Taiwan - Treasure Island of the East

[Raiders]

Some useful information to share.

1. Taiwan has no embassy in Singapore. However, they do have a tourism office in Singapore for visa application. Travellers can get some useful information there and some occasional promotion, discounts, maps and souvenirs.

MRT station: Raffles Place MRT station;
Building: Chevron House;
Address: 30 Raffles Place, #10-01, Chevron House, Singapore 048622;
Unit: #10-01;
Telephone: 65-6223-6546/7;
Email: [email protected]

Singapore passports can stay in Taiwan for 30 days. There is no requirement for visa. For other nationalities that requires a visa, the address is at:

Representative Office
Taipei Representative Office in Singapore
460 Alexandra Road, #23-00
PSA Building, Singapore 11996

2. Travel cheap. There are always budget airlines offering cheap and promotional airfares all year round. I recently bought 2 return air tickets at SGD215 each during a promotion. Keep checking those budget airline websites.

3. Select your months. Personally, I feel that Feb-March is the best month. Cooling weather, peach blossoms at Yang Ming Shan.

4. Ease of transportation from airport. Free Go Bus services brings you direct to Taipei City. Full fare NT140 / half fare NT70. Intervals 15-20 (minutes). Trip length approximately 1 hour.

Ticketing: Tickets sold at bus counters.
Terminal 1 bus pickup point: Bus pickup zone at B1 Arrivals.
Terminal 2 bus pickup point: Bus pickup zone at the northeast arcade of the 1st floor Arrivals lobby.

5. Youth saves more. Taiwan has a Youth Travel Card for tourists. If you are age 18-30, apply for the card while you're in Taiwan and they have loads of discounts. Remember, every penny counts

 

[Raiders]

Minsu VS Hotels

Minsu is the big thing in Taiwanese accommodation. The English called it Bed & Breakfast

In Taiwan, there are few places whereby Minsu will be a better choice than hotels. Places like Cingjing offers very little or no hotels. The only choice is Minsu and most don't come cheap. For travellers who wants a taste of Taiwanese family living, Minsu would be a good option as well. Top rated Minsu not only provides comfortable and clean accommodation, they provide fantastic home cook Taiwanese food as well.

One of the recommended Minsu in Cingjing - Dream Town Minsu

Minsu provides a more personal touch to your travel. Most Minsu owners can give great advice as to where to go during your stay in Taiwan.

In Taiwan, there are hotels called "Love Hotels". In Singapore, you call them Hotel 81 Travellers who are uncomfortable with the idea of staying in such hotels, please do your homework. The misses are often the one who are reluctant to stay in such places. Xin Bei Tou area for many of the love hotels. Taoyuan and Chungli also have many, as well near the interstate highways in Taiwan, as they are love motels that frequents by local motorists seeking for fun. However, recent developements have seen many modern and high end love motels popping up in Taiwan. Such new establishments are no longer sleazy and they provide couples with a comfortable and romantic environment to make out.

New High End Love Motel In Taipei

Hostels are a great way to meet new people and saves you quite a bit of money. I realised that Taiwan hotels are getting more and more expensive during my recent trip. If you travel with a relatively young group, hostel might be a good option for some. Most hostels in Taiwan have their showers, toilets and washrooms cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis. There's often a kitchen with cooking facilities and a fridge along with laundry facilities. There are often rooms with private bathroom as well. Prices tend to be lower than a hotel.

Hostels In Taipei

 

[jw5]

If you go to Taipei, Taiwan, remember to walk up and down Zhong Xiao Dong Lu 9 (or more) times.

It's a lovely street with many things to see and bustling even in the wee hours of the morning.

But better to walk in the daytime for safety reasons and do watch out for vehicles including motorcyclists who think nothing of riding on the pavement.

Do take some time to go to Danshui and Jiufen too.

Below is a video of a great song (imho) by the Taiwan group Power Station.

 

[Raiders]

If you go to Taipei, Taiwan, remember to walk up and down Zhong Xiao Dong Lu 9 (or more) times.

It's a lovely street with many things to see and bustling even in the wee hours of the morning.

But better to walk in the daytime for safety reasons and do watch out for vehicles including motorcyclists who think nothing of riding on the pavement.

Do take some time to go to Danshui and Jiufen too.

