Top things in Taiwan
Sarah Richard – World Wanderer
Us Hong Kongers love to travel hey? You can’t log on to Facebook without seeing 99% of your HK friends checking into the latest hotspot abroad. And we aren’t ones to be left out. So along with thousands of other tourists, we headed to Taiwan to check out some top things to do so we could share them all with you.
Taipei
Obviously. You will more than likely fly into Taipei, and there you should stay for a few nights. A foodie haven hailing great views, friendly locals and epic adventures. Head straight to Ningxia night market if you arrive after dark and try anything from coal-roasted squid, poached quail eggs, pig’s blood rice cake, even frog spawn and skewered to grilled crickets. Once day breaks it’s your time to see it all from above at Taipei 101(which was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010, when it was surpassed in height by Burj in Dubai).
The price of general admission to the indoor observation deck is NT$350 ($84HKD). If you are interested in accessing the outdoor observation deck, that is an additional NT$100 ($25HKD) and is a separate ticket but very much worth it! If you looking for somewhere to stay in Taipei, check out this awesome hotel we stayed at.
Getting to Ningxia Night Market
The Shuanglian MRT stop and the Zhongshan MRT stop are the closest to the Ningxia Night Market. At Shuanglian, walk out Exit 1 and head west down Minsheng Road for about 15 minutes until you reach Ning Xia Road
Getting to Taipei 101
Located in the heart of the city, the Tower is surrounded by department stores, a theatre, businesses and a skywalk. The area is a short walk from the MRT station of City Hall on the Blue Line. On foot, it usually takes 15 to 20 minutes from the station; Taipei 101 Tower is located on Hsinyi Road.
Tainan
Fancy escaping the madness of Taipei for a couple of nights (we highly recommend it) hop on the high-speed rail and visit the South-West coast of Taiwan and the cute city of Tainan. Just 1 hour and 45 minutes from Taipei and only costing you NT$1150 (buy tickets here), there’s really no excuse not to. Once there, hire a bike and cycle around the cycle-friendly city stopping at Confucius Temple for a wander around to take some photos and learn about its history. However the must-do thing when in Tianan is Chimei Museum comprehensive private museum with wide collections of Western art, musical instruments, weaponry and natural history. There are four exhibition rooms, one temporary exhibition gallery and a sculpture hall in the main building. Our personal favourite is the taxidermy section, showcasing animals from around the world.
Getting to Confucius Temple
Take bus no. 1, 3, 16, or 17 from Tainan Train Station to Tainan Jiansing Junior High School stop. Walk along Wenshen Road and make a left turn at Nanmen Road to Tainan Confucius Temple
Getting to Chimei Museum
Taxi is the most convenient. No. 66, Sec. 2, Wenhua Rd., Rende Dist., Tainan City 71755, Taiwan. (Closed Mondays):
Yilan
Heading to Northeastern Taiwan brings you to Yilan, surrounded by mountains and facing the Pacific Ocean. Since the world’s 5th longest tunnel (12.9kms), Hsueh-shan Tunnel opened in 2007, travel time from Taipei to Yilan has shortened from four hours to one and a half hours which attracts more and more tourists from Taipei City. With commuting time shortened, travelers now have more time to visit more attractions including Cilan Forest Recreation Area, Cueifong Lake, Dongshan River Water Park, Jiaosi Hot Spring, and Luodong Night Market. One attraction worth mentioning is the Suao Cold Spring, is a rare phenomenon that only exists in two places in the world, in Taiwan’s Yilan and Italy. If we could tell you to go anywhere in Taiwan, Yilan would the place!
Getting everywhere
We recommend you go to each of these places, so take a look at Trip Advisor’ guide to all attraction in Yilan and get walking!
Cilan Forest Recreation Area
Sarah Richard is a 26 year old professional world wanderer. 4 years ago she left the UK and everything that offered her security and routine in exchange for a constant life of excitement and adventure. And she is still living it now. Through out working as a Dive Master, freelance writer,running her blog (coffeewithasliceoflife.com) and working along the way she now leads a life as a full time digital nomad. So follow her in her travels, in which ever country in the world she choses, and learn how you can do it too.