Taipei - Yehliu - Juifen - Pingxi - Taroko National Park
November 29 - December 6, 2025
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| Taiwan - Assorted Trip Photos |
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| Taiwan - Assorted Trip Photos |
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| Taiwan - Assorted Trip Photos |
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| Flag of Taiwan |
Taiwan is a vibrant island nation in East Asia, known for its stunning natural landscapes, bustling cities, and rich cultural heritage. Taipei, the capital, offers modern skyscrapers like Taipei 101, night markets, and convenient MRT transport. Beyond the city, Taiwan boasts scenic mountains, hot springs, and the breathtaking Taroko Gorge. Its cuisine—famous for bubble tea, dumplings, and street food—is a highlight for visitors. Taiwan is also safe, tourist-friendly, and easy to explore by train or high-speed rail, making it perfect for both city adventures and nature escapes.
This was my second time in Taiwan, only the first was just an airport transfer. This time was 4+ days exploring the northern part of the island nation. I got a wonderful dose of history, nature, and culture while experiencing interesting sights, amazing scenery, decent weather, friendly people, great food, and comfortable accommodations.
How Long Was Your Trip? When Did You Go? Where Did You Go? The trip lasted 8 from November 29 - December 6, 2025. I spent:
- 2-1/2 days touring the Taiwan capital city of Taipei
- 1 day touring the northern coast of Taiwan in Yehliu, Juifen and Pingxi
- 1 day touring Taroko National Park
- 2-1/2 days traveling to and from Taiwan, crossing the International Date Line and losing an entire day, which was made up for on the way home
Did You Do This on Your Own or with a Tour Company? I traveled independently, planning and booking my stay through various websites. We explored Taipei on our own and booked organized tours for day trips outside the city.
How Did You Get There and Back? I flew from my home in Milwaukee to Houston, where I stayed for two days before continuing on to Taipei, Taiwan. I spent a week touring Taiwan, then took a short flight to Manila for a guided tour of the
Philippines with Gate1 Travel. I returned home via the same route.
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| Air Travel Map - 19,300 Miles |
Once on the ground in Taiwan, I traveled another 400+ miles by train, subway, motor coach and foot.
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| Taiwan Ground Travel Map - 5 Days - 400 Miles |
Was It Easy Navigating Your Way Around? Yes. We stayed in the heart of Taipei, so we could walk to most places. For anything farther away, we just hopped on the subway.
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| Taiwan Ground Transport - Airport Express, MRT, Tour Van & Car |
Where Did You Stay? We stayed at a 4-star hotel in the popular, centrally located Ximending District. The hotel was clean, modern, and comfortable, with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a range of amenities. Best of all, it was conveniently to public transportation, restaurants, shopping, and many major attractions.
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| Taipei Accommodations - Muzik Hotel - Ximen Station Branch |
Taiwan uses Type A and Type B
power plugs and outlets, just like in the United States. The voltage is also the same—110V at 60Hz—so U.S. electronics can be used without a voltage converter or plug adapter.
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| Taiwan Electric Plugs & Outlets - 110V/60Hz |
Meals? Taiwanese cuisine is diverse and delicious, influenced by Chinese (mainly Fujianese), Japanese, and indigenous culinary traditions. Signature dishes include beef noodle soup, lu rou fan (braised minced pork belly over rice), oyster omelets, gua bao (steamed buns filled with braised pork, pickled vegetables, and crushed peanuts), and ba wan (a translucent, chewy dumpling made from sweet potato starch and filled with meat and mushrooms). Popular street foods include fried chicken cutlets, deep-fried marinated chicken, stinky tofu, scallion pancakes, and popcorn chicken. You’ll also find an abundance of hearty noodle and soup dishes throughout the country.
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| Taiwan Street Food - Awesome Choices and Cheap |
How Was the Weather? I traveled in December. The weather was cool at night (low 60's F) and mild during the day (mid 70s F). The days were a mix of sunny and cloudy. When it rained, it was mostly at night when we were not touring.
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| Taiwan Weather in December - Mild |
What Clothing Did You Pack? I packed very light—about four days’ worth of clothes—mainly shorts and T-shirts, plus a swimsuit, light jacket, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent. I also brought two pairs of long pants and a few longs shirt. As usual, my shirts, socks, and base layers were all quick-dry “Dri-Fit” material, which I could be washed out in the hotel sink every few days.
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| Packing Light - 4 Days Worth of Clothing |
What was the Time Difference? Taiwan is 14 hours ahead of my home time zone in Milwaukee (US, Central Time, GMT/UTC −06:00). It took a few days to adjust to the time difference.
