Wanli Beach (aka Feitsuiwan, Emerald Bay, or Green Bay) is a popular beach along the northern Coast. Paragliding is the most popular activity at this beach but people also swim and surf here too. Nearby you can also check out the UFO house village. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan's Northern Coast.
Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
Background: At the time during martial law, Wanli Beach (Feitsui Bay) was one of the few places where American servicemen could enjoy a beach vacation, as most beaches were closed off at the time. The UFO house village was created in the 1970s by a Taiwan construction company. 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. 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 on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. 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:
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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.
Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
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 Taiwan 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. 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 on Taiwan's Northern Coast: We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Bus: 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: 
Ximending is a historical neighborhood and shopping district in west Taipei. Originally built by the Japanese as an entertainment district, it later became the first designated pedestrian zone in Taiwan. Here you can find night market like food choices, historical sights, and endless shopping options. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taipei.
Planning your trip to Taipei? Here are some top travel tips for you:
Historical Background: The land that Ximen Shopping District stands on was once part of Basay tribal land. The Basay people had lived on the land for thousands of years before the first Chinese settlers. Sections of the area indicate that there was settlements here during the Dutch rule in the 1600s. The name Ximending refers to the neighborhood just outside the west gate of Taipei City. Before the Japanese colonization of Taiwan, this area was wilderness connecting Taipei with Bangka. The Japanese decided to develop it into an entertainment area around the turn of the 20th century. The walls of Taipei were later torn down in 1905. One historical building here is the Red House Theater (紅樓劇場) which was built in 1908. Originally the building was a department store, but after 1945 the building was transformed into a theater. After a fire in the year 2000, it was renovated and turned into a museum with shops and theater with more modern equipment. In the year 2000, Ximending was designated as a pedestrian zone, the first in Taiwan. Because if its popularity, the area is also known for more crime and illicit activities. Currently the area sees over 300 shoppers per month. The area is also especially popular with young people because there are many high schools and cram schools nearby. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 Tours: You can book a 2-Hour Private Ximending Area Walking Tour on TripAdvisor here. You can also search for tours on Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend Ximending Amba, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Tripadvisor here, Expedia here, Kayak here, Trip.com here, or Agoda here). We also have stayed at and recommend and 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 also 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). 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 Car/Scooter: From Taipei Main Station, go east on Zhongxiao East Road until you reach Zhonghua Road and take a left. Take another right on Chengdu Road and you are there. There is some scooter parking on the street, but if you are driving a car I suggest parking at Carrefour and walking over. 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: Take the green line to Ximen Station. The shopping district can be found at exit 6. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below: 
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:
How to get around in Miaoli? As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Miaoli by taking the train, inter city 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:  Shanshui Beach is the best beach in Penghu. The sand is white, the waves are big, and the water is clear and warm. Popular activities here include snorkeling, swimming, surfing, and SUPing. It is a great beach destination if you come to Penghu.
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Here there are natural expanses of lush beach morning glory flowers, followed by golden, soft sand and the deep blue sea. These three colors blend to create a picturesque and inviting landscape. As one of the few beaches in Penghu suitable for surfing, Shanshui Beach is known for its strong waves. At night, the beach is also popular for stargazing. On the western side of the beach is Zhumu Mountain, which was once a military-controlled area but has since been transformed into the Shanshui 30 Highland Park. This spot offers an excellent panoramic view of the beach. Shanshui Beach has also become popular because it appeared in Bobby Chen’s music video and the film All You Need is Love. It is usually clean and one of Penghu’s most popular beaches. Activities:Besides soaking in sun rays at the beach, there are many activities available in Penghu such as snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, sailing, canoeing, wakeboarding, massage, yachting, glamping, trampoline Water Sports, SUP / Paddle Boarding, kayaking, night fishing and more on Klook here or KKday here. Tours:There are many tours and activities available on the islands such as Island Hopping Tour, starlight Marine Ranch, seafood Barbeque, Sheraton Four Points Eatery, Dragon Palace Intertidal Zone, Jibei Sand Tail, and many more options on Klook here or KKday here. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Where to Stay:We have stayed at and recommend Han’s Hostel which had great service and is right next to Shanshui Beach, the best beach in Penghu (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here) a newly renovated homestay in downtown Magong with great service and great prices (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. When to go to Penghu:The best time to go is Autumn. Spring is also a nice time to go, but there is a greater chance of spring showers during that time. The summers may be too hot, and winters too cold and windy. How to get to Penghu:By Plane: There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung airports to Makung. the flight takes roughly under an hour. Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip. There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei, with charted flights to Hong Kong starting September 2018. There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here. By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one-way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one-way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one-way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT. By Ferry: You can book ferry boat tickets from Chiayi on Klook here, or ferry boat tickets from Tainan on KKday here. How to Get to Shanshui Beach:By Scooter: From Makung, take Highway 201 southwest until you reach County Highway 25 and continue to the beach. There is a free parking lot there. We recommend taking a scooter as the most efficient and convenient type of transport on the islands. However, most places require a local scooter license. You can rent a scooter for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car/taxi: From Makung, take Highway 201 southwest until you reach County Highway 25 and continue to the beach. There is a free parking lot there. A car is also sensible in Penghu because the main island is pretty spread out. You can rent a car for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: You can get to Shanshui Beach via bus 52D Shanshui Line. The bus stop is called Shanshui Beach. The beach is about a 3-minute walk north from the bus stop. 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.  Wondering where to stay in the Beitou Hot Spring Area (北投最佳的溫泉英文介紹)? There are so many hot spring hotels in this area, that it may be hard to choose from. There are many hotels within walking distance from the MRT station as well as museums and historical sites. There are also hotels that are more secluded and private. In this blog, I will take you on a virtual tour to discover the best hotels in Beitou.
