Wulai waterfall is 80 meters high, making it the highest waterfall in northern Taiwan. It's highest point sits at 230 meters above sea level, and drops to 150 meters above sea level. The waterfall is also about 10 meters wide.  
Yunceng Amusement Park began construction in 1960 and was completed in 1970. It includes a gondola, hotel, swimming pool, canoe pond, and other activities. Originally it had a roller coaster, pirate ship, and other rides, but these have all been taken down. 
 
Hours:
Waterfall: 24/7
Cable Car and Yun Hsien Amusement Park Entrance: 9 AM to 4:30 PM
You can book tickets to the gondola and to Yun Hsien theme park on Klook here or KKday here. 
Neidong Waterfall: 8 AM to 5 PM.
You can book tickets to Neidong Forest Recreation Area on KKday here or Klook here. 

Price:
Wulai Waterfall: Free
Cable Car and Yun Hsien Amusement Park Entrance: 220 NT per person
You can book tickets to the gondola and to Yun Hsien theme park on Klook here or KKday here. 
Neidong Waterfall: 65 NT per person. You can book tickets on KKday here or Klook here. 
Hot Spring Bath: 300-500 NT. You can look for hot spring bath experiences on Klook here or KKday here. 

Tours and Activities:
You can book a Taiwan Wulai Aboriginal Tribe afternoon Tour on TripAdvisor here. 
​You can also book a tour of Wulai on KKday here.  
You can also book a ticket on the Wulai Train on Klook here, or a river tracing experience in Wulai on Klook here, or SUP paddleboarding experience in Wulai on KKday here, hot spring baths on Klook here or KKday here, on or tickets to the gondola and to Yun Hsien theme park on Klook here or KKday here.  

Hotels in Wulai:
There are many hot spring hotels in Wulai that have a hot spring tub right in the room.
We have stayed at and recommend Wulai SungLyu Hot Spring Resort, which is a hot spring resort with great views just above Wulai Old Street. You can book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Hotels.com here, TripAdvisor here, Trip.com here, Klook here, Kayak here, or Expedia 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: From central Taipei, take bus 849 to Wulai Waterfall. The trips takes about an hour and a half. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on a bus to Wulai on Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book a Taipei travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car: From Taipei, take provincial highway 9甲 to Wulai. There is a large paid parking garage in front of the old street. You may also be able to find free parking further up the road closer to the waterfall but car parking is very limited. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Klook here or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here.
By 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 of the places covered in this blog:

Read More
0 Comments

A Guide to Taipei's Waterfalls 台北瀑布指南

4/18/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Taipei is home to some of Taiwan's most magnificent waterfalls, and most of them are just a short trip away. Here we have compiled a list of the most easily accessible waterfalls around Taipei. 
Please note this is not an exhaustive list. There are many more waterfalls in Taipei than are listed in this blog. Get out there and discover Taipei's waterfalls for yourself!

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Safety Tips When Visiting Waterfalls:
  • If you are climbing up or down a waterfall, make sure to bring a guide and/or proper equipment such as ropes, helmets, water shoes, life jackets, and first aid gear. 
  • Don't go visit waterfalls alone. If you do, make sure someone knows where you are in case of an accident.
  • Beware of trash and sharp objects at the bottom of waterfalls.
  • Don't jump into a pool unless you know how deep it is. 
  • Some waterfalls specifically ban swimming, so beware of potential fines.

Basic Taipei Travel Tips:
  • There is no need to tip in Taiwan. It is not part of the culture here.
  • Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar, and many transactions such as for street food still require cash. For more information, check out our guide to the New Taiwan Dollar here. 
  • Get yourself a SIM card or portable WiFi such as from Gigago here so you can stay connected and don't get lost in the city.
  • If you are from a country that does not have a 90-day visa-free program with Taiwan, consider getting your visa sorted with Ivisa.com. You can also check out our immigration FAQ here. 
  • Get travel insurance in case of unforeseen events. You can compare prices on Insubuy here. 
  • The electrical voltage is 110V.
  • Get yourself an Easy Card, so you can travel easily on the MRT, Train, HSR, Youbike, and even shop at convenience stores. You can also book a Taiwan travel pass on Klook here. 
  • For more travel tips, check out our foreigner survival guide here. 

When should you go to Taipei?
In my opinion, the best weather in Taipei is from March-May, and October - November, when the temperatures stay around 26 degrees Celsius and there is not as much rain.
Summers are also nice, with the most sunny weather, but also hot and rainy. 
Winters can be cold (but not below freezing) and usually wet. 
Overall, there is no wrong answer as to what time of year you should visit Taipei. You will have a great time here at any time of year. 

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

Tours in Taipei:
There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Taipei that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out KKday here or Klook here.
​
Attractions in Taipei:
There are many attractions that you can enjoy in Taipei such as  Taipei 101 Observatory, Taipei 101 460 Skyline Observatory, Taipei Children's Amusement Park, Maokong Gondola, National Palace Museum and many more attractions on Klook here or KKday here​. 

Activities in Taipei:
You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. 
​
Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
The only way to get to Taiwan is via airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei's Songshan and Toayuan Airport. 
Taoyuan Airport: Taoyuan is Taiwan's largest airport and typically has cheaper flights and more flight times to choose from. It's about an hour's journey from Taoyuan Airport to the center of Taipei. You can travel via MRT, HSR, bus, or taxi to get to Taipei. 
You can get 30% off the Taoyuan Airport VIP lounge on KKday here. 
Songshan Airport: Songshan is a small airport in Taipei's city center, and can be a convenient option for people traveling within Asia. The airport is right on the Taipei MRT brown line. 
You can book cheap flights to Taiwan on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here.

How to get around in Taipei:
Taipei's transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around in Taipei below:
By Train: 
Gets you to the city center of all major cities in Taiwan. It is about 800NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Roughly half the price of the HSR. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By HSR: (High-Speed Rail) – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here.  
By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Bus: Buses can be tricky. Long-range buses such as Ubus and King Bus are easier to understand and cheaper than the local train. They can take you to the city center of every city throughout Taiwan and to remote tourist destinations such as sun moon lake. A long-range bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung is about 500 NT. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD.
By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Click here or 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 bike 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. ​
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Tourist Site Map:
Check out our map below of tourist sites in Taiwan, which is constantly updated:


Read More
0 Comments

Neidong Waterfall 内洞瀑布

4/16/2025

0 Comments

 

Tweet
Picture
Neidong Waterfall is a beautiful scenic forest area in Wulai District of New Taipei. Here, for a small entrance fee, you can enjoy one of the most picturesque trails in northern Taiwan. It is an easy, family-friendly hike that is pretty much flat, stroller friendly, and wheelchair friendly, with bathrooms on both ends of the trail. ​ It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei. 

