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kathrinapineda · 4 years ago

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Taiwan: Beyond the cityscapes and fast trains

Only in Taiwan is where you can stop and smell the roses, and at the same time savor the stinky tofu.

On my first trip to Taiwan, I was awed by all the lights that blanketed the skyscrapers at night, how every single corner looks like it came straight out of a well-curated, aesthetically-pleasing Instagram account, and how they kept their culture and tradition intact amidst the fast advancement and adaptation to modernization. I was left wanting to explore more.

One thing that left a mark on me was how safe I felt walking around the streets alone at night. How many places can girls name that have made them feel like that? It is a recommended place for female solo travelers to explore.

Hues and histories

I had a chance to explore Taiwan the second time around as the Taiwan Tourism Board took us to see Taiwan in a new light.

My favorite part of visiting a new place is gathering new stories. Taiwan has a lot of them. But one particular place that carries my favorite story is their Rainbow Village in Nantun, Taichung or the rainbow military housing.

In an attempt to save the military housing that was facing dismantling from the government’s city plan in September 2008, a retired soldier started to paint his dreams in lively colors on the walls. Before they knew it, the whole place was covered in characters, words, numbers, and all colors of the rainbow. This attracted many people, mostly children, to keep coming back to the place and in turn, the government declared it a treasure worth preserving. The retired soldier who saved this little village is known by the people as Grandpa Rainbow. The place is as beautiful, and as pure as Grandpa Rainbow’s heart.

While in Taichung, especially if you are a milk tea lover, it is a sin to miss going to the birthplace of milk tea. The Original Store of Chun Sui is the place to visit for the whole cultural experience of having your milk tea fix. This place is where it all started and having a taste of their Pearl Milk Tea with tapioca will give you all the nostalgia.

Along with their Pearl Milk Tea, we tried their other dishes including the Shrimp Shumai, Tofu Skin Rolls, and Beef Tendon Noodles. It all tasted like home away from home.

Before we called it a night in Taichung, we headed over to one of the famous night markets, the Feng Chia Night Market. Loads of choices of clothes, accessories, beauty products, street foods, and the latest technology filled the bright streets, and all is fairly priced. It was one of the best ways to end a long day.

We headed to Gouxing Township the next morning and experienced the rich culture of the Atayal tribe, a minority aboriginal tribe in Taiwan at the Atayal Resort. The stay at the Baroque architectural style of Atayal Resort could pass as a complete package for its numerous recreational activities, and ecology.

We had a short shooting session with bows and arrows, then headed to their popular skywalk that is both literally, and figuratively, breathtaking. They have a skywalk that hangs 500 meters above sea level where you can see the marvelous view of the mountainous landscape, and a glimpse down through their tempered glass construction will leave you at the edge of your seat, or at least the skywalk.

Where the grass is greener, and the temperature is lower

When people think of colors they can associate with Taiwan, green is the least color they could think of. Since I saw the mountains and waterfalls on the screen of my plane to Taiwan, I was left curious by their green tourism.

I hungered to see the mountains, taste the sea, and feel the clouds. People barely see the greener side of Taiwan, and I was fortunate enough to have witnessed its natural beauty that is just as worth all the glamor as its busy night markets and neon-lit buildings. It was a breath of fresh air. I fell even more in love with Taiwan for its greener side.

Taiwan’s neon-lit streets are indeed beautiful, but the path less traveled led us to greener grasses.

The High Mountain Fairyland of Taiwan is where waterfalls, caves, ditches, and boulders were formed under the erosion, cutting, and penetration by streams for tens of thousands of years. The Sun-Link-Sea Forest and Nature Resort is where the mountains surrounded by clouds and fog greet you on your walks, and the dropping temperature warms you up inside. It is a dream for mountain and nature lovers like me as I got to stroll down their natural trails and showered in green on my way to the best scenery in Sun- Link-Sea, the Songlong Rock Waterfall.

