Xinmin Old Street is a historical area in Taoyuan City near Jingfu Temple, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. It is a great area to explore in Taoyuan where you can learn more about the history and culture of Taiwan. There are also many shops and restaurants on the old street.
Brief Historical Background: The name Taoyuan literally means "peach garden" in Chinese because the area used to have many peach orchards. Since prehistoric times, Taoyuan was home to indigenous Taiwanese plains aborigines, who had a large settlement in modern-day Nankan. There was no large-scale Dutch or Chinese settlement in the area during the Dutch rule of Taiwan. During the Qing Dynasty, Chinese settlers began to settle the area and begin farming, and many of them planted peach trees, which is how Taoyuan got its name. During the Japanese Era, Taoyuan City was planned and developed. Under the ROC, Taoyuan County was established in 1950, and later Taoyuan City was made the county seat. In 2014, Taoyuan City and Taoyuan County were combined into the special municipality of Taoyuan City. Taoyuan International Airport was completed in 1979 and is Taiwan's largest airport. Toayuan has a population of over 2.2 million and is one of the fastest-growing populations in Taiwan due to the low cost of living and proximity to Taipei. Taoyuan Jinfu Temple, commonly known as Taoyuan Grand Temple, is located in Zhonghe Village, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, and is the religious center for local residents. During the Qing Dynasty, there were frequent epidemics in Taoyuan, and to combat these disasters, the construction of a temple was proposed. The site was selected for construction and named "Jingfu Temple 景福宮" in 1745. According to the earliest accounts passed down, the temple god, Kaitan Holy Emporer or Tan Goan-kong, was brought from Zhangpu by ancestors of the Chen family to Taiwan. The temple was then rebuilt in 1809 and numerous times since then. In 1947, with the approval of the Taoyuan County Government, residents used the land in the large square in front of the temple to build houses for business purposes. This led to disputes over the demolition and return of the land involving forty-one households. Usually the old street is not very busy and it is not well known as a tourist old street. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Xinmin Old Street is right in the middle of Taoyuan City. There is limited free parking near the harbor, and also paid parking nearby. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Xinmin Old Street is right in the middle of Taoyuan City. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: The old street is within walking distance of Taoyuan Station. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Check out the map below:
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Beigang Iron Bridge is the longest bridge ever built by the Taiwan Sugar Company, that used to connect sugar fields in Chiayi to the Beigang Sugar Factory. Unfortunately, the bridge was washed away in floodwaters during Typhoon Sinlaku in 2008.
Currently a new "Daughter Bridge" has been completed to connect the two sides, and further construction is expected to connect the two sides of the river via pedestrian walkways by 2025. Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Yunlin was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. One notable Chinese pioneer was Yan Siqi (also known as Pedro Chino, or the Pioneer King of Taiwan). He created a settlement in Ponkan or Bengang in Mandarin (modern day Beigang) and recruited over 3000 farmers from Fujian and nearby regions in China to come farm in Taiwan. He also had 13 ships and a merchant trade and formed an alliance with the local indigenous population. Dutch and Chinese farmers introduced mango, sweet potato, pineapple, and many other crops to Taiwan at this time. When Koxinga invaded Taiwan, many local Chinese farmers such as Chen Lixun supported him and were rewarded with lands once the Dutch were conquered. During the Qing Dynasty, Beigang was known as Bengang (笨港), and its waterways were made deeper than other areas in Taiwan, allowing for larger ships and more trade. Beigang soon became one of the most prosperous areas in central Taiwan. After many Typhoons and floods, the Beigang River became silted and shallow, and also due to silting Beigang was moved further and further from the seashore. Up to the Japanese colonial period, the port lost its function as a maritime trading location, but it remained a center for agricultural commerce. The establishment of sugar mills during the Japanese colonial period also brought significant economic benefits to Beigang for nearly a hundred years. However, since the Japanese colonial period, due to the silting of the port, the lack of a main railway line passing through, and the absence of a major highway, its economic influence has diminished significantly. Beigang Creek Iron Bridge The Beigang River Iron Bridge, also known as the Fuxing Bridge or Fuxing Iron Bridge, was built during the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan and later rebuilt and extended during the ROC era. It is located over the Beigang River at the border of Beigang Town in Yunlin County and Xingang Township. Currently, it is abandoned and partially destroyed due to flooding. During the Japanese Era, the Beigang River Bridge was originally a wooden structure built to facilitate the transportation of sugarcane to the Beigang Sugar Factory during the Japanese colonial period. Construction began in 1909 by the Beigang Sugar Manufacturing Society for the Beigang Line of the sugar industry railway between Beigang and Chiayi, which was completed and opened on August 30, 1911, along with the wooden Beigang River Bridge, spanning a length of 220 meters. In 1917, passenger services started operating. In 1943, the wooden Beigang Creek Bridge between Beigang and Wan Zai Nei was washed away by flooding, causing a train passing at that time to derail into the creek, resulting in dozens of casualties, making it the deadliest accident in the history of sugar railway passenger services. During the ROC Era after World War II in 1945, due to strong public demand, the Beigang River Bridge was repaired in 1951 and named the "Fuxing Iron Bridge." The Beigang Creek Iron Bridge had a total of 76 bridge piers, including 74 reinforced concrete girder piers. The upper structure of the bridge consisted of 74 composite steel beams and 2 lower-bearing steel plate girder beams. Train services resumed to Beigang. In 1967, the Beigang River was dredged, and embankments were built on the east bank of the iron bridge. Because of this, in 1968, the Taiwan Sugar Company raised and extended the Beigang Creek Iron Bridge by about 600 meters. The project was completed in June 1969, extending the total length of the bridge to 878 meters, making it the longest bridge used by the Taiwan Sugar Railway. On August 17, 1982, passenger services on the Beigang Line ceased, and the Beigang River Iron Bridge remained only for transporting raw materials. In 1998, Taiwan Sugar Factory completely ceased railway transportation in the area and the Beigang Line was discontinued. After the Beigang River Iron Bridge was decommissioned, Taiwan Sugar planned to demolish it in May 2000. Fortunately, it was saved due to the efforts of local activists. The bridge was made a historical site in 2001. Unfortunately, on September 12, 2002, several bridge piers at the north end of the bridge's water area were washed away by flooding, leading to its closure. Although efforts were made to repair it, the bridge suffered damage from flooding again during Typhoon Sinlaku in 2008. In 2021, The "Daughter Bridge" was finished alongside the old Fuxing Bridge to connect the two sides via pedestrian walkways. However, the Daughter Bridge was not finished and connected at the time of writing. In 2022, the central government approved a budget of 180 million yuan to support the reconstruction and repair project of the Beigang Iron Bridge on the Xingang, Chiayi side. Construction started on May 9, 2023, and is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025 to complete the connection between the two sides. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (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. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. The bridge is on the east side of town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on Highway 164 until you Reach Beigang. The bridge is on the east side of town. There is paid parking near the riverside at the end of 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 Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin 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:
Taoyuan Confucius Temple is Taiwan's newest Confucius Temple, built in 1989. Besides being a ceremonial and worship area for local students and teachers, it also has beautiful gardens and great views of Taoyuan City. There is also a large children's park right next to it. It is a great place to relax if you are in Taoyuan.