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Activities in Beitou:Besides soaking in hot springs, there are many activites available in Beitou such as Rock Climbing, Water Skiing, Kani Kimono Rental, Escape Experience, Beitou Museum, and more on Klook here or KKday here. Tours in Beitou:You can check out tours to Beitou such as a Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour, Beitou and Yeliu Day Tour, Beitou and Tamsui Day Tour, Beitou and National Palace Museum Tour, Beitou Muslim Friendly Tour, Beitou Arts and Culture Tour, Flower Season Tour, and more on Klook here or KKday here. You can also check out the Beitou Fun Package from KKday which includes a one day transportation coupon, hot spring coupon, and coupon for over 8 souvenir shops in Beitou. 
Hengchun Airport (also known as Kenting Airport or HCN) has had no commercial flights in the past 10 years due to strong katabatic crosswinds coming down from the mountains. Now it just sits there in the middle of Hengchun (near Kenting), a giant waste of taxpayer money. Do not go there.
Background: Hengchun Airport was completed in 2004 to provide greater access to the Hengchun Peninsula especially from population centers like Taipei and Taichung. Commercial flights ran regularly until 2007 when Taiwan's high-speed rail was completed. In 2014, the last airport mostly stopped passenger flights. In 2019 the last passenger flight route to the airport was cancelled. Talks have been ongoing on what to do with the airport. It has been considered to give the military control of the airport, although there are not yet concrete plans to do so. Hours: Permanently closed Tours and Activities in Pingtung: There are many activities available in Pingtung, such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. You can find more tours of Kenting on Klook here or KKday here. Accommodation: Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. I have stayed at many hostels and hotels in Kenting, and even almost bought a house here. Some places that I have stayed at and can recommend are Nanwan Kiki (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here), a B&B next to Nanwan Bay, Kenting's most popular Beach. There are also a few decent hotels near Kenting Street Night Market like Kenting Star Inn 888 (book on Agoda here, Klook here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Booking.com here), or Kenting Dajianshan Hotel (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here). You will notice that none of these hotels are five star resorts (I do not come to Kenting to waste my time at a resort, but you can still search Agoda, Booking.com, Hotels.com, or Expedia for those) but they are in my opinion the above have the best value for the money. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until you reach Hengchun. The airport is on the right just before you enter the city. Looking for scooter rental in Pingtung? 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 Bus: You can reach Mudan from Pingtung Bus 1773, but it will take over three hours. You can book tickets to Kaohsiung via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here, or book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can book tickets to travel to Pingtung via inter-city bus on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Zhuilu Old Trail (aka Jhueilu/Zhuilu Old Road) is known as "the best day hike in Taiwan" and has a trail on "the No. 1 cliff in east Asia." It is for sure one of the most beautiful and exciting hiking trails in Taiwan. It features a vertical cliff section with amazing views 500 meters above the world's deepest marble gorge (Taroko Gorge).