Planning your trip to Wulai?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • Book entrance tickets to Neidong Waterfall for a discount on Klook here or KKday here
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best place to stay: Wulai SungLyo Spring Resort
  • Book tours and activities in Wulai on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Read More
0 Comments

Taipei Museum Guide 臺北博物館指南

4/11/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Taipei is full of some of the best museums in Taiwan. Besides the National Palace Museum, there are dozens of museums in Taipei that can provide you deeper insights into Taiwan's unique history and culture. ​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Brief Historical Background of Taipei:
The land on which Taipei now stands on what was once part of Basay tribal land. The Basay people had lived on the land for thousands of years before the first Chinese settlers ever came.
Chinese settlers from Fujian began living here during the Dutch rule in the 1600s.
The first Chinese settlers came to the area in the mid-1800's during the Qing Dynasty. They created a public area for drying rice and grain, called Dadaocheng (大稻埕) which also became the central market in the area.
The earliest trading shops were built in 1851, mainly selling rice, sugar, camphor, and tea. Dihua Street (迪化街) was created around this time, making it the oldest street in Taipei. Most of the buildings were one story and made of red brick in Fujian style, and later western style houses were built. The walls and gates of Taipei were completed in 1884.
In 1891, the first train connecting Keelung and Taipei was completed.
During the Japanese era, in 1904 the walls of Taipei were destroyed after less than 30 years, and Taipei was re-planned into the capital of Taiwan. 
After the ROC took control of Taiwan, Taipei continued as the capital city, as well as the financial hub of Taiwan. During the Taiwan miracle, many rural families moved from southern Taiwan to factories and offices in Taipei, making Taipei the most populous urban area in Taiwan.
Currently, Taipei is the most advanced and affluent city in Taiwan. It also has Taiwan's most advanced public transportation system, making it easy for millions of commuters to live outside the city where rents are cheaper. Now, most of Taiwan's economic activity is based in this city.

Basic Taipei Travel Tips:
  • There is no need to tip in Taiwan. It is not part of the culture here.
  • Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar, and many transactions such as for street food still require cash. For more information, check out our guide to the New Taiwan Dollar here. 
  • Get yourself a SIM card or portable WiFi such as from Gigago here so you can stay connected and don't get lost in the city.
  • If you are from a country that does not have a 90-day visa-free program with Taiwan, consider getting your visa sorted with Ivisa.com. You can also check out our immigration FAQ here. 
  • Get travel insurance in case of unforeseen events. You can compare prices on Insubuy here. 
  • The electrical voltage is 110V.
  • Get yourself an Easy Card, so you can travel easily on the MRT, Train, HSR, Youbike, and even shop at convenience stores. You can also book a Taiwan travel pass on Klook here. 
  • For more travel tips, check out our foreigner survival guide here. 

When should you go to Taipei?
In my opinion, the best weather in Taipei is from March-May, and October - November, when the temperatures stay around 26 degrees Celsius and there is not as much rain.
Summers are also nice, with the most sunny weather, but also hot and rainy. 
Winters can be cold (but not below freezing) and usually wet. 
Overall, there is no wrong answer as to what time of year you should visit Taipei. You will have a great time here at any time of year. 

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 recommend and also 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.

Tours in Taipei:
There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Taipei that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. 
Here are some of the post popular tours of Taipei on Tripadvisor:
  1. Yehliu, Jiufen & Pingxi Day Tour from Taipei
  2. The 10 Tastings of Taipei With Locals: Private Street Food Tour
  3. Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup
  4. Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour
  5. Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei
  6. Half-Day Muslim Friendly Tour in Taipei City
  7. Private Taipei Tour for Families
​
Attractions in Taipei:
There are many attractions that you can enjoy in Taipei such as  Taipei 101 Observatory, Taipei 101 460 Skyline Observatory, Taipei Children's Amusement Park, Maokong Gondola, National Palace Museum, Yehliu Ocean World, Yehliu Geopark, National Museum of Marine Science and Biology, i-ride 5D cinema, Astronomical Museum, Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, Double Decker Sightseeing Bus, Miramar Ferris Wheel Ticket, Taipei Zoo, Heping Island Park, Ju Ming Museum, Yuanshan Hotel Secret Road, National Taiwan Museum, New Taipei Gold Museum, Futian Leisure Farm, Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence, Chi Po-lin Museaum, Beitou Museum, Tsao Wonderland, Railway Museum, Fort San Domingo, 13 Levels Archaeology Museum, Austin Land, Museum of World Religions, Formosan Aboriginies Museum, ASE Parent-child Park, teamLab Future Park, Yukids Island, VR Experience, Bat Cave, Neidong Waterfall, Candlestick Islet, Jurassic Snow Park, Zhonghe High5 Amusement Park, Longshan Temple, Xingtian Temple, Ningxia Night Market, Yansan Night Market, Meteor Garden, Yingge Old Street, and many more attractions on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here​. 

Activities in Taipei:
Indoor Skiing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking,  River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, Archery, Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Tree Climbing, Urban Camping, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Escape Room, Shen'ao Rail Bike, Laser Gun Experience, Batting Cages, Bowling, Paintball, Flight Simulation Experience, Taipei Tram Driving Experience, Rail Simulation Experience, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop rand more on Tripadvisor here, 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. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
The only way to get to Taiwan is via airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei's Songshan and Toayuan Airport. 
Taoyuan Airport: Taoyuan is Taiwan's largest airport and typically has cheaper flights and more flight times to choose from. It's about an hour's journey from Taoyuan Airport to the center of Taipei. You can travel via MRT, HSR, bus, or taxi to get to Taipei. 
You can get 30% off the Taoyuan Airport VIP lounge on KKday here. 
Songshan Airport: Songshan is a small airport in Taipei's city center, and can be a convenient option for people traveling within Asia. The airport is right on the Taipei MRT brown line. 
You can book cheap flights to Taiwan on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here.

How to get around in Taipei:
Taipei's transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around in Taipei below:
By Train: 
Gets you to the city center of all major cities in Taiwan. It is about 800NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Roughly half the price of the HSR. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By HSR: (High-Speed Rail) – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here.  
By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Bus: Buses can be tricky. Long-range buses such as Ubus and King Bus are easier to understand and cheaper than the local train. They can take you to the city center of every city throughout Taiwan and to remote tourist destinations such as sun moon lake. A long-range bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung is about 500 NT. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. 

By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD.
By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Click here or 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 bike 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. 