What Was the Currency? What Were Prices Like? Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). In December 2025, $1 = about 31 TWDs. You can exchange money at a U.S. bank before you leave, but I usually just use an ATM when I arrive—it’s easy to find one at the airport or around the city. Expect fees of roughly 100–150 TWD ($3–5 USD) per withdrawal, plus 2–3% from your home bank. I usually take out a decent amount at once and get more if I need it. Taiwan is generally quite affordable compared with the U.S., so meals, transport, and attractions won’t break the bank.
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| Taiwan Dollar - $1 = 31 TWDs |
What Did This Whole Trip Cost You? The cost of living in Taiwan is 38% cheaper on average than in the United States so it's a good travel bargain. I spent $1,815 in total, or about $363 per day. I paid 86% of the trip cost ($1,564) before leaving the US. Once on the ground, I spent another $250 on ground transportation, sightseeing, meals, and international mobile phone/internet charges.
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| Taiwan Trip Cost |
Special Trip Considerations.
- Safety. Taiwan is very safe. Petty theft is the most common issue you might encounter, but terrorism and kidnapping, though less frequent, are also concerns. In addition, certain travelers, namely women, may need to take certain precautions. You can get the latest safety and health information at the US Dept of State Travel Advisories website here.
- Air Quality. Air quality was generally quite good everywhere. I had no need for a protective mask like in some large cities where pollution can burn your throat and cause respiratory issues.
- Physical Condition. We did a lot of walking and traversed a lot of steps, uneven surfaces, and steep grades. If you have mobility, this might not be the trip for you.
Any Parting Comments? Travel is an adventure. It’s an opportunity to experience, learn and appreciate how people around the world live. While I’m always happy to come home at the end, I never come back the same person.
Following is a day-by-day account of my trip. Each day starts with an overview of what we did, followed by my daily journal. I stopped giving history lessons in my posts but added links you can click on to read more about the places I visited. You can just read on from here or go back up to the Table of Contents and jump to a specific day.
Enjoy!
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| Taiwan Ground Travel Map - 5 Days - 400 Miles |
Itinerary: Depart Houston, TX USA in the late evening for the 8,700 mile,17-hour flight to Taipei, Taiwan. Cross the International Dateline and lose an entire day enroute.
Daily Journal
Summary: Today we flew 17 hours from Houston to Taipei, Taiwan, nonstop on EVA Airlines. I had taken this flight before and was pleased once again with the generous legroom, good inflight meals, and excellent service.
Weather: 62F and sunny
We spent most of the day checking into tonight's overseas flight, downloading boarding passes, and filling out our Taiwan customs arrival cards online.
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11/29-30/25 - Google Travel Map
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By 6:45 pm, we were on our way to Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to catch our 11:30 pm. EVA Airlines Boeing 777-300ER flight to Taipei, Taiwan—16 hours and 55 minutes nonstop. This is an interesting flight because you cross the Pacific Ocean and the International Date Line, losing an entire day en route.
We left Saturday, November 29, and arrived on Monday, December 1—no Sunday. On the way home, we flew the same route back to Houston and arrived an hour earlier than when we had left Taipei, gaining back the day we lost on the way over. We arrived at the airport at 7:30 pm, walked the terminal buildings, grabbed something to eat, and then wandered over to Gate D11 to wait for boarding at 10:50 pm. We pushed back from the gate a little late, around 11:55 pm. By 12:15 am, we were airborne on the 16-hour-and-55-minute flight to Taipei, Taiwan. I managed to sleep on and off during the flight.
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| Our EVA Air Boeing 777-300ER to Taiwan |
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| EVA Air Houston to Taipei - 16 Hrs 55 Min |
With a full 34 inches of legroom, it was very comfortable. We were served a full meal just 30 minutes after takeoff, followed later by snacks, and then breakfast about two hours before landing. The free Wi-Fi was a huge plus. Kudos to EVA Airlines.The few times I woke up were memorable. The first was as we cruised past the Aleutian Islands. The second was when we were off the Russian coast, north of Japan.
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| EVA Air Houston to Taipei - Crossing Int'l Date Line - Skipped Over 11/30/25 |
Go to Table of Contents
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| Taiwan Ground Travel Map - 5 Days - 400 Miles |
Itinerary: Continue the 8,700 mile,17-hour flight from Houston, TX USA to Taipei, Taiwan. Cross the International Dateline and lose an entire day enroute.
Daily Journal
Summary: Not much to write about today. We crossed the International Date Line en route to Taipei and skipped the entire day of November 30. On the way home, we will gain the day back.
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| Taiwan Ground Travel Map - 5 Days - 400 Miles |
Itinerary: Arrive in Taipei in the early morning and transfer to hotel via Express Train to Taipei Main Station, followed by the MRT. The rest of the day to explore Taipei on our own.