History: The Zhuilu Old Trail was created hundreds of years ago by the Truku indigenous people to connect their villages in Taroko Gorge and the central mountain range. Originally the cliff sections of the trail were just 30 cm wide! These indigenous people remained basically autonomous and undisturbed until the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. However after conflicts such as the Xincheng incident in 1896 and the Weili Incident in 1906, where combined more than 50 Japanese people were killed by indigenous warriors, the Japanese decided to tighten control of the mountain aborigines and natural resources in the area, and started the Truku War. The war lasted from May-August 1914, and in the process the Japanese forced indigenous men to widen the Zhuilu Trail to 1.5 meters so that they could transport artillery through the mountainous terrain. 37 people died during this widening process during and after the war, which included using dynamite to blast open the rock while only using ropes. The Truku lost the war, which included 3,000-5,000 indigenous warriors with modern weapons pitted against a Japanese fighting force of over 10,000. The Japanese lost over 300 men in the fight. After the war, the Japanese tried to dismantle their culture by scattering the people, preventing them from hunting, and forcing the children to attend Japanese schools. The Japanese then built the Old Cross-Hehuan Mountain Road which stretched 145 KM from Taroko Gorge to Wushe in Nantou from 1914 to 1933, with the Zhuilu Old Trail as part of it. They set up police stations/outposts along the trail as well, including Badagang Village which had a school, hospital, and inns for travelers. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, the trail was disused except for some expert hikers, and the Japanese police outposts were abandoned. After the 921 earthquake in 1999, the trail was closed for nine years until 2008. At around 2016 (probably after a typhoon), the 7KM after the Zhuilu Cliffs were closed off, so now the only walk-able part of the trail is 3.1 KM long from Swallow Grotto to the Zhuilu Cliff Outpost. It doesn't seem like this part of the trail will reopen soon. The cliff section of the trail is 750 meters above sea level, and nearly 500 meters above the valley floor. The distance between these cliffs and the cliffs on the opposite side of the gorge is only about 200 meters. The mountain that the cliffs are part of rises 1600 meters above sea level, and over 1000 meters above the valley floor, and is made completely of marble. Hours: Currently the trail is closed due to damage from the April 3rd, 2024 earthquake. Must enter between 7 AM and 10 AM the day of the permit (unless the gorge is closed due to typhoon/natural disaster) Permits Required: Only a park access permit is required. You can apply for a permit in English here. Only 96 people are allowed on weekdays and 156 people on weekends and holidays. Police permits are no longer required for this trail. Drones: Please note that if you want to fly a drone in Taroko National Park, you need to apply for a permit at least seven days in advance. You can apply to fly a drone (Chinese only) here. Price: 200 NT per person Duration: 6.2 Km round trip 500 meter elevation gain About 6 hours The trail is 3.1 KM one way to the Zhuilu Cliff Outpost, and gains 500 meters in elevation. It took me (one person with only one 30 minute break to fly a drone) three hours there and back (I was told this is a very fast pace). Some people say that it takes an average of six hours there and back. If you are taking people that are not in shape, expect to take most of the day hiking. When to go: On a sunny dry day. The rocks can get slippery and a fall on some of the trails could kill you. But if you are careful and bring proper hiking boots and gear, hiking on a wet day should be fine. Avoid typhoons and heavy rains at all costs. There gorge will close during typhoons anyway. Typhoon season lasts from May to October. Other than that, this hike is great year round. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 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. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. How to get there: By Train/Bus: Take the TRA to Hualien Station, and then switch to the Hualien Bus 1133A. Get off at Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou 燕子口). Also you can take the TRA to Xincheng Station and take Taroko Bus 302. 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. By Car/Scooter: Go west on the Central Cross Island Highway until you reach swallow grotto after Xipan Tunnel. There is only parking near Jinheng Park (靳珩公園) 500 meters down the road from the trail entrance. Looking for a 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. 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 book a tour of Zhuilu Old Trail on Klook here or KKday here. Map: For the location of the start of the trail, please see below: 
The Former Taipei Child Amusement Park is an abandoned relic left in central Taipei. Here you can find old buildings, derelict structures, and artifacts from the original Taipei Child Amusement Park's former glory, some of which have been preserved and open for the public to visit.
Please note that this area should not be confused with the (new) Taipei Children's Amusement Park in Shilin, which is in operation. Check out our full blog on that park here. Background: The Former Taipei Child Amusement Park was built by the Japanese in 1937, near the old Yuanshan Zoo. In 1945, it was taken over by Taipei City under the ROC. In 1958 it changed its name to Zhongshan Children's Park because it was located on Zhongshan North Road, and was taken under private management. In 1968, the park was bought back by Taipei City. After the Taipei Zoo moved to Wenshan District in 1986, the extra room became added space for the children's park. In 1991, the name was changed to Taipei Children's Amusement Park. In 2008, the park was moved from its original location to near the Art Center in Shilin District, because an archaeological site was found there and the city wanted to protect the Keelung River. In 2014 the old Children's Amusement Park was closed and the new Amusement Park in Shilin Officially opened. The Taipei Expo Park was created in 2010 for the Taipei International Flora Exhibition which ran from November 2010 to April 2011. It used land from Yuanshan Park, Fine Arts Park, and Xinsheng Park, and Dajia Riverside Park. Before the three parks were built, it was home to the former Taipei Children's Park and former Taipei Yuanshan Zoo, old military housing and military complexes, farmland, and a driver's education course. You can check out our full blog on Taipei Expo Park here. Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM every day 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 Yuanshan Station, and is about a one minute walk away. 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: 
