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
- Jinguashi – its Gold Ecological Park preserves Taiwan’s mining history
- 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
- Yingge Ceramics Museum – a superb museum in Taiwan’s ceramics capital
- Yuantong Temple – built during the Japanese occupation this temple is a short bus ride from the Jingan MRT Station

Taoyuan County
- Cihu Presidential Mausoleum – serves as the temporary resting place of the late President Chiang Kai-shek

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
- Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village – aboriginal themed amusement park which hosts a spendid Cherry Blossom festival
- 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
- Taiwan Tea Experiment Station – specializing in the cultivation of broad-leaf black tea and small-leaf Baojhong tea
- Wangyou Forest – a section of pine forest which became a marshland and created a spectacular sight
- 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. A recent trip includes posts for the Zuoying Lotus Pond, the Dome of Light, Urban Spotlight, the Ciaotou Sugar Refinery, and the Singuang Ferry Wharf/Tunix Sky Tower.
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