This month marks the 10th anniversary of this blog, so to celebrate I am making a blog tracing back our first round-island trip lasting 14 days and 13 nights made in 2014. During this journey we rented a car in Taipei, and circled Taiwan clockwise, visiting Taroko Gorge, Kenting, Xiaoliuqiu, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, and many more places along the way. I am the kind of guy who likes to bask in nostalgia, but also I hope that laying out this experience in the open as well as the lessons we learned about travel in Taiwan along the way (and what I know now in 2024) will be helpful to other foreigners coming to Taiwan.
Some background on why this trip happened: This was not our first trip to Taiwan. Scott and I had been Latter-day Saint missionaries in Taiwan from 2011 to 2012 in the Taichung Mission, which covers Taichung to Pingtung but nothing north or east of that. We still had a lot of friends in Taiwan that we missed, we missed Taiwanese food, and there were the entire north and east parts of the island for us to explore. We decided it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour Taiwan now because later on in our lives we would likely have work and family obligations that would not allow us to take a 14-day trip around Taiwan. Being poor college students at the time, we had a very limited budget (for reference, I was making 700 USD a month as a janitor and I could only save about half of that after rent and food). Originally another friend planned to come with us, but he backed out because he got married. Scott's brother Matt decided to come along too. Just so you know, Scott and I know Chinese, but Matt doesn't. It makes traveling easier to know the language but you can still get by in Taiwan without it. The Plane Ride: We took the cheapest flight available on Shenzhen Airlines, which had many flights for cheap to the US at the time. For 700 USD we bought a round trip from LA to Beijing to Taipei and back. Renting a car in Taiwan: Before we began our trip, we planned on rounding the island by Scooter. This can be a fun way to explore Taiwan. As a side note, you can book a Motorcycling experience on Klook here, or a half-day Motorbike Tour on KKday here. If you are looking for a multi-day, in-depth tour of Taiwan via motorbike, we recommend contacting [email protected] who schedules regular 10-day motorbike tours of Taiwan. The tour guide is a long-term expat in Taiwan who has been giving riding tours of Taiwan for 16 years now. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. After crunching the numbers, we figured that we could rent a car for just as cheap as three scooters, and we wouldn't have to worry about rain or luggage. A scooter would be 300 NT per day, and for three people 900 NT per day, but we found a car rental place that would rent us a small Nissan March for 700 NT a day (that car company was called Good Cars 固得汽車 in Zhonghe, you can find their information in our Taiwan Car Rental Guide here). After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport, we took a bus to Taipei and made our way to Zhonghe at a friend's house and picked up the rental car. At the end of the trip, we found the price was a few thousand NT more than we expected because of highway tolls (about 1.5 NT per kilometer). SIM Card: I bought a pre-paid SIM card from Taiwan Mobile for 500 TWD that lasted the whole trip. I think it was only a few GB of data, but I had a crappy phone and was not using much data. Map: Check out a map of places we visited on this trip below:
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Rugu Mountain in Taoyuan is popular for its amazing night views as well as panoramic views of the Taoyuan Plain. Here you can also find many tea and coffee shops on top of the mountain where you can enjoy the views. It is a great place to enjoy the landscape and natural scenery in Taoyuan.
Historical Background: The name Rugu means a woman's breast, and the mountain was named this because of its unique shape. Rugu is also the name of Mrs. Tang, from the Tang Dynasty, who breastfed her mother-in-law who had lost all her teeth due to old age, and is a symbol of filial piety in Chinese culture. The area around Rugu Mountain was settled by Hakka farmers from China, and many of the coffee shops and restaurants nearby serve Hakka food. There are also many tea plantations on the mountain due to abundant rainfall in the area. Rugu Mountain is 390 meters high. From the top of the mountain, you can enjoy views of the Dahan River Plain, Zhongli, Yangmei Qingpu, and Linkou, and on clear days you can even see Taipei City and the Taipei 101 fireworks. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Take National Freeway 3 to Longtan. Then take Highway 67 up the mountain. There is lots of free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: From Longtan, take Highway 67 up the mountain. There is lots of free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: The nearest bus stop is Nansheqi南蛇崎. It is about a 1 KM walk up the mountain from there. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: See below:
Current time and date in Taiwan:
Did you know that Taiwan once used daylight savings time? In this blog, in addition to the current time and date in Taiwan, we will cover the history of telling time in Taiwan, as well as a table of ROC years, Japanese Imperial Years, and Chinese Dynastical Years which can be a useful reference when researching Taiwan's history.
Q: What time is it in Taiwan right now? A: You can check the current time and date for Taiwan above (12-hour): You can also check the current time for Taiwan below (24-hour): Q: What is the current date in Taiwan right now? A: You can check the current date for Taiwan above.
Q: What is the current date in Taiwan right now in ROC years? What is the ROC year for Taiwan?
You can check the current date for Taiwan in ROC years below:
Current Date, ROC Year:
Q: What Time Zone does Taiwan use?
A: Taiwan uses the China Standard Time (CST) time zone, which is UTC/GMT +8 hours, in other words, it is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Q: Does Taiwan have different time zones? A: No, Taiwan has the same time zone throughout the whole country, which is China Standard Time (CST) (UTC/GMT +8 hours). This means it is the same time in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, along with all the outer islands like Kinmen, Matsu, Green Island, and Lanyu.
Douliu Tourist Night Market is the largest night market in Yunlin County and the largest night market in Taiwan by number of stalls available. Even though it is only open three nights a week, there are hundreds of stalls that feed thousands of people when it is open. Popular foods here include Taiwanese steak and eggs, sausage, stinky tofu, and many other Taiwanese night market staples.
Historical Background: Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by the Hoanya (洪雅族) native tribespeople, who named the area Tawrag. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. The native people named the area and translated Tawrag into Taiwanese as Táu-la̍k-mn̂g (Douliumen 斗六門 in Mandarin). The area was also Dutch control during the Dutch colonization of Taiwan. By the Qing Dynasty, Douliumen had become a sizable community mostly comprised of Hoanya Aborigines, but more and more Chinese merchants began to set up shops in the city. During the Douliumen Battle in 1862, the settlement was taken over by rebels led by Dai Chaichun but was retaken by the Qing Army in 1863. After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1895, anti-Japanese forces fought the Japanese in Douliu as part of the Yiwei War. During the ROC era, Yunlin County was established in 1950 and Douliu was made the County Seat. With over 100,000 people, Douliu is the most populous administrative region in Yunlin. Douliu Tourist Street Night Market began operations at the end of 2021. Before that, Douliu's Renwen Night Market (斗六人文夜市) was the largest in Yunlin. Most of the stalls at Renwen Night Market moved to the new location. Douliu Tourist Night Market includes three different parking lots and nearly 1000 stalls, making it the largest night market in Taiwan when it began operations. The night market is just one block away from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (國立雲林科技大學) meaning that there are plentiful students seeking cheap night market snacks nearby. In March 2024, the night market began to open on Sundays too. Hours: Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4 PM to 12 Midnight Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go west to Douliu. The night market is on the south end of town in the middle of some farmer's fields. There is free scooter parking near the night market. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 3, get off at the Douliu Exit and keep going west until you reach Douliu City. From Provincial Highway 1, go west to Douliu. The night market is on the south end of town in the middle of some farmer's fields. There is limited free parking nearby and paid parking near the night market. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Train: The Night Market is within walking distance of Douliu TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. By HSR: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 201 for about 40 minutes to Douliu TRA Station. The Night Market is within walking distance of the old street. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Jiaobanshan is a scenic area in the mountainous Fuxing District of Taoyuan. Here you can enjoy majestic views of Xikou Suspension Bridge and the Dahan River. You can also enjoy a local shopping area and the aboriginal culture of the area nearby.