Songshan Brick Factory Smokestack 松山磚廠烟囪
History: Of the many smokestacks that once covered Nangang, only 3 remain standing, and there is another which is highly damaged. The first smokestack I will talk about is not very well known at all. In fact I only found one blog that mentions it, calling it "南港繁華的磚廠遺址," and there is also a facebook page that someone created for it, which has a pretty good history of the place. This factory is still in use as a banana field/garage. 歷史： 曾經覆蓋南港的煙囪中，只剩下3個，還有一被破損的煙囪。 我會說的第一個煙囪根本不是很有名。 其實我只找到一個提到它的部落格，稱它為“南港繁華的磚廠遺址”，還有人為它創建的Facebook頁面，這個頁面有很好的地方歷史。 這家工廠目前有香蕉場/車庫的作用。 To paraphrase from the Facebook page, the kiln was one of many brick kilns in the surrounding neighborhoods. After the tea industry began to decline in Nangang, brick making became the mainstay for the area. Clay was harvested from what is now Songshan station, which was ideal for brick making. There were smokestacks pretty much everywhere (making for terrible air quality), and pretty everyone that lived at what is now the border between Nangang an Songshan was involved in the brick making process in some way. There were roughly 50 workers at each brick kiln, earning roughly 200 NT a day. At the time, the brick kiln had the most advanced technology available and could produce 18,000-20,000 bricks a day! The quality was especially fine at the Bagua kiln (across the street from this one, now destroyed). The bricks from that kiln were crack resistant, and some were used in what is now the presidential office building in Taipei. 從Facebook的頁面來解釋，這個窯是周圍社區的眾多磚窯之一。 南港茶業開始衰落後，製磚成為該地區的中流砥柱。 從現在的松山車站收穫粘土，這是製磚的理想選擇。 幾乎到處都是煙囪（造成可怕的空氣質量），而那些生活在南港和松山之間邊界的每一個人，都以某種方式參與了製磚的過程。 每座磚窯大約有50名工人，每天能掙大約200新台幣。 當時，磚窯擁有最先進的技術，每天可以生產1.8萬到2萬塊磚！ 八卦窯的質量特別好（與現在的馬街隔街相望）。 那個窯裡的磚頭是抗裂的，有的被用在現在的台北總統辦公樓裡。 As environmental regulations tightened and demand for bricks decreased, the factory decided to shut down in 1971. After that, the kiln went back to nature, and the owner filled the kiln in with garbage and rubble. The Taipei City government wanted to make the brick kiln into a historical building, but the owner of the kiln did not want to. To escape the city's grasp, he even destroyed the Bagua kiln across the street. In the end the owner got away with it because he owned the property. 隨著環保法規的緊縮和對磚塊的需求下降，工廠決定在1971年關閉。之後，窯爐回歸自然，窯主用垃圾和瓦礫填滿了窯爐。 台北市政府想把磚窯變成一座歷史悠久的建築，但窯主並不想。 為了逃離城市，他甚至摧毀了馬路對面的八卦窯。 所有者最終因為擁有這個財產而逃走了。 My Visit: This place was actually so hard to find that I came across it by accident having nothing to go on but a picture from the former blog. The smokestack itself is not that prominent either because it is hid in the middle of a bunch of buildings. 我的拜訪： 這個地方實在是太難找了，我偶然發現了這個地方，而是從前一個博客的圖片。 煙囪本身並不突出，因為它藏在一堆建築物的中間。
After the ROC took control of Taiwan in 1945, the government designated Taipei's Nangang (南港） as an industrial district. At this time, the brick making and coal mining industries were starting to wind down, and other industries such as chemical plants, tire factories, fertilizer, and others were taking off. A forest of Smokestacks covered the area, and and because of this Nangang was known as Black Town “黑鄉.” For a view of what the old Nangang looked like, click here.
1945年中華民國控制台灣後，政府指定台北市南港區為工業區，此時製磚業和煤礦業開始放緩，其他行業如化工廠，輪胎廠 ，化肥等正在起飛，煙霧繚繞的森林覆蓋了該地區，因此南港被稱為“黑鄉”。為了了解南港古老的風貌，請點擊這裡。 
(updated below on 1/15/2019)
A few months ago we wrote a blog about the Songshan Sanatorium Superintendent’s Dormitory, a Japanese-era building that is one of the best preserved in Taipei, which is sitting and rotting while the Taipei government figures out funding for its renovation. We were interested to find the actual sanatorium itself, and if it even still existed. It was not easy to find or easy to get to, but we did eventually find it…at least the part of it that is still standing. I would love to tell everyone where it is, but as it lies on private and protected property; we will not disclose the explicit location. With the help of clues from other blogs and historical photos, we found it abandoned on private property that has 24/7 surveillance. We did not find a single English article on this building, except in statistical research on the hospital facilities at the time. The building itself is not mentioned as a historical building registry of Taipei. History: The original Japanese style, two-story, wooden Sanatorium was constructed in 1915 during the Japanese colonial period of Taiwan. Here is a picture of the original wooden Sanatorium (on the left), and the existing concrete extension: Also, here is a photo of the staff in front of the wooden Sanatorium during the Japanese colonial period. A Japanese Physician was assigned as superintendent, and his dormitory was built nearby (松山療養所所長宿舍）, which is now the best preserved and most well-known building connected to the Sanatorium. The Sanatorium’s main purpose was to treat mentally disabled patients, and later was turned into a center to cure tuberculosis. It has had multiple names through the ages, beginning with松山錫口養生院 (Songshan Xikou Health Hospital), and then changed to 松山療養所 (Songshan Sanatorium) in 1925. When the ROC took control, its changed name was changed again to 台灣省立松山療養院, (Taiwan Provincial Songshan Sanatorium) in 1946, with the first superintendent being Yang TianMu (楊添木). It was also known as (or part of it was) 治肺結核療養所 (Tuberculosis Treatment Sanatorium). 
