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Pingxi District of New Taipei has some of the most popular attractions in Northern Taiwan. With a total of 7 stations along the Pingxi Railway Line (plus 2 if you count Ruifang and Houtong), there are endless places to explore, eat, hike, and enjoy Taiwan's history, culture, and natural beauty all in one place.
Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
Background: Before the Pingxi Railway was built, during the Qing Dynasty a section of the Danlan Old Trail ran through roughly the same area, connecting Yilan to Tamsui. The Japanese completed the Pingxi Railway in 1921 in order to transport coal from the area. Most all of the stations and villages along the line were economically reliant on the coal industry until its downfall in the late 1990s. The coal industry remained strong after the ROC took over Taiwan after WWII, but slowly waned in the 1980s and 1990s due to the decrease in global coal prices. In the year 2000, Sanxia’s Lifeng Mine shut down operations, and Taiwan’s mining company closed, and thus all coal mining in Taiwan effectively stopped. The Pingxi Railway is a single track that is 12.9 KM long with 7 stations. Recently the government has offered many plans to connect the Pingxi Railway to the Taipei MRT via Jingtong to Jingmei, however due to many factors these plans have never been approved. The area around Pingxi and Ruifang is made up of sedimentary rock which easily erodes, creating many large waterfalls such as Shifen Falls, and pointy jagged peaks like the Pingxi Crags. Popular activities along the Pingxi Railway include hiking, river tracing, eating at one of the many old streets, setting off sky lanterns, and exploring the many historical coal mining sites. Hours: The first train reaches Sandiaoling daily at 5:25 AM and the last train leaves Jingtong at 8:33 PM. Price: 80 NT per person for a one day pass. 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. When to go: Any time of year is great. However, waterfalls are most enjoyable during the hot summer, and you may want to come for the Lantern Festival when hundreds of sky lanterns are set off at once. To avoid crowds and packed trains, do not go on weekends or holidays. Tours of Pingxi: There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Shifen 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 most popular tours of Pingxi:
Activities Around Pingxi: Don't forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We 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 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 or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, buy the Pingxi Railway line one-day pass, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at any station! Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. You can drive right or left to reach all of the stations on the Pingxi Railway line. But please know there is limited car parking around the stations. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here. By Bus: You can also book tickets to travel to 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 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 refer to the map below for the places we will cover in this blog:
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The Pingxi Lantern Festival in New Taipei has some of the most popular attractions in Northern Taiwan, and is known as one of the best festivals in the world. Thousands of lanterns are set off during the festival, to celebrate the traditional Chinese Spring Lantern Festival Holiday. It is definitely worth experience if you are in Taiwan during Lantern Festival.
For other lantern festival events around Taiwan, check out our full Taiwan Lantern Festival Guide here. Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
Background: The practice of lighting off sky lanterns in Taiwan began in Shifen, when during the Qing Dynasty local villagers would flee into the mountains during raids from bandits. Once the bandits had left, the remaining villagers sent sky lanterns into the air to let the fleeing villagers know that it was safe to come down from the mountains. The people of Shifen send off sky lanterns as a symbol of peace, and celebrate every year during Lantern Festival (元宵節), a Chinese holiday. Setting off sky lanterns as a tourist attraction began in the 1990's and you can find people lighting off lanterns every day from Shifen. Since 1990 the Lantern Festival has been held every year (expect 2021 due to COVID-19). The Pingxi Lantern Festival is part of larger festivities around Taiwan at the time, known as the Taiwan Lantern Festival. Because of the hundreds of sky lanterns set off every day, this creates an environmental problem with lantern trash piling around the forests and mountains of Pingxi District. The local people and volunteers help to clean up, but because of the tourism allure associated with lighting off the sky lanterns, it seems that this practice is not going away anytime soon. Date and Time: In 2026, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival will be held Friday, February 27th at Pingxi Middle School, and Tuesday, March 3rd at Shifen Sqaure. 2026: Tuesday, March 3rd 2027: Sunday, February 21st 2028: Wednesday, February 9th 2029: Tuesday, February 27th The Lantern Festival is usually held for the entire week that Lantern Festival falls on, which is the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar New Year. Setting off hundreds of lanterns at night is usually done during the evenings.
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Free Tours of Pingxi: You can book a tour of Pingxi on Klook here, TripAdvisor here, or KKday here. Activities Around Pingxi: Don't forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels Near Pingxi: We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here and Agoda here). We have stayed at and recommend Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here. You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, buy the Pingxi Railway line one-day pass, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at any station! The main lantern setting is done at Shifen Square, which is right next to the Shifen Waterfall parking lot. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. You can drive right or left to reach all of the stations on the Pingxi Railway line. But please know there is limited car parking around the stations. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here. By Bus: You can also book tickets to travel to Pingxi via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
Shifen Old Street is the largest and busiest old street on the Pingxi Railway line, famous for setting off lanterns into the sky, and for visiting the famous Shifen Waterfall nearby. Here one can enjoy delicious food, beautiful scenery, and learn about the mining history of the area. The sky lanterns have become a major environmental issue, but because of the allure to tourists the practice doesn't seem like it will end soon.
Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
Background: The town of Shifen, which was originally named for the ten families that lived there in the Qing Dynasty, who needed ten portions of goods (Shi 十 = ten Fen 分/份 = portion). Shifen Train station was completed in 1918 and is the biggest train station on the Pingxi Railway line. During its heyday, it had the largest coal mining operation and largest population in Pingxi District of New Taipei. After the coal industry died down in the 1970s, tourism has taken its place as the major industry in the area. The practice of lighting off sky lanterns in Taiwan began in Shifen, when during the Qing Dynasty local villagers would flee into the mountains during raids from bandits. Once the bandits had left, the remaining villagers sent sky lanterns into the air to let the fleeing villagers know that it was safe to come down from the mountains. The people of Shifen send off sky lanterns as a symbol of peace, and celebrate every year during Lantern Festival (元宵節), a Chinese holiday. Setting off sky lanterns as a tourist attraction began in the 1990's and you can find people lighting off lanterns every day from Shifen. Because of the hundreds of sky lanterns set off every day, this creates an environmental problem with lantern trash piling around the forests and mountains of Pingxi District. The local people and volunteers help to clean up, but because of the tourism allure associated with lighting off the sky lanterns, it seems that this practice is not going away anytime soon. Hours: Winter ( October to May): 9 AM -4:30 PM (last people admitted, park open till 5:00 PM) Summer (June to September) 9 AM -5:30 PM (last people admitted, park open till 6:00 PM) Price: Free When to go: Lantern Festival! (February to March) If you go during weekends or holidays, it can get really crowded on the Pingxi Railway, especially if you plan on taking the train. You may not be able to even fit on the train, so go on weekdays to avoid the crowds. Tours: You can book a tour to Shifen on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Activities Around Pingxi: Don't forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels Near Shifen: We 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 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 or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Shifen Station, and you have arrived at Shifen Old Street! 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. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. The Old Street is to the right of the main bridge across the valley. Parking is plentiful, but you may have to walk a ways to get to 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. 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:
If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko National Park. On an island full of mountains, rain forests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. Taroko National Park is well known for its amazing marble cliffs and canyons carved out by the Liwu River. It is also a popular spot for hiking, rafting, and river tracing. If you have the time, come to the East Coast and see it. If you don’t have time, then make some time!
Taroko National Park Current Conditions Update: Due to recent earthquakes, the road through Taroko Gorge up to Hehuanshan is open if you have your own vehicle, but only five times a day. You need to leave the park by 5:30 PM. The main road has been repaved, but there are parts of the road that are just dirt or covered in potholes. Currently, the Taroko National Park visitor’s center and Tianxiang trails are open. But there are a few spots along the side of the road in Taroko Gorge where you can take photos. Again, all trails and everything else except Tianxiang and the visitor center are closed. The Swallow Grotto road and Eternal Spring road are also blocked off. Even Qingshui Cliff lookout is closed, and there is nowhere to park there. There is a lot of rock moving and reconstruction to do; it could take another 10 years for Taroko to fully reopen. For recent announcements, check out the Taroko National Park Website here. However, you can check out a list of other things you can do and see in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge here. For an update of current conditions in the park, check out our blog post here. Planning your trip to Taroko Gorge? Here are some top travel tips for you:
History and Background: Taroko National Park is well known for its marble cliffs and canyons, and is also known as "The Marble Gorge." Millions of years ago, the rock we see today was sediment at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, but oceanic and tectonic pressure turned it into limestone, and later into marble. Later the Eurasian plate was uplifted where Taiwan is today, and a gorge was cut out of the limestone thanks to the Liwu River. Taroko means "human being," from the Truku tribal language. Originally the Tupido Tribe settled in the area of what is now Tianxiang Taiti mesa. They built the Tupido Tribe Trail which was only 30 cm wide, and resided there until they were massacred by the Japanese in 1914. In 1917, the Japanese expanded the original trail made by the Tupido Tribe to 1.5 M and forced aboriginal tribesmen to carry goods along the trail to the east coast. This is now the Zhuilu Old Trail. Currently only 3km of the trail is open to the public. The Japanese created a national park in the Area in 1937, which was disestablished by the ROC in 1945, and then reenstated in as a national park in 1986. When to visit? Hualien is great year round, but it can get a little hot in the summer, and Typhoon season and heavy rain season lasts from about May to October. If you are afraid of the heat and rain then you can visit during winter when the temperatures are mild and the climate is usually dryer. Sponsored Links Where to stay? Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center. If you only want to visit Hualien City and Taroko Gorge, you can consider booking a hotel near downtown, walking or cycling around the city, and taking a bus to Taroko Gorge. We have stayed at and recommend Dream Taiwan Homestay (Agoda / Booking.com / Expedia / Hotels.com), a high quality hostel for the money in downtown Hualien, Farglory Hotel (Agoda / Booking.com / Expedia / Hotels.com), right next to Farglory Ocean Park with amazing views of Hualien, and Goldenflower B&B (Agoda / Booking.com) in Yuli right next to Sixty Stone Mountain. You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car: From Taipei, Take National Highway 5 to Yilan and then drive on the Suhua Highway 9 to Hualien. A few miles before Hualien City, the gorge will be on your right. By Train: Take the train to Hualien station, and from there you can rent a scooter or car, or take a tour bus to the gorge. For more travel information see here. You can book tickets to travel to Hualien via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. How to get around in Taroko Gorge: As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Tainan by taking the train, inter-city bus, local bus, biking, or just walking. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. By Bus: You can book a shuttle bus to Taroko Gorge from Hualien on Klook here. Scooter Rental: Looking for scooter rental in Hualien? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. Car Rental: If you are looking for car rentals in Hualien, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Tours: You can find more tours and activities in Hualien such as Surfing, Paragliding, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Canoeing, River Tracing, River Rafting, Whale Watching, Snorkeling, Diving, ATV / 4-wheeling, Paintballing, Farm Dream Estates Zoo, Water Biking, Oyster Harvesting, Shrimp Harvesting, Indigenous Experience, Glamping, Cycling, Ziplining and much more on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Hours: 8:30AM-5PM (Zhuilu old trail is usually open from 7AM to 10PM, but for now is closed indefinitely). The road through Taroko Gorge up to Hehuanshan is open if you have your own vehicle, but only three times a day: 8 AM, 12 Noon, and 4 PM. You need to leave the park by 5:30 PM. There are many parts of the road that are just dirt or covered in potholes. Currently, only the Taroko National Park visitor’s center is open. However, you can check out a list of other things you can do and see in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge here. Flying a Drone? Apply for a drone permit here. Price: Free! (Except Zhuilu old trail, which is 200 NT per adult. See below for more info.) Map: Please see below:
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:
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:
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:
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:
The Taiwan Railway Museum (officially National Museum of Taiwan - Railway Department Park) is perhaps the best railway museum in Taiwan. It is built inside the old Railway Department of the Governor General of Taiwan and features multiple interactive exhibitions, thousands of artifacts, and a large miniature of Taipei's railway. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei.