Daily Journal
Summary: We arrived early in the morning in Taipei, transferred to our hotel, and then explored the bustling Ximending District near our hotel. Ximending is home to temples, landmarks and one of the few Night Markets that is open all day.
Weather: 80°F and sunny
I woke up somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, just south of the Emperor Trough, east of the Russian coast near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, and north of Japan.
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| Taiwan - Over Japan - Just a Few Hours Away from Taipei |
We were still 6½ hours from our destination, Taipei. It didn’t feel like we had been flying for almost 10 hours. We had already crossed the International Date Line, so on paper we had lost an entire day. With three hours to go, we cruised south along the western coast of Japan and caught a nice nighttime view of Tokyo on the east coast, about 160 miles away.
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| Tokyo, Japan - 14 Hours Down, 3 to Go |
We were served a light snack about two hours before arrival in Taipei. The sun was already starting to come up, and the views were beautiful.
We experienced some clear-air turbulence. A couple of big bumps caused quite an uproar, but it was brief and quickly passed.
Upon arrival, we cleared customs and made our way to the express train to Taipei Main Station. We missed the first train by a minute, but another arrived about 10 minutes later.
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| Arriving in Taipei - Huge City - Population 7 Million |
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| Taipei Airport - Airport Express Train to Downtown Main Train Station |
From the main station, we boarded the subway—known as the MRT—and took it one stop west on the Blue Line to our hotel in the Ximending District. You have to buy a multi-day pass from one of the information desks, not from a machine, so we wandered around the station trying to find one.
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| Taipei Main Train Station |
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| Taipei Main Train Station - Transferring to Metro (MRT) |
After eventually locating the desk and purchasing our passes, we took the Metro one stop to our hotel. It was a couple of blocks away, and along the walk we could peer down side streets filled with the chaos of markets in our area.
Ximending is the mother of all districts, containing some of Taipei’s most famous landmarks along with night markets, restaurants, nightlife, and great shopping. It was the first and largest pedestrian zone in the city.
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| Welcome to Ximending |
We checked into the hotel—the Muzik Hotel on the sixth floor. They offered complimentary beverages, but we had to store our bags until 3:00 pm. Otherwise, everything seemed in order.
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| Our Hotel - Musik Hotel Ximending Station |
At 10:00 am, we headed out to wander the markets, aiming to visit a couple of temples and historic streets. First, however, we needed to find an ATM to change money, which proved challenging since not all were linked to U.S. banking networks. Eventually, we found a Bank of Taiwan branch and withdrew the local currency we needed. Credit cards are generally accepted, but night markets are cash only.
Over the next three hours, we went on a sightseeing walk through Ximending.
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| Taipei - Ximending District - Afternoon Stroll |
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| Taipei - Ximending District - Afternoon Stroll |
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| Taipei - Ximending District - Afternoon Stroll |
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| Taipei - Ximending District - Afternoon Stroll |
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| Taipei - Ximending District - Afternoon Stroll |
Our first stop on the walking tour was the Red House, a former theater that is now the creative and cultural hub of Taipei, located in the heart of the bustling Ximending District.
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| Taipei - Ximending District - The Red House |
We then walked a few blocks over to Baipilao Old Street, a historic alleyway lined with restored Qing Dynasty buildings housing cultural exhibits, galleries, and recreated scenes from Taipei’s past.
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| Taipei - YMCA on Way to Baipilao Old Street |
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| Taipei - Baipilao Old Street |
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| Taipei - Baipilao Old Street |
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| Taipei - Baipilao Old Street |
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| Taipei - Baipilao Old Street |
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| Taipei - Baipilao Old Street |
Next, we walked up to Longshan Temple, the mother of all temples in Taipei. A Taoist temple, it features beautifully carved wood and stone buildings, intricate ornamentation, fountains, and reflecting ponds.
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Longshan Temple |
Our last stop was Bangka Qingshan Temple, tucked between buildings and busy streets filled with shopping and street food establishments. Inside, it is replete with carved woodwork and altars, incense, and a sense of quiet peacefulness.
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| Taipei - Puppet Show Across from Bangka Qingshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Bangka Qingshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Bangka Qingshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Bangka Qingshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Bangka Qingshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Bangka Qingshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Bangka Qingshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Bangka Qingshan Temple |
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| Taipei - Bangka Qingshan Temple |
After the walking tour, we went shopping near our hotel in the Ximending market. Most markets open at 5:00 pm, but this one is open all day and is especially bustling.
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| Taipei - Shopping in Ximending Pedestrian Area |
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| Taipei - Shopping in Ximending Pedestrian Area |
We returned to the hotel around 2:00 pm, but had to wait an hour until the official check-in time of 3:00 pm. After checking into the room, showering, and taking a nap, we ventured into the chaos and carnival that is the Ximending night market. It was lit up like the Las Vegas Strip and filled with people. We watched street performers, browsed the shops, and feasted on oyster pancakes at one of the hundreds of food stalls.
