We’ve always been very fond of Tainan (Táinán), and always impressed with its array of temples and historical relics. But we often wondered if we simply needed to get out more. So one day we travelled to Beijing and saw some of the greatest architectural wonders of the Chinese world. And then we returned to Tainan and found we were no less impressed with it than before. No, it couldn’t compare directly to Beijing, but then travel is not a zero sum game in our opinion, and the wonderful deserves to be praised as much as the amazing.
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May 11th, 2009 | Posted in Southern Taiwan | Comments Off
Taichung (TáizhÅng), the third-largest city in Taiwan, is hardly a must-see for the short-term visitor, though many long-term expats do enjoy it as a weekend getaway. The city has several pleasant tea and restaurant streets, an excellent science museum and a very good art museum, which includes a top-of-the-line storybook fantasyland library for children. Taichung is also a bright ray of sunshine (literally) on a dreary winter day for those living in the capital. Taipei and Taichung have very similar average temperatures but Taichung is much drier, receiving around 1700mm of rain a year compared with Taipei’s 2170mm.
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May 10th, 2009 | Posted in Western Taiwan | Comments Off
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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May 9th, 2009 | Posted in Northern Taiwan | Comments Off
Sun Moon Lake (Rìyuè Tán) is the largest body of freshwater in Taiwan and has one of the island’s loveliest natural landscapes. In his blue period, Picasso would have had no end of inspiration. At an altitude of 762m, the lake is backed by high-forested mountains and boasts good weather year-round. Boating is popular, both touring in large craft and in DIY rowing boats, as is hiking and biking. By the time you read this there will be a hotel offering hot springs.
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May 8th, 2009 | Posted in Western Taiwan | Comments Off
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 and granite that loom over 1000m above the rocky seashore.
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May 7th, 2009 | Posted in Northern Taiwan | Comments Off
In the south, people’s ties to rural folk culture are strongest. Local gods are more fervently worshipped, traditions more respected, and a clannish regard for kith and kin more obvious. And in a land of hospitable people, southerners shine as the most hospitable of all.
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May 6th, 2009 | Posted in Southern Taiwan | Comments Off
Not many travel further south than Taitung, but there are a few interesting little stops where you can enjoy quiet hot springs, beach combing, camping and a fascinating banyan forest.
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May 5th, 2009 | Posted in East Coast | Comments Off
A friend once said that the South Cross-Island Hwy (Nánbù Héngguà n GÅnglù) perfectly illustrates the principle that ‘sometimes the journey matters more than the destination’. With all due respect, we think he needs to get out of his car more often.
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May 4th, 2009 | Posted in Southern Taiwan | Comments Off
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 draws big weekend crowds, with people coming to worship or simply enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the mountain. Over the years, Shitoushan has been consistently described by Lonely Planet travellers as a highlight of their trip to Taiwan.
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May 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Northern Taiwan | Comments Off
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. Today, nearly half the population is engaged in the business in one way or another, with the other half probably wishing they were.
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May 2nd, 2009 | Posted in Northern Taiwan | Comments Off
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