Brief Historical Background: The Taoyuan Confucius Temple was completed in Huotou Mountain Park in 1989 and is the newest of Taiwan's thirteen government-established Confucius temples. On November 28, 1955, the Taiwan Government decided to establish Confucius temples in each county and city to promote traditional Chinese beliefs and teachings. As there was no Confucius temple in Taoyuan at the time, the statue and shrine of Confucius were placed in the Taoyuan Wen Chang Temple. In 1984, locals felt that the Wen Chang Temple was insufficient to express reverence for Confucius, so the people of Taoyuan initiated an effort to establish another Confucius temple on Huotou Mountain. The temple was completed and inaugurated on September 28, 1989, and includes the Dacheng Hall, Dacheng Gate, East and West Wing Halls, and Chongsheng Shrine. After its completion, local residents formed the Taoyuan County Chongsheng Association, which provides student scholarships awarded to students in both public schools and private schools in the area. Teachers and students also perform rituals in the temple. Ritual processions include the beating of drums and gongs, welcoming a deity into the Dacheng Hall, and presenting incense and food offerings at an altar. After the ceremony concludes, with the deity is taken away, and the ritual ends. Over the years, people have suggested simplifying the ceremony and offering vegetarian offerings, however, Taoyuan Confucius still used meat offerings until 2007. Also, despite protests from government officials regarding mixing Taoism with Confucianism, there is a wooden statue of Confucius placed in the east wing of the temple donated by the Chongsheng Association. The statue, carved from camphor wood and painted, stands about three feet tall. The statue was planned to be removed but after protests from parents and students, the statue was allowed to stay. Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM every day Price: Free Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Taoyuan Confucius Temple is behind Taoyuan Senior High School on Houtoushan. There is limited paid parking next to the temple. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Taoyuan Confucius Temple is behind Taoyuan Senior High School on Houtoushan. There is limited paid parking next to the temple. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: The temple is within walking distance of Taoyuan TRA Station. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Check out the map below:
Beigang was once the second largest city in Taiwan, second only to Tainan City, and was central Taiwan's most important maritime trading post. After the silting of the Beigang River, the town mostly relies on agriculture for its economy, but Beigang Old Street is also one of the most important religious sites in Taiwan due to the worship of Mazu in Beigang Chaotian Temple. Besides the temple, there are also many food and shopping options nearby. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to central Taiwan.
Historical Background: Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. One notable Chinese pioneer was Yan Siqi (also known as Pedro Chino, or the Pioneer King of Taiwan). He created a settlement in Ponkan (笨港 Bengang, modern day Beigang) and recruited over 3000 farmers from Fujian and nearby regions in China to come farm in Taiwan. He also had 13 ships and a merchant trade and formed an alliance with the local indigenous population. Dutch and Chinese farmers introduced mango, sweet potato, pineapple, and many other crops to Taiwan at this time. When Koxinga invaded Taiwan, many local Chinese farmers such as Chen Lixun supported Koxinga and were rewarded with lands once the Dutch were conquered. During the Qing Dynasty, the waterways around the Beigang River were made deeper than other areas in central Taiwan, allowing for larger ships and more trade. Beigang soon became one of the most prosperous areas in central Taiwan. In 1700 Chen Lixun donated to build the "Penkan Tianfei Temple," now the "Beigang Chaotian Temple 北港朝天宮." The temple housed a statue of Mazu brought from Meizhou in Fujian. Soon, it became the most important temple in the area. The temple has undergone reconstruction in 1730, 1770, and 1884. Currently the temple sees more than a million visitors a year and is considered one of the most important Mazu temples in Taiwan, and is part of the annual Mazu pilgrimage. After many Typhoons and floods, the Beigang River became silted and shallow, and also due to silting the seashore moved further and further westward away from the town. In 1750, due to the southward shift of the river channel, Beigang Old Street was divided into two: North Street (now Beigang Town) and South Street (now Xingang Township, Chiayi County). Up to the Japanese colonial period, the port lost its function as a maritime trading location, but it remained a center for agricultural commerce. The establishment of sugar mills during the Japanese colonial period also brought significant economic benefits to Beigang for nearly a hundred years. The construction of Chaotian Temple and the widespread belief in Mazu further contributed to Beigang's fame. However, since the Japanese colonial period, due to the silting of the port, the lack of a main railway line passing through, and the absence of a major highway, its economic influence has diminished significantly. Currently the population of Beigang is about 38,000 and it continues to fall every year. Beigang Old Street is usually still busy especially on weekends due to religious pilmagriges. The street is especially busy during the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (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. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on highway 164 until you Reach Beigang. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on highway 164 until you Reach Beigang. There is paid parking near the riverside at the end of 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 Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin 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:
Baishajia Lighthouse located in Guanyin District of Taoyuan is a prominent historical monument in the area. Built in 1901 during the Japanese era, it survived allied bombings and still operates for nearby ships to this day. The area around the lighthouse is also open for the public to enjoy.