Background: The beginnings of railways in Taiwan began with Liu Ming Chuan, Governor of Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty in the 1800s. The current site where the museum lies was once an artillery factory. After Japan took control of Taiwan, it was converted into the Taipei Railway Factory and was mainly used to repair locomotives and cars. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, they removed many of the buildings due to urban planning. The factory used to include over 40 buildings, but after the destruction of most of the buildings due to the construction of Taiwan's MRT in 2005, only 10 buildings remain. The main brick building that remains was once the Railway Department Office, which was used by subordinate railway officers. Other buildings that remain on the site include the cafeteria, the male washroom, the electrical room, the construction room, and the war command center. There are also remnants of the Artillery Factory used in the Qing Dynasty and the Taipei Railway Factory on the site. The Railway Museum began planning for restoration in 2009, with work commencing in 2014. The Museum finally opened to the public in 2020. For a deeper look into the history of this area, you can check out this blog by Josh Ellis. Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays. Price: 100 NT You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a museum combo ticket on KKday here. Tours: You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By MRT: I recommend the MRT Beimen Station to get there. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car Scooter: You can try to visit by car or scooter but there is really nowhere to park or stop along the side of the road, but there is paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map:
The National Taiwan Museum is the oldest and one of the best in the country and focuses on the natural, geological, and human history of Taiwan. Located in downtown Taipei, it is easily accessible, and you can spend an entire afternoon here. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei.
Background: The National Taiwan Museum was originally established in 1908 to commemorate the opening of the north-south railway in Taiwan and began with over 10,000 items related to Taiwan's academia, art, and industry. A Newer building was later built to house the collection in 1915. After the ROC took over Taiwan, it was known as the Taiwan Provincial Museum until 1999 when it changed its name to the National Taiwan Museum. It is the only museum established during the Japanese era that still stands today. The museum also underwent renovations in 2017. The museum has four areas: the main National Taiwan Museum (which is the focus of this blog), the Land Bank Exhibition Hall, Nanmen Park, and Railway Department Park. In the future, the Monopoly Bureau and the Mitsui Bussan Company Building will be added. Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays Price: 30 NT per person. You can book for a discount on Klook here or a museum combo ticket on KKday here. Tours: You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By MRT: The closest MRT station is NTU Hospital Station, and is about a 5 minute walk from the museum. It is also about a ten minute walk from Taipei Main Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. 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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
The Nanhai Academy is a collection of buildings built on a former Shinto shrine in traditional Chinese architecture not long after the KMT nationalists took control of Taiwan. The area consists of the National Art Education Center, National Music Education Center, Taipei Botanical Garden, and the National Museum of History. Located in downtown Taipei, it is easily accessible, and you can spend an entire afternoon here. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei.
Background: The buildings that make up the Nanhai Academy were originally built during the Japanese era (around 1900), and was known as Kenkou Shrine which was a Shinto shrine. Later the shrine was renovated to resemble Chinese classic style architecture not long after the KMT nationalists took control of Taiwan (around 1955) under order of Chiang Kai-shek. The area was used to establish the National Taiwan Science Education Center, National Taiwan Arts Education Center, National Taiwan Music Education Center, and Center for Educational Resources and Publishing. The area includes a theater, a performance hall, an auditorium, and a broadcasting building. Hours: 9:00 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays Price: Free Tours: You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Looking for Chinese lessons? You can get a 10% discount on Chinese lessons from Tutor ABC, the best Chinese language learning program out there by using the promo code FOREIGNERS10. How to get there: By MRT: The closest MRT station is Xiaonanmen Station, and is about a 10 minute walk from the museum. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: See below:
The Taipei Botanical Garden is a large area of trees, bushes, paths, and ponds, and one of the best places for birdwatching in downtown Taipei. It is also an area used for research, conservation, and education. Nearby you can also find the Nanhai Academy and National Museum of History. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei.
Background: The botanical garden was originally started in 1895 during the Japanese era to study local plants and was known as the Taipei Nursery, later the Taipei Experimental Forest, and finally the Botanical Garden. During WWII, the area was bombed and some palm trees still have scars from bombing raids. Later after the KMT took control of Taiwan, the garden was under the Forestry Bureau's jurisdiction, until 1999 when it was moved under the Agricultural Bureau. Currently, the garden is a popular spot for local residents. Hours: 9:00 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays Price: Free Tours: You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By MRT: The closest MRT station is Xiaonanmen Station, and is about a 10 minute walk from the museum. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy, however bikes are no allowed in the park. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: See below:
For you expats or foreigners who have never left Taipei, Miaoli is a large rural county in central Taiwan. For years I myself never visited, because I didn't know what was there and had no reason to go. It turns out there are quite a few attractions here in this secret paradise.