Tourist Site Map:
Check out our map below of tourist sites in Taiwan, which is constantly updated:

Read More
0 Comments

Pinglin Old Street 坪林老街

3/28/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Pinglin Old Street (also known as Pinglin Shopping District 坪林商圈) is a small street in the mountainous Pinglin District in New Taipei. There are some great tea shops here, a tea museum, Qing dynasty stone houses, and beautiful views of the Beishi River and surrounding mountains. Also, there are some great hiking trails and camp sites nearby. If you love tea, Pinglin is the place for you.  
​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
The first documented Han Chinese settlers came to Pinglin in 1821, mainly for agriculture. In the early days during the Qing Dynasty, the Han Chinese settlers here mainly grew tea and leeks. The only road through Pinglin at the time was the Danlan Old Trail (淡蘭古道). During the Qing Dynasty, Pinglin was an important stop along Danlan Old Trail (which means the road between Tamsui and Yilan), which was split into three paths, and Pinglin was on the Southern Path. The Southern Path winded from Mengjia Old Street to Liuzhangli, then to Shengkeng, and onto Shiding and then Pinglin which was a major tea producer at the time. Pinglin, the trail went over the mountains to Yilan. The Southern path was the quickest way to Yilan. 
During the Japanese Era until the 1980s, the populations remained small and the main economic output came from tea. 
Pinglin is the largest producer of Paozhong Tea (包種茶) in Taiwan. 
When National Freeway 5 was completed in 1990, originally there was no access to Pinglin. After much protest, a referendum was brought to the people, and 97% of voters agreed to allow access to National Freeway 5. 
Currently the Pinglin Shopping District covers Pinglin Old Street, Pinglin Middle School, Pinglin Agricultural Association, Tea Museum, and many other small tea shops in the area. It is a popular stop along National Freeway 5.

Price:
​Free

Hours:
About 8 AM to 5 PM.

Tours:
You can also book a tour to Pinglin on KKday here or TripAdvisor here.

​Activities:

Here you can river trace, SUP / Paddleboard, and more on KKday here. 

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

How to get there:
By Car: Go east on National Freeway 5, then get off at the Pinglin interchange. Continue east until you reach Pinglin Street.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Scooter: From Taipei, take highway 106 east from Shenkeng toward Shiding, pass through Shiding Bao Tunnel, and continue over the mountain past Huafan University, over to Pinglin. The street is at the center of town.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Bus: From Taipei City Call MRT station, you can take bus 912 to Bafenliao Station, the switch to bus 923 to Pinglin Station. The ride should take about 2 hours. You can also book tickets to travel to Pinglin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
​Please see below.

Read More
0 Comments

Ruifang Old Street 瑞芳老街

3/28/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Picture
Ruifang Old Street is a long old street extending out of Ruifang Train Station. Ruifang Station sits on the terminus to the Pingxi Railway, and provides direct bus service to Jiufen and Jinguashi, making it a must stop (literally) destination for tourists travelling to nearby tourist destinations. 
The food on Ruifang Old Street is plentiful and delicious, and you will not regret a brief pit stop here. ​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
During the Qing Dynasty (before there was a railroad), the Keelung River was the main means of transport from Ruifang to Taipei and the rest of Taiwan. Later, gold and copper mines were founded in Ruifang and the surrounding areas of Jiufen and Jinguashi, and the railroad was finished in 1924 during the Japanese occupation, connecting Taipei to Eastern Taiwan. A Railway line was also made into Pingxi to connect to more mining operations.
Markets and stalls on Ruifang Old Street probably started with the completion of Ruifang Train Station on the Yilan line in 1924. 

Hours:
All day until about 9 PM, but some stalls will be open later than that. 

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

Hotels Near Ruifang:
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 Train: Take TRA to Ruifang Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book a travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 5 out of Taipei, then turn right onto Provincial Highway 2 after Qidu (七堵)until you reach Ruifang. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here.
By Bus: You can also book tickets to travel to Pingxi via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Read More
0 Comments

Sanxia Old Street 三峽老街

3/28/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Sanxia Old Street is one of the best-preserved Old Streets in Taiwan, with two rows of buildings that have recently been renovated in their original Japanese-era baroque-style architecture. Here you can also enjoy local delicacies Ox Horn Bread and other Taiwanese staples such as sausages, ice cream, stinky tofu, and more.

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
The name Sanxia (三峽, literally meaning "three valleys") comes because the area is surrounded on three sides by mountains.
In the mid-1700s, the first Chinese families began to settle in what is now Sanxia.  In 1769 Zushi Temple (祖師廟) was established, which is the main temple on the old street. In 1785, the Earth God Temple / Sanxia Fu An Temple (土地公 /三峽福安宮) was established. 
During the Qing Dynasty, the town of Shenkeng was an important trading area for camphor, tea, and cloth, Transportation was made easy thanks to the Sanxia River. 
During the Japanese invasion of Taiwan in 1895, local residents retaliated against the Japanese army, inflicting heavy casualties. In return, the Japanese burned Sanxia Old Street.
Under Japanese rule, the area underwent improvements, and houses were built in baroque-style architecture. 
With the establishment of the round island railway, Sanxia Old Street lost its importance as a trade and transportation hub. 
In 2004, the Taipei County Government allocated 3 Billion NTD to repair and restore the baroque-style architecture on Sanxia Old Street, and the renovations were completed in 2007. In 2009, further renovations were conducted to make the old street as it appears today. 
At 260 meters long, it is said to be Taiwan's longest preserved old street (I am not sure if this is true). 
Now the area is a popular tourist attraction and is very busy on weekends and holidays.

Delicacies:
Ox Horn Bread and other Taiwanese staples such as sausages, ice cream, stinky tofu, and more.
​
Hours:
Every Day from about 10 AM to 7:30 PM, with more shops opening later in the day.

Price:
Free

When to go:
If you go during weekends or holidays, it can get really crowded but that is also the time when most all of the shops and stalls are open. If you want to avoid the crowds you can try going early in the afternoon when it is not as busy, 

Tours:
​You can book a day tour to Sanxia on TripAdvisor here or KKday here.
You can also book a river tracing experience in Sanxia on Klook here. 
There are also free tours in Chinese offered by the local municipal office on Saturdays and Sundays. 

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

How to get there:
By Scooter: From central Taipei. provincial highway 3 southwest from Tucheng to Sanxia. The old street is right in the middle of town. You can park for free on the side of the road nearby.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Car: You can take National Highway 3 and get off at the Sanxia exit. There is paid parking under the Sanxia Public Market. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bus: There are a number of buses that pass by the old street coming from Taipei, such as bus 910. You can also book tickets to travel to Sanxia via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. ​
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Read More
0 Comments

Jiufen Old Street 九份老街

3/28/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Jiufen is an old mountain village in Ruifang District of New Taipei City, and has perhaps the best old street in all of Taiwan, with authentic Taiwanese food, sloping steps, traditional Chinese architecture, and great views of Shen'Ao and Keelung Harbors. There are also multiple historical sights within the town. The entire village is built on a mountain slope so that you can enjoy views of Taiwan's north coast from basically anywhere in the city. ​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights
Background:
Jiufen gets its name from the original nine families who settled in the village during the Qing dynasty, who asked for nine portions of shipments every time they arrived (九Jiu=nine 份Fen=portion). The discovery of gold in the area created a gold rush in the town that lasted until the last Japense Era. When gold mining ended in 1971, the town began to decay. After A City of Sadness was filmed there, the town began to see a tourist boom. Also the town began to see many visitors especially from Japan after 2001 due to the resemblance of the town in Spirited Away, even though Miyazaki has said that Jiufen was not the inspiration for the movie. 