Historical Background: Taoyuan's coastline has been a major fishing area for centuries. To aid with local boats as well as military operations, the Japanese chose the coastal area in Guanyin as a suitable location for a lighthouse. Construction for the lighthouse was planned in 196, shortly after the Japanese took control of Taiwan. Typhoons and local thieves hindered the construction. The lighthouse was finally completed in 1901. The Baishajia Lighthouse uses a rotating lens electric lamp, which is the largest of all lighthouses in Taiwan. The rotation of the lens is facilitated by a mercury trough. Every 20 seconds, there it emits a flash of white light followed by a flash of red light (each shining for 0.23 seconds with 9.77 seconds of darkness). The nominal range of the white light is 25.7 nautical miles, and 22.6 nautical miles for the red light. During the early days of the Japanese colonial period, the lighthouse used a third-order rotating lens kerosene lamp manufactured in France, and the copper plate with the inscription "Babbier & Benard Constructeurs, Paris, 1897" which is still in use today. During WWII, an Allied aircraft shot down by anti-aircraft guns crashed near the lighthouse, damaging its upper half. Repairs to the lighthouse were completed in 1946, and the height was reduced slightly to 27.7 meters. Price: Free Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM every day except Mondays Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Take Expressway 61 to Taoyuan and take the 44 Taoke (桃科) exit. The lighthouse is right next to the expressway near the exit on the northeast side. There is limited free parking near the harbor, and also paid parking nearby. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 15 south from Taipei and then turn right onto highway 38 at Xucuo. The lighthouse is right next to the expressway near the exit on the northeast side. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: From Zhongli TRA Station, you can take bus 5033 west to the harbor. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: See below:
Yanping Old Street (aka Xiluo Old Street) is a well-preserved historical part of Xiluo Township of Yunlin County dating back to the Kingdom of Tungning, the Qing Dynasty, and the Japanese era of Taiwan. Here you can find historical landmarks as well as good food and cultural attractions. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yunlin.
Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Xiluo was inhabited by native Taiwanese plains tribal peoples. During the Dutch colonial period, Han Chinese settlers began to migrate and cultivate the land, gradually increasing in number. During the Kingdom of Tungning after Koxinga's conquest of Taiwan from the Dutch, an even larger number of Chinese farmers began to settle here due to the fertile land and mild climate. At the time it was situated in the middle of two other settlements: Lukang and Beigang, making it an important transportation hub from northern to southern Taiwan. There also was a ferry along the Zhuoshui River, further connecting the town to the rest of the world. The Zhuoshui River also made irrigation easy, and the area is often known as the granary of Taiwan. The original name for Xiluo was Luoyang (螺陽), named by early settlers to commemorate their hometown Luoyang Town in Huian County, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province. Yanping Old Street is also named after Prince Yanping (延平王) which was the honorific name of Koxinga, the ruler of the founders of the town. After the completion of the Xiluo Great Bridge in 1952, the town continued as a transportation hub linking north and south Taiwan. However after the completion of National Freeway 1 in 1978, the bulk of traffic moved onto the new highway and Xiluo turned into a rural backwater, with most of its economy based on agriculture. Currently, the population of the town is about 44,000 and is falling every year. Although usually not especially busy, the old street usually has tourists and shoppers and is full of interesting historical buildings. Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (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. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go south to the Xiluo Great Bridge until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free 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. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin 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:
Zhenwen Academy (aka Jhen Wen Academy or Chenwen Academy) is a Qing Dynasty Civil Servant Academy in Xiluo Township of Yunlin dating back to the 1700s, and the only such Academy in Yunlin County that has survived to the current day. It now sits as a cultural and historical landmark, alongside with Nantian Academy-Yide Branch. It is important to the local people as a religious and scholarly site, especially for local students. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yunlin.
Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Xiluo was inhabited by native peoples. During the Kingdom of Tungming after Koxinga's conquest of Taiwan from the Dutch, the first Chinese farmers began to settle here due to the fertile land and mild climate. At the time it was situated in the middle of two other settlements: Lukang and Beigang. The original name for Xiluo was Luoyang (螺陽). Zhen Wen Academy 振文書院 In 1797, a group of respected individuals from Xiluo, led by Liao Chenghe, contributed funds to construct the Temple of Wenchang Emperor which acted as a precursor to Zhenwen Academy. This temple was also dedicated to Confucius and other revered figures. It wasn't until 1814 that the Zhenwen Academy was formally established. Zhenwen Academy originally consisted of one hall, one courtyard, and six side corridors, but was later renovated and expanded During the Japanese era, among various academies that existed in Yunlin during the Qing Dynasty, including Longmen, Kuiwen, and Xiuwen, Zhenwen Academy was the only one that endured. After WWII, the academy was registered as a third-class historical site in 1985. However, in 1986, it suffered damage during Typhoon Wayne. Restoration efforts commenced in July 1987. Following the 921 earthquake on September 21st, 1999, the building was damaged and further restoration work was needed. The academy reopened in 2004. Nantian Academy-Yide Branch 南天修文院懿德分院 Nantian Academy Yide Branch, formerly known as Yide Hall, can be traced back to the initiative of the late Liu Wan, a distinguished individual in Xiluo Town. In the autumn of 1934, Liu Wan rallied local leaders to establish this institution, situated east of Zhenwen Academy. Its founding mission was to promote Confucianism and celebrate Chinese cultural traditions, advocating for a virtuous society. Despite facing threats of demolition by the Japanese during WWII, the hall suspended activities during the war. After WWII, the hall resumed activities and underwent further expansion. In July 1970, the "Three Graces," 三恩主 (Sān Ēn Zhǔ) namely Guan Yu, Lu Dongbin, and Siming Zhaoyun, who were revered as saints, and Wenchang Emperor 文衡聖帝 (Wén Héng Shèng Dì), were enshrined at Yide Hall. Subsequently, in 1971, Yide Hall was renovated and officially renamed as Nantian Academy Yide Branch. Following the renovation of Yide Branch into a two-story palace building, the upper hall housed the Three Graces, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Cheng Huangye, and Tudigong. The lower hall was dedicated to the promotion of Confucianism. Now, many local students frequent the lecture hall for study and review. The caretakers here also provide air conditioning and tea for the students. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (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. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go south to the Xiluo Great Bridge until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free 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. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. The Academy is then in walking distance. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin 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:
Yongan Fishing Harbor in Xinwu Township of Taoyuan is popular for its tourist seafood market, beautiful pedestrian bridge, as well as the newly created Yongan Conch Cultural Park (永安海螺文化體驗園區), which is a cultural and artistic center for the area. There are also great seaside bike paths nearby. Here you can enjoy the landscape, shop for freshly caught seafood, and also understand more about Hakka culture and the history of fishing in Taiwan. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Taoyuan.
