Taiwan - Cities/Places to Consider

Taipei

The capital is a must-visit for all its metropolitan glory. The city offers access to heavily vegetated trails with panoramic views of the bustling city on its peripheral parts such as the Elephant Mountain trail. With multiple shopping districts, electronic markets, booming food culture, National monuments, vibrant nightlife, and night markets distributed all over the city, Taipei will provide you with many reasons to stick around for a while.

Jiufen

Though a small village, Juifen deserves a special mention. The access from Taipei is convenient with 1.5 hr. direct bus connections or around 1 hr. train ride to Ruifang Train Station followed by a 20 min. bus ride to this one-of-a-kind village. The village lights up during the evening with a million lanterns decorated throughout the narrow hill streets overlooking the lush greens of Ruifang sloping into the sea. The various tea houses, street food, souvenir shops, cafes, and hillside restaurants add tremendous vibrancy to the experience of leisurely strolling through the cobbled streets amongst crowds trickling in from all directions.

Taichung

Taichung has an industrious touch that also acts as a gateway to the interior mountains in the Shei-Pa National Park. The city is the birthplace of the humble bubble/pearl milk tea, as highlighted earlier. Multiple craft markets provide access to local artists and a chance to interact with them one-on-one; Shenji New Village and Rainbow Village are great examples of the same. Sun Moon Lake makes up for a perfect retreat from the city besides being the largest inland water body of Taiwan. The lake offers tourist activities and access to bike pathways, boat tours, hikes, temples, piers, and also Ci’en Pagoda. Night markets, a bubbling cafe culture, and a host of museums add up to a delightful experience in the city.

Fenqihu

It is a charming mountain village, popular for lunch boxes, Aiyu jelly drinks, snacks, and souvenirs for tourists en route to Alishan National Scenic Area. The cobbled streets offer scenic views and an old-world touch to your journey through the hills around. We took a train from Taichung to Chiayi, and then boarded the Alishan Express from Chiayi that stops at Fenqihu. Something to keep in mind is that you must catch one of the only two buses that depart from the village for Alishan at 11:30 am or 2:30 pm (as of Feb, 2023), otherwise, you’ll have to stay the night here and get the bus the next day.

Alishan National Scenic Area

An enchanting destination, it is nestled amidst the lofty mountains of Chiayi County. Lush forests, and tea plantations characterize the landscape of Alishan. This place is a must-see when you visit Taiwain! People make a clockwork effort to take a small train ride to a viewing spot at the top of a mountain to see the sunrise across the valley and we sure did so too! The melting golden rays are a worthwhile spectacle of the sun, casting its rays over the vast blanket of clouds that span across the valley. Numerous hiking trails lead to waterfalls and lakes. Ancient tree sites, such as the Sacred Tree (a 2000-year-old giant cypress tree), offer enriching insight into the history of Alishan’s flora. Besides a small area designated for lodging and a market plaza, Alishan with its serene ambiance and stunning vistas offers a perfect escape into the woods.

Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a large port city in southern Taiwan with a booming political and economic prowess. In our opinion, the city competes with the likes of Taipei for its metropolitan life with inspiring urban revitalization interventions. The harbor offers repurposed brick shipping warehouses turned into an Art Centre (known as Pier 2- Art Centre), a Music Centre (opened in 2021), a contemporary urban plaza for flea markets along with a range of exhibition spaces, and Light Rail crossing through these spaces. This social and cultural hub offers numerous quirky art installations (found over rooftops, streets, and walls), cafes, artist studios, restaurants, bars, and unique local brands to shop from. Qijin is a slender island that is 10-15 mins away via ferry service from Gushan Ferry Terminal. The island is known for a variety of tourist spots such as the Qijin Seashore Park, Qijin Lighthouse, Tianhou Temple, and the food streets. With its blend of modern architecture, nightlife, shopping districts, lush green spaces, and vibrant street art scene, Kaohsiung promises an experience to remember.

Hualien and Taroko National Park

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the soaring Central Mountain Range, Hualien is a known destination for its awe-inspiring landscapes. Hualien offers a wealth of outdoor adventures for nature enthusiasts; from the striking Taroko Gorge with its towering marble cliffs, serene rivers, and dense forests, to the picturesque beaches that stretch along the coastline. The uniqueness of the night market in Hualien is in its proximity to the coast along with a nearby park, called Nanbin Park. The night market also offers open bars, loads of snacks, and dining options which add up extremely well with the festive culture of the city.

The experience at Toroko National Park starts at the visitor center with a brief overview of the local indigenous communities, biodiversity, and information on various hiking trails, shrines, and activities offered within the park. Crystal-clear streams, dense vegetation, and deep gorges add tremendously to the trail walks. One of the most iconic sights is the famous Eternal Spring Shrine, a temple perched on a mountainside overlooking a cascading waterfall.

In Conclusion

As we look back on our visit to Taiwan, we feel sincerely grateful for the hospitality of the locals and also admire the convenience of traveling via dependable local and country-wide transit facilities. The hygiene standards, social etiquette, and budget-friendliness tempt us to visit this country on a regular basis. If you found the blog helpful, keep a look out for more sections on Taiwan where we dig deeper into our itineraries, must-visits, and insights into the local indulgences, particularly as vegetarian travelers. If you are looking for a great experience during your next travel, we highly recommend visiting Taiwan.