Sun-Link-Sea has immeasurably beautiful natural sceneries, wild floras and faunas that photographers take their time for to capture and observe.

At night, you can observe the stars on their view deck. Sun-Link-Sea is said to have one of the clearest view of the stars and the galaxies at night because of their low level of light pollution. Aside from stargazing, I had the most perfect view of the mountains that silhouetted in the night under the moonlight.

We have also visited the monumental Jiji Train Station, which is an ancient train station that is the most popular in the Jiji route. The Jiji Train Station was destroyed by an earthquake in 1921. When it was reconstructed back to its original look, it attracted many tourists. It is a reminder that things can be admirable even after it’s been left in ruins.

More of the Nantou County cold awaited for us at Checheng. The view of Mt. Xin while taking a journey along their nostalgic railways, and rustic village is a cup of calming tea. Cheheng opts to a more family-oriented scene combined with leisure. It serves as a reminder of the flourishing history of the local industries namely the lumbering and coal industry.

The many shades of blue on the Sun Moon Lake is one of the reasons it is one of the most scenic areas in Taiwan. What is said to be the only big, natural lake in Taiwan is located 748 meters above sea level. It got its name from the southern part of Lalu Island shaped like a new moon, and the northern part shaped like a sun. It is a famous area where bikers, picnic-goers, and many pre-nuptial photoshoots take place. Sun Moon Lake is surrounded by the view of Itashao, the Ci-en Pagoda, and many natural forests.

Heping Island is the less crowded, yet elevated version of the Yehliu Geopark. Located right within the North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area is the place where the roaring waves meet the geoscape. As you take a walk around the island, you will witness the years-worth of erosion by the wind, sea, and eroded rocks that have formed unique shapes, while you take in the smell of the ocean and the breeze of the wind as it hits you. It’s straight out of a scene from a movie.

Tai-Wanting More

Even their MRT station is so advanced that all we had to do was get to the first station so we could check-in our baggage straight to the plane right then and right there, and let it all do its magic while we carry on to the airport. We even got our boarding passes there. Before we know it, the next time we saw our luggage was at the baggage carousel back home.

I have this pact to myself that I will not visit any place twice because it would be a waste of my time, and money, to spend on a place that I have been to before instead of just going and spending it all somewhere I have not been to before. But Taiwan is an exception. I want to keep coming, and come back for more.

Of course many people go there to just take photos but there are a lot of things much deeper than what meets the eye. Taiwan is the temples, the culture, the colors of the lights at night, the mountains, the falls, nature’s formations, and the greenery. Taiwan is the advancement in technology, the flavors in the food, the hospitality of its people, and the memories that it will forever embark on you. Taiwan is in its history, and the future.

#article #articles

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dbamountaineer · 6 years ago

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My second day was spent in Northern Taiwan specifically in Keelung City. Since Keelung is not far from Taipei, I traveled to the city with regular train which is TRA train. I was able to use the EasyCard that I bought and used during my first trip in Taiwan, I just made sure that it has more than enough cash loaded into it for my round trip to Keelung. I checked the amount of train fare to the city and I knew that I am safe to travel without worries regarding the ticket fare.

I traveled from Taipei Main Station to Keelung Station. I arrived at Keelung City almost 10AM. I got off at North Exit, and walked back and went out at South Exit of the station where the Visitor Center is located. Before I went inside the Visitor Centre, a shuttle tourist bus just arrived and I quickly inquired to tourism officers about the shuttle day pass available.