Thanks for the recommendation brother. I will share my input on Dan Shui later also

 

[Raiders]

Dan Shui (Tam Shui) 淡水

Dan Shui is a nice place to go to for an late afternoon-evening trip. Its about 35 minutes of MRT ride from Taipei Main Station. There are plenty of nice food, a good sunset and shops selling NaRaYa bags which I could not find in other parts of Taiwan.

You won't miss this signboard when you come out from the MRT station. Thats where the night market starts

Dan Shui Fisherman's Wharf (淡水漁人碼頭) is located further downstream from the town itself and offers a boardwalk, chic coffee shops and food windows, and some seafood restaurants with prices that the average local would consider outrageous (but may seem reasonable to visitors from Western countries). Fisherman's Wharf is also a departure point for tourist boats traveling along Taiwan's scenic northeast coast. The "Lover's Bridge", a single slanted tower cable stay pedestrian bridge, that is modeled after a sailing ship's mast and rigging, spans the harbor. The bridge's illumination changes color at night, making this area a favorite with local couples and romantics, and is also a popular site for shooting Taiwanese drama serials. Outdoor concerts are sometimes held in the amphitheater, and some of the restaurants feature live music at times.

 

[Muthukali]

I missing taiwan.

Welcome to taiwan oh....

 

[Raiders]

I missing taiwan.

Welcome to taiwan oh....

Im waiting for you to write a good travel guide leh, since you're always travelling.

 

[Enforcer]

Interesting article to share. A place worth visiting, but has never appeared in most people's travel plans.

Article first appear on MY PAPER Thursday Jan 10 2013 by Karen W.Lim

TAIWAN - It rains for over 200 days a year here.

But this doesn't dampen the spirits of the Atayal people in Bulaubulau, who play host to groups of tourists who come visiting for a day to down copious amounts of rice wine while indulging in a seven- course meal.

Nestled deep in the mountains in Yilan County, Bulaubulau is a small village that is home to members of the Atayal tribe, or "taiya zu" in Mandarin.

This is where clusters of nine families cook, hunt, weave and entertain guests who come here to learn about the culture of one of Taiwan's indigenous tribes.

There are no roads here and there's hardly any mobile network either. The only vehicle you'll encounter will be the jeep that will pick you up from the sleepy town of Hanxi, and then drop you off halfway up the mountain.

From there, the rest of the journey is on foot.

Three tribe members came down from the mountain to guide us up to their village.

Our main guide, Kwali, was a young chap who had returned to the mountain after studying in Australia for eight years.

Along the way, he showed us how the Atayal grow wild mushrooms, and pointed to the boar traps that they use to hunt the hairy beasts, which feature pretty heavily in their diet.

The climb wasn't treacherous. In fact, it was rather easy but because the place was mostly wet and the sky overcast, the track did get a little slippery from the m&d and leaves.

Once we reached the rustic-looking yet modern village, we were greeted and given lemongrass tea and skewers with marinated pork to barbecue over a fire pit.

This was when I had my first taste of Taiwan's aboriginal rice wine.

The rice wine is a shade of milky yellow and is considered valuable because of the immense amount of work required to harvest the rice and ferment the wine.

It is also used in some of the Atayal rituals.

We were told that Atayal newlyweds are made to drink from a small wine glass, cheek-to-cheek, and if any of it is spilled, this spells bad luck for the couple.

After downing a shot of rice wine, we were given a quick tour around Bulaubulau - quick because it's a rather small village.

We saw the Atayal living quarters, which, to our surprise and envy, were not old and dilapidated wooden huts but modern villa-like constructions that looked like what you might find at a holiday resort.

Taiwan has its fair share of typhoons throughout the year and to minimise the destruction of their huts, the Atayal built their houses in Bulaubulau with the backs facing the direction where the winds strike the hardest, our guide told us.

They reinforced these walls with bricks.

This also helps keep the houses cool during summer.

We were treated to demonstrations of how Atayal women make use of traditional weaving tools to create handicrafts and embroidery, and witnessed the painstaking process of making rice wine.

 

[Enforcer]

continued from previous post.


After the tour, we proceeded to a thatched hut for lunch.

The menu comprised mostly of fresh produce from the Atayal farm, the chickens that they keep, and meat from wild boar.

Four kinds of rice wine were served as pairing partners to some of the dishes.

So, before our last course, we were rather tipsy - but also rather merry.

Halfway through lunch, we followed our guide Kwali into a grass field, where we danced in their tribal footsteps and made friends with two goats nearby.

We then proceeded to make our own dessert - mua chee, made from the same fermented rice that's used to make wine.