Brief Historical Background: Fuxing District is the largest district in Taoyuan City, and also the least populous (13,000) and is home to the Ayatal aboriginal tribe who have inhabited the area for centuries. They named the area Pyasan, meaning a trading post. The area was named Jiaobanshan during the Qing Dynasty by Liu Mingchuan because the area resembled triangular shapes, shaped by the Dahan River. In 1954, the area was renamed Fuxing (meaning rejuvenation) District by Chiang Kai-shek as a token of the rejuvenation of the nation. The area is known for its aboriginal culture and as a recreational mountain area, especially for such places as Xiaowulai and Lalashan. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Take Provincial Highway 7 east up Fuxing District until you get near Jiaobanshan and turn right onto Ren'ai Road. There is limited parking nearby. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 7 east up Fuxing District until you get near Jiaobanshan and turn right onto Ren'ai Road. There is limited parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: You can take many different busses to Taoyuan Bus Fuxing Station. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Check out the map below:
Taiping Old Street in Douliu is a well-preserved historic area with century-old baroque-style buildings dating back to the Japanese era of Taiwan. Here you can find many restaurants that serve local snacks and delicacies such as squid soup, taro ball soup, spring onion pancakes, and more. It is usually a popular and busy spot, especially on holidays and weekends.
Historical Background: Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by the Hoanya (洪雅族) native tribespeople, who named the area Tawrag. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. The native people named the area and translated Tawrag into Taiwanese as Táu-la̍k-mn̂g (Douliumen 斗六門 in Mandarin). The area was also under Dutch control during the Dutch colonization of Taiwan. By the Qing Dynasty, Douliumen had become a sizable community mostly comprised of Hoanya Aborigines, but more and more Chinese merchants began to set up shops in the city. During the Douliumen Battle in 1862, the settlement was taken over by rebels led by Dai Chaichun but was retaken by the Qing Army in 1863. After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1895, anti-Japanese forces fought the Japanese in Douliu as part of the Yiwei War. During the ROC era, Yunlin County was established in 1950 and Douliu was made the County Seat. With over 100,000 people, Douliu is the most populous administrative region in Yunlin. Taiping Old Street is located on Taiping Road in Douliu City and is about 600 meters long. Historically, Taiping Road has always been Douliu's main commercial street and serves as a connecting road to rural areas around the city. The buildings on the old street are primarily designed in the Baroque style and many are over 90 years old dating back to the Japanese Era. The old street is full of many restaurants that serve local snacks and delicacies such as squid soup, taro ball soup, spring onion pancakes, and more. It is usually a popular spot, especially on holidays and weekends. However, it is a busy street and is not a blocked-off pedestrian area. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities and Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go west to Douliu. Taiping Street is right in the center of town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 3, get off at the Douliu Exit and keep going west until you reach Douliu City. Taiping Street is right in the center of town. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Train: The Old Street is within walking distance of Douliu TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. By HSR: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 201 for about 40 minutes to Douliu TRA Station. The Train Station is within walking distance of the old street. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
If Taiwan is the best kept secret in Asia, then Penghu is the best kept secret of the best kept secret in Asia. It has just everything you could possibly want from a tropical island vacation getaway. Less than an hour plane ride from Taipei with multiple flights daily, it's also easy to get to. We are sure that a trip to Penghu is one that you will not regret, and there will be more things to do than you could ever have time for.
History of Penghu: The Penghu Islands were historically an important strategic position for trade and military defense in the area. The Dutch, French, and Japanese all led campaigns against these islands. The Dutch first invaded Penghu in 1622, but soon after retreated to Anping after a treaty was made with the Ming Dynasty. Konxinga later took control of Penghu and Taiwan after defeating the Dutch in 1661, Later, Kongxinga's kingdom fell to the Qing Dynasty. In 1885 during the Sino-French war for control of Vietnam, the French sent a fleet to Taiwan but failed to take the island. Later they attacked the Penghu Islands and occupied them for a short time, before retreating to Vietnam due to the Treaty of Tianjin. After Japan took control of Korea in 1894, they also attacked and occupied Penghu in 1895, after which the Qing Dynasty ceded the islands to them. After World War II, the islands were given to the ROC government, which retreated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War and still controls the islands today under a free democratic government. How to get there: By Plane: There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung airports to Makung. the flight takes roughly under and hour. Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip. There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei, with charted flights to Hong Kong starting September 2018. There are flights to and from Taipei Songshan Airport three times a day via Uni Air. You can book flights on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here. By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT. You can book ferry boat tickets from Chiayi on Klook here, or ferry boat tickets from Tainan on KKday here. Getting Around on the Islands: By Ferry Boat: The only way to get to smaller islands without airports is by ferry. You can check KKday here or Klook here for ferry tickets or buy them at the harbor. By Scooter: We recommend taking a scooter as the most efficient and convenient type of transport on the islands. However, most places require a local scooter license. You can rent a scooter for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car / taxi: A car is also sensible in Penghu because the main island is pretty spread out. You can rent a car for Penghu on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: a bus is possible on the main island, but it will be slower and more unpredictable. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands such as snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, sailing, canoeing, starlight Marine Ranch, wakeboarding, seafood Barbeque, massage, yachting, glamping, trampoline Water Sports, South Penghu Marine National Park, SUP / Paddle Boarding, kayaking, night fishing, Sheraton Four Points Eatery, Dragon Palace Intertidal Zone, Jibei Sand Tail, and many more options. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Accommodation: We have stayed at and recommend Han's Hostel which had great service and is right next to Shanshui Beach, the best beach in Penghu (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here), and Cherry Inn Penghu, a newly renovated homestay in downtown Magong with great service and great prices (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Klook here, Trip.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. When to go there: Spring to Autumn. Winters are rather miserable. Map: Please see below:
Every time I see a stock photo of Taipei shot from Elephant mountain, a little part of me dies inside because Taipei has so many other beautiful viewpoints and vistas. If you are looking for stock photos of Taipei, consider going to one of the following locations to take a less cliché photo.