Nangang, the district in Taipei where I live and work, has a rich history that includes being a center for industry and transportation. One such building that lies hidden in Nangang from the Japanese era called “松山療養所長宿舍” which I have translated as “The Songshan Sanatorium Superintendent’s Dormitory.” Now it has been renovated and converted into a coffee shop called "Jingxin Yuan 靜心苑."
When I tell Taiwanese people that I live in Nangang, some older people tell me that it is a place full of factories and industry. However Nangang today is a vibrant and modern part of Taipei, full of greenery and advanced architecture. But sadly, there is almost no trace of Nangang’s industrial history anywhere.
Nangang 南港means “South Port” in Chinese. This south port once rested on the southern banks of the Keelung River near what is now the Neihu MRT depot in Nangang District, Taipei. There was a "North Port" on the Keelung river in what is now Xizhi. Nangang was once part of Neihu District before it split in the ROC era. In the earliest times, Nangang was known as an industry hub for coal, brick making, and tea farming. In order to ship goods from Neihu to Nangang rail station, at least two suspension bridges were made across the Keelung River.
Currently two remaining suspension bridge towers next to the Keelung River from the industrial era of Nangang. The best preserved is “五分吊橋” Wufen suspension bridge. According to the signs next to the bridge, it was built in 1918. 
The "Dajia Stone House" in Taichung reminds many people of the movie Up. It's called the stone house because of the pile of stones in front, and the colored balls are floaties used for fishing that the owner has collected over time. Please be respectful when visiting because people still live in this house.
Background: According to a news report by ITN here, The owner of the Dajia Stone house is Mr. Liu, who began collecting rocks and fishing instruments to decorate his house 40 years ago. Currently, Mr. Liu lives in the house with his wife and son. However, the house has become a popular photo destination only recently, to which Mr. Liu is pleased. Despite this other neighbors nearby have complained to the city government about the smell, cockroaches, and rats that the pile of rubble attracts. Parts of the rubble have been cleaned up before by Taichung's sanitation division, only to have Mr. Liu verbally abuse those trying to clean the mess and pile on more garbage later. More cleaning is planned for the future, as well as fines for Mr. Liu if he does not keep his house clean. How to get there: By Bus: You can also book a Taichung sightseeing bus on KKday here. By Car/ Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taichung? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Market Biking Tour in Taichung on Klook here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Hotels in Taichung: Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center. If you will only visit downtown, you can consider a day trip from Taipei. We have stayed at and recommend the Norway Forest Travel Hotel, a convenient hotel right in front of Taichung Station (you can book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), and Sin Fu Business Hotel which is also a great value for the money and great quality in downtown Taichung (you can book on Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Map: Please see below: 
The Swiss Mountain Village Castle was abandoned for over 20 years. Originally a meeting retreat for the Tai ji Men, a Taiwan religious group, it then came under possession of the government while its owner underwent tax investigation. In 2020, the charges on the man were dropped and the property was returned, but by that time it had been sitting in ruins for decades. I am not sure if the building will be renovated or torn down in the future.
Background: Taiji men was formed in 1966 and is a religion, but considers itself a school for physical and spiritual well being especially through the use of Tai Chi. For more info about the religion see here. The Swiss Mountain Village was one like any other in the area, a place where somewhat wealthy people in the Taipei area would build villas and retreats. Swiss Mountain Village in Xizhi is not the most ideal place to live now. Residents there have to deal with not having piped water from the city, for one. At the beginning, the neighborhood built a community center which is the castle we know now. Mr. Hong built the community center in 1996 to use as a meeting place for his religions events. What got Mr. Hong in trouble was a tax investigation to profits earned from some of his Tai Chi schools in Taipei. Originally the tax office thought that his schools should be taxed the same way as a cram school, but Hong contended that it was a non profit religious organization and should not be taxed. After over 20 years and 18 court battles Mr. Hong finally won the fight against the tax office, and the assets frozen during the legal fight were finally returned to him in 2020. For more about the background on this castle, see here. Since the property is now in private hands, I do not recommend visiting so I will not share the map location. The building may be renovated, but will more likely be torn down due to maintenance costs. During the 20 years or so that the land was frozen by the government, Mr. Hong did not pay taxes or management fees, which he still owes. 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. Activities in Taipei: You can also look for more activities in Taipei such as Rock Climbing, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Cooking Class, Glamping, Motorcycling, and more on Klook here or KKday here. 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. 
