Travel Taiwan « The Daily Bubble Tea

Northern Taiwan

Taipei City
- 2-28 Memorial Park - park and museum dedicated to those who lost their lives at the hands of the incoming KMT government
- Chih Shan-Yen Gate - a remnant of an armed conflict between immigrants from Zhangzhou and Quanzhou
- Chih Shan-Yen Prehistoric Site - archaeological excavation of an advanced Austronesian population that lived in Taiwan
- Dalunwei and Daluntou Hiking Trails - relaxing trails on Taipei’s Wuzhi Mountain Range
- Fanglan Mansion and Yifang Mansion - two historic homes in Taipei’s Daan District
- The Grand Hotel - built in 1952, this hotel is the island’s first 5-star hotel
- Guandu Temple - the oldest temple in northern Taiwan devoted to Mazu [the Goddess of the Sea]
- Huiji Temple - built between 1752-1764 and dedicated to the founder of Zhangzhou District
- Junjian Rock Hiking Trail - spectacular views and intersesting rock formations along this trail
- Taipei 101 - view Taipei from the top of the world’s second tallest building
- Taipei Zoo - go wild in Taipei’s Muzha District
- Tianmu Trail - originally the final section of the Yalu Ancient Trail
- Tiger Mountain Trail - another of Taipei’s magnificently maintained trails, this one hosts a wonderful view of Taipei 101
- Xianjiyan Trail - a nice trail located in Wenshan District
- Yangmingshan National Park - take a walk around one of Taiwan’s fabulous national parks
  - Datun Falls - an extremely photogenic waterfall
  - Datun Mountain - use Erziping as a starting point for a slew of trails
  - Jinbaoli Trail - see Taiwan’s water buffalo roaming free at Cingtiangang
  - Liuhuangku Geothermal Scenic Area - sulfuric springs and unusual geological formations await
  - Pine Gardens - located in Yangmingshan’s Lengshuikeng, this is a great place to stop for a meal during the middle of a hike
  - Qixing Mountain Trail - Taipei’s tallest peak, also featured in this post is Xiaoyoukeng, which is full of sulfur fumaroles
  - Zhuzi Lake - Taiwan’s capital of Calla Lily gardens
- Zhinan Temple Trail - an easily accessible trail via the Maokong Gondola or a bus
- Zhishan Cultural and Ecological Garden - provides information about the history and ecology of Zhishan

Taipei County
- Bitan -take a peaceful walk along the Xindian River or fight the crowds depending on the day
- Danshui/Bali - eat specialties of the area and enjoy a sunset along the Danshui River
  - Hongmao Castle - the fort of the red-haired Dutch occupiers in Danshui
- Jiufen - a once prosperous mining town turned tourist destination
- Juming Museum - a giant outdoor showcase for sculptor Ju Ming’s work
- Lin Family Mansion and Garden - built in 1851, this mansion in Banchiao is a beautiful example of Qing-era houses found in Taiwan
- Wulai - this Atayal mountain village is an excellent escape from the city
- Yuantong Temple - built during the Japanese occupation this temple is a short bus ride from the Jingan MRT Station

Hsinchu County
- Neiwan - a Hakka community located in Hsinchu County for anyone needing a quick break from Taipei
Yilan County
- Caoling Trail - this historic trail once served as an important link between Danshui and Yilan
- Taoyuan Valley Trail - mountain views and water buffaloes on a trail that branches off the Caoling Trail

Western Taiwan

Chiayi County
- Alishan
  - Alishan Train Station - Taiwan’s largest wooden train station
  - Fenqihu - the half-way point on the way to the top of Alishan
  - Zhaoping Station and Shenmu Station - a short trail between these two stations provides lovely forest scenery
  - Zhushan Sunrise - greet a new day at 2,500 meters above sea level

Miaoli County
- Sanyi - a Hakka community with a lot of tourist destinations, this post barely scratches the surface on the area’s offerings

Taichung County
- 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan - in memory of the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake on September 21, 1999
- Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area - located in Heping Township, this beautiful park offers several hiking options for visitors
- Dong Fong Bicycle Green Way - biking in Taichung County
- Tan Ya Shen Bike Path - more biking in Taichung County

Eastern Taiwan

Hualian - explore the beautiful Taroko National Park: post includes the Shakadang Trail, the Eternal Spring Shrine, Tiansiang Temple, and the Tunnel of Nine Turns

Central Taiwan

Nantou County
- Bishan Temple - a massive temple in Nantou County
- Checheng - the terminal station of the Jiji Branch Line
- Dexing Waterfall - located in Lugu Township
- Fengguidou - Plum Blossoms on a beautiful mountain in Nantou
- Jhongsing Resident Artist Program - view the work of artists participating in the progam
- Jhongsing Village Lotus Pond - like Lotus flowers?
- Jiji Train Station - also included are pics from the Jiji Weir and the Old Kiln
- Mansion of Glory - a wonderfully preserved home built in 1928, in Caotun
- Nantou County Culture Park - unless you are excellent at reading Chinese, not much for you here
- Neihu Elementary School - wooden school with a beautiful green campus
- New Era Resort - Tung Blossoms in Nantou County
- Sun Moon Lake - the largest freshwater lake in Taiwan, buried in a massive post covering adventures from Changhua to Puli
- Taiwan Tea Experiment Station - specializing in the cultivation of broad-leaf black tea and small-leaf Baojhong tea
- Wu Xiu Bamboo Charcoal Kiln Culture Park -everything you wanted to know about bamboo charcoal but were too afraid to ask
- Zhongtai Monastery - post covers the Potted Plant Exhibition held on the monastery’s massive grounds

Southern Taiwan

Kaohsuing - Taiwan’s second largest city: post includes the historic British Consulate at Takao, the Cihou Battery, and the Love River
Pingtung County
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium - Taiwan’s beautiful marine park
- Kenting National Park - Taiwan’s first and southernmost national park
Tainan - Taiwan’s old capital, this massive post includes historic sites large and small: the Anping Artillery Fort, the Cianlong Seawall, the Julius Mannich Firm, the Anping Tree House, the Anping Old Fort [Fort Zeelandia], Chikan Tower [Fort Providentia], and the Eternal Golden Castle [Erkunshen Fortress]

Matsu

Beigan
- Biyuan and Ciaozai Village - post covers a small short trail and beautiful village on Matsu’s Beigan
- Cinbi Village - the most completely persevered group of traditional buildings in Matsu
- Houao Village - more traditional “one-stamp” buildings
- The Peace Memorial Park - outdoor museum hosts tanks, jeeps, and anti-aircraft guns while the indoor museum hosts a variety of weaponry
Nangan
- Beihai Tunnel - huge tunnel that can house over 100 small landing craft
- Dahan Stronghold - big guns and long tunnels
- The Folk Cultural Artifacts Exhibition Hall - introduces visitors to the culture and lifestyle of the Matsu islands.
- The Iron Fort - originally a training base for special amphibious forces
- The Matsu Nangan Heavenly Empress Palace - the temple keeps the tomb containing the personal belongings of Mazu
- The Matsu Distillery and Tunnel 88 - where Matsu Old Wine is made
- Sleeping on Spears, Awaiting the Dawn - by far the largest of General Chiang Kai-shek’s inspirational messages found on the island