The following blog is a list of places I have been with the best views of Taipei. When I say Taipei, it means the Taipei 101 is somewhere in the photo, so you could say these are the best views of the Taipei 101 or something like that. There are literally infinite views of Taipei for you to discover, this is only a list of some. I am also sure that I will add to this list in the future. Tours in Taipei: There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Taipei that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. Attractions in Taipei: There are many attractions that you can enjoy in Taipei such as Taipei 101 Observatory, Taipei 101 460 Skyline Observatory, Taipei Children's Amusement Park, Maokong Gondola, National Palace Museum, Yehliu Geopark, and many more attractions on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Activities in Taipei: Don't forget that there are many activities available in Taipei such as Indoor Skiing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, Archery, Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Tree Climbing, Urban Camping, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Escape Room, Shen'ao Rail Bike, Laser Gun Experience, Batting Cages, Bowling, Paintball, Flight Simulation Experience, Taipei Tram Driving Experience, Rail Simulation Experience, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels in Taipei: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Grand Hyatt (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Marriot (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Sheraton (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), Shangri-la (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), and Regent (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here), which are all very high quality hotels in the middle of Taipei City. We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get around in Taipei: Taipei's transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around in Taipei below: By Train: Gets you to the city center of all major cities in Taiwan. It is about 800NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Roughly half the price of the HSR. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By HSR: (High-Speed Rail) – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bus: Buses can be tricky. Long-range buses such as Ubus and King Bus are easier to understand and cheaper than the local train. They can take you to the city center of every city throughout Taiwan and to remote tourist destinations such as sun moon lake. A long-range bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung is about 500 NT. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see a map of most of the places in this blog below:
Hualien is the largest county in Taiwan and is considered by many to be the most beautiful. It includes a breathtaking coastline along the Pacific Ocean, including cliffs thousands of meters high, marble gorges, fertile valleys, and a large section of Taiwan's central mountain range. Hualien is simply a must-stop location on your trip to Taiwan.
Historical Background Hualien was first inhabited by Sakiraya aborigines and was known as Kilai. Later the Spanish came here to pan for gold for a brief period. Afterward, the first Han Chinese settlers came to the area in 1851 and named the place Hualien after the swirling delta of the Liwu River. During the Japanese era, many Japanese people were relocated here to develop agriculture. Now Hualien is the key population center on Taiwan's East Coast. When to visit? Hualien is great year round, but it can get a little hot in the summer, and Typhoon season and heavy rain season last from about May to October. If you are afraid of the heat and rain then you can visit during winter when the temperatures are mild and the climate is usually dryer. Where to stay? The best hostel I’ve ever stayed at is “When Happiness Knock Your Door” “幸福來敲門” in Hualien. The hostess will go out of her way to make you comfortable and her rooms are kept extremely nice. Also it was one of the few hostels I’ve ever been to that has an elevator. Her price is well below the quality you will enjoy. She has almost a perfect rating on Booking.com and Agoda. You can book When Happiness Knock Your Door on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, Kayak here, TripAdvisor here, or Klook here. We have also stayed at and recommend Dream Taiwan Homestay (Agoda / Booking.com / Expedia / Hotels.com), a high quality hostel for the money in downtown Hualien, Farglory Hotel (Agoda / Booking.com / Expedia / Hotels.com), right next to Farglory Ocean Park with amazing views of Hualien, and Goldenflower B&B (Agoda / Booking.com) in Yuli right next to Sixty Stone Mountain. You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get to Hualien? You can book tickets to travel to Hualien via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. How to get around in Hualien: As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Tainan by taking the train, inter-city bus, local bus, biking, or just walking. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. Scooter Rental: Looking for a scooter rental in Hualien? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. Car Rental: If you are looking for car rentals in Hualien, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Tours: You can find more tours and activities in Hualien such as Surfing, Paragliding, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Canoeing, River Tracing, River Rafting, Whale Watching, Snorkeling, Diving, ATV / 4-wheeling, Paintballing, Farm Dream Estates Zoo, Water Biking, Oyster Harvesting, Shrimp Harvesting, Indigenous Experience, Glamping, Cycling, Ziplining and much more on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Map: Please see the map below for the areas we will cover in the blog.
Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and was the capital of Taiwan for over 200 years. It is also said to be the culinary capital of Taiwan, with many traditional Taiwanese snacks that originated here. Surrounded by historical sites, from the Dutch, Koxinga, and Qing Dynasty, it is a great place to enjoy Taiwan's interesting history and its delicious cuisine.
Below I will list some of the best places in Tainan that I have visited. I will be sure to update this blog as I visit more places later. When to visit? Tainan is great year-round, but it can get a little hot in the summer, and Typhoon season and heavy rain season last from about May to October. If you are afraid of the heat and rain then you can visit during winter when the temperatures are mild and the climate is dryer. Where to stay? Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center. If you only want to visit old Tainan, you can book a hotel near the west part of downtown and consider walking or cycling around the city. We have stayed at and recommend Liho Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Hotels.com here), a quality hotel right next to Chikan Tower, and Famouse Hotel (you can book on Agoda here or Klook here), which is another great hotel also within walking distance of Chikan Tower in old Tainan. You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get to Tainan? You can book tickets to travel to Tainan via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Tainan via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. How to get around in Tainan: As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Tainan by taking the train, inter-city bus, local bus, Youbike, or just walking. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. Scooter Rental: Looking for scooter rental in Tainan? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. Car Rental: If you are looking for car rentals in Tainan, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Tours: You can find more tours and activities in Tainan such as SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Oyster Harvesting, Wind Surfing, Glamping, Life Sciences Museum, Zuojhen Fossil Park, National Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology, Astronomical Education Area, Arphology Museum, Tainan Art Museum, Ten Drum Cultural Village, Shuei Jiao She Cultural Park, Yukids Island, Container Park, Austin Land, Tsou Ma Lai Farm, Reality Game Experience, Thai Massage, Great Wall Exhibition, Wanpi World Wildlife Park, Zengwen Reservoir Yacht Tour, Anping Canal Cruise, Zoumase Farm and more on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Map: You can see a map of all the places that we will visit in this blog below:
Yes, you should go to Kenting. Kenting has some of the best natural scenery in Taiwan, from beautiful white sand beaches that are warm year round to limestone mountains with hundreds of caves and waterfalls to explore. Although it may not be a world class beach resort destination yet, it should definitely be on your list on your trip to Taiwan.