Hours:
Around 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Price:
Free

Tours:
You can book a tour of Jiufen Old Street with TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

Hotels near Jiufen:
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 Train: Take TRA to Ruifang Station, then transfer to Keelung Bus which goes directly to Jiufen every few minutes (about a 15 minute ride from Ruifang). Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can book tickets to the high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
By Bus: Buses directly to Jiufen leave from Taipei Main Station and Songshan Station regularly. You can also book a shuttle bus to Jiufen from Taipei on KKDay here. You can also book tickets to travel to Jiufen via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
​By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 to Ruifang and then travel on highway 102 all the way up to Jiufen. Parking is scarce and some of the most expensive in Taiwan. Expect at least 250 NT per day for a car and 50 NT per day for a scooter. 
Looking for scooter rental in New Taipei? Click here or 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 here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. You can also charter a car for a day to Jiufen 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:

Read More
0 Comments

Yingge Ceramics Museum 鶯歌陶瓷博物館

3/28/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
The Yingge Ceramics Museum (official the New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum 新北市立鶯歌陶瓷博物館) is a museum, DIY center, and art gallery for ceramics in Yingge District of New Taipei City. Here you can learn about the history of brick and pottery making in Taiwan, make your own pottery, as well as enjoy amazing works of art from local artists. ​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
The history of ceramic making in Yingge dates back nearly 200 years with the first potter, Wu An, who migrated from Guangzhou, and brick maker Chen Kun and the industry grew from there. Today Yingge is still the biggest ceramic-producing area in Taiwan, with over 800 ceramic businesses there. 
Plans for the Yingge Ceramics Museum began in 1988, and the building was finally completed in the year 2000, made mostly of raw concrete and glass. 
Currently, the museum holds over 3000 artifacts, including many Taiwanese traditional building materials and pottery. 

Hours:
General Admittance: 9:30 AM - 5 PM every day
Children's pottery DIY: Thursday - Saturday 9:40-10:40; 11:00-12:00; 14:00-15:00; 15:30-16:30 (200 NT per child; *only for children 4-10 years old)
Closed for Chinese New Year, as well as the first Monday of each month. 

Price:
Entrance ticket: 80 NT per person
Children's pottery DIY: 200 NT per child (see above)

Website:
https://en.ceramics.ntpc.gov.tw/ 
​
Tours:
​You can book a day tour to Yingge Old Street on Klook here or KKday here. 

DIY Activities:
You can also book a Pottery and Ceramic DIY class at Yingge Old Street on KKday here or a Jewelry DIY class on KKday here. You may have to book a few days in advance. 

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

How to get there:
By Scooter: From central Taipei. provincial highway 3 southwest from Tucheng to Sanxia. Then turn right on the 110 to Yingge. The old street is right in the middle of town. You can park for free on the side of the road nearby.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Car: You can take National Highway 3 and get off at the Sanxia exit and keep going right (north) to Yingge. There is paid parking near the museum. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Train: Taking a train to Yingge is the most convenient way to get here. The old street and museum are within walking distance of Yingge TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By Bus: There are a number of buses that pass by the old street coming from Taipei, such as bus 910. You can also book tickets to travel to Yingge via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. ​
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Read More
0 Comments

Xizhi Old Street 汐止老街

3/28/2025

1 Comment

 

Share

Tweet
Picture
Xizhi Old Street was once an important trading location along the Keelung River. After the advent of railroads, the street was no longer useful, and now it is used mainly as a morning vegetable market. However many of the old red brick buildings here are still intact, and it is worth a stroll down the street if you are in the area.

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
Xizhi Old Street is only about 1 Km long, and it's official name is Zhongzheng Road. In the past it was known as Shuifanjiao Street, and was a very important transport hub along the Keelung River. It is also known as Xizhi's first street. After World War 2, the train to Yilan replaced the need for a boat dock for shipping in Shenkeng, and the town slowly fell out of importance. Many of the shops here have been running for over three generations. 

Price:
Free

Hours:
24/7, vegetable market only open before noon. 

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

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

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take provincial highway 5 north to Xizhi. Turn west onto Zhengzheng Road and you are on the old street. There is no car parking and limited scooter parking. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for 
car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By TRA: Take the TRA to Xizhi Station. The Old street is about a two minute walk to the northwest. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a 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:

Read More
1 Comment

Yingge Old Street 鶯歌老街

3/28/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Yingge Old Street (also known as Yingge Ceramics Old Street) is the ceramics and pottery capital of Taiwan. Most of the shops here focus on some kind of ceramics or pottery of some kind. There are also many wood carvings and other sculptures available, as well as DIY pottery making. In addition, you can check out the nearby New Taipei City Ceramics Museum and New Taipei City Art Museum. ​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: March-May, and October - November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

​Background:
The name Yingge literally means "eagle's song."
​The history of ceramic making in Yingge dates back nearly 200 years ago with the first potter, Wu An, who migrated from Guangzhou, and brick maker Chen Kun and the industry grew from there. In the olden days, the old street was surrounded by smoke stacks from ceramic ovens. This continued until the 1990s, when the old street started to focus more on artwork instead of industrial products. The old street was also renovated to be more tourist friendly. Today Yingge is still the biggest ceramic producing area in Taiwan, with over 800 ceramic businesses there. 
Plans for the Yingge Ceramics Museum began in 1988, and the building was finally completed in the year 2000, made mostly of raw concrete and glass. 
Currently the museum holds over 3000 artifacts, including many Taiwanese traditional building materials and pottery. 
Popular products sold at the old street include household products, artistic ceramic products, china, ovens, utensils, pots, and other ornaments. 

Hours:
10 AM - 7 PM every day

Price:
Free
​
Tours:
​You can book a day tour to Yingge Old Street on Klook here or KKday here. 

DIY Activities:
You can also book a Pottery and Ceramic DIY class at Yingge Old Street on KKday here or a Jewelry DIY class on KKday here. You may have to book a few days in advance. 

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

How to get there:
By Scooter: From central Taipei. provincial highway 3 southwest from Tucheng to Sanxia. Then turn right on the 110 to Yingge. The old street is right in the middle of town. You can park for free on the side of the road nearby.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Car: You can take National Highway 3 and get off at the Sanxia exit and keep going right (north) to Yingge. There is paid parking near the old street. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Train: Taking a train to Yingge is the most convenient way to get here. The old street and museum are within walking distance of Yingge TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By Bus: There are a number of buses that pass by the old street coming from Taipei, such as bus 910. You can also book tickets to travel to Yingge via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. ​
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Read More
0 Comments

Hobe Fort 滬尾砲台

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

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

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

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

Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM

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

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

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The fort is near Heping Park off highway 2. Parking can be found in front of the fort. Looking for scooter rental in Tamsui? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. ​
If you are looking for 
car rentals, you can also search Klook here or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus/taxi to the fort. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Read More
0 Comments

Lion Park (Wanli) 萬里獅子公園

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Lion Park sits above a quiet and beautiful stretch of coastline in Wanli District of New Taipei. There is also a 1 KM pedestrian path that connects the park to Dawulun beach. Popular activities here include hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, and watching the sunset. ​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
​
The sandstone and sedimentary rock that forms the coastline here was created between 10 and 20 million years ago and was pushed out of the sea along with northern Taiwan thousands of years ago. 
The rocks here were formed by easily eroding sandstone, with the area underneath being eroded away by the sea and waves. 
​Lion Park in Wanli was created by the Taiwan Lion's Club, Su'Ao chapter. The park includes a pavilion and a large stone sculpture that is popular with Instagrammers. 


Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

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 Car/Scooter: Drive to Keelung, then from downtown take provincial highway 2 west about 10 KM until you reach Lion Park, and there is some free parking at the park.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Klook here or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
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, take bus 305 to Dawulun Beach. The park is about a 10 minute walk west along the coast. 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:

Read More
0 Comments

13 Levels Ruins 十三層遺址

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
The thirteen levels smelter, also known as "Shuinandong Smelter 水南洞選練厰" or Potala Palace of Mountain Mines, was built by the Japanese and abandoned in the 1980s. Nowadays it is one of the most popular abandoned sites in Taiwan.

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

​Historical Background:
In 1890 during the Qing Dynasty, gold was found in the Keelung River during the construction of Taiwan's first railroad, which led to a small gold rush. Gold seams were eventually found in the mountains behind Jiufen around what is today Jinguashi. 
The name Jinguashui (金瓜石 Jīnguāshí), literally meaning "Gold Gourd Stone" comes from the shape of the nearby Keelung Mountain, which resembled a Pumpkin "Nánguā 南瓜" to early settlers, and the fact that early gold miners found lots of little gold seams resembling small gourds. 
After Taiwan was colonized by the Japanese in 1895, the Japanese quickly took control of the mines at Jinguashi, banning locals from owning mining rights. They quickly found many more copper and gold seams, and Jinguashi became the number one gold mine in the Japanese empire. 
During WWI, the mine came upon difficult times, and mining rights were passed to what is now Japan Energy, who built the 13 level complex that sits abandoned today. By 1938 it had become the most profitable gold mine in Asia, and population grew to over 80,000. 
During WWII, the mining operations switched from gold to copper, and the area was used as a POW camp.
After the ROC took Taiwan, the mines were used mainly for copper, as the cost of refining gold was too high. The Chalet built for the crown prince of Japan at Jinguashi was later used by Chiang Kai-shek. After worldwide copper prices collapsed in the 1980s, the mine shut down for good in 1987. After that, people moved out of the town, and Jinguashi has a population of just about 2,000 people. 
Later mining initiatives have been met with strong criticism from environmentalists. 
In 2004, the New Taipei City Gold Mine Museum was completed, using several abandoned mining sites near Jinguashi, making it a popular tourist attraction in the area. 

Gold Mine Museum Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays

Gold Mine Museum Price:
80 NT per person (Free for New Taipei Residents)
You can book discount tickets to the New Taipei Gold Mine Museum on Klook here or KKday here.

Tours:
You can book a tour to the 13 Levels Ruins on KKday here. 
​
Hotels near Jinguashi:
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 Train: Take TRA to Ruifang Station, then transfer to Keelung Bus which goes directly to Jinguashi every few minutes (about a 15 minute ride from Ruifang). Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can book tickets to the high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
By Bus: Buses directly to Jinguashi leave from Taipei Main Station, Taipei City Hall, and Songshan Station regularly via Keelung Bus. You can also book a shuttle bus to Jiufen from Taipei on KKDay here. You can also book tickets to travel to Jiufen via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
​By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 to Ruifang and then travel on highway 102 all the way up to Jiufen, then go over the mountain and keep going down to Jinguashi. Parking is scarce, and if you drive a car you need to park at the bottom of the hill and take the bus up to the gold mine museum. There is free scooter parking at the entrance. 
Looking for 
scooter rental in New Taipei? Click 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 here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. You can also charter a car for a day to Jinguashi 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:

Read More
0 Comments

Bali Old Street 八里老街

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Bali Old Street (aka Bali Ferry Dock Old Street 八里渡輪頭老街) is a shopping area near Bali Wharf, connecting with Tamui Old Street via ferry and bicycle route. It is one of the oldest ports in Taiwan, with a long history of businesses and great seafood nearby.

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
Bali district has been inhabited for at least 5,000 years; first by a large group of Taiwan aborigines and then later by Chinese settlers. 
Bali's port opened to international trade along with Tamsui after the second opium war in 1860, but it was used less often because Bali suffered from strong northwestern winds, and Tamsui had a deeper harbor. 
Recently, Bali has become a major tourist destination in New Taipei, known for its laid back atmosphere and attractions such as the Tamsui River bike-way, Bali Old Street and ferry, and the Shihsanhang Archaeology Museum. 

Hours:
Roughly 9 AM to 10 PM, each store has different hours. 

Price:
Free (35 NT ferry ride from Tamsui)

Tours and Activities:
You can also book a SUP / sand bar digging experience near Bali Old Street on KKday here. ​
You can also book a sailing experience on the Tamsui River on KKday here. 

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

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 15 north to Bali, the old street is right next to the ferry dock. There is some paid parking near the old street, and free scooter parking. Looking for scooter rental in Bali? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. ​
If you are looking for 
car rentals, you can also search Klook here or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Ferry: You can take the ferry from Tamsui Old Street (35 NT, 7-10 minutes). The last ferry leaves at about 8 PM.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​

Map:
Please see below:

Read More
0 Comments

Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
The golden waterfalls are a popular sight along Taiwan's north coast, which are colored gold because of the mine and mineral runoff collected as the water moves through old mines. Jinguashi is a small village in Ruifang District in New Taipei, famous for its now defunct mines. Here you can explore the Gold Mine Museum, touch a multi-million dollar gold ingot,  see golden waterfalls, go on some of the best hikes in Taiwan, check out the old mining town, see Japanese era historic sites, and explore abandoned mining sites.