Historical Background: Yong-an Fishing Harbor was established in 1953 and is a secondary class port. Before that it was known as Kaotouwu Port (崁頭屋港) which dates back to the 1800s during the Qing Dynasty, located on the north side of the mouth of the Shezi River. Originally a small fishing port, Yong-an Fishing Port has expanded over the years, including dredging channels and extending to allow for larger fishing vessels. The current port is 27,600 square meters, with room for approximately 450 vessels in total. Now there are about 99 small fishing vessels that dock in the harbor. The main catches here are mackerel, squid, black scraper, bonito, shark, and yellowtail fish. "Yong-an Sea-view Bridge 永安觀海橋" was completed in 2002 and is 110 meters long and 20 meters tall. It is a large iron arched bridge spanning Yong-an Fishing Port. In the evening it also lights up with colorful LED lights. Yong-an Sea-view Bridge attracts many photography enthusiasts, Instagrammers, and sunset watchers. Yong-an Fishing Port opened a tourist seafood market in 2004, making the surrounding coast become a popular tourist destination. It includes a two-story fish auction hall, where fishing vessels load and unload their catches. Since its opening, the tourist seafood market has seen tens of thousands of visitors every year. Yongan Conch Cultural Park was completed in 2021. Sitting on 5.6 Hectares, the white building is meant to resemble a "conch curved shell" and symbolizes the Hakka people's spirit to take on the ocean (Yongan Harbor is the only fishing port in Taiwan mainly dominated by Hakka ethnic group). Designed by Dai Xiao-qin (戴小芹), it integrated elements such as Hakka Culture, marine life, and local ecology. It is also a green, energy saving building that won the 21st Public Construction Quality Award. Price: Free Hours: Yongan Seafood Market: 9 AM to 7 PM every day Yongan Conch Cultural Park : 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday to Sunday Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Take expressway 61 to Taoyuan and take the exit near Xinwu. The harbor is just west of the expressway. There is limited free parking near the harbor, and also paid parking nearby. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Take provincial highway 15 south from Taipei and stop at Yongan Harbor. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: From Zhongli TRA Station, you can take bus 5027A west to the harbor. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: See below:
Xiluo Bridge (aka Xiluo Great Bridge) was once the second-longest bridge in the world and connects Yunlin County to Changhua County across the Zhuoshui River. Here you can also find a large public square and grassy park which is free for everyone to enjoy. It is one of Taiwan's historical landmarks that you should not miss.
Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Xiluo was inhabited by native Taiwanese plains tribal peoples. During the Dutch colonial period, Han Chinese settlers began to migrate and cultivate the land, gradually increasing in number. During the Kingdom of Tungming after Koxinga's conquest of Taiwan from the Dutch, an even larger number of Chinese farmers began to settle here due to the fertile land and mild climate. At the time it was situated in the middle of two other settlements: Lukang and Beigang, making it an important transportation hub from northern to southern Taiwan. There also was a ferry along the Zhuoshui River, further connecting the town to the rest of the world. The Zhushui River also made irrigation easy, and the area is often known as the granary of Taiwan. The Zhuoshui River which the Xiluo River crosses is the longest river in Taiwan and is often considered the boundary between north and south Taiwan. Due to the Zhuoshui River's wide river surface, some early European maps of Taiwan mistakenly divided Taiwan into two islands. During the Japanese era, there were only railway bridges spanning the Zhuoshui River, but no bridges for cars or pedestrians to cross. At that time, people had to cross via ferry or the railway. Starting from the 1920s, the Japanese continued to improve Taiwan's road systems and by the end of 1935, only the Zhuoshui River and the Gaoping River remained impassable by car. In September 1934 the construction of a bridge over the Zhuoshui River was first proposed by local residents. Construction of the bridge began in 1938, with completion scheduled for March 1942. Subsequent construction was halted due to the diversion of steel materials for wartime use, leaving the road incomplete. After WWII, in 1946, the Provincial Assembly proposed to allocate American aid to complete the Xiluo Bridge, with support from local residents. In May 1952, after the steel trusses manufactured with US aid arrived in Taiwan (manufactured by the United States Steel Export Company, which was a front for the US government that could not sell steel directly to Allies), construction resumed. The Xiluo Bridge was completed on December 25, 1952, and officially opened on January 28, 1953. Xiluo Bridge is 1,939 meters long and 7.3 meters wide. It has 31 spans, 32 piers, and a foundation 20 meters deep. It is made from Warren truss steel girders, painted gray-green when opened to traffic in 1952, then repainted gray in January 1962, and changed to red in August 1986. When completed in 1952, the Xiluo Bridge was the world's second-largest bridge after the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA. It was also the longest bridge in Taiwan at the time, earning the title of the "largest bridge in the Far East." After the completion of the Xiluo Great Bridge in 1952, the town continued as a transportation hub linking north and south Taiwan. However after the completion of National Freeway 1 in 1978, the bulk of traffic moved onto the new highway and Xiluo turned into somewhat of a rural backwater, with most of its economy based on agriculture. Currently, the population of the town is about 44,000 and is falling every year. Although usually not especially busy, the old street usually has tourists and shoppers and is full of interesting historical buildings. Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (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. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go south to the Xiluo Great Bridge until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free 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. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin 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:
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:
Nangang Old Street (aka Zhongnan Street) is one of the most unnoticed old streets in Taiwan, but here you can find historic buildings, great food, and a lack of crowds. Currently, Nangang is being turned into Taipei's "next Xinyi District" and is the new artistic and cultural heart of Taipei. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei.