Pudu Changsheng Bridge is known as the most beautiful bridge in northern Taiwan. It is an old stone bridge that was built in 1953 to connect two small villages in the mountains of Shiding District. Now it is a popular spot for hikers and photographers.
Background: Puduchangsheng Bridge was finished in July 1953, to connect two mountain villages: Yuguiling Village (玉桂嶺村) and Fengtou Village (峰頭聚落) in Shiding. People had been living in these mountain villages since1887 during the Qing Dynasty. The trail between the two villages is about 650 meters long. The cost of the bridge construction was donated by the local villagers. Even though Yuguiling Road has now been built to connect the villages, the bridge still stands as a beautiful monument to the past. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours: 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 Scooter: Take highway 106 east through Shiding until you reach the large U shaped bridge before Yongding Village. Do not get on the bridge, and take a right under the bridge up the mountain valley. Keep going straight until you reach Yuguiling Road, and turn left. Keep going until you see the bridge on your right side after about 500 meters. 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: Take bus 795 from Shiding until you reach Tengliaokeng 藤寮坑 station. From there it is about 4 KM or one hour to get to the bridge, not ideal. 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: 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.
Background: The area known as Yangmingshan now was formed by volcanoes about 700,000 years ago, forming many mountains about 1000 meters or less in northwestern Taiwan. The park still features active volcanoes, vents, and hot springs. The original name of the area was Caoshan (grass mountain 草山). During the Qing Dynasty, the area was used to harvest sulfur, and many of the hills were burned to help catch sulfur thieves. In 1927 during the Japanese era, Yangmingshan was made 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 the there are two main sulfur vents on Yangmingshan, and it is the biggest sulfur vent area in Taiwan. Temperatures here can reach 120 degrees celcious, 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 ground water 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 were 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 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 the 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.
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: 
Oucuo Beach is perhaps the nicest beach in Kinmen. It features a long flat white sand beach and beautiful views of the Taiwan Strait. Also, there is also an abandoned army tank stuck in the sand there that is popular for visitors if you can find it.
Background: Oucuo Beach is named after the nearby Oucuo Village, the traditional settlement of the Ouyang (歐陽) family, who started the settlement during the Ming Dynasty around 400 years ago. The area around the village has been a coastal defense station since the Ming dynasty all the way into the Chinese Civil War. One main attraction on the beach is the abandoned M18 army tank sitting in the sand on the south side. The US based M18 Hellcat tank was sold to the ROC after production stopped in 1944, and served a crucial role in holding back the communists during the Chinese Civil War. I'm not sure why this tank was abandoned on the beach; maybe this is a military secret. But it has soon become an Instagrammer's paradise and a top attraction in Kinmen. Hours: 24/7 Showers: Only foot wash (free), no showers. There are bathrooms next to the foot wash. See below for photos. Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By scooter/car: Take Jinshan Road south of Kincheng until you reach Oucuo Village. The beach can be reached via a narrow concrete road going south behind the village. You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
The Changhua TRA Dormitory Village is an abandoned village near Changhua Station that was used as housing for TRA employees and their families until 2004. It was originally set for demolition, but this did not happen due to local backlash. It still stands today abandoned, waiting to be renovated someday. It is the best preserved TRA dormitory area in Taiwan.
Background: The Changhua TRA Dormitory Village was completed in 1922, built by the Japanese after the completion of Taiwan's coastal railway line from Zhunan to Changhua, across from the Changhua Roundhouse. The village had a community hall, convenience store, barber shops, and air raid shelters. In 1958, the village was damaged by a Typhoon. Cement apartments began to be built here in 1970. In 2003, the occupants were required to leave, and the village was going to be demolished and turned into a park by the city in 2011. When demolition work was about to begin in 2014, a local group called Banxian Xinshenghui (半線新生會) started a protest, which was successful in stopping the demolition. This involved finding old residents and explaining the historical significance of the village to authorities. In 2018 the village was listed as a historical monument. However, as of 2023 the village still sits abandoned. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Accommodation: We have stayed at and recommend Guide Hotel Changhua Jhongjheng, which is one of our favorite hotels in all of Taiwan, with great quality and service right in downtown Changhua. (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. 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. Tours: Tours and activities in Changhua include Magical Mushrooms Leisure Farm, Cheng Mei Cultural Park, Changhua Love Farm, Gushengwu Paleontology Park, Taiwan You Good School of Cookie, Baiguoshan Amusement Park, Yunhe Starry Sky View Restaruant , Tianzhong, Yakuta Experience , Qingshui Hot Spring Glamping, Fruit Picking , Tonight Star Leisure Farm, Tianweiwang Scenic Spot, and more. You can find more tours of Changhua on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Changhua TRA station, travel north and turn left on Zhangmei Road Section 1. The village is on your left next to the train tracks. There is limited parking on the side of the road. 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 Changhua? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Train: The village is within five minute walking distance from Changhua TRA Station. You can book tickets to travel to Changhua via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Changhua 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. Map: Please see below: 
The Minxiong Haunted House (aka Minxiong Ghost House or formally as Liu Family Historical Residence 劉氏古厝) is a popular abandoned mansion in Minxiong Township of Chiayi County, dating back to the Japanese era of Taiwan. Urban legends about the house along with its prominence in the area have made it an attractive place for curious visitors. It has been listed as the number one most popular abandoned house in Taiwan.