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights


​Historical Background:
In 1890 during the Qing Dynasty, gold was found in the Keelung River during the construction of Taiwan's first railroad, which led to a small gold rush. Gold seams were eventually found in the mountains behind Jiufen around what is today Jinguashi. 
The name Jinguashui (金瓜石 Jīnguāshí), literally meaning "Gold Gourd Stone" comes from the shape of the nearby Keelung Mountain, which resembled a Pumpkin "Nánguā 南瓜" to early settlers, and the fact that early gold miners found lots of little gold seams resembling small gourds. 
After Taiwan was colonized by the Japanese in 1895, the Japanese quickly took control of the mines at Jinguashi, banning locals from owning mining rights. They quickly found many more copper and gold seams, and Jinguashi became the number one gold mine in the Japanese empire. 
During WWI, the mine came upon difficult times, and mining rights were passed to what is now Japan Energy, who built the 13 level complex that sits abandoned today. By 1938 it had become the most profitable gold mine in Asia, and population grew to over 80,000. 
During WWII, the mining operations switched from gold to copper, and the area was used as a POW camp.
After the ROC took Taiwan, the mines were used mainly for copper, as the cost of refining gold was too high. The Chalet built for the crown prince of Japan at Jinguashi was later used by Chiang Kai-shek. After worldwide copper prices collapsed in the 1980s, the mine shut down for good in 1987. After that, people moved out of the town, and Jinguashi has a population of just about 2,000 people. 
Later mining initiatives have been met with strong criticism from environmentalists. 
In 2004, the New Taipei City Gold Mine Museum was completed, using several abandoned mining sites near Jinguashi, making it a popular tourist attraction in the area. 

Gold Mine Museum Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays

Gold Mine Museum Price:
80 NT per person (Free for New Taipei Residents)
You can book discount tickets to the New Taipei Gold Mine Museum on Klook here or KKday here.

Tours:
You can book a tour to Golden Waterfall on TripAdvisor here, Klook here or KKday here. 
​
Hotels near Jinguashi:
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 Train: Take TRA to Ruifang Station, then transfer to Keelung Bus which goes directly to Jinguashi every few minutes (about a 15 minute ride from Ruifang). Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can book tickets to the high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
By Bus: Buses directly to Jinguashi leave from Taipei Main Station, Taipei City Hall, and Songshan Station regularly via Keelung Bus. You can also book a shuttle bus to Jiufen from Taipei on KKDay here. You can also book tickets to travel to Jiufen via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
​By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 to Ruifang and then travel on highway 102 all the way up to Jiufen, then go over the mountain and keep going down to Jinguashi. Parking is scarce, and if you drive a car you need to park at the bottom of the hill and take the bus up to the gold mine museum. There is free scooter parking at the entrance. 
Looking for 
scooter rental in New Taipei? Click here or 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 here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. You can also charter a car for a day to Jinguashi 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:

Read More
0 Comments

Tamsui Customs Officers' Residence (Little White House) 淡水小白宮

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Tamsui's Little White House (officially the Tamsui Customs Officer's Residence) is an important historical building in Tamsui near Fort San Domingo. The ticket to Fort San Domingo and Hobe Fort also allows entrance to this building, so you should definitely check it out if you visit the area. ​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
As a result of the Second Opium War, China was forced to open more ports to the west, including in Tamsui and Tainan, therefore creating a need for the Qing government to create a customs office in Tamsui. 
The Tamsui Customs Officer's Residence was built in 1870 for the Custom Officer. The first customs officer was W. Maxwell of the UK. After the Japanese took control  of Taiwan, the house was abandoned. Later after the ROC took control of Taiwan, the building was later annexed as part of the nearby Tamkang High School. In  1996, the building was set for destruction but was saved by local scholars who protested. In 2004, the building was renovated as a tourist attraction in its current form.
Because of its stark white appearance, it has been nicknamed the "little white house" referring to the resemblance to the White House in Washington DC. 

Price:
80 NT per person (includes passage to the British Consulate and Hobe Fort). 
You can book tickets to this fort and nearby historic sites on Klook here or KKday here. 

Hours:
9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (tickets not sold after 4:30)

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

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The white house is passed the old street on highway 2. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. Looking for scooter rental in Tamsui? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. ​
If you are looking for 
car rentals, you can also search Klook here or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the white house. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
​Please see below: 

Read More
0 Comments

Jinshui Highway 金水公路

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Jinshui Road winds up from the ocean up to Jinguashi. Even though it is one lane, buses still come up and down this thing constantly. From the mountains above you can enjoy views of this unique, steep, winding road in northern Taiwan.

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights
​
Historical Background:
In 1890 during the Qing Dynasty, gold was found in the Keelung River during the construction of Taiwan's first railroad, which led to a small gold rush. Gold seams were eventually found in the mountains behind Jiufen around what is today Jinguashi. 
The name Jinguashui (金瓜石 Jīnguāshí), literally meaning "Gold Gourd Stone" comes from the shape of the nearby Keelung Mountain, which resembled a Pumpkin "Nánguā 南瓜" to early settlers, and the fact that early gold miners found lots of little gold seams resembling small gourds. 
After Taiwan was colonized by the Japanese in 1895, the Japanese quickly took control of the mines at Jinguashi, banning locals from owning mining rights. They quickly found many more copper and gold seams, and Jinguashi became the number one gold mine in the Japanese empire. 
During WWI, the mine came upon difficult times, and mining rights were passed to what is now Japan Energy, who built the 13 level complex that sits abandoned today. By 1938 it had become the most profitable gold mine in Asia, and population grew to over 80,000. 
During WWII, the mining operations switched from gold to copper, and the area was used as a POW camp.
After the ROC took Taiwan, the mines were used mainly for copper, as the cost of refining gold was too high. The Chalet built for the crown prince of Japan at Jinguashi was later used by Chiang Kai-shek. After worldwide copper prices collapsed in the 1980s, the mine shut down for good in 1987. After that, people moved out of the town, and Jinguashi has a population of just about 2,000 people. 
Later mining initiatives have been met with strong criticism from environmentalists. 
In 2004, the New Taipei City Gold Mine Museum was completed, using several abandoned mining sites near Jinguashi, making it a popular tourist attraction in the area. 

Gold Mine Museum Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays

Gold Mine Museum Price:
80 NT per person (Free for New Taipei Residents)
You can book discount tickets to the New Taipei Gold Mine Museum on Klook here or KKday here.

Tours:
You can book a tour to Jinguashi on TripAdvisor here, Klook here or KKday here. ​
​
Hotels near Jinguashi:
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 Train: Take TRA to Ruifang Station, then transfer to Keelung Bus which goes directly to Jinguashi every few minutes (about a 15 minute ride from Ruifang). Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can book tickets to the high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
By Bus: Buses directly to Jinguashi leave from Taipei Main Station, Taipei City Hall, and Songshan Station regularly via Keelung Bus. You can also book a shuttle bus to Jiufen from Taipei on KKDay here. You can also book tickets to travel to Jiufen via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
​By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 to Ruifang and then travel on highway 102 all the way up to Jiufen, then go over the mountain and keep going down to Jinguashi. Parking is scarce, and if you drive a car you need to park at the bottom of the hill and take the bus up to the gold mine museum. There is free scooter parking at the entrance. 
Looking for 
scooter rental in New Taipei? Click here or 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 here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. You can also charter a car for a day to Jinguashi 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:

Map:
Please see below:

Read More
0 Comments

Qianhua Shibawang Temple 乾華十八王公廟

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

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

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

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

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

Tours:
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 Car/Scooter: Take provincial Highway 2 from either Tamsui or Keelung North to Shimen. The Temple sits on the very northern edge of Shimen District. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Klook here or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
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: Take Keelung bus from either Danshui MRT station or Keelung TRA station.
You can also take the yellow and white North Coast Shuttle Bus to Qianhua or Shibawang station. 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:

