C is for Ceramics. C is for – Yingge? Well, not quite, but ‘Yingge is for ceramics’ is something almost any Taiwanese can chant. This little town (Yīnggē) in the very southern part of Taipei County lives by and for the production of high- and low-quality ceramic and pottery objects: everything from cupboard handles to [...]
Most people feel that the North Cross-Island Hwy ends around Chilan, a small forest reserve, but it actually continues south to Lishan and north to Ilan. If you want to continue your exploration of Taiwan’s rugged mountains, head north. Not far south down the road is the turn-off to Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area (; [...]
The little aboriginal village of Wulai (Wūlái) has long been touted as one of the top hot-springs resorts in Taiwan. But we advise against spending your money here as the town is pretty grubby (though many hotels are first rate inside) and the water is reportedly not very pure. As one local friend quipped, the [...]
In many ways the county is the poor cousin of Taipei, but at least transportation is good, and there are some real treats for the nature and culture lover once you get away from the urban sprawl.
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There are hot springs all over Taiwan, and beautiful mountains for hiking, too, but we still think Taian (Tà iÄn WÄ“nquán) is special. For one thing, it has hot spring water so good the Japanese built an officers’ club here to take advantage of it 90 years ago.
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Just past Luodong, Hwy 9 rejoins the coast and begins what is known as the Suao–Hualien Hwy. The road stretches for 118km along the coastline and is literally carved into sheer cliff walls. One of the most breathtaking sections is called the Chingshui cliffs, where the highway twists its way around towering walls of marble [...]
Shitoushan (ShÄ«tóushÄn) is a foothill on the border of Miaoli and Hsinchu Counties. Beautiful dense forests and rugged rock faces define the topography, but if you ask anyone it is the temples tucked into caves and hugging the slopes that have given the place its fame. Shitoushan is sacred ground for the island’s Buddhists and [...]
Over 100 years ago, a Japanese officer discovered that camphor grew in abundance in the hills around Sanyi (SÄnyì), a small Miaoli County town. Since camphor makes for excellent wood products (it’s aromatic, extremely heavy and can resist termites), the officer wisely established a wood business. Over time, Sanyi became the woodcarving region in Taiwan. [...]
Across National Hwy 3 from Yingge is this old town (SÄnxiá), most noted for a temple that has been under reconstruction since 1947 and a couple of blocks of perfectly restored Qing- and Japanese-era buildings. In short, Sansia and Yingge go hand in hand, contrasting and complementing each other like peanut butter and chocolate.
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Of the three small branch lines that have remained open for tourism, this 12km track (PÃngxÄ« ZhÄ«xià n) is the closest to Taipei, and our favourite by a long shot. For one thing, it’s a highly scenic ride through a wild, wooded gorge. Furthermore, the stops are full of rewarding sights and activities, including thrilling hikes, [...]