Background: 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 Station was built in 1891 as part of the first railway in Taiwan, connecting Keelung to Taipei, making it a prime location for industry. Nangang's old street sprung up near the train station. Technically the oldest street in Nangang is "Zhongnan Street" which most people refer to when they say Nangang Old Street, but I think the old street also spreads onto Nangang Road and Academia Sinica Road. 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. In the ROC era, Nangang was also an industrial hub for car parts especially the Nankang Tire Factory, which still makes tires today. Currently, Nangang is being turned into Taipei's "next Xinyi District" and is the new artistic and cultural heart of Taipei. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours: You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here. Where to stay: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: The old street I would say stretches in front of Nangang Train Station on Nangang Road and then loops over to Zhongnan Street near where Zhongxiao East Road Ends. 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 Bus/MRT: The old street I would say stretches in front of Nangang Train Station on Nangang Road and then loops over to Zhongnan Street near where Zhongxiao East Road Ends. 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:
Xisheng Old Street (aka Wugoushui Xisheng Old Street) is a historical street in the township of Wanluan in rural Pingtung dating back over 300 years to the Qing Dynasty. Here you can find a group of well-preserved historical Hakka buildings that are religious sites with very few other tourists around. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Pingtung County.
Background: For millennia Pingtung had been inhabited by plains aboriginal groups. Their biggest settlement was called Ahou, on the current site of Pingtung City, and another settlement to the northwest along the Gaoping River was called Aligang, which is where Ligang gets its name. The first Chinese settlers came to the area in the late 1600s during the Kingdom of Tungming and Qing Dynasty. Before that time, the area was known as a place of exile for Chinese criminals. During the Qing Dynasty, the area was part of Fengshan County. The first settlers to Neipu were Hakka people who came from China in 1710. They built a Mazu temple here which became the religious center of the area. Wugoushui Xisheng Old Street is so named because from olden times there were five ditches built (original meaning of Wugoushui 五溝水), therefore the village here is named Wugoushui. Xisheng Old Street in Wugoushui Village soon became the economic and cultural center of the area as well. Many of the buildings in the area have remained unchanged since the Qing Dynasty. Although there are many shops and restaurants in town, it is not a "touristy" place that attracts crowds of people. The area is usually not very busy even on weekends. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours and Activities in Pingtung: There are many activities available in Pingtung, such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. You can find more tours of Kenting on Klook here or KKday here. Where to stay: Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. I have stayed at many hostels and hotels in Pingtung, and even almost bought a house here. Some places that I have stayed at and can recommend are Nanwan Kiki (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here), a B&B next to Nanwan Bay, Kenting's most popular Beach. There are also a few decent hotels near Kenting Street Night Market like Kenting Star Inn 888 (book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Booking.com here), or Kenting Dajianshan Hotel (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). You will notice that none of these hotels are five star resorts (I do not come to Kenting to waste my time at a resort, but you can still search Agoda, Booking.com, or Klook here for those) but they are in my opinion the above have the best value for the money. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes Neipu. Then travel east to Wanluan Township until you reach the old street. 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 Ligang from Pingtung Bus 8220 or 8217. 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:
Neipu Yangjiyuan Old Street is a historical street in the township of Neipu in rural Pingtung dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Here you can find a group of well preserved historical Hakka buildings and religious sites with very few other tourists around. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Pingtung.
Background: For millennia Pingtung had been inhabited by plains aboriginal groups. Their biggest settlement was called Ahou, on the current site of Pingtung City, and another settlement to the northwest along the Gaoping River was called Aligang, which is where Ligang gets its name. The first Chinese settlers came to the area in the late 1600s during the Kingdom of Tungming and Qing Dynasty. Before that time, the area was known as a place of exile for Chinese criminals. During the Qing Dynasty, the area was part of Fengshan County. The first settlers to Neipu were Hakka people who came from China in 1722. They built a Mazu temple here which became the religious center of the area. Neipu Yangjiyuan Old Street is so named because in the olden times it was a place where goats gathered (the original meaning of Yangjiyuan 羊聚集之地). Yangjiyuan Old Street soon became the economic and cultural center of the area as well. Many of the buildings in the area have remained unchanged since the Qing Dynasty. Although there are many shops and restaurants in town, it is not a "touristy" place that attracts crowds of people. The area is usually not very busy even on weekends. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours and Activities in Pingtung: There are many activities available in Pingtung, such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. You can find more tours of Kenting on Klook here or KKday here. Where to stay: Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. I have stayed at many hostels and hotels in Pingtung, and even almost bought a house here. Some places that I have stayed at and can recommend are Nanwan Kiki (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here), a B&B next to Nanwan Bay, Kenting's most popular Beach. There are also a few decent hotels near Kenting Street Night Market like Kenting Star Inn 888 (book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Booking.com here), or Kenting Dajianshan Hotel (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). You will notice that none of these hotels are five star resorts (I do not come to Kenting to waste my time at a resort, but you can still search Agoda, Booking.com, or Klook here for those) but they are in my opinion the above have the best value for the money. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 1 East from Kaohsiung to Pingtung until you reach Neipu. From National Highway 3, you can also get off the 407 exit to Linluo and head east just about 1 KM to Neipu. 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 Neipu from Pingtung via bus. 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:
Taipei Expo Dome is a former soccer stadium that has been turned into an exhibition center. Originally created for the Taipei International Flora Exhibition in 2010, it is now commonly used for international exhibitions, concerts, trade shows, and other events. It is definitely worth a stop if you are in Taipei.