Read More
0 Comments

Former British Consulate Residence in Tamsui 淡水原英國領事館邸

3/26/2025

2 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
The former British Consulate in Tamsui is over 100 years old, spanning a long and complex history in Taiwan. Originally built by the British, it was handed over to Australia, the USA, and then the ROC. Now it is a popular tourist destination in Tamsui. ​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:
The spot where the consular residents lies is right next to Fort San Domingo, which was originally a wooden fort built by the Spanish who were vying for control of Taiwan in 1628. Later the fort came into Dutch control in 1642, and the Spanish were driven from Taiwan. In the process, the Spanish razed the fort to the ground. The fort was rebuilt in brick by the Dutch. The Dutch were expelled from Taiwan thanks to Konxinga and his Ming loyalists.
The local Han Chinese at the time called the fort "Red Hair Fort 紅毛城" as a racial slur to the Dutch. 
Later, the fort was leased to the British government.
The British built the consular residence in 1891, and continued to keep a presence there until 1972, and later it was given for a short time to Australia and the USA, and then given to the ROC government in 1980. Now the government maintains the fort as a tourist attraction. 

Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM

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

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

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The former consulate is past Tamsui Old Street on highway 2. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. Looking for scooter rental in Tamsui? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. ​
If you are looking for 
car rentals, you can also search Klook here or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the fort. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
​Please see below:

Read More
2 Comments

Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology 十三行博物館

3/26/2025

1 Comment

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology (aka the 13th Site Museum of Archaeology) is a museum in Bali District of New Taipei featuring archaeological exhibits on Taiwan's history and prehistory, as well as international archaeological exhibitions. Here is one of the best places in Taiwan to see clearly what Taiwan was like in prehistoric times.

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

History:
The name Shihsanhang comes from 13 shops located near a now defunct harbor near the site during the late 1800s and early 1900s, which is also a nickname of the area. This name may also be borrowed from the thirteen factories in Canton at the time, or may have been borrowed from the pronunciation of the place from indigenous peoples living there. 
The Museum here came about starting in 1990 when the government planned to build a sewage treatment plant on the current site of the museum. However, as they excavated the ground, they discovered a prehistoric village called the Shihsanhang site. Scientists in the area called for the preservation of the site which garnered public support. Later the site was converted into a museum to display the artifacts that were discovered.
The museum was completed in 2003 after 5 years of construction and a total cost of NT 380 million. It was the first City-built archaeology museum in Taiwan. 
International exhibitions began at the museum in 2017. 

Hours:
9:30 AM - 5 PM daily, closed the first Monday of each month

Price:
80 NT per person
You can book tickets for a discount on KKday here.

How long does it take to see everything?
About 2 Hours

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

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 15 to Bali, then take a right on Shihsanhang Road. Looking for scooter rental in Tamsui? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. ​
If you are looking for 
car rentals, you can also search Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.   
By Bus: Take the Shuttle bus Red No. 13 from Bali Old Street or Guandu MRT station (about 20 minutes). You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. 
By Bicycle: Take the MRT to Tamsui, the take the ferry to Bali Old Street. From there you can rent a bicycle and ride 2KM over to the museum. Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Read More
1 Comment

Lingjiushan (靈鷲山)

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Lingjiushan Monastery is an impressive temple in the mountains of New Taipei on the Northeast coast. You can only get there by foot. There you can find some large golden statues and some great views of the surrounding coastline.
​

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights

Background:

The monastery was started by a former ROC soldier who fought against the PRC in Burma during the 1960s. He then retired near Shuangxi and started this monastery. His religion is now international, has raised tons of money, and also owns t

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. 

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 Train: Take the TRA train to Fulong Station. Walk straight from the station and you will see tons of bike rental shops. 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/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 from Qidu in Keelung through the mountains past Shifen and Shuangxi until you reach Gongliao on the coast. The beach is right in front of the train station, and there is free parking in front of Dongxing Temple. From there you can walk to the train station where there are bike rentals everywhere. 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:

Read More
0 Comments

Yinyang Sea 陰陽海

3/26/2025

0 Comments

 

Share

Tweet
Picture
The Yinyang Sea "陰陽海" on the coast of Ruifang, New Taipei is so named because it looks like a Yinyang symbol due to impurities in the runoff from the old mines that run into the ocean near Shuinandong Harbor. It is a unique part of the northern coast worth stopping and taking a look.

Planning your trip to Taipei?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

  • Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
  • How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
  • Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
  • Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
  • Stay connected with a local SIM
  • Rent a car to explore distant sights
 
Historical Background:
In 1890 during the Qing Dynasty, gold was found in the Keelung River during the construction of Taiwan's first railroad, which led to a small gold rush. Gold seams were eventually found in the mountains behind Jiufen around what is today Jinguashi. 
The name Jinguashui (金瓜石 Jīnguāshí), literally meaning "Gold Gourd Stone" comes from the shape of the nearby Keelung Mountain, which resembled a Pumpkin "Nánguā 南瓜" to early settlers, and the fact that early gold miners found lots of little gold seams resembling small gourds. 
After Taiwan was colonized by the Japanese in 1895, the Japanese quickly took control of the mines at Jinguashi, banning locals from owning mining rights. They quickly found many more copper and gold seams, and Jinguashi became the number one gold mine in the Japanese empire. 
During WWI, the mine came upon difficult times, and mining rights were passed to what is now Japan Energy, who built the 13 level complex that sits abandoned today. By 1938 it had become the most profitable gold mine in Asia, and population grew to over 80,000. 
During WWII, the mining operations switched from gold to copper, and the area was used as a POW camp.
After the ROC took Taiwan, the mines were used mainly for copper, as the cost of refining gold was too high. The Chalet built for the crown prince of Japan at Jinguashi was later used by Chiang Kai-shek. After worldwide copper prices collapsed in the 1980s, the mine shut down for good in 1987. After that, people moved out of the town, and Jinguashi has a population of just about 2,000 people. 
Later mining initiatives have been met with strong criticism from environmentalists. 
In 2004, the New Taipei City Gold Mine Museum was completed, using several abandoned mining sites near Jinguashi, making it a popular tourist attraction in the area. 

Hours:
9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays

Price:
80 NT per person (Free for New Taipei Residents)
You can book discount tickets to the New Taipei Gold Mine Museum on Klook here or KKday here.

Tours:
You can book a tour to the Yinyang Sea on KKday here or Klook 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 near along the 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 Train: Take TRA to Ruifang Station, then transfer to Keelung Bus which goes directly to Jinguashi every few minutes (about a 15 minute ride from Ruifang). Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can book tickets to the high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
By Bus: Buses directly to Jinguashi leave from Taipei Main Station, Taipei City Hall, and Songshan Station regularly via Keelung Bus. You can also book a shuttle bus to Jiufen from Taipei on KKDay here. You can also book tickets to travel to Jinguashi via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
​By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 to Ruifang and the Yinyang Sea is right in front of the 13 levels. There is free parking inside the 13 levels parking lot. 
Looking for 
scooter rental in New Taipei? Click here or 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 here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. You can also charter a car for a day to Ruifang 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. 