Historical Background: The Minxiong Ghost house was originally built by Liu Rong-yu (劉溶裕) in 1929 as a family residence. Liu was a wealthy merchant and land owner in the area, and he is also known as the one of the first truly wealthy people to come out of Taiwan's southern plain. It was built in western baroque style like many other residences of wealthy merchants in Taiwan during the time. The building was built of brick and lumber, and featured three rooms on each floor, with three main stories and a fourth story tower on the top. Like many residences in Rurul Taiwan, this one was abandoned as the family wanted to live closer to the city where there was more convenient transportation and likely better job opportunities. During WWII, part of the building was damaged during American bombing raids. There is also rumors that someone committed suicide in the house. After years of typhoons and weathering the elements, most of the roof and wooden parts of the building have collapsed. A plan was presented by Minxiong Cultural Foundation to restore the building, but these plans were rejected by members of the Liu family, so the building sits abandoned to this day. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free. But when I went there was an artist asking for donations. Tours and Activities: You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Chiayi such as glamping, Three Pigs Farm, Janfusun Fancy World, Taiping Suspension Bridge, Chateau de Jourdeness , Kumquat Tourist Factory, Taisugar Siantou Cultural Park, Meteor Garden, Veoveoana Tribe Tour, Danayi Valley, Batongguan Historic Trail, Xianghe Leisure Farm, Foot massage and many others through Klook here or KKday here. Accommodation: We have stayed at and recommend Chiayi Crown Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), Shin Kao Hotel (you can book on Agoda here or Trip.com here), and YesHotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), which are all quality hotels for a reasonable price near Chiayi Station. We also recommend Shianghu Botique Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), with excellent quality for the money just our of Chiayi City center. Finally we have stayed at and recommend Fenchihu Street Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), which is within walking distance of Fenqihu Old Street, Fenqihu Station, and many amazing hikes in the area. Find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Chiayi take provincial highway 1 north toward Minxiong. Turn west into the rice fields and then right on county road 82. The road leads to the house which sits at the end of a tree covered lot. There is paid parking at the coffee shop next door (or free parking anywhere near the rice fields). By bus: Take Chiayi Bus 7316A from central Chiayi north until you reach Yiqiao Station (takes about 1 hour). The haunted house is about a 5 minute walk south. You can book tickets to travel to Chiayi via inter-city bus on Klook here. Bicycle Rental: Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
The former Tait & Co. merchant house is a well preserved residence dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Besides enjoying the era architecture, one can also enjoy historical exhibits inside the building. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Tainan.
Background: With the Treaty of Tientsin in 1856 as part of the Second Opium War, Great Britain became free to trade with China in a few select ports including Tainan. As a result, the Tait & Co. rented land near the then British Consulate in Anping, and built a western style residence and storehouse. The Merchant house and storehouse were originally built for exporting tea, sugar and camphor. During the Japanese era, the Japanese controlled on a monopoly on most exports like sugar and tea, which cut profits from Tait & Co. and forced it to close Taiwan operations in 1911. After that, it was used by the Japanese to store salt, another important product from Tainan. After WWII, the building was used as anoffice and dormitory for Tainan Salt Works. In 1979, it was converted into the Taiwan Development was museum. It was remolded to include historical exhibits of early western settlers in Taiwan in 2004. Price: 50 NT per person (or 150 NT for this and three other historical sites in Tainan). Hours: Every day 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From central Tainan go west on Minsheng Road until it becomes Anping Road. After that keep going until you see the tower. Looking for scooter rental in Tainan? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals in Tainan, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: Take Tainan Bus 2 from Tainan Train Station to Anping Old Fort station. The ride takes about an hour. You can book tickets to travel to Tainan via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Tainan via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. Where to stay? Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center. If you only want to visit old Tainan, you can book a hotel near the west part of downtown and consider walking or cycling around the city. We have stayed at and recommend Liho Hotel, a quality hotel right next to Chikan Tower, and Famouse Hotel, which is another great hotel also within walking distance of Chikan Tower in old Tainan. You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Tours: You can find more tours and activities in Tainan such as SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Oyster Harvesting , Wind Surfing, Glamping and more on Klook here or KKday here. Map: Please see below: 
The Anping Tree house is a former salt warehouse in Tainan, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. The building is now completely covered in banyan trees, hence its name as the Anping Tree House. It is a special historical monument and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tainan. The house is completely covered in mangrove roots, making it look like the walls, roof, and floor are actually made from a living tree.