Background: The Taipei Expo Park was created in 2010 for the Taipei International Flora Exhibition which ran from November 2010 to April 2011. It used land from Yuanshan Park, Fine Arts Park, Xinsheng Park and Dajia Riverside Park. Before the three parks were built, it was home to the former Taipei Children's Park and former Taipei Yuanshan Zoo, old military housing and military complexes, farmland, and a driver's education course. Taipei Expo Dome was originally built in 1989 as a soccer stadium and was built over a former baseball field built by the Japanese in 1923. It also acted as a hospital for the Japanese army during WWII. The Expo Dome is 184 meters wide and 300 meters long and was the first standard professional soccer field built in Taipei. Because soccer is not a popular sport in Taiwan and the fact that airplanes often pass by making it impossible to hear whistles from the referees, soccer matches were not often held here and the area is instead used as a concert hall or spot for selling used furniture During the Taipei International Flora Exhibition in 2010, the building was renamed the Taipei Expo Dome and was renovated to include three exhibition centers within the former soccer stadium, meaning its use as a soccer stadium was put to an end. Many of the stadium seats are left standing and some of them have been turned into gardens or green roofs. Now it is a popular place for exhibitions, concerts, trade shows, and other events. Hours: 24/7 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 Yuanshan Station and is about a one minute walk. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. 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:
Nangang Martyrs' Shrine (officially Taipei City Martyr's Shrine (臺北市忠烈祠), aka Nangang Veteran's Cemetery Martyrs' Shrine) is a little-known and forgotten building at the Taipei Military Cemetery (臺北市軍人公墓) in Nangang District of Taipei. Nearby is a steep hill that offers places to hike and enjoy the scenery. It is a secret paradise within Taipei City.
This shrine should not be confused with the National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine (國民革命忠烈祠) in Zhongshan District of Taipei near the Yuanshan Hotel. Background: The Taipei City Martyrs' Shrine was established in 1969 under President Chiang Jing-kuo, the son of Chiang Kai-shek. Besides the bodies of soldiers killed in action here, there is also the grave of Lin Qingjuan (林靖娟) who was also considered a martyr and honored here for losing her life trying to save preschool children from a terrible incident in which a preschool bus caught on fire. You can listen to that story on Formosa Files here. In addition, 7 doctors and nurses who died in Heping Hospital during the SARS epidemic in 2003 are also honored as martyrs here. The Taipei City Martyrs' Shrine is one of the few martyrs' shrines in Taiwan not be built over a former Shinto Shrine. Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Price: Free Where to stay: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: The Martyrs' Shrine is right next to China University of Science and Technology and there is plenty of free parking near the building and on the mountain. 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: Shrine is right next to Solders' Public Cemetery stop with service from bus S1 and many other busses with stops nearby China University of Science and Technology. 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:
Shimen Ancient Battlefield (aka Shimen Historic Battlefield Macacukes 石門古戰場) in Mudan Township of Pingtung is where local Paiwan indigenous people fought a Japanese invading force in the aftermath of the Mudan Incident. Here the Paiwan people were able to stall the Japanese advance but were ultimately defeated and agreed to stop attacking shipwrecked ships. This spot along the river played an important part in Taiwan's history and is also important for the local Paiwan people who still live there. Now you can enjoy the natural scenery, historical markers, and hiking trails nearby.
Background: In 1871, a ship from the Ryukyuan Kingdom was shipwrecked near Mudan Village, and 54 Ryukyu men were massacred by the local Paiwan aboriginals. Even though the Ryukyuan kingdom was independent, it asked for help from the Qing Dynasty, its main trading partner, to pacify the Taiwanese aboriginals. Later in 1872, Japan dethroned the King of the Ryukyuan Kingdom and asked that the Qing Dynasty be held responsible for the massacre. The Qing denied having control over that region of Taiwan, so Japan sent soldiers to avenge those massacred as part of the 1874 invasion of Taiwan. A war ensued, and Japan entered Taiwan at Sheliao (near Guishan) on the Hengchun Peninsula and was stopped for a while at Shimen. Shimen literally means stone gate, referring to the narrow canyon that the Sichong River runs through here. The Japanese army was eventually successful at moving past Shimen and burned all nearby Paiwan Villages. The villagers promised to stop attacking shipwrecked sailors and began flying the Japanese flag which they saw as a sign of peace, and which the Japanese saw as a claim of jurisdiction. In the end, 561 Japanese soldiers died from disease while only 12 were killed in battle. 89 Paiwan aboriginals were killed in battle. Japan then negotiated with China with the help of American and British advisors, and China recognized Japanese control of the Ryukyu Islands and made payment to Japan for peacekeeping in the area. The Japanese finally withdrew from Taiwan in December 1875. In the end, the battle helped Japan solidify its influence on Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands, emboldening it later to take over Taiwan. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours and Activities in Pingtung: There are many activities available in Pingtung, such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. You can find more tours of Kenting on Klook here or KKday here. 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 it Checheng. Then travel east toward Mudan Township until you reach the Shimen Historic Battlefield memorial marker. 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 or 302, 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:
As one of the most secret and unknown tourist attractions in Taipei City, Nangang Tea Mountain is a large mountain area that offers pleasant hikes, great views, historical buildings, no crowds, and most of all tea. It is one of only two mountain tea-growing areas in Taipei City, the other being Maokong. Hopefully, this blog will help you understand how much natural beauty and intact history this is in Nangang District.