Below I will list out some of the best places in Miaoli that I have visited. I will be sure to update this blog as I visit more places later. Planning your trip to Miaoli? Here are some top travel tips for you:
Cherry Blossom Season:
Cherry Blossoms can be seen in the park from February to late March. Check out our full guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Taiwan here. Firefly Season: Firefly season at Sun Moon Lake is from May to June. Check out our firefly season guide here. How to get around in Miaoli? As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also get to Miaoli by taking the train, intercity bus, or local bus. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option, as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. By scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Miaoli? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By 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 bus: You can book tickets to travel to Miaoli via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Miaoli via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Tours: There are many tours and activities available in Miaoli such as Schokolake Chocolate Factory, Shangshun World, West Lake Resortopia, Suweila Manor, Baba Kengdao, Hobbit Valley, Zhuo Ye Cottage Duck Box and more on Klook here or KKday here. Accommodation: We have stayed at and recommend Beautiful Landscape Resort, a fish farm and resort near Nanzhuang Old Street (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Yuan Motel, a high class car motel which includes a great breakfast buffet (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here). We also recommend Flying Cow Ranch which includes cabins and camping right on the tourist ranch; you can book a room on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Map: You can see a map of all the places that we will visit in this blog below:
The Yuanshan Grand Hotel is one of the tallest traditional Chinese buildings in the world, and was the tallest building in Taiwan for nearly a decade. It also features multiple restaurants, a swimming pool, all day buffet, shops, and secret underground tunnels, slides, and bunkers. It is a major landmark in Taipei and definitely worth a visit even if you do not plan to spend the night there.
Background: After the ROC government moved to Taiwan in 1949, there was no decent hotel for international travelers and foreign dignitaries, so Chiang Kai-shek planned the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, which was established in 1952. The swimming pool and other buildings were completed in 1953 and 1956, and the main hotel building was completed in 1973. Originally the land where the hotel stands was a Shinto shrine called the Taiwan Grand Shrine, left over from the Japanese Era. In 1995 a fire hit the top floors, and repairs were not completed until 1998, Numerous foreign dignitaries including US presidents have stayed at the hotel. Hours: 24/7 (it's a hotel) Price: Free to walk inside the lobby. Rooms vary from about 3000 NT to 500,000 NT per night. The secret tunnel tour is 200 NT per person. Hotel Room Booking We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, which was once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand. You can book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here. Website: https://www.grand-hotel.org/EN/official/about.aspx?gh=TP Tour times: Every day at 11 AM and 2 PM (check with the front desk to make sure) The tour is 200 NT per person You can book a tour of the hotel and secret tunnels on Klook here, or KKday here which includes a lunch buffet. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: The Yuanshan Hotel is a big square building in Taipei near Shilin and Neihu on the Keelung River. You have to take a roundabout road up to the hotel which can be confusing, it may take you two passes to make it into the parking lot. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/MRT: There is a free shuttle bus from MRT Yuanshan Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
Bishan Campground (aka Bishan Camping Area) in Neihu District of Taipei City is the only free campground run by Taipei City (although it has an extension campground in Beitou). Near the campground is Bishan Temple, which has one of the best views of Taipei. Besides camping and temple worship, the area is also a popular hiking spot, and there are multiple tourist farms and tea shops to explore.
Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
How to apply for a camping spot: You can apply using this online form (sorry it's in Chinese): https://gisweb.gov.taipei/TPCamp/Default.aspx You must apply at least 7 days in advance, but no more than 30 days in advance. You must log in using Taipei Tong App (臺北通), use a card reader for your NHI Card, or use a Taiwan cell phone. You can check the status of the application online as well. Price: Free! Utilities:
Hours: Camping time starts at 2 PM and ends at 1 PM the next day. You can only stay for two nights at a time. Tours and Activities: You can book a ticket to the Neihu Strawberry Garden on KKday here. You can look for more activities on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Bus: You can take a bus to about 1 KM away from the campsite, but then you have to walk with all of that gear. If that's not what you want then you should take a taxi or your own vehicle. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Scooter/Car: From East Neihu, drive up Bishan Raod (碧山路) until you see the campground. It's hard to miss. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
You may recognize the Chungshan Building from the back of the 100 NT dollar bill. Originally built as a meeting place for the now defunct National Assembly, the building is now rarely used for events. The fact that is the only building in the world built right on top of a sulfur vent means that it is hard to maintain, and many parts of the building are under constant repair. However it is full of precocious art and beautiful architecture, and it is open daily for tours.
Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
Background: The land that the Chunghsan Building Currently rests on an active sulfur vent, formerly known as the Caoshan Hot Springs. During the Japanese era, this place was home to an elementary school and was the source of hot spring water for local hot spring hotels (and still is). After the KMT took Taiwan, the reason this location was chosen by Chiang Kai-shek for a government building was because of the locations remarkable Fengshui. The location aligns perfectly with nearby mountains and valleys to create the perfect stream for Fenshui to flow. The Chungshan Building started construction in October 1965 and was completed in November 1966, with construction time totaling only 13 months. This was due to planning from the architect Ms. Xiu Zelan (修澤蘭) and the backbreaking nonstop labor from the KMT military, which would be sure to break all labor laws today. Another reason for the speedy completion was that it was needed to be ready to commemorate the 100th birthday of the father of the ROC, Sun Yat-sen. In order to cope with the constant sulfur vents steaming out of the mountain, the building is equipped with giant exhaust pipes that go through the center of the building. This also helps to keep the building warm in winter. The foundations of the building go down 12 meters into the sulfur soil, and are coated with tar and aluminum to prevent corrosion. Also, much of the building is plated with pure gold to prevent corrosion. This is the only building in the world built on top of a sulfur vent. The building was meant to be the place for the National Assembly to meet, and also a place to show off the elegance of China to foreign dignitaries. Taiwan was thrown out of the U.N. in 1971, after which many fewer foreign heads of state visited Taiwan. The National Assembly was established in 1948 to elect the president of the Republic of China. Its power was then granted to the legislative Yuan and the Taiwanese people in the 1990s, in the wake of free elections in Taiwan, and it was officially disbanded in 2005, meaning the building no longer served any real purpose. Also in 2005, it was declared a national historical monument. The assembly hall as capacity for 1800 people and the cafeteria has room for 2000 people. Besides paid tours daily, sometimes presidential events and art exhibitions are held here. Price: 80 NT You can book a private tour to the Chungshan building on Klook here. Tours: You can book a private tour to the Chungshan building on Klook here. You can check out tours to Yangmingshan such as a One-day Yangmingshan NP Beitou Hot Spring Park and Tamsui Tour Package, Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei, One Day Hike around Yangmingshan, or Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour and more on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hours: Tour times are 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM daily and the tour lasts about an hour and a half. I highly recommend it. Be sure to get there about 10 minutes early. Be wary that for some national holidays the building is closed to the public. Hotels in Taipei: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to Get There: By Bus: Take bus 260 from Shilin Station. The bus ride to the Chungshan Station stop takes about an hour. You can book tickets to travel to Taipei via inter-city bus on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Drive up provincial Highway 2A up into Yangmingshan National Park. The building sits at the intersection between Highway 2A and Yangjin Highway. There is free parking in front of the building. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Check out Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. Map: Please see below:
The Dayoukeng Crater in Yangmingshan National Park is the biggest sulfur vent area in Taiwan, and would likely be the first place to spew lava in the event of a volcanic eruption. This along with Turtle Island are the two known active volcanos in Taiwan. The area was also an important historical sulfur mine. Currently access to Dayoukeng is closed, but you can fly a drone hear with a permit.
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Background: The area known as Yangmingshan was formed by volcanoes about 700,000 years ago, forming many mountains about 1000 meters or less in northwestern Taiwan. The park still features active volcanoes, vents, and hot springs. The original name of the area was Caoshan (grass mountain 草山). During the Qing Dynasty, the area was used to harvest sulfur, and many of the hills were burned to help catch sulfur thieves. In 1927, during the Japanese era, Yangmingshan was established as the first national park in Taiwan, then known as Datunshan National Park Association. In 1950, after the ROC took Taiwan Chiang Kai-shek renamed the park after the philosopher Wang Yangming, and called the area Yangmingshan. In 1985, after resolving many land disputes, Yangmingshan National Park was officially designated as a national park in the ROC era. Dayoukeng (literally "Big Oil Crater" gets its name because there are two main sulfur vents on Yangmingshan, and it is the biggest sulfur vent area in Taiwan. Temperatures here can reach 120 degrees Celsius, and the water is very acidic with a PH level of only 1-2. The venting crater lies about 805 meters above sea level. A few kilometers under the ground, there is a leftover lava chamber from a previous eruption that heats up groundwater and sends it spewing back to the surface. Sulfur mining at Dayoukeng Crater in Yangmingshan National Park started in the Qing Dynasty by a British mining company who first obtained the rights to mine here in 1897. Currently, you can find lots of old mining equipment that was abandoned here. The Yulu Old Trail was built near Dayoukeng to transport mining materials. Mining sulfur ended with the formation of Yangmingshan National Park. Dayoukeng lies in Jinshan District of New Taipei City. It is a popular stop in Yangmingshan and has two parking lots and a visitor's center. It is also one of the starting points for the Mt. Qixing Trail. Hours: The visitor's center is open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Price: Free (parking 30 NT) You can book tours to Yangmingshan on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here or here. Tours: You can check out tours to Yangmingshan, such as a One-day Yangmingshan NP Beitou Hot Spring Park and Tamsui Tour Package, Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei, One Day Hike around Yangmingshan, or Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour and more on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take provincial highway 2A north to the Zhuzihu Lookout. Keep right until you reach the turnoff to the Qingtiangang parking lot. Car parking is limited on weekends, and the number of cars allowed up the mountain is also limited. There is also paid scooter parking. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Check out Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here to search for options. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: From Beitou MRT Station, take Little Bus 9 (小9) to Qingtiangang Station (擎天崗). You can book tickets to travel to Taipei via inter-city bus on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. Map: Please see below:
Four Four South Village (aka Forty-Four South Village) is a former military dependents village that has been converted into a cultural park in Xinyi District of Taipei City. Now it is home to cafes, arts and crafts stores, bookstores, and a community center. Also, it has great views of the Taipei 101. It is worth visiting if you are in the area.
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Background: Four Four South Village was named and built for the 44th Arsenal of the Combined Logistics Command and their families in 1948, after the ROC military retreated to Taiwan following defeat in the Chinese Civil War. The houses were cheaply built out of wood, concrete, bamboo, and tiles. The houses were small, and everyone had to share a communal bathroom. There was also no running water when it was built. Part of the village was destroyed in a fire in 1999, and the whole village was planned to be demolished in 2001, but local residents and cultural experts persuaded the government to preserve part of the village as a cultural heritage site. Now it sits as an important historical site close to the Taipei 101. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours: You can book a tour of 44 south village on TripAdvisor here. You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), which are all very high quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City. We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By MRT: Take the MRT red line to the Taipei 101/World Trade Center station. The village is just a short one minute walk south. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: The village is just south of Xinyi Road, southwest of the Taipei 101. There is paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
Wufenpu is a wholesale clothing market in Xinyi District of Taipei, and the largest wholesale clothing market in Taiwan. It covers an entire city block, full of mostly wholesale clothing shops. If you are looking to shop for clothes on the cheap in Taiwan, this is the place for you.
