Top Destinations to Visit in Taiwan
But after my recent Taiwan trip, I appreciated this
country more which just extended its visa-free policy for Filipino travellers.
The said trip was my first out-of-the-country travel collaboration. 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 different wishes - read 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 that the train would
still passby from time to time. But people can freely cross the track and
release their lanterns while the train is not yet approaching. 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 has a resemblance to North America’s Niagara Falls.
Before reaching the beautiful waterfall, you need to walk
first for about 15 minutes and pass by 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 which resembles
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 at 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 guards show
the visitors a 15-minute exhibition which is entertaining for the many.
Beitou Thermal Valley
My favorite in our itinerary, Beitou Thermal Valley looks
like a location in a horror movie because of the sulfuric steam that surrounds
the valley, making it to also to be tagged as a “Ghost Lake”. 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 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
also spent hours in this attraction just to get the best angle. Yehliu Geopark
exudes a natural beauty, proving that Taiwan is indeed a home of natural
wonders.
It is a home to some of the most famous rock formations
which were formed out of erosions caused by the seawater, strong waves and
wind. The result of this erosion is a beautiful landscape which is seems to
resemble another planet. Other would compare it to planet Mars because of its
orangey grounds and odd rock formations.
Some of the rock formations were names 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 serve as a warning to 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.
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