By A Not So Secret Life and Randomly Candid
The only things I knew of Taiwan then was that it was the country that popularized milk tea, and home of my favorite Asianovela, Meteor Garden.
My fellow Batang 90s can relate and would probably know Shan Cai and the F4 or the Flower 4 – Dao Ming Si, Hua Ze Lei, Mei Zuo and Ximen.
But after my recent Taiwan trip, I appreciated this country more (which just extended its visa-free policy for Filipino travelers by the way). The said trip was my first out-of-the-country travel collaboration. All thanks to Eon Travel and Tours for making it possible!
To help you plan out your Taiwan trip, here are some of the places you should include in your itinerary, aside from the famous Taipei 101 and night markets.
Shifen Old Street
Shifen Old Street is probably one of the most photographed attractions in Taiwan. Located in Pingxi area, Shifen Old Street is where you can fly a lantern along the railway. Each lantern costs 200 NTD and each color represents a different wish – red for good fortune, purple for idealism, blue for hope, white for health, yellow for success, pink for romance, orange for money, peach-red for decisions and opportunities and green for growth.
The railway is still functional and the train would pass by from time to time. But people can freely cross and release their lanterns while the track is clear. There are also a lot of souvenir shops beside the railway where tourists can shop for pasalubong at reasonable prices.
Shifen Waterfall
Located about 20 minutes away from Shifen Old Street, Shifen Waterfall is another popular attraction in Pingxi area. This 20-meter high waterfall is also known as the “Little Niagara” because of its horseshoe shape which resembles the Niagara Falls.
Before reaching the beautiful waterfall, you need to take a 15-minute walk and through a hanging bridge. You can also see the beautiful river and the scenic mountain view along the way. So, you need to find time to take some photos while passing by these spots.
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
If you love history, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is the place you should visit. It’s Taiwan’s most prominent historical landmark in honor of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, the former President of the Republic of China.
The said memorial hall has eight sides that resemble Chinese culture that represents fortune and wealth. The hall is also covered with blue tiles and red accents – the colors in the flag of the Republic of China.
There is also a museum on the ground floor of the memorial hall which shows the life of Chiang Kai-Shek. There are also some exhibits of Taiwan’s history from being part of the Republic of China until it became an independent country.
The highlight of the tour at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is the changing of the guards which happens every hour. The visitors are treated to a 15-minute exhibition as the guards are relieved by new ones.
Beitou Thermal Valley
My favorite in our itinerary, the sulphuric steam that surrounds Beitou Thermal Valley makes it look like a scene from a horror movie. Its label “Ghost Lake” doesn’t help either. But because of its undeniable natural beauty, it has also been known as one of the “12 Great Sights of Taiwan” during the Japanese era.
Beitou Thermal Valley is also the source of the hot springs in the area. To note, the temperature in the hot spring can even cook an egg in an instant. However, boiling eggs in Beitou Thermal is no longer allowed in order to maintain the water quality and also to keep the tourists safe from falling from the boiling water of the spring.
Xiaoyoukeng Recreational Area
One of the less explored spots in Taiwan, but is surely worth including in your itinerary, Xiaoyoukeng Recreational Area is located at the foot of Mt. Qixing. This beautiful natural spot can give you a close-up view of a landslide terrain which was formed by a post-volcanic activity.
It was actually my first time to be that close to a volcanic crater wherein you can see the natural steam that goes out of the cracks. Unfortunately, it was raining when we went there so I haven’t seen the peaks of its neighboring volcanoes. Our tour guide said that the cones of these volcanoes are visible at the viewing deck when the weather is clear.
Despite the rainy visit, we still enjoyed the magnificent view it offered. It’s beyond the usual I must say.
Yehliu Geopark
Probably one of the most photographed spots in Taiwan, I spent hours in this attraction trying to get the best angles. Yehliu Geopark exudes natural beauty, proving that Taiwan is indeed a home of natural wonders.
It is home to some of the most famous rock formations formed out of erosions caused by the seawater, strong waves and wind. The result of this erosion is a beautiful landscape that seems to resemble another planet. Others would compare it to planet Mars because of its orangey ground and odd rock formations.
Some of the rock formations were named based on their shapes such as Mushroom Rocks, Sea Candles and Fairy Shoe. But the most popular of them all is the Queen’s Head which serves as the icon of the Yehliu Geopark.
One important rule when in Yehliu Geopark is to stay behind the red lines which separate visitors from the danger zone as the rocks are very slippery and there’s a possibility that you can slide down to the deep ocean. Touching the eroded rocks are also prohibited as the rock formations are very delicate.
Plan out your Taiwan itinerary now and include these spots to maximize your trip. Special thanks to Eon Travel and Tours for facilitating this trip. I was able to enjoy my first ever trip to Taiwan without being stressed.