Two people are required to pound the sticky glob into submission.

When it was ready, using just our fingers, we took out small pieces, dipping them in fresh honey before eating.

What I won't forget is the hospitality of the Atayal people, which was apparent from the moment we got there.

They were warm, friendly and generous, traits I've observed among many Taiwanese people.

As we were leaving Bulaubulau, we were each given a small bag with some Atayal local produce - a small gesture that comes from big hearts.

Maybe it was the effect of the alcohol, but spending a day in this hidden village made one forget that there's a noisy, modern world out there that is constantly screaming for attention.

Here, in the mountains, one feels light, and free.

How to get there

If you're heading to the village of Bulaubulau, you'd need to make a booking via www.bulaubulau.com Spaces are limited, so book at least three months in advance.

It costs NT$2,600 (S$110) per person, and excludes transport to a pick-up location in Yilan.

Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. "Bulaubulau" means "idling around" in the Atayal language - and that's mostly what you'll be expected to do when you get there.

To get there, first travel to Yilan, about 11/2 hours away from Taipei.

To get there, you can either take a train, or hire a car.

If you are travelling by train, take the fast train on the North Railway Line and alight at Toucheng, Yilan or Luodong stations.

But the fastest way to get to Yilan is by driving on the Taipei-Yilan Freeway No. 5.

Then head to your meeting point, where your guide will pick you up.

 

[Raiders]

Don't miss this festival if you are in Taiwan this month

2013 Taiwan Lantern Festival (2013-02-24~2013-03-10)
The Lantern Festival is held annually on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It marks the grand finale of the LunarNew Year season and is celebrated with fanfare by familiesacross the country. Firecrackers, fireworks, hand lanternsand torches all traditionally liven up the festivities as people welcome the New Year in a spirit of peace,prosperity and joy.

In earlier times, the main temples of Taipei—Guangdu Temple in Beitou, Ciyou Temple in Songshan and Qingshan Temple and Longshan Temple in Wanhua—all hosted decorative lantern displays during the Lantern Festival. To spare people the trouble of shuttling between the various temples, in 1989, the Minister of Transportation and Communications Clement C.P. Chang instructed Tourism Bureau Director General Mao Chi-kuo to consolidate the separate temple lantern displays into a single annual event.

Before this time, the Lantern Festival had been quickly fading from the consciousness in Taiwan's busy and commercial society. To reverse this trend, and bring back the festive air of the occasion, the Tourism Bureau planned the first large-scale festival on the 15th day of the first Lunar month, aiming to create a unique world-class event on par with the Munich Oktoberfest in Germany, Hokkaido Snow Festival, and Brazil's Carnival, to attract international visitors. Since that time, the Lantern Festival held annually by the Tourism Bureau has become a highlight event in Taiwan during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The Tourism Bureau held the first Lantern Festival in 1990. This year, the event enters its 24th year. Each year, the festival features a Main Theme Lantern based on the Chinese zodiac animal for the new years. This is complemented by secondary lanterns and areas highlighting different decorative lantern themes, such as the Blessing Lantern Area and Joyous Lantern Area. The event opens with performances by well-known local and international performance groups. Get ready to be dazzled at the 2013 Lantern Festival in Zhubei City, Hsinchu County.

 

[Raiders]

Taiwan International Orchid Show (2013-03-09 ~ 2013-03-18)

Taiwan International Orchid Show is one of the orchid professional shows in the world. According to our efforts, Taiwan occupies a pivotal position in the world of orchids, accounting for over 70 percent of the total value of Taiwan's horticultural exports around the world. Taiwan International Orchid Show 2012 attracted some 260,000 visitors which included nearly 3,000 foreign floral exports and buyers from abroad.

The annual Taiwan International Orchid show shows a large number of decorative floral displays, plus exhibits many rare orchid breeds. Orchid growers diligently cultivate top-quality orchids to wing the best-breed-trophy. In recently years, many innovative orchid planning were introduced to the enterprise landscape, decorative art, and blend with scientific technology. All these inventive elements were mixed together and made the Taiwan International Orchid Show a more diverse and attractive show to the general public.
Taiwan International Orchid Show 2013 is scheduled to be held on March 9~18, 2013 at Taiwan Orchid Plantation (T.O.P.). In additional to the orchid competition of the show, international orchid symposium, offered by world-renowned speakers and expert orchidists, the International Commercial Orchid Growers Organization(ICOGO) meeting, business matchmaking and talk in orchids and orchid-related materials, social activities, orchid nursery tours and so on. It purposes to promote domestic and international technical exchanges, expand export sales opportunities for Taiwan orchid industry and become the most professional orchid circulation platform worldwide. It is also one of the most colorful exhibitions in the year-round calendar of the Fair, having its own aspect and many friends. It will give ideas of how to make garden one of a kind, one's home cosy and beautiful. Here, one will find rare kinds of plants, pot, ornamental and blossoming flowers, shrubs and seeding, as well as accessories for them.