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Historical Background: The area where Wufenpu stands was once tribal land for the Taiwanese plains aborigines. In 1769, five Chinese families from Fujian moved to settle in this area, converting it into farmland. Because of this, the area was named Wufenpu (literally five portion port) named for the five families that lived there in the Qing Dynasty, who needed five portions of goods from the Qing authorities (Wu 五 = five Fen 分/份 = portion), and 埔 pu which means a port or flat land next to a river (near the Xikou River and Keelung River). During the Japanese era, an insane asylum was established here, which made outsiders look down upon the area. After WWII, Typhoon Ellen in 1959 ravaged Taipei, in what was known as the 87 floods (八七水災), which inundated much of the city. After this, the government built new homes for the many KMT military servicemen in what is now Wufenpu. Later on, these homes were sold to many families moving to Taipei from southern Taiwan, mainly from Changhua, who made clothes for a living. Wufenpu soon became one of the main areas for clothing production in Taiwan. As labor costs in Taiwan increased, clothing production began to move to China and Southeast Asia. However, Wufenpu still held on as a major wholesale clothing market, with shipments coming now from China and Southeast Asia. It's also where many of the night market stalls in Taiwan get their inventory. Improvements to Taipei's public transportation such as Taipei's railway being moved underground, and the opening of the blue line MRT, with access to Wufenpu via Houshanpi Station, Wufenpu retained its prowess as a convenient location for selling wholesale clothes. Today the Wufenpu roughly covers the square shaped area in between Songshan Road, Yongji Road, Zhongpu North Road, and Songlong Road, although there are many clothing shops just outside this area as well. The area can get busy on weekends and the alleyways are only big enough for about two people to cross at a time. Hours: 1:30 PM to 11:00 PM Price: Free Tours in Taipei: There are many tour 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, You can book a 2-hr Raohe Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide, or Taipei at Night: Din Tai Fung Dinner & Raohe Street Night Market Guided Tour on TripAdvisor here, KKday here, or Klook here. Hotels in Taipei: I recommend staying at the Songshan Amba which is within walking distance of Raohe Street (you can book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Hotels.com here, TripAdvisor here, Trip.com here, Expedia here, or Kayak here). 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) and Marriot (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. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By MRT: The shopping area is within walking distance of Houshanpi MRT Station, or Songshan MRT Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By TRA Train: The shopping area is within walking distance of Songshan TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: From central Taipei, take Zhongxiao East Road until you reach Houshanpi MRT station on the blue line. There is paid underground parking under Wufenpu Park. Scooters can park for free on the side of the road inside the market. Looking for scooter rental in 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 Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike 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. Map: Please see below:
Liberty Square (AKA Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall) is one of the most notable landmarks in Taipei, as well as a symbol and gathering place of freedom and democracy. featuring a large public square, Chiang Kai-Shek memorial, opera houses, and gardens. It is officially a monument to the Generalissimo and President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek. Its iconic scenery and architecture are a must-visit for anyone traveling in Taipei.
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B,ackground:
The building itself gets its inspiration from the Sun Yat-sen mausoleum in Nanking, China. It took four years to construct and was finished in 1980, five years after Chiang Kai-shek had died. The memorial hall has 89 steps, which represent the age at which Chiang when he died. Inside is his statue, along with a museum and exhibition dedicated to his life. The plaza became the main gathering place for many demonstrations in Taiwan, such as the Wild Liliy student movement that helped to fully democratize Taiwan by demanding full multi-party elections, to which the then-president Lee Teng-hui agreed. In 2007, then president Chen Shui-bian changed the name of the plaza to Liberty Square. In 2017, plans were announced to transform the memorial hall to respect human rights and face history, referring to Chiang Kai-shek's leadership during martial law and the white terror, in which thousands of innocent Taiwanese civilians were imprisoned and killed. Chiang Kai-shek's statue in the memorial hall has also been vandalized recently by pro-independence students. Hours: Every day 9 AM to 6 PM. Changing of the Guard Times: The ceremonial guard change happens every hour on the hour during visiting hours: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 daily (except some holidays and rainy days). Flag Raising and Lowering Times: The national flag ceremony (which includes lowering the flag) is tied to seasonal daylight hours: Summer (Apr 1 – Sep 30): Raise: 06:00 Lower: 18:10 Winter (Oct 1 – Mar 31): Raise: 06:30 Lower: 17:10 Price: Free admission. Tours: You can also join the Classic Taipei Landmarks Day Tour on TripAdvisor here. You can also search for tours on Klook here, or KKday here. Cherry Blossom Season: Cherry blossoms can be seen in the park from February to late March. Check out our full guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Taiwan here. Hotels in Taipei: High-end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here), which are all very high quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City. We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Budget Hotels: We have also stayed at and recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Some of the Klook links may not work if you are using an Ad blocker. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By MRT: Take either the green line or the red line to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall station. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/scooter: Take either Aiguo Road, Xinyi Road, or Renai Road to western Taipei, and you should see it. There is paid car parking underneath the opera houses, but free scooter parking on the street. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
The Wanli UFO Houses (aka Futuros) are a neighborhood of abandoned futuristic houses near Wanli Beach (aka Emerald Bay, Green Bay, or Feicuiwan) in Wanli District of New Taipei, and are some of the most popular urban exploration and Instagram destinations in northern Taiwan.