Background: 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. Hours: Trails: 24/7 Tea Processing Demonstration Center: Tuesday-Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM Price: Free Where to stay: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: From Nangang Road at Nangang Exhibition Center MRT station, turn south toward the mountains and keep going straight on Academia Sinica Road until it turns into Jiuzhuang Street. Keep going all the way up the mountain and you have reached the tea district. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/MRT: Take the Southeast Little 5 bus from Nangang Exhibition Center MRT station. It takes about half an hour to get to the Tea Processing Center from there. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
The Luku Incident Memorial is a reflective arch statue in Shiding District of New Taipei that commemorates what is known as "the largest political event of the nation’s White Terror era." The incident involved two brothers who had started a communist party holdout in the mountains of Shiding. The resulting response, from the then martial law-era ROC government under then Dictator Chiang Kai-Shek, was thousands of police officers arresting hundreds of innocent people, with many of the people being falsely imprisoned and executed.
Historical Background: Two brothers, Chen Pen-chiang and Chen Tung-ho (陳通和), created an armed communist party holdout in the Luku village of Shiding District. They also organized a youth group consisting of underage villagers, however this group did not participate in any illicit activity. In response, on Dec. 28th, 1952, about 10,000 police officers and ROC armed soldiers raided the village over the space of four months, blocking off roads and arresting everyone while trying to remove the communists. Around 400 people in the surrounding areas were arrested, with 200 of those people being tortured and 35 killed. According to the Taipei Times: "Among the 200, 12 were not indicted or released for turning themselves in, while 98 were given prison sentences, 19 of whom were underage." Due to the terrible injustice dealt to the village and the surrounding people, the Luku Incident Memorial was erected in the year 2000. For more information on the incident, check out the articles written by the Taipei Times here andhere. You can also check out the Wikipedia article in Chinese here. Where to stay: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: Travel south on Academia Sinica Road in Nangang, and then take Jiuzhuang Street Sec. 2 (舊莊街二段) all the way up the mountain. The memorial sits at the border between Taipei City and New Taipei City. Map: Please see below:
Yuanshan Villa (aka MAISON ACME, Taipei Story House, or Yuanshan Mansion 圓山別莊) is a historic mansion right next to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum that has opened to the public as an art exhibition space and museum as part of Taipei Expo Park. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei.
Background: The Yuanshan Mansion was built in 1913 by a wealthy Taiwanese tea merchant Tan Tiau-chun (陳朝駿) who had a large business in Dadaocheng. Originally it was meant to act as a guest house for dignitaries. The first floor was built using red brick and the second floor was built using English Tudor-style wooden beams. After the owner's death in 1923, the house went through many different hands. The house was bought by the Taipei City Government in 1979 and was used as an office and storage space. In 1987 it was handed over to the Taipei Fine Arts Center and acted as part of the museum. It was declared a historic monument in 1998. From 2003 until 2015 it was open the the public as the Taipei Story House and acted as an activity area and exposition space. From 2015 to 2021 the Taipei Story House, another charity, took control of the building and used it as an art and entertainment space. From 2021 until the present the house came under the ACME group and it is used now as an exposition and performance space. There is also a coffee shop made from a shipping container next door. Usually there are not many people there even on weekends. Hours: 11 AM to 5 PM and 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 Yuanshan Station, and is about a one minute walk. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy, however bikes are 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:
Academia Sinica's Museum of Ethnology features artifacts from Taiwan's indigenous people and also Han Chinese culture. Entrance is free, it is usually devoid of people, and has amazing ancient artifacts from Taiwan. It is definitely worth a visit on your trip to Taipei.
Background: The museum first began in 1988, and was formerly the Department of Ethnology Studies, Academia Sinica. The Ethnology Department was created in 1928 in Beijing. After 1949, the institute was moved to Taiwan as part of the ROC retreat to Taiwan. Much of the collection comes from Taiwan and China and includes thousands of pieces from prehistoric times from Indigenous people in Taiwan and Han Chinese peoples. Website: https://www.ioe.sinica.edu.tw/index.aspx?SiteID=530367205133077215 Hours: Wednesday and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM Price: Free! Tours: You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here. Where to stay: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: There is paid car parking at Academia Sinica, and scooters must park outside. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By MRT/Bus: Take the blue MRT line to Nangang Exhibition Hall station, then transfer to any number of busses from exit 5 to Academia Sinica. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below:
The Lin An Historical House and Museum is one of the most beautiful areas in Taiwan. In fact, its beauty is enough to rival the Forbidden City in Beijing. This group of historical buildings has been wonderfully preserved and also has been surrounded by gorgeous Chinese gardens. It should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Taipei.
Background: The Lin An Historical House was originally built around 1820. The family originally migrated from Quanzhou, Fujian, and made a living as traders at Dadaocheng, running the Rong Tai Store. After becoming rich, the family built several houses in the area. By 1978, the main building was in a dilapidated state on Siwei Road in Da An District of Taipei. It was also at risk of demolition due to the Dunhua Road expansion project. After petitions from locals, the building was relocated to its current location in Taipei Expo Park and opened to the public in 2000. The Lin An Historical House lies within the Taipei Expo Park, which was created in 2010 for the Taipei International Flora Exhibition which ran from November 2010 to April 2011. It used land from Yuanshan Park, Fine Arts Park, Xinsheng Park, and Dajia Riverside Park. Before the three parks were built, it was home to the former Taipei Children's Park and former Taipei Yuanshan Zoo, old military housing and military complexes, farmland, and a driver's education course. Usually, the house is busy on weekends. Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM 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 Yuanshan Station, and is about a 20 minute walk. However there are bus stations that are closer. 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:
SPOT Taipei Film House (aka former Embassy of the United States, Taipei) is a former diplomatic building for the United States in Taiwan that has now been converted into a film house and café. Here you can enjoy the history of the building, as well as a cinema, art show, art shop, restaurant, and café. It is a great tourist stop in the heart of Taipei.