​​Check out our full blog on the Yinyang Sea here. ​

Read More
0 Comments
<<Previous

     Author 作家

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


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

    Klook.com

    Categories
    ​類目

    All
    Aboriginal Culture 原住民文化
    Airports 機場
    Alishan 阿里山
    Amusement Parks 娛樂園
    Aquariums 海洋館
    Art 藝術
    Basic Info 基本資訊
    Beaches 海灘
    Beitou 北投
    Blogroll 部落格名單
    Bridges 橋梁
    Buddhism 佛教
    Business 商業
    Camping 露營
    Car Driving Test 考汽車駕照
    Car Rental 租氣車
    Caves 山洞
    Changhua 彰化
    Cherry Blossoms 櫻花
    Chiayi 嘉義
    Children Activities 小孩活動
    Chinese Film 中文電影
    Chinese Language 中文
    Chinese Literature 中文文學
    Circling Taiwan 環島
    City Parks 都市公園
    Click Bait 點擊誘餌
    Coal Mining 煤礦
    Confucius Temples 孔廟
    Cycling 騎腳踏車
    Cypress Groves 落羽松秘境
    Daily Life 日常生活
    Daoism 道教
    Disaster Tourism 災害旅遊
    Disaster Tourism 災害旅遊
    Diving 潛水
    DIY
    DIY Activities
    Driving In Taiwan 開車
    Drone Flying 飛空拍機
    Dutch Era 荷蘭時期
    East Rift Valley 花東縱谷
    East Taiwan 東部
    English Teaching 英文教學
    Events 活動
    Festivals 節日
    Fish Foot Massage 溫泉魚
    Floral Sea 花海
    Food 食物
    Forts 堡壘
    Fruit 水果
    Geography 地理
    Geology 地質
    Golf 高爾夫球
    Green Island 綠島
    Green Island 綠島
    Growing Bananas 種香蕉日記
    Guest Blog Posts 客人部落格
    Hakka Culture 客家文化
    Hiking 爬山
    Historical Buildings 歷史建築
    Hot Springs 溫泉
    Hsinchu 新竹
    Hualien 花蓮
    Immigration/Visa 移民/簽證
    Japanese Era 日治時期
    Jiaoxi 礁溪
    Kaohsiung 高雄
    Keelung 基隆
    Kenting 墾丁
    Kingdom Of Tungning Era 東寧時期
    Kinmen 金門
    Lakes And Reservoirs 湖及水庫
    Lighthouses 燈塔
    Longdong 龍洞
    Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市
    Maolin 茂林
    Martyrs' Shrines 忠烈祠
    Matsu Islands 馬祖列島
    Mazuism 媽祖
    Miaoli 苗栗
    Migrant Workers 外籍勞動
    Monkeys 猴子
    Mountain Biking 越野
    Museums 博物館
    Nangang 南港
    Nantou 南投
    National Forest Recreation Areas 國家森林游樂區
    National Palace Museum 故宮
    National Parks 國家公園
    Natural Scenery 自然風景
    New Taipei 新北市
    Night Market 夜市
    Northern Coast 北海岸
    Not Taiwan 台灣以外的地方
    Nuclear Power 核能
    Offroading 越野
    Old City Gates 古城門
    Old Streets 老街
    Old Trails 古道
    Orchid Island (Lanyu 蘭嶼)
    Outer Islands 外島
    Paragliding 跳傘
    Penghu Islands 澎湖群島
    Pingtung 屏東
    Pingxi Railway 平息火車綫
    Politics 政治
    Qing Dynasty Era 清朝時代
    Railways 鐵路
    Recreational Farms 休閑農場
    River Tracing 朔溪
    Rock Climbing 攀岩
    Sailing 帆船
    Sand Dunes 沙丘
    Sanxia 三峽
    Scooter Driving Test 考機車駕照
    Scooter Rental 租機車
    Seafood Markets 海鮮市場
    Shiding 石碇
    Shilin Night Market 士林夜市
    Shinto Shrines 神社遺址
    Shinto Shrines 神社遺址
    Shopping 購物
    Sicao Green Tunnel 四草綠色隧道
    Smokestacks 烟囪
    Snorkeling 浮潛
    Sports 運動
    Starting A Taiwan Business 創業
    Sugar Factories 糖廠
    Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
    Surfing 冲浪
    Taichung 臺中
    Tainan 台南
    Taipei 101
    Taipei Zoo 台北動物園
    Taipei 臺北
    Taitung 臺東
    Taiwanese Spouse 台灣配偶
    Taiwan FAQ 臺灣常見問題
    Taiwan History 台灣的歷史
    Taiwan's Economy 台灣經濟
    Taiwan Temples 臺灣的廟
    Tamsui 淡水
    Taoyuan-2669122290
    Taoyuan-2669122290
    Taroko-gorge-228263979138307
    Taroko-gorge-228263979138307
    Tax
    Thailand-2788822283
    Top-10-210692131321517
    Top-10-210692131321517
    Transportation-2013236890
    Turtle-island-408602366523798
    Typhoons-3908939080
    Ultimate-guide-26997384802535121335
    Ultimate-guide-26997384802535121335
    Urbex-22478240662550638570
    Urbex-22478240662550638570
    Waterfalls
    Waterfalls-2868924067
    Waterfalls-2868924067
    Weather-2282527683
    White-terror-30333333942465624598
    Wildlife
    Wildlife 野生動物
    Wildlife-野生動物
    Working In Taiwan 2231221488287712403720316
    Wulai Hot Springs
    Wulai-hot-springs
    Wulai-hot-springs-28879203582833127849
    Xiaoliuqiu 235672970529699
    Xiaoliuqiu-235672970529699
    Xitou-2833038957
    Xizhi-2772827490
    Xizhi-2772827490
    Yangmei-2695426757
    Yangmingshan 陽明山
    Yilan-2345234349
    Yilan-2345234349
    Yonghe-2770421644
    Yunlin-3864226519
    Yunlin-3864226519
    Yushan-jade-mt-2957723665
    Zhonghe-2001321644
    Zoos-212052928922290

    RSS Feed


    120*600

    Archives 檔案

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    120*600

    Text Ad Example

    Tutor ABC - World's No. 1 Online Platform for learning English and Chinese.

    Get 10% off all Tutor ABC website listed prices with promo code: FOREIGNERS10

    Tutor ABC - 世界第一英語和中文線上學習平台

    使用促銷代碼: FOREIGNERS10 可享有 Tutor ABC 網站上列出的所有價格 10% 的折扣


    120*600


Planning your trip to Taiwan?

Here are some top travel tips for you:

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

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

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