Historical Background: The area around the Hengchun Peninsula was once coral that has been uplifted over millions of years. The first people to live here were Taiwan aboriginals, from the Paiwan and Puyuma tribes (who caused the Rover Incident as portrayed in Seqalu: Formosa 1867). Kenting was first settled by Han farmers and fishermen during the Qing Dynasty. The word Kenting comes from two words that mean cultivate (ken3 墾) and strong man (丁 ding1). During that time, a group of strong men (or Zhuang Ding 壯丁) came from Guangdong, who were basically Chinese pioneers of the area to cultivate the land, hence the area was named Kenting for them. The aboriginal people were mostly assimilated with the local Chinese population. The area was considered to be made into a park during the Japanese occupation due to it being the only tropical location in the Japanese Empire, but was never officially created. During the Japanese era, Nanwan was used as a whaling area and there were a few fishing villages here. The Whaling industry continued here in the ROC era until the international ban on whaling in 1986. Kenting National Park was established in 1984 as the first national park in Taiwan after WWII. Kenting became a major vacation spot, becoming a center for hostels and hotels for travelers. Kenting is considered by many to have the best beaches in Taiwan. This is because of its fine white sand and year-round warm temperatures and sunshine (it is in the tropical part of Taiwan after all). When to go: Summer is the best time to go because there is warm sunny weather and not a lot of wind. However, there are more people and there may be Typhoons. Winters are windy and colder, but the water is still warm enough to swim in. Winter is a better time for activities like hiking and surfing. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes provincial highway 26. After that keep going past Hengchun into Kenting National Park. Looking for scooter rental in Kenting? Click here or here to search for options. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus: Busses leave daily to Kenting from Zuoying HSR station, Kaohsiung Station, and Pingtung. You can book tickets to Kenting via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here, or book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can book tickets to travel to Kenting via inter-city bus on Klook here. Once in Kenting, you can save money by booking Kenting's bus pass. By Plane: There are direct shuttle busses to Kenting from Kaohsing's Xiaogang (KHH) Airport. You can search for cheap flights in Taiwan here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Where to stay: Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. I have stayed at many hostels and hotels in Pingtung, and even almost bought a house here. Some places that I have stayed at and can recommend are Nanwan Kiki (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), a B&B next to Nanwan Bay, Kenting's most popular Beach. There are also a few decent hotels near Kenting Street Night Market like Kenting Star Inn 888 (book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Booking.com here), or Kenting Dajianshan Hotel (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). You will notice that none of these hotels are five star resorts (I do not come to Kenting to waste my time at a resort, but you can still search Agoda, Booking.com, or Klook here for those) but they are in my opinion the above have the best value for the money. How to get around in Kenting: 1. Rent a scooter - the best way to see Taiwan. Electric scooters that do not require a license are also readily available. For better range and speed, rent a gas scooter. You can search for scooter options here or here, and you can check out our scooter rental guide here. 2. Rent a car - more expensive than a scooter but may be more suitable for a large family. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 3. Take the Kenting bus - cheap but slower than your own transportation, and it doesn't stop everywhere. You can book tickets to travel to Kenting via inter-city bus on Klook here. 4. Cycle - you can rent a bicycle or bring your own. This is a great way to enjoy the scenery at a slower pace. You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 5. Hire a taxi - more expensive than a rental car but perhaps more convenient. You can also search for a car charter service here or here. Tours and Activities in Kenting: There are many activities available in Kenting, such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. You can find more tours of Kenting on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Places we will cover in this blog:
Map of sites in this blog:
CTCB Bank office building in Nangang, Taipei
Taiwan's working environment can be confusing to those who are learning about this topic for the first time. There is a different work culture here than in other countries, and expectations in the workplace are not the same. In this blog, we will answer some frequently asked questions about working in Taiwan.
Foreword: Please note that in the following blog I will share my personal views. As you can tell, I am biased and I prefer American work culture. Overall, I think Taiwan's work culture is stuck in the past, is based on a manufacturing economy, and needs to improve to accommodate modern office work. My views are based on my experience of working in very traditional Taiwanese work cultures over ten years in Taiwan. Not every Taiwanese company has these problems and some foreigners in Taiwan are lucky to work for companies with more western oriented work culture, but according to my experience with others working in Taiwan as normal employees (not on secondment assignments) the following will be true. How are communication styles different between Taiwan and the West? Taiwanese communication style is more indirect, formal, and hierarchical, while American communication style is more direct and informal. In Taiwan, it is customary to show respect to authority figures and senior colleagues by using formal titles and deferential language. Direct confrontation is also avoided, and criticism is often delivered in an indirect manner. In contrast, Americans tend to be more direct in their communication style, often speaking their mind freely and openly expressing their opinions. Hierarchy is another area where Taiwanese and American work cultures diverge. In Taiwan, hierarchy is deeply ingrained in the culture, with respect and deference paid to those in positions of authority.
Longtan Lake is a beautiful scenic lake in the middle of Longtan District of Taoyuan. Here you can find majestic scenery, stroll across five bridges around the lake, enjoy local cuisine, and marvel at the Longtan temple which sits on an island in the middle of the lake. It is also the location of boat races during the Dragon Boast Festival. It is a great place to spend an afternoon with the whole family.
Brief Historical Background: Longtan Lake is man made, and was created for irrigation purposes in 1748 by local leader Zhimuliu. During the Qing Dynasty, the lake was called Lingtanpi in honor of the local temple at the time, but was changed to Longtan during the Japanese era likely as a mistake since the name sounds the same in Taiwanese. The Lake spans 18 Hectares and is about half a meter deep. After the construction of the suspension bridge in 1971 and Nantian Temple in 1972 on a man made island in the lake, the lake soon became a major tourist attraction in the area. In the summer, a child's splash pool opens on the southern side of the lake. There are also bike paths, a children's playground, walking trails, a music memorial hall, and paddle boat rentals. The area Hours: 24/7 Longtan Dragon Boat Races: June 8th-10th 2024 Check out our full guide to Taiwan's dragon boat festival here. Price: Free Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Take National Freeway 3 to Longtan. The pond is near the city center. There is limited paid parking near Nantian Temple and also other paid parking nearby. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 3 to Longtan, then continue southwest until you reach the lake. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: There are many buses that leave from Zhongli TRA station to Longtan. The ride takes about an hour. You can also take an inter-city bus from Taipei Main Station. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Check out the map below:
Qingpu Cypress (Dawn Redwood) Grove in Huwei, Yunlin County is a beautiful place to enjoy fall colors. There are many places like this in rural Taiwan that have recently become hot spots for Instagrammers. Normally, Taiwanese people would have to travel overseas to see cypress trees in fall colors, but now thanks to many independent farmers in Taiwan, these cypress groves make it easier for Instagrammers to take amazing European-like photos every year from November to February.