History The current building where the Taipei Film House currently lies was constructed in 1926 as the American Consulate in Taihoku during the Japanese rule of Taiwan. The consulate closed in 1941 due to WWII. After WWII, the US took the building back and renamed it the Consulate of the United States, Taipei. The building also served as the US Ambassador's residence. In 1953, the building was upgraded to an embassy. In 1957, a riot broke out and Taiwanese people stormed the embassy due to the alleged murder of an ROC national by an American. For more on this story, check out this podcast by Formosa Files. After The US switched recognition to the PRC in 1979, the building was left abandoned. The building was listed as a historic monument in 1997 and was renovated in 2000. The building now houses a cinema, coffee shop, restaurant, and gift shop. It is usually not very crowded. Hours: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Price: Free to visit Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By MRT/Bus: The building is close Zhongshan MRT station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. By Car/Scooter: The building is just a few blocks north of Taipei Main Station on Zhongshan Road. There is limited parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Map: Please see below:
With multiple skyscrapers, upscale shopping malls, international restaurants, hotels, cinemas, and more, Xinyi Shopping District in Taipei is known as the Manhattan of Taiwan, and the world's densest commercial district. It has also become a financial center with many companies creating their Taiwan headquarters here. It is also a great place for visitors to shop and enjoy the most vibrant part of Taipei.
Background: Xinyi Shopping District is roughly the area of Xinyin Planning District (信義計畫區) which was designed in the 1970s. Before that time, the area was mainly empty fields for farming. The goal of the plan was to ease pressure off of the old crowded city center around Ximending and Taipei Station. The area is over 153 Hectares and includes 15 department stores, including Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Taipei 101 Mall, Xinyi Breeze, and more, making it the world's densest commercial district. Hours: Most department stores are open from 11 AM to 10 PM. Price: Free 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, 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. 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: Don't forget that there are many activities available in Taipei such as 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, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday 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 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 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? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: See below:
Ligang Old Street is a historical small town in rural Pingtung dating back to the Qing Dynasty. At one time it even had a city wall built around it. Here you can find historical buildings are religious sites without any other tourists bothering you. There is also a night market and morning wet market to explore. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Pingtung.
Please note this is referring to the old street in Pingtung. For the old street in Changhua, see our blog on Lukang Old Street here. Background: For millennia Pingtung had been inhabited by plains aboriginal groups. Their biggest settlement was called Ahou, on the current site of Pingtung City, and another settlement to the northwest along the Gaoping River was called Aligang, which is where Ligang gets its name. The first Chinese settlers came to the area in the late 1600s during the Kingdom of Tungming and Qing Dynasty. Before that time, the area was known as a place of exile for Chinese criminals. During the Qing Dynasty, the area was part of Fengshan County. During these times there were often fights among local clans such as Hakka, Cantonese, and Min peoples that came from different parts of China. For protection against rebellions, a city wall was built around Ligang, but was later destroyed during the Japanese Era. The Japanese also relocated two villages that were close to the Gaoping River near Ligang Old Street. Currently, the population of Ligang is roughly 25,000 people, a number which has remained constant for nearly 60 years. Normally there are not many people on the old street and the area is not very busy. Hours: Ligang Old Street: 24/7 Ligang Night Market (里港夜市): 5 PM - 10:30 PM Thursday and Sunday evenings Ligang Morning Vegetable Market (里港市場): 8 AM - 12 PM Tuesday - Sunday Price: Free Tours and Activities in Pingtung: There are many activities available in Pingtung, such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. You can find more tours of Kenting on Klook here or KKday here. Where to stay: Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. I have stayed at many hostels and hotels in Pingtung, and even almost bought a house here. Some places that I have stayed at and can recommend are Nanwan Kiki (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here), a B&B next to Nanwan Bay, Kenting's most popular Beach. There are also a few decent hotels near Kenting Street Night Market like Kenting Star Inn 888 (book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Booking.com here), or Kenting Dajianshan Hotel (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). You will notice that none of these hotels are five star resorts (I do not come to Kenting to waste my time at a resort, but you can still search Agoda, Booking.com, or Klook here for those) but they are in my opinion the above have the best value for the money. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 22 East from Kaohsiung to Pingtung until you reach Ligang. From National Highway 3, you can also get off the 391 exit to Jiuru and head north just about 1 KM to Ligang. The Confucius Temple is on Shengli Road in the middle of the city. Looking for scooter rental in Pingtung? Click here or here to search for options. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: You can reach Ligang from Pingtung Bus 8220 or 8217. 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:
Academia Historica is a public history museum focusing on the political history of Taiwan's presidents and vice presidents, as well as other cultural and ecological exhibitions, located in Taipei. One of the many historical buildings in Taipei, is a beautiful Japanese-era marble-faced building, the former communications bureau, which has been converted into a museum for Taiwan's former presidents. It is open for tours to the public on weekdays and is definitely worth a visit.
History The current building where Academia Historica Taipei currently lies was constructed in 1914 during the Japanese rule of Taiwan for the Communications Bureau, Transportation Department of the Japanese Colonial Government. It now hosts exhibits for Taiwan's presidents and vice presidents. Academia Historica is also an institution that was established in 1947 by the ROC government in Nanking. In 1957 it reopened in Taiwan. It moved to the current building, and also has other departments in Xindian and Nantou. The Nantou Building has since changed its name to Taiwan Historica (there is a much bigger museum now in Nantou). The Taipei building, which this blog covers, holds artifacts from the president and vice president of Taiwan (R.O.C.). Hours: The office is open for visitors from Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM Price: Free Hotels in Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By MRT/Bus: The building is close to the NTU hospital MRT station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. By Car/Scooter: There is limited parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Map: Please see below: |
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. Tutor ABC - World's No. 1 Online Platform for learning English and Chinese. Get 10% off all Tutor ABC website listed prices with promo code: FOREIGNERS10 Tutor ABC - 世界第一英語和中文線上學習平台 使用促銷代碼: FOREIGNERS10 可享有 Tutor ABC 網站上列出的所有價格 10% 的折扣 Archives 檔案
May 2024
Tutor ABC - World's No. 1 Online Platform for learning English and Chinese. Get 10% off all Tutor ABC website listed prices with promo code: FOREIGNERS10 Tutor ABC - 世界第一英語和中文線上學習平台 使用促銷代碼: FOREIGNERS10 可享有 Tutor ABC 網站上列出的所有價格 10% 的折扣 Categories
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