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If you are looking for the Sanzhi UFO houses (三芝飛碟屋), stop looking; the Sanzhi UFO houses were destroyed in 2010. There are UFO houses all around Taiwan, but Wanli has the largest group of these houses. Go see them soon before they are demolished too!
Background: The UFO house village was created in the 1970s by a Taiwanese construction company. At the time during martial law, Wanli beach (Feitsui Bay) was one of the few places that American servicemen could enjoy a beach vacation, as most beaches were closed off at the time. These UFO houses had these servicemen in mind. However, a slowing economy and the severing of official diplomatic ties with the USA prevented the area from taking off, and the UFO resort town fell into decay. Now, only a few hotels are left operating in the area, such as CT Green Bay Hot Spring Hotel, which is still in operation in Wanli, and has great views of the ocean, and includes a hot spring (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Because of the harsh winters and short summers along the north coast, many hotels in the area have closed down. For a more complete historical background on this area, check out this blog by Josh Ellis. Common Courtesy When Visiting:
Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Activities: You can book a SUP / Paddle Board experience at Feitsui Bay on KKday here. Tours: You can book a tour to Taiwan's North Coast on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can book a Private Laomei Green Reef Day Tour from Taipei on TripAdvisor here or KKday here. Hotels in Wanli: We recommend CT Green Bay Hot Spring Hotel, which is still in operation in Wanli, and has great views of the ocean, and includes a hot spring (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Bus: There are many buses that pass the area. You'll want to get off at Green Bay (翡翠灣). You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT and buses from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 2 west out of Keelung, and keep going until you reach the Howard Green Bay Resort. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in northern Taiwan? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
Chiang Wei-shui Memorial Square in Xinyi District of Taipei commemorates a pioneering Taiwanese physician and notable activist against the Japanese rule in Taiwan. The park also has some of the best views of Taipei anywhere in the city.
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Background: Chiang Wei-sui was born in 1890 in Yilan during the Qing Dynasty. He later studied medicine at Taiwan Medical College and started a Ta'An hospital in Taipei. He would later go on to found the Taiwan Cultural Association and Taiwan People's Party, and protest against Japanese colonial rule. He was imprisoned over 12 times. In 1931, he died of typhoid, and the Taiwan People's Party was disillusioned by the Japanese government. He was later known as the Sun Yat-sen of Taiwan, and is respected by all political spectrums. In 2006, National Freeway 5 was named after him. When he died in 1931, Chiang Wei-shui was buried in Neihu, and later, in 1952, his bones were moved to a gravesite at the current location of this memorial square, probably to be closer to Taipei Medical University. However, in 2012, his bones were moved back to Yilan, his place of birth. Despite this, the park was renovated in 2019 and still commemorates this fighter for democracy and freedom. 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 all great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. 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 central Taipei, take Keelung Road south until you get to Liuzhangli MRT station, then turn right. Take a small alley up the mountain on Chongde Road. There should be free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By MRT: The park is within 5 minutes walking distance from either Liuzhangli MRT station or Linguang Station on the brown line MRT. You can purchase a discount EasyCard to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
Shiding District is a secret mountain paradise in New Taipei City, in northern Taiwan (新北市石碇區). Lots of people simply pass through here without knowing much about what there is to see. In this guide I will show you some of the secret historical and nature destinations in this amazing place.
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Historical Background:
The name Shiding comes from boats transporting goods from the area that used to use large rocks (shi 石) in the river as anchors (ding 碇). The Shiding administrative area (石碇堡) was created during the Qing Dynasty and extended from Keelung to Wenshan District. The area around Shiding Old Street was the first area to be developed by Han Chinese in Shiding. In the early days during the Qing Dynasty, the Han Chinese settlers here mainly grew tea and leeks. During the Qing Dynasty, Shiding was an important stop along the Danlan Old Trail (淡蘭古道 which means the road between Tamsui and Yilan), which was split into three paths, and Shiding was on the Southern Path. The Southern Path winded from Mengjia Old Street to Liuzhangli, then to Shengkeng, and onto Shiding which was a major tea producer at the time. From Shiding, the road then went to Pinglin and then Yilan. The Southern path was the quickest way to Yilan. During the Japanese Era until the 1980s, the major industry in the area was coal mining, As the coal mining industry winded down in the 1980s and 90s in Taiwan due to lower worldwide coal prices, the economy in Shiding suffered and many people left. The multi story buildings near Shiding Old street are a testament to the economic prosperity of the coal mining era. Currently Shiding is sparsely populated with the main economic activity including tea farming and agriculture. Tours of Shiding: You can book a tour to Shiding 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: Go east on National Freeway 5, then get off at the Shiding interchange. Continue east until you reach Shiding 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 Scooter: From Taipei, take highway 106 east from Shenkeng toward Shiding, pass through Shiding Bao Tunnel, and soon you will come to Shiding Old Street. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bus: From Taipei City Call MRT station, you can take bus 912 to Shiding High School, after that you will have to switch to bus 666 which will take you all the way to the old street (total about 40 minutes). You can also book tickets to travel to Shiding 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:
If Taiwan is the best kept secret in Asia, then Penghu is the best kept secret of the best kept secret in Asia. It has just everything you could possibly want from a tropical island vacation getaway. Less than an hour plane ride from Taipei with multiple flights daily, it's also easy to get to. We are sure that a trip to Penghu is one that you will not regret, and there will be more things to do than you could ever have time for.