At Keelung Station

I bought a tour bus pass for TWD50 and has complimentary small brochure as guide to Keelung Tourist Spots where the touris shuttle bus will stop. One of the tourism officers explained to me that there are two zone options to choose when taking the tourist shuttle bus day pass in the city. The Keelung Shuttle Bus West Line route goes to Yehliu Geopark and the Keelung Shuttle Bus East Line route goes to Heping Island. I knew that Yehliu Geopark is famous tourist spot, therefore I chose another route which is the West Line Route. At that time, I was more curious to see Heping Island Park. I also learned that the tourism shuttle bus system in Keelung Station operates in one zone option. This means that, when you choose East Line Route, that means visitors can enjoy all tourist spots in the said route. If the visitor wanted to take the West Line Route, the same rules applies. But before buying tickets for both lines. Make sure you will be able to visit all the places in both zones as the ticket is only valid for the day. There is a schedule that the bus is following. It is operating like hop-on hop off bus. The two lines only meet at Keelung station, it does not intersect in other routes from other zone. If the visitor wanted to visit specific place in other zone, you will return to Keelung Station to transfer to another route and you will have to pay for tourish shuttle bus pass. When I looked at my time, I just decided to go to West Line only and see if I still have time to see the East Line route.

After quick orientation, I went out the Visitor Centre and jumped on the East Line bus. While inside the bus, I just observed that there were just few tourist. I took a seat at the back and felt excited as I was looking forward to see Heping Island Park. When we left Keelung Station, I checked again my GPS to see my current location while traveling. The shuttle bus stopped based on the route destination defined in the East Line Route. The first stop was Miaokou Night Market, second stop was Zhongzheng Park and third stop was Indigenous Cultural Hall before reaching the Heping Island Park bus stop. I bypassed the three stops as I wanted to go straight to Heping Island Park.

Heping Island Park (formerly known as Sheliao Island)

The tourist shuttle bus that I took crossed Sheliao Bridge The said bridge is one of the bridge that connects Heping Island to the mainland aside from Heping Bridge. I got off the Heping Island Park Bus Stop which still around 5-10 minutes walk to reach the gate or entrance to the park. While walking, I checked my phone to see where I was and to see the directions that I was following. I tried to approached few people along Pingyi Road to verify that I was in the right direction but some people don’t know how to respond to me, so I walked again and again following my GPS in my phone. From Pingyi Road, I reached a gate and walked inside of it. I went to the park for photography and curiosity to the place. I spent at least an hour to see the park.

At Sheliao Bridge

Heping Island was called Sheliao Island in the past. It is located at the north of Taiwan. Heping Bridge connects the island to Keelung City. In 1626, the Spanish army built castles, churches and fortresses, preparing to do business with China and Japan. The castle on the southwest is called San Salvador, the saint savior. This is the first and currently the only castle in Keelung. During the Spanish occupation, Heping Island had busy trading activities with Southeast Asia. After World War II, the island was renamed Heping Island. Today, it is a famous tourist attraction.

Heping Island is perfect for diving and sea fishing. With years of erosion by the wind and sea, the eroded rocks and coasts have formed special shapes. The Keelung government has made Heping Island a coastal park with swimming pool, tour track, tourism service center and food and beverages.

–eng.taiwan.net.tw

Inside the park island, the first thing that I saw was the castle fortress like structure which is the Visitor Centre of the park where the building design was imitation of the Spanish style San Salvador City since the place has been occupied by Spanish for decades. It was the place where I started my short exploration of the park. I walked not far from the Visitor Centre where I saw the mushroom like rocks in the coast where special shapes had formed due to thousand years of erosion which is one of the fascinating things to see in the park.

Visitor Centre coming from the entrance of the park

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Mushroom Rocks from Little Camp

Mushroom Rocks with Keelung Islet (background island)

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Mushroom Rocks

Little Camp with View of Mushroom Rocks

With View of Mushroom Rocks from Little Camp area

Kiddie Pool

One of the shallow seawater swimming pool is the Kiddie Pool where adult can safely allow young ones to play with the water without worries of waves from the sea and be drowned as they watch children from a distance. The nice thing about the pool is that sea and natural ecology can be introduced to young ones in enjoyable way.

Kiddie Pool

Kiddie Pool from Angel to the Sea Marina (Upper Board Walk)

Blue Ocean Pool

One of the interesting to learn about the Blue Ocean Pool aside of being part of the sea is the opportunity of the swimmer to swim together with tropical fish, crabs and other marine creatures in the blue water. Is it not that fun? The pool was transformed from natural seawater into the waterway to a pool.