Historical Background: Bald Cypress, Metasequoia, or "dawn redwood" trees (落羽松) originate from the southern United States but were imported to Taiwan in 1901 by the Japanese. These trees like wet and humid environments and thrive well in Taiwan. They absorb a considerable amount of carbon dioxide. However, due to the hot weather in southern Taiwan, their growth there is less than ideal, so they are mainly concentrated in the central and northern regions such as Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli. The first real tourist Cypress Grove was the Nanxing Metasequoia Forest in Taoyuan, which actually began as a plantation established by a construction company owner. Over a decade ago, he leased land in Daxi and planted over 3,000 Cypress trees to meet the needs of his construction projects as lumber. Later, aerial photos taken by the public unexpectedly turned it into a popular tourist destination. After the success of this farm nearly 10 years ago in roughly 2014, many similar cypress farms and gardens have sprung up around Taiwan, attracting visitors. Many of these places charge an entrance fee. The Secret Garden of Qingpu is the private sanctuary of former Yunlin County Magistrate, Chang Rong-wei. It sits adjacent to the Huwei Sugar Factory, on the eastern side of the riverbank road by the Huwei Iron Bridge. Inside the garden, meticulously crafted small mounds create an undulating landscape. Nestled among these are small ponds, reflecting the majestic Cypress trees against the backdrop of the sky, evoking the serene beauty similar to the landscapes of Northern Europe. When to go: The best time to go is between November and February when the Cypress trees are in fall colors. Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM Closed on weekends. Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From National Freeway 1, go west on Highway until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. The Academy is then in walking distance. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
You may have been to the Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan's largest airport, but do you know about the two plane-spotting balconies in Terminal 2, Lego area, mock old street eating area, or dumpling-shaped benches? In this blog, we will reveal some of the secrets to Taiwan's Taoyuan Airport.
Historical Background: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (aka Taipei-Taoyuan International Airport, or TPE) serves mainly northern Taiwan including Taipei City and is the largest and busiest airport in Taiwan. The Taoyuan International Airport opened in 1979, due to overcrowding in the smaller Songshan Airport in Taipei City, and was part of the Ten Major Construction Projects under President Chiang Ching-kuo. The airport was originally named after his father, former president Chiang Kai-shek, but was changed to the Taoyuan International Airport in 2006. Currently, China Airlines, EVA Airlines, Starlux Airlines, and Tigerair Taiwan have their headquarters at Taoyuan International Airport. Terminal 2 in Taoyuan International Airport was opened in 2000 due to more overcrowding. Terminal 3 is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2026. A fourth terminal is also planned. In 2019 the airport saw over 48 million passengers and 265,000 aircraft. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Places to eat / restaurants at Taoyuan Airport: Terminal 1: Before Security: B1 Food Court (including Burger King), 1F Subway, 3F Food Court (including Starbucks) After Security: 3F Departure Hall Terminal 2: Before Security: B2 Food Court, 1F (two coffee shops only), 4F Food Court, 5F Old Street Food Court After Security: 3F Departure Hall, 4F Departure Hall For full food options in the Taoyuan Airport in Chinese, check out this article here. Where to stay: Looking for the best hotels near Taoyuan Airport? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get to Taoyuan International Airport from Taipei: By Car/Taxi: Take National Freeway 2 to Taoyuan Airport. There is paid parking at the airport. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. Time: about 40 minutes one way. Price: About 2000 NT one way. By Scooter: From Taoyuan, take Provincial Highway 4 to the airport. There is paid scooter parking at the airport. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. Time: about 1.5 hours one way from Taipei. Price: A full tank of gas (150 NT) one way. You will not be able to take much luggage. By Bus: Take Ubus from Kbus from Taipei Main Station straight to the airport T1 or T2. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan Airport via inter-city bus on Klook here. Time: about 40 minutes one way. Price: About 160 NT one way. By MRT (Mass Rapid Transit): To get to Taoyuan International Airport from Taipei Main Station, take the airport MRT to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. Time: about 40 minutes one way. Price: About 160 NT one way. By HSR (High Speed Rail): Take the HSR to Taoyuan HSR Station, then switch to the Airport MRT. – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Time: about 40 minutes one way. Price: About 180 NT one way. How to get from Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei Main Station: By Car/Taxi: Take National Freeway 2 from Taoyuan Airport and then transfer onto National Freeway 1. Take the exit to Taipei. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. Time: about 40 minutes one way. Price: About 2000 NT one way. By Bus: There are buses that leave from both Terminal 1 and 2 straight to Taipei Main Station Hourly (Kbus and Ubus). You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan Airport via inter-city bus on Klook here. Time: about 40 minutes one way. Price: About 160 NT one way. By MRT (Mass Rapid Transit): Take the Airport Express Train MRT from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to Taipei Main Station. The Express Trains are faster and have space for luggage. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. Time: about 40 minutes one way. Price: About 160 NT one way. By HSR (High Speed Rail): Take the airport MRT from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 to Taoyuan HSR station. (High-Speed Rail) – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Time: about 40 minutes one way. Price: About 180 NT one way. Map: Check out the map below:
Huwei Iron Bridge, also known as Huwei Sugar Factory Bridge, is an old railway bridge dating back to the Japanese rule of Taiwan in 1907. The bridge is nearly half a kilometer long and is now part of the Huwei Sugar Factory Riverside Park. Popular activities here include cycling, jogging, and taking selfies. It is a great place to enjoy the history and beauty of the local area.
Historical Background: Huwei Sugar Factory was built in 1906 before Huwei Town existed. The town began to develop on the outskirts of the sugar factory as employees began to settle nearby. The sugar factory is still operating and processing sugar. There is also a Taisugar ice cream shop that operates nearby. The Huwei Sugar Factory Bridge was originally a wooden bridge built during the Japanese era to facilitate the transportation of sugarcane to the Huwei Sugar Factory and was constructed in 1907. Besides transporting sugarcane, it also acted as a passenger train. In 1931, the new iron bridge was constructed downstream from the original wooden bridge with a length of about 300.6 meters. In 1960, the Huwei Iron Bridge was extended to 437 meters. The bridge's northernmost steel truss is actually a 200-foot steel beam recycled from the Qing Dynasty railway in the Hsinchu area, dating back to the late 1800s. The bridge has a total of 21 piers, 22 bridge spans. The structure of this bridge consists of four different sections erected according to different span requirements due to changes in river terrain, forming step-like structure. The manufacturers of the bridge trusses or girders are known to include Westwood Baillie & Co. from England (2nd bridge span) and the Osaka Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. from Japan (7th bridge span, manufactured in 1913). Huwei Sugar Factory was established in 1906, after which the local economy gradually developed and prospered, and the population increased. To solve transportation problems, the sugar company and the Railway Department of the Taiwan Governor's Office jointly operated a passenger railway between Dounan and Huwei in 1910, and the train also connected with the Western Main Line. In 1942, the bridge was damaged in a storm but was later repaired. During the ROC era in 1954, a wooden pedestrian bridge was built on the right side of the iron bridge, creating a safe passage for pedestrians. In 1959, the 87 Flood occurred, and the south bank of the river was breached, causing the bridge to be destroyed. Afterward, the riverbed was widened and the riverbanks were reinforced to prevent erosion. In June 1960 the bridge was extended by about 185 meters solving local flooding problems. In 1982, the construction of the Xingnan Bridge gradually replaced the function of the wooden plank bridge beside the iron bridge. After that, it remained idle for a long time and was not well maintained. The reconstruction project of the Huwei Iron Bridge was completed in 1999, and it was named the Sweet Potato Village Plank Bridge. Subsequently, both sides of the bridge were converted into a "riverside park," combining the nearby Huwei Sugar Factory and Tongxin Park, to provide an ideal place for sightseeing and leisure for the public. In 2012, during Typhoon Saola, about 50 meters of the bridge deck was washed away by floodwaters. The restoration of the Huwei Bridge was completed on September 9, 2015. Currently, the bridge is a popular place for local residents especially on weekends. Hours: Huwei Iron Bridge: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go east to Dounan and then take Highway 158 to Huwei. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Huwei Exit and keep going east until you reach Huwei Town. The bridge is on the south side of town along Highway 73-3 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 7112 for about 30 minutes to Huwei Puppet Museum. The bridge is then about a 10 minute walk south. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Taoyuan Tourist Night Market is a large night market in the center of downtown Taoyuan. Popular foods here include lamb soup, squid soup, fried chicken, and more. Even though it is a tourist night market, you will usually only find locals here. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taoyuan.