Planning your trip to Taiwan? Here are some top travel tips for you:
History of Penghu:
The Penghu Islands were historically an important strategic position for trade and military defense in the area. The Dutch, French, and Japanese all led campaigns against these islands. The Dutch first invaded Penghu in 1622, but soon after retreated to Anping after a treaty was made with the Ming Dynasty. Konxinga later took control of Penghu and Taiwan after defeating the Dutch in 1661, Later, Kongxinga's kingdom fell to the Qing Dynasty. In 1885 during the Sino-French war for control of Vietnam, the French sent a fleet to Taiwan but failed to take the island. Later they attacked the Penghu Islands and occupied them for a short time, before retreating to Vietnam due to the Treaty of Tianjin. After Japan took control of Korea in 1894, they also attacked and occupied Penghu in 1895, after which the Qing Dynasty ceded the islands to them. After World War II, the islands were given to the ROC government, which retreated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War and still controls the islands today under a free democratic government. How to get there: By Plane: There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung airports to Makung. the flight takes roughly under and hour. Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip. There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei, with charted flights to Hong Kong starting September 2018. There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here. By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT. You can book ferry boat tickets from Chiayi on Klook here, or ferry boat tickets from Tainan on KKday here. Getting Around on the Islands: By Ferry Boat: The only way to get to smaller islands without airports is by ferry. You can check KKday here or Klook here for ferry tickets or buy them at the harbor. By Scooter: We recommend taking a scooter as the most efficient and convenient type of transport on the islands. However, most places require a local scooter license. You can rent a scooter for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car / taxi: A car is also sensible in Penghu because the main island is pretty spread out. You can rent a car for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: a bus is possible on the main island, but it will be slower and more unpredictable. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands such as snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, sailing, canoeing, starlight Marine Ranch, wakeboarding, seafood Barbeque, massage, yachting, glamping, trampoline Water Sports, South Penghu Marine National Park, SUP / Paddle Boarding, kayaking, night fishing, Sheraton Four Points Eatery, Dragon Palace Intertidal Zone, Jibei Sand Tail, and many more options. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Accommodation: We have stayed at and recommend Han's Hostel which had great service and is right next to Shanshui Beach, the best beach in Penghu (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here), and Cherry Inn Penghu, a newly renovated homestay in downtown Magong with great service and great prices (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Klook here, Trip.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. When to go there: Spring to Autumn. Winters are rather miserable. Map: Please see below:
Jinshan Old Street (aka Jinbaoli Old Street 金包里老街 Jīnbāolǐ lǎojiē) is a popular historical street in Jinshan District of New Taipei. The most famous delicacy here is duck, but you can also find other traditional Taiwanese snacks among the numerous shops and restaurants here. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taiwan's Northern Coast.
Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
Background:
The first people to live in the Jinshan Area were plains indigenous peoples. The name "Jinabaoli" comes from the Chinese transliteration of the indigenous name of the place. Chinese people began to settle here during the late Ming Dynasty, coming mainly from Fujian, and even more came to settle here during the Qing Dynasty. During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, a road was built to connect Jinshan to Keelung and Tamsui, making it easier for people to visit. This road was improved in the ROC period to become provincial highway 2. Jinshan now has a population of about 22,000 people. Currently Jinshan Old Street is a popular place to visit for day-trippers from Taipei. Hours: All day until about 7 PM. Price: Free Tours: You can book a walking tour to Jinshan Old Street on 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 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. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Keelung, take provincial highway 2 north along the coast until you reach Jinshan. The old street is right in the middle of town and there is free parking on the side of the road not far from the old street. 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: There are buses that leave from Taipei City Hall station to Jinshan hourly. The ride takes about an hour. 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:
Sandiaoling is a small station along the Pingxi Railway in Ruifang District of New Taipei, near Shuoren Village that was once reliant on coal mining. Officially the first station along the Pingxi Line, it is popular with hikers for nearby trails to waterfalls. The village also has a few historical sites such as the defunct Sandiao Mine and the abandoned Shuoren Elementary School. There are also quite a few tea and coffee shops here, perfect for resting hikers to relax. Sandiaoling Station is the only train station in Taiwan that is inaccessible by car; it can only be reached by foot.
Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
Background: The name Sandiaoling Comes from the Spanish name Santiago, which was the name the Spanish gave to the nearby Fulong Village and Santiaogo Cape when they landed there in 1626. Sandiao is the Taiwanese transliteration of Santiago. During the Qing Dynasty, Sandiaoling was also a town along the Danlan Old Trail that connected Taipei to Yilan. The Pingxi Line was completed in 1921 by the Japanese for coal transport, and opened to travelers in 1929. The reason that Sandiaoling Station is inaccessible by road is that originally it was only meant as a stop for railway workers who were directing trains at the fork here. Trains from Sandiaoling can either go up the Pingxi Line or travel on to Yilan. Another reason is that the Keelung River acts as a natural barrier to the nearest road. In 1968, another track was added between Houtong Station and Sandiaoling Station, so as to prevent train accidents, as Sandiaoling is a convergence of the Pingxi and Yilan lines. Coal mining at Sandialing stopped in the 1980s with the decline of the coal industry in Taiwan. In 2018, there were an average of 86 passengers per day to Sandiaoling Station. Hours: 24/7 (first train comes at about 5:30 AM, the last train leaves at about 10:30 PM, with one train coming every half hour or so) Tours of Pingxi: You can book a tour to Pingxi on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Shifen that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. Activities Around Pingxi: Don't forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Where to Stay: We 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 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 or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Sandiaoling Station, and you have arrived! Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shuangxi. You then need to take highway 102 past Mudan (牡丹) and then turn left onto Houmu Public Road (侯牡公路), take it to the end and you will reach Shuoren Village near Sandiaoling Station (you then need to walk about 5 mintues to get the station). 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 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 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: |
Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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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


























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