Blue Ocean Pool from Angel to the Sea Marina (Upper Board Walk)

Summer Stay Beach

The island also offers beach where visitors can enjoy the scorching heat from the sun and can play with the sand. Walking the upper board walk which is called as Angel to the Sea Marina, gives the visitor a chance to explore the park in a different perspective to enjoy the scenery that surrounds it.

Visitor Centre

Bush Island

While exploring the park, I thought that I saw everything that was why I decided to leave the park, but before I reached the gate where I entered the park, I saw a road that seems to lead somewhere, therefore I checked it out and wondering if I could see something in that area. Wan Shan Gong and Ryukyuan Fisherman Monument were found in the area. But I really enjoyed the rock formations on the shore and the colors of it where

Wan Shan Gong

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Surroundings near Wan Shan Gong

Ryukyuan Fisherman Monument

Surroundings near Ryukyuan Fisherman Monument

The one thing that I regret in my visit in Heping Island Park was unable to explore it completely. As I had rough idea what is being offered by the park, I missed to explore the mountain trail where scenic pavilion is located to be able to see more of the sea-erosion landscape which I missed. During the visit, there were some constructions going. And I was not aware that I can walked beyong the shore where most of the mushroom like rocks can be seen. If will given a chance again, I will return to this place to explore the park completely.

Shen’ao Fishing Port

I left Heping Island by taking the same East Line shuttle bus that goes to Riufang Station route as I wanted to visit Shen’ao Fishing Port. I came to the port expecting that there were too many people on it, but, to my surprise I saw few people around the port. I was not sure if it’s the port was on holiday during my visit, all I knew was it was Monday. I had a quick look of the port but this was the second place that I missed an important tourist spot because I was not aware that there was such thing in the port. What I did in the area was to walk around the port and took some couple of photos.

Ruifang District Fisheries Association

Shen’ao Fishing Port

Shen’ao Fishing Port with Keelung Mountain at the back

Shen’ao Fishing Port Viewing Platform

Shen’ao Fishing Port Bus Stop

Port of Keelung

Port of Keelung Scenery from Keelung Station (Maritime Plaza) Bus Stop

Keelung Station (Maritime Plaza) Bus Stop

Yangming Marine Culture and Art Museum (left building) and beside it is City Bus Terminal

Along Zhongyi Road with Boat Marina Harbourside Leisure Hall (right building)

Keelung Station South (left) with Yangming Marine Culture and Art Museum (right)

Keelung Station South

The last place that I visited which part of East Line Route was Shen’ao Fishing Port. From the bus stop where I went off was the same bus stop I waited for the bus that will return to Keelung Station. We took the same route and we picked-up other passengers like me in other bus stop. The bus route ended at Keelung Station (Maritime Plaza), where I had a chance to see the beauty that Port of Keelung is offering. And I really like what I saw. I can say that the center of Keelung City revolves around Keelung Station and places that surrounds it such as Port of Keelung. Before I totally left the city, I took few minutes to enjoy the port.

Until then.

Notes : 1. Plan to visit Keelung ? Please check latest information here. Plan to visit Heping Island Park? Check here. How about Shen’ao Fishing Port? See this. 2. Location : 360, Pingyi Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City 3. Directions / Transportation to Heping Island Park : a. From Taipei Main Station, take TRA train to Keelung Station. TRA Train website here. b. From Keelung Station, go to Visitor Centre where the tourist shuttle bus waits. Keelung Shuttle Bus website here. c. Choose which Zone option you wanted to visit and enjoy. d. Please visit the access link to the island park here. Website : Keelung, Heping Island, Shen’ao Fishing Port

Keelung Walks : Heping (Peace) Island, Shen’ao Fishing Port and Port of Keelung My second day was spent in Northern Taiwan specifically in Keelung City. Since Keelung is not far from Taipei, I traveled to the city with regular train which is TRA train.

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