We sincerely welcome everyone at home and abroad to attend an annual orchid feast organized by TOP in Tainan County, Taiwan in March 2013.

 

[Enforcer]

Hot Springs In Taiwan

Yang Ming Shan

There are four major volcanic hot spring areas at Yangmingshan. They include the area bordering Yangmingshan National Park, Lengshuikeng, Macao and Huogengziping. The water in each area varies in mineral content, temperature and therapeutic effects. There are dozens of hot spring spas and hotels to choose from. Combine a bath with a scenic walk and delicious cuisine for a perfectly relaxing two-day visit.

Transportation: Take the No. 109, 260, 260 (Shuttle), 535 (Aux.), Minibus 9, Minibus 9 (Shuttle), or Red 5 bus to Yangmingshan National Park.

Beitou Hot Springs

Beitou has two faces. Old Beitou is the area where the local people have lived and worked for over a century and is located around Beitou MRT Station and Beitou Market, while Xin Beitou (New Beitou) is the area around Xin Beitou MRT Station and Qinshui Park that was developed as a hot spring resort during the Japanese era (1895-1945). In addition to the waters, Xin Beitou's other attraction was the girls, and the area had the dubious distinction of being one of Taiwan's largest illegal red light districts.

There are many hotels and traditional baths located around Qinshui Park (previously called Xin Beitou Park). This park is located directly across from Xin Beitou MRT station (Danshui line). Xingyi Road, the main road from Tianmu to Yangming Mountains in Beitou, also has many hot-springs-cum-restaurants, plus a couple of free public baths (at the top end where the bus turns back). For Xingyi Road, take bus 508 from Wenlin Road, Shilin (from Shilin MRT station exit 1, follow the overhead tracks and turn left at Zhongzheng Road and right at next crossroads [with pedestrian overpass], the 508 stop is on the right). On its way to Xingyi Road, the bus makes a stop opposite the Veterans Hospital in Shipai. Note: The spring water in Beitou is acidic, so don't wear anything that could be damaged by acid, such as pearls.

 

[Enforcer]

Su Ao Cold Spring Temperature: 22 °C

Su-ao Cold Spring (蘇澳冷泉) is located in Su-ao, Yilan County, Taiwan.

Su-ao Cold Spring has a spring water temperature of 22 °C.[1] It is both bathable and drinkable, and it has a pH of 5.5. According to Japanese researchers, the cold spring contains carbonic ion concentrations of 68ppm, the highest of all Taiwan springs. Its sodium ion concentrations were 14.3ppm and calcium ion 10.7ppm. The Su-ao Cold Spring is the only calcium hydroxy carbonic spring in Taiwan.

Su-ao Cold Spring contains a generous volume of carbon dioxide, which was in the past used to produce Ramune (Natural soda water).

Train: take TRA Yilan Line, get off at Su-ao station, then walk west appx. 300m to arrive.

Lushan Hot Spring Temperature: 87~90°C

Located at an altitude of 400 kilometers, Lushan offers the highest hot springs in Taiwan . The bicarbonate water here is clear, and bathing in it is said to ameliorate the symptoms of rheumatism and neuralgia. Dinking the water is said to regulate one's acidity and cure chronic gastritis. Every year, bathers enjoy the elegant cherry blossoms that bloom between winter and spring. The relaxing, curative effects and scenery of Lushan hot springs keep visitors coming back.

 

[Enforcer]

Green Island Temperature: 53~93°C

The Chao Ri hot springs on Green Island are the only seawater hot springs in Taiwan , and the only hot springs on an off-shore island. Visitors can enjoy the seaside coastal landscape while soaking in these hot springs . Modern spa facilities make the experience even more enjoyable. In addition to outdoor pools, the Chao Ri hot springs also boasts indoor pools, so rain or shine, every day is a good day to come and soak!