Brief Historical Background: Originally Taoyuan Night Market started near Jingfu Temple and branched out onto Zhongshan Road and was known as Zhongzheng Road Night Market. However because the night market obstructed important traffic routes, the night market was relocated twice before in 1988 it was moved to its current location on Beipu Road and Zhengkeng 2nd Street. The night market is approximately 3 km long and has over 200 stalls. Most of the stalls sell local snacks, but there are also many clothing stores and children's gaming areas. Popular foods here include Dingbiancuo, fried chicken, squid soup, oyster omelet, shaved ice, lamb soup, taro soup, rice cakes, and more. You can also check out the commercial district on Zhongshan Road near the night market. Hours: 5:30 PM to 12 midnight every day Price: Free Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Taoyuan Confucius Temple is behind Taoyuan Senior High School on Houtoushan. There is limited paid parking next to the temple. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Taoyuan Confucius Temple is behind Taoyuan Senior High School on Houtoushan. There is limited paid parking next to the temple. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: The temple is within walking distance of Taoyuan TRA Station. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Check out the map below:
Taixi Night Market is a small night market operating only on Saturdays in rural Taixi Township. Here you will not find any other foreign tourists and you can enjoy a truly local small town night market experience.
Historical Background: Taixi Night Market branches out from Minzi Road Lane 30 and Minzu Road Lane 10 in downtown Taixi. There are about 30 stalls that come here every Saturday evening. Like many small towns in Taiwan, this town's night market only visits once a week to satisfy the tastes of the local people here, and the stalls move to other night markets in the area on other nights of the week. Usually you will see a sizable crowd here on Saturday evenings but not tons of people like you would see at other full-time tourist markets in Taiwan. Hours: 5 PM to 10:15 PM Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 17 along the west coast of Taiwan until you reach the town, which is on the northern coast of Yunlin. . There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: Take National Highway 1 to Yunlin, then take wither Freeway 61 or 78 west to Taixi. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Tax season is here. In Taiwan, taxes must be filed before May 31st. As a foreigner, you might be wondering how to file a tax return and what the regulations are. Luckily Taiwan has made it easy by creating an online tax filing system that you can complete from your computer, although you do still have to physically send some forms to the tax office. Let us answer some common questions about tax filing that might come up:
Forward: The following is Q+A for tax year 2023 only, based on information provided on Taiwan's Ministry of Finance website for your reference only. Personal income tax can be a complicated issue; for specific answers regarding your tax situation please contact the Taiwan tax office: +886-2-2311-3711. Press 7 for English service. The ultimate decision for tax payable is up to the discretion of the Taiwan tax office. Q: When should I file Taxes? A: Between May 1st to May 31st after the tax year (tax year is same as calendar year). If you are leaving the country and do not plan to return to Taiwan, you must file an early tax return within 10 days before you leave. We recommend going to the tax office in person for an early filing. Q: When are Taiwan tax payments due? A: Tax payments are due by May 31st, after which there will be penalties for late payments. Q: What makes me eligible for paying Taiwan taxes (or what makes me a tax resident)? A: You become a Taiwan tax resident if you stay in Taiwan longer than 183 days, or if you are a Taiwan national and have household registration (戶籍) in Taiwan and visit for at least one day. The address in your ARC is not household registration, it's a registration process from the local administrative office (戶政事務所). If you stay less than 90 days in Taiwan, in general, you do not have to file taxes, and VAT or sales taxes are reimbursable. If you worked in Taiwan and stayed over 90 days but less than 183 days, you need to pay taxes on your Taiwan-based salary even if your income came from overseas, and you will pay a fixed rate of 6% or 18% income tax (your company may have deducted this from your salary already). If you have Taiwanese dual citizenship and Taiwanese house registration, then you need to pay taxes if you have stayed in Taiwan for over 31 days. Days are cumulative in a tax year, and it doesn't matter what you came for during these days. Q: How do I count the days I stayed in Taiwan? A: Please note that the day you come to Taiwan doesn't count, but the day you leave does. It's a good idea to keep track of the number of days you have been in Taiwan via the stamps on your passport. Q: What is the income tax rate?/ How much is Taiwan tax? A: The income tax rate for non-residents who earn at least 1.5 the minimum wage per month (39,600 NT as of 2023) is 18% (you can get a tax refund if you pay 18% taxes and then become a tax resident). 18% usually is applicable to white-collar foreign workers. For non-residents who earn less than 1.5 the minimum wage per month (39,600 NT as of 2023), the income tax rate is 6% (you can get a tax refund if you pay 6% taxes and then become a tax resident). 6% is usually applicable to most blue-collar foreign workers. The 2023 tax rate for residents (staying over 183 days in Taiwan) is as follows (source: Taiwan Ministry of Finance):
Filing taxes in a foreign country can be a scary prospect. However, Taiwan makes it easy by providing many tools and resources such as the E-file program and also an online in-browser system. This is not a comprehensive guide but is written to help give you an idea of how to file taxes online and avoid unnecessary confusion.
A complete guide to the system can be found here. Filing online does not require an understanding of Chinese characters, and you can complete it all in English. The hardest part will be using your NHI Card or digital certificate to enter the system. If you can't figure it out even after reading this guide, you can just file in person at the Tax office. Filing in person doesn't take long either, but it may be far away and you will have to wait in line. You can also hire an accounting firm or law firm to help. For the government's e-filing guide FAQ, click here. For our full FAQ regarding income tax for foreigners in Taiwan, click here.
Xinmin Old Street is a historical area in Taoyuan City near Jingfu Temple, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. It is a great area to explore in Taoyuan where you can learn more about the history and culture of Taiwan. There are also many shops and restaurants on the old street.