Background: The Anping Tree house was originally a warehouse built during the Qing dynasty storing sugar and camphor after the Qing Dynasty opened the port to international trade in 1858, created by Tait & Company behind the Tait & Company Merchant House. During the Japanese era, it was used to store salt, another important product from Tainan. After WWII, the building was used as a salt warehouse, and then it fell into disrepair for many years. It was opened as a tourist attraction in 2004. Price: 50 NT per person (or 150 NT for this and three other historical sites in Tainan). You can book discount tickets to Anping Tree House on Klook here or KKday here. Hours: Every day 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From central Tainan go west on Minsheng Road until it becomes Anping Road. After that keep going until you see the tree house. Looking for scooter rental in Tainan? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals in Tainan, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: Take Tainan Bus 2 from Tainan Train Station to Anping Old Fort station. The ride takes about an hour. You can book tickets to travel to Tainan via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Tainan via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. Where to stay? Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center. If you only want to visit old Tainan, you can book a hotel near the west part of downtown and consider walking or cycling around the city. We have stayed at and recommend Liho Hotel, a quality hotel right next to Chikan Tower, and Famouse Hotel, which is another great hotel also within walking distance of Chikan Tower in old Tainan. You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Tours: You can find more tours and activities in Tainan such as SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Oyster Harvesting , Wind Surfing, Glamping and more on Klook here or KKday here. Map: Please see below: 
Salt Mountain (aka Qigu Salt Mountain) is a mountain made of salt in Qigu District of Tainan City. It is a remnant of the now defunct salt drying industry that thrived for over 300 years in Tainan. Nearby you can also enjoy the Qigu Salt Museum. If you are a fan of salt, this is the place for you.
Background: Drying seawater in Tainan for salt production began as early as 1665 during the Kingdom of Tungning. The salt drying pools in Qigu were officially created in 1938 by the Japanese. These drying pools were constantly expanded on into the ROC era. However, as the price of imported salt became lower, Taiwan's domestic salt drying industry began to suffer, and the Qigu Salt Fields closed in 2002. Over 300 years of salt drying in Tainan came to an end. In 2005, the Taiwan Salt Museum was opened which is right next to salt mountain. The museum features historical exhibitions and DIY activities. Recently a number of works of art, amusement park rides, and statues have been set up near the salt mountain to attract visitors. Price: Salt Mountain: 50 NT Taiwan Salt Museum: 150 NT Hours: 9 AM to 5:30 PM every day (the museum is closed on Wednesdays) How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From central Tainan, take provincial highway 17 north to Qigu. At the intersection of highway 176, turn left on the 176 until you reach Salt Mountain. It will be on your right. Looking for scooter rental in Tainan? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals in Tainan, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: From Tainan Station you can take the Blue Main Line to Jiali Station, then switch to BL20, then get off at Qigu Salt Mountain Station. The whole ride takes about two hours and is 115 NT one way. You can book tickets to travel to Tainan via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Tainan via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. Where to stay? Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center. If you only want to visit old Tainan, you can book a hotel near the west part of downtown and consider walking or cycling around the city. We have stayed at and recommend Liho Hotel, a quality hotel right next to Chikan Tower, and Famouse Hotel, which is another great hotel also within walking distance of Chikan Tower in old Tainan. You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Tours: You can find more tours and activities in Tainan such as SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Oyster Harvesting , Wind Surfing, Glamping and more on Klook here or KKday here. Map: Please see below: 
The Qingshui Cliffs in Taroko National Park on the coast of Hualien are some of the most spectacular geological features in the country, and the world. The tallest peak on the cliffs is 2,408 meters (7,900 feet) above sea level, and drops straight into the Pacific Ocean. It is a spectacular sight to behold.
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 the cliffs were lifted out of the ocean. The cliffs are subject to constant erosion and rockslides are common. The cliffs are roughly 12 KM long and rise to over 2400 meters. They are a popular scenic stop along the Suhua highway that connects Yiland and Hualien. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free: 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 last 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. 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. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Hualien, Take highway 9 north until you reach the Qingshui Cliff lookout. There are actually a number of places to see the cliffs. Looking for a 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. 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. By Bus: There is no public bus to the cliffs. You will have to rent a scooter or take a tour bus. Tours and Activities: You can book a SUP or kayak experience at Qingshui Cliffs and more on Klook here and KKday 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. Map: 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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