Jhihben Temperature: 45~56°C

Located in the Beinan Township , Taitung County , Jhiben is renowned as a hot springs resort. The service here is excellent and the water is not as hot as other hot springs , allowing bathers to jump right in. The hot springs water is also drinkable. Plunge straight in! And if you forget to close your mouth on the way in, fear not! In fact, go ahead and gulp some down!

Guanzihling Temperature: 75°C

Guanzihling hot springs have been renowned since the Japanese colonial era. Because the hot springs are loaded with minerals from subterranean rock strata, the water is of a dark grey hue; the hot springs are also referred to as the "m&d springs" or the "black hot springs". The abundant minerals make the skin soft and radiant. With the exception of the Sicilian hot springs and the Japanese Kagoshima hot springs , the Taiwanese Guanzihling hot springs are the only other hot springs of this kind.

Jiaosi Temperature: 87~90°C

Jiaosi hot springs have been a popular tourist destination since the Japanese colonial period. At that time, a hot springs bathing pool was built for public use. A profound hot springs culture has since sprung up here in Jiaosi, and the flatland hot springs are more popular than ever. Locals use the mineral water to grow mineral rich vegetables: a specialty of Jiaosi. Between the extra tasty vegetables and rich heritage, Jiaosi is more than just a hot springs venue; it's its own culture!

 

[Enforcer]

Don't forget to buy the bento on board the High Speed Rail in Taiwan. My favourite food. Yummy

 

[Raiders]

Suggested 10 Days Taiwan Itinienery

Work in progress

 

[YaoSiuKia]

Good news! Tiger Airways is running a promotion for Taipei for travelling in March. A return trip cost less than SGD300. Grab it fast. The Yang Ming Shan flowers are in full bloom at that period!

 

[YaoSiuKia]

Suggested Taiwan 9 Days 8 Nights Itinerary

I'll be going to Taiwan in July again and this is my planned itinerary

Day One: Reach Taipei Taoyuan Airport at 12 noon. Check in hotel near to Taipei Main Station. We will be staying at Cityinn Hotel due to the close proximity to the train station and through recommendations by friends and relatives. It costs about SGD100 per night.

After checking into the hotel, we will be visiting Maokong Gondola in Taipei. Simply just take a MRT ride to Taipei Zoo Station and walk to Maokong Gondola. The Zoo is located at Maokong Gondola site.

Note: Maokong Gondola Taipei Zoo Station's Visitor Center
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Friday: 09:00~21:00
Saturday to Sunday: 08:30~21:00
Telephone: 886-2-8661762

At night, we will be visiting the famous Shilin Night Market. There are plenty of nice food here. Some recommendations from me

A creation of night market vendors, the Taiwanese “hot dog” is actually a pork sausage wrapped in a glutinous rice sausage. It is delicious and can be eaten with a variety of sauces and condiments.

This very famous Taiwanese snack is called lo-ba-bung in the Taiwanese language, though its name in Chinese differs around the island. In northern Taiwan, it is called “Lurou Fan,” while in central and southern Taiwan it is sometimes referred to as “Rouzao Fan.”

Stinky tofu—some find it malodorous while others consider it aromatic. Beloved and feared by tourists, this famous night market food may be deep fried, steamed, stewed with mouth-numbing spices, or barbecued.

During my last trip to Taiwan, I put on at least 3KG due to overeating everyday :o So for those of you who are conscious of your health and weight, do watch out :p

 

[KhunPaen]

Got Taiwan clubbing tips & info? Thanks

 

[Enforcer]

Got Taiwan clubbing tips & info? Thanks

My personal recommendation. If you want to impress your date, get her into the mood of further romance, go to this place.

Get cool after the pool in our oasis offering light and healthy snacks, grilled favorites from our urban barbeque, and drinks to quench your thirst!

Fun, sun... done! Live it up by our beautifully landscaped poolside, where it's all about basking in the summertime, cool conversations, chilling out to your favorite DJs and their tunes, and attending the city's most sought-after W Happenings. With a panoramic view of the spectacular skyline, you'll never have to miss the sights, even as you live it up at our scene-setting party featuring an al fresco grill and all kinds of juices, smoothies, drinks and our famous neverending cocktail list to always keep you refreshed.

Cuisine: Light Fare
Atmosphere: Urban and Fun
Setting: Poolside Bar
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Smoking: No

Operation Hours:

Sunday through Thursday　 19:00PM - 2:00AM
Friday and Saturday　　　 19:00PM - 3:00AM