Brief Historical Background: The name Taoyuan literally means "peach garden" in Chinese because the area used to have many peach orchards. Since prehistoric times, Taoyuan was home to indigenous Taiwanese plains aborigines, who had a large settlement in modern-day Nankan. There was no large-scale Dutch or Chinese settlement in the area during the Dutch rule of Taiwan. During the Qing Dynasty, Chinese settlers began to settle the area and begin farming, and many of them planted peach trees, which is how Taoyuan got its name. During the Japanese Era, Taoyuan City was planned and developed. Under the ROC, Taoyuan County was established in 1950, and later Taoyuan City was made the county seat. In 2014, Taoyuan City and Taoyuan County were combined into the special municipality of Taoyuan City. Taoyuan International Airport was completed in 1979 and is Taiwan's largest airport. Toayuan has a population of over 2.2 million and is one of the fastest-growing populations in Taiwan due to the low cost of living and proximity to Taipei. Taoyuan Jinfu Temple, commonly known as Taoyuan Grand Temple, is located in Zhonghe Village, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, and is the religious center for local residents. During the Qing Dynasty, there were frequent epidemics in Taoyuan, and to combat these disasters, the construction of a temple was proposed. The site was selected for construction and named "Jingfu Temple 景福宮" in 1745. According to the earliest accounts passed down, the temple god, Kaitan Holy Emporer or Tan Goan-kong, was brought from Zhangpu by ancestors of the Chen family to Taiwan. The temple was then rebuilt in 1809 and numerous times since then. In 1947, with the approval of the Taoyuan County Government, residents used the land in the large square in front of the temple to build houses for business purposes. This led to disputes over the demolition and return of the land involving forty-one households. Usually the old street is not very busy and it is not well known as a tourist old street. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Xinmin Old Street is right in the middle of Taoyuan City. There is limited free parking near the harbor, and also paid parking nearby. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Xinmin Old Street is right in the middle of Taoyuan City. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: The old street is within walking distance of Taoyuan Station. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Check out the map below:
Beigang Iron Bridge is the longest bridge ever built by the Taiwan Sugar Company, that used to connect sugar fields in Chiayi to the Beigang Sugar Factory. Unfortunately, the bridge was washed away in floodwaters during Typhoon Sinlaku in 2008.
Currently a new "Daughter Bridge" has been completed to connect the two sides, and further construction is expected to connect the two sides of the river via pedestrian walkways by 2025. Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Yunlin was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. One notable Chinese pioneer was Yan Siqi (also known as Pedro Chino, or the Pioneer King of Taiwan). He created a settlement in Ponkan or Bengang in Mandarin (modern day Beigang) and recruited over 3000 farmers from Fujian and nearby regions in China to come farm in Taiwan. He also had 13 ships and a merchant trade and formed an alliance with the local indigenous population. Dutch and Chinese farmers introduced mango, sweet potato, pineapple, and many other crops to Taiwan at this time. When Koxinga invaded Taiwan, many local Chinese farmers such as Chen Lixun supported him and were rewarded with lands once the Dutch were conquered. During the Qing Dynasty, Beigang was known as Bengang (笨港), and its waterways were made deeper than other areas in Taiwan, allowing for larger ships and more trade. Beigang soon became one of the most prosperous areas in central Taiwan. After many Typhoons and floods, the Beigang River became silted and shallow, and also due to silting Beigang was moved further and further from the seashore. Up to the Japanese colonial period, the port lost its function as a maritime trading location, but it remained a center for agricultural commerce. The establishment of sugar mills during the Japanese colonial period also brought significant economic benefits to Beigang for nearly a hundred years. However, since the Japanese colonial period, due to the silting of the port, the lack of a main railway line passing through, and the absence of a major highway, its economic influence has diminished significantly. Beigang Creek Iron Bridge The Beigang River Iron Bridge, also known as the Fuxing Bridge or Fuxing Iron Bridge, was built during the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan and later rebuilt and extended during the ROC era. It is located over the Beigang River at the border of Beigang Town in Yunlin County and Xingang Township. Currently, it is abandoned and partially destroyed due to flooding. During the Japanese Era, the Beigang River Bridge was originally a wooden structure built to facilitate the transportation of sugarcane to the Beigang Sugar Factory during the Japanese colonial period. Construction began in 1909 by the Beigang Sugar Manufacturing Society for the Beigang Line of the sugar industry railway between Beigang and Chiayi, which was completed and opened on August 30, 1911, along with the wooden Beigang River Bridge, spanning a length of 220 meters. In 1917, passenger services started operating. In 1943, the wooden Beigang Creek Bridge between Beigang and Wan Zai Nei was washed away by flooding, causing a train passing at that time to derail into the creek, resulting in dozens of casualties, making it the deadliest accident in the history of sugar railway passenger services. During the ROC Era after World War II in 1945, due to strong public demand, the Beigang River Bridge was repaired in 1951 and named the "Fuxing Iron Bridge." The Beigang Creek Iron Bridge had a total of 76 bridge piers, including 74 reinforced concrete girder piers. The upper structure of the bridge consisted of 74 composite steel beams and 2 lower-bearing steel plate girder beams. Train services resumed to Beigang. In 1967, the Beigang River was dredged, and embankments were built on the east bank of the iron bridge. Because of this, in 1968, the Taiwan Sugar Company raised and extended the Beigang Creek Iron Bridge by about 600 meters. The project was completed in June 1969, extending the total length of the bridge to 878 meters, making it the longest bridge used by the Taiwan Sugar Railway. On August 17, 1982, passenger services on the Beigang Line ceased, and the Beigang River Iron Bridge remained only for transporting raw materials. In 1998, Taiwan Sugar Factory completely ceased railway transportation in the area and the Beigang Line was discontinued. After the Beigang River Iron Bridge was decommissioned, Taiwan Sugar planned to demolish it in May 2000. Fortunately, it was saved due to the efforts of local activists. The bridge was made a historical site in 2001. Unfortunately, on September 12, 2002, several bridge piers at the north end of the bridge's water area were washed away by flooding, leading to its closure. Although efforts were made to repair it, the bridge suffered damage from flooding again during Typhoon Sinlaku in 2008. In 2021, The "Daughter Bridge" was finished alongside the old Fuxing Bridge to connect the two sides via pedestrian walkways. However, the Daughter Bridge was not finished and connected at the time of writing. In 2022, the central government approved a budget of 180 million yuan to support the reconstruction and repair project of the Beigang Iron Bridge on the Xingang, Chiayi side. Construction started on May 9, 2023, and is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025 to complete the connection between the two sides. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. The bridge is on the east side of town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on Highway 164 until you Reach Beigang. The bridge is on the east side of town. There is paid parking near the riverside at the end of the old street. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Taoyuan Confucius Temple is Taiwan's newest Confucius Temple, built in 1989. Besides being a ceremonial and worship area for local students and teachers, it also has beautiful gardens and great views of Taoyuan City. There is also a large children's park right next to it. It is a great place to relax if you are in Taoyuan.
Brief Historical Background: The Taoyuan Confucius Temple was completed in Huotou Mountain Park in 1989 and is the newest of Taiwan's thirteen government-established Confucius temples. On November 28, 1955, the Taiwan Government decided to establish Confucius temples in each county and city to promote traditional Chinese beliefs and teachings. As there was no Confucius temple in Taoyuan at the time, the statue and shrine of Confucius were placed in the Taoyuan Wen Chang Temple. In 1984, locals felt that the Wen Chang Temple was insufficient to express reverence for Confucius, so the people of Taoyuan initiated an effort to establish another Confucius temple on Huotou Mountain. The temple was completed and inaugurated on September 28, 1989, and includes the Dacheng Hall, Dacheng Gate, East and West Wing Halls, and Chongsheng Shrine. After its completion, local residents formed the Taoyuan County Chongsheng Association, which provides student scholarships awarded to students in both public schools and private schools in the area. Teachers and students also perform rituals in the temple. Ritual processions include the beating of drums and gongs, welcoming a deity into the Dacheng Hall, and presenting incense and food offerings at an altar. After the ceremony concludes, with the deity is taken away, and the ritual ends. Over the years, people have suggested simplifying the ceremony and offering vegetarian offerings, however, Taoyuan Confucius still used meat offerings until 2007. Also, despite protests from government officials regarding mixing Taoism with Confucianism, there is a wooden statue of Confucius placed in the east wing of the temple donated by the Chongsheng Association. The statue, carved from camphor wood and painted, stands about three feet tall. The statue was planned to be removed but after protests from parents and students, the statue was allowed to stay. Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM every day Price: Free Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Taoyuan Confucius Temple is behind Taoyuan Senior High School on Houtoushan. There is limited paid parking next to the temple. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Taoyuan Confucius Temple is behind Taoyuan Senior High School on Houtoushan. There is limited paid parking next to the temple. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: The temple is within walking distance of Taoyuan TRA Station. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Check out the map below:
Beigang was once the second largest city in Taiwan, second only to Tainan City, and was central Taiwan's most important maritime trading post. After the silting of the Beigang River, the town mostly relies on agriculture for its economy, but Beigang Old Street is also one of the most important religious sites in Taiwan due to the worship of Mazu in Beigang Chaotian Temple. Besides the temple, there are also many food and shopping options nearby. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to central Taiwan.
Historical Background: Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. One notable Chinese pioneer was Yan Siqi (also known as Pedro Chino, or the Pioneer King of Taiwan). He created a settlement in Ponkan (笨港 Bengang, modern day Beigang) and recruited over 3000 farmers from Fujian and nearby regions in China to come farm in Taiwan. He also had 13 ships and a merchant trade and formed an alliance with the local indigenous population. Dutch and Chinese farmers introduced mango, sweet potato, pineapple, and many other crops to Taiwan at this time. When Koxinga invaded Taiwan, many local Chinese farmers such as Chen Lixun supported Koxinga and were rewarded with lands once the Dutch were conquered. During the Qing Dynasty, the waterways around the Beigang River were made deeper than other areas in central Taiwan, allowing for larger ships and more trade. Beigang soon became one of the most prosperous areas in central Taiwan. In 1700 Chen Lixun donated to build the "Penkan Tianfei Temple," now the "Beigang Chaotian Temple 北港朝天宮." The temple housed a statue of Mazu brought from Meizhou in Fujian. Soon, it became the most important temple in the area. The temple has undergone reconstruction in 1730, 1770, and 1884. Currently the temple sees more than a million visitors a year and is considered one of the most important Mazu temples in Taiwan, and is part of the annual Mazu pilgrimage. After many Typhoons and floods, the Beigang River became silted and shallow, and also due to silting the seashore moved further and further westward away from the town. In 1750, due to the southward shift of the river channel, Beigang Old Street was divided into two: North Street (now Beigang Town) and South Street (now Xingang Township, Chiayi County). Up to the Japanese colonial period, the port lost its function as a maritime trading location, but it remained a center for agricultural commerce. The establishment of sugar mills during the Japanese colonial period also brought significant economic benefits to Beigang for nearly a hundred years. The construction of Chaotian Temple and the widespread belief in Mazu further contributed to Beigang's fame. However, since the Japanese colonial period, due to the silting of the port, the lack of a main railway line passing through, and the absence of a major highway, its economic influence has diminished significantly. Currently the population of Beigang is about 38,000 and it continues to fall every year. Beigang Old Street is usually still busy especially on weekends due to religious pilmagriges. The street is especially busy during the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on highway 164 until you Reach Beigang. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on highway 164 until you Reach Beigang. There is paid parking near the riverside at the end of the old street. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Baishajia Lighthouse located in Guanyin District of Taoyuan is a prominent historical monument in the area. Built in 1901 during the Japanese era, it survived allied bombings and still operates for nearby ships to this day. The area around the lighthouse is also open for the public to enjoy.
Historical Background: Taoyuan's coastline has been a major fishing area for centuries. To aid with local boats as well as military operations, the Japanese chose the coastal area in Guanyin as a suitable location for a lighthouse. Construction for the lighthouse was planned in 196, shortly after the Japanese took control of Taiwan. Typhoons and local thieves hindered the construction. The lighthouse was finally completed in 1901. The Baishajia Lighthouse uses a rotating lens electric lamp, which is the largest of all lighthouses in Taiwan. The rotation of the lens is facilitated by a mercury trough. Every 20 seconds, there it emits a flash of white light followed by a flash of red light (each shining for 0.23 seconds with 9.77 seconds of darkness). The nominal range of the white light is 25.7 nautical miles, and 22.6 nautical miles for the red light. During the early days of the Japanese colonial period, the lighthouse used a third-order rotating lens kerosene lamp manufactured in France, and the copper plate with the inscription "Babbier & Benard Constructeurs, Paris, 1897" which is still in use today. During WWII, an Allied aircraft shot down by anti-aircraft guns crashed near the lighthouse, damaging its upper half. Repairs to the lighthouse were completed in 1946, and the height was reduced slightly to 27.7 meters. Price: Free Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM every day except Mondays Where to stay: Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities in Taoyuan: Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. How to get there: By Car: Take Expressway 61 to Taoyuan and take the 44 Taoke (桃科) exit. The lighthouse is right next to the expressway near the exit on the northeast side. There is limited free parking near the harbor, and also paid parking nearby. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. By Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 15 south from Taipei and then turn right onto highway 38 at Xucuo. The lighthouse is right next to the expressway near the exit on the northeast side. Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. By Bus: From Zhongli TRA Station, you can take bus 5033 west to the harbor. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: See below: |
Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Archives 檔案
June 2024
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