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| Taipei - Ximending Night Market |
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| Taipei - Ximending Night Market |
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| Taipei - Ximending Night Market |
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| Taipei - Ximending Night Market |
We stopped at one of the bars along the perimeter of the Red House for a cocktail before retiring for the night.
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| Taipei - Cocktails Near The Red House |
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| Taipei - Cocktails Near The Red House |
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| Taiwan Ground Travel Map - 5 Days - 400 Miles |
Itinerary: Explore Taipei's rich history and culture on a daylong walking and metro tour of the city's major sites.
Daily Journal
Summary: Today we embarked on a daylong tour of some of Taipei's most famous landmarks, temples and cultural areas.
Weather: 68F and partly sunny
It was a beautiful day for sightseeing. I fell asleep early last night and ended up waking around 4:00 am We departed from the hotel around 8 am for a metro and walking tour of Taipei's most important sites, which included the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, the Taipei 101 Skyscraper Observation Platform, 1914 Creative Street, Dihua Old Street, Xia Hai (City God) Temple, and Fachukung Temple. In between stops, we enjoyed traditional Taiwanese coffee and pepper buns from a street market. The metro system (MRT) is wonderful for getting around the city, and I made excellent use of my three-day pass. We also did a lot of walking, which was a great way to see how the locals live.
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| Today's Touring Map |
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| Taipei Metro - So Orderly - Queuing Lines |
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| Taipei Metro - So Clean |
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| Taipei Metro - Rental Umbrellas |
We arrived at our first stop, the Chank Kai-shek Memorial and Liberty Park. Chiang Kai-shek was the longtime leader of the Republic of China who fought the Chinese Communists, led China during World War II, and later moved his government to Taiwan after losing the civil war. He ruled Taiwan under martial law, overseeing significant economic development as well as a period of political repression known as the White Terror.
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
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| Taipei - Chank Kai-shek Memorial/Liberty Park |
Our second stop was Taipei 101, a 1,670-foot skyscraper that was once the tallest building in the world and known for its bamboo-inspired design. The building features a massive damper to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, and it offers one of the world’s highest observatories with panoramic views of the city.
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 - Counterbalance to Control Swaying |
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| Taipei 101 |
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| Taipei 101 - Boba Tea |
Our next stop was Huashan 1914 Creative Park, also known as 1914 Creative Street, is a former winery that has been transformed into a cultural hub filled with art exhibitions, independent shops, cafés, and event spaces. It is one of Taipei’s best locations for creative events, blending historic industrial architecture with modern design.
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
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| Taipei - Huashan 1914 Creative Park |
In late afternoon, we hiked over to Dihua Street, one of Taipei’s oldest commercial streets known for its traditional shophouses, Chinese medicine stores, tea shops, and fabric merchants. The street becomes especially lively during Lunar New Year, when vendors line the area with holiday foods, decorations, and market stalls. This was like turning back the pages of history a few hundred years. While there, we enjoyed traditional Taiwanese coffee at a coffee shop called San Formosan. I had San Formosan Dark Blend. It was served both hot and cold and featured flavors of brown sugar, musk, red wine, dark chocolate, toffee, raisin, peanut, and other nuts.
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| Taipei - Dihua Street |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street - New Shoes |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street |
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| Taipei - Dihua Street - Taiwanese Tea |
After coffee, we continued to the south end of Dihua Street where we found the Xia Hai City God Temple, a historic neighborhood temple dedicated to Chenghuang, the deity believed to protect the city and oversee justice. The temple is known for its ornate carvings, active local worship, and lively festivals that reflect traditional Taiwanese religious culture. We enjoyed a couple of Taipei's famous pepper buns from a street vendor. Delicious.
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| Taipei - Xia Hai City |
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| Taipei - Pepper Bun |
Before walking back to the hotel, we walked a few blocks over to Fachukung Temple, a historic Taoist temple in Taipei dedicated to local deities and is known for its intricate carvings and vibrant religious ceremonies. It serves as a cultural hub where worshippers gather for festivals and traditional rituals.
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| Taipei - Fachukung Temple |
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| Taipei - Fachukung Temple |
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| Taipei - Fachukung Temple |
After a rest break at the hotel, we went to The Red House to browse the shops and then wandered through the Ximending night market. It was very crowded again, but it was nice to watch people going about their business and the street performers.  |
| Taipei - Ximending District - The Red House |
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| Taipei - Ximending District - Night Market |
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| Taipei - Ximending District - Night Market |
Eventually, the long day of walking caught up with us, and we went straight to bed.
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| Taiwan Ground Travel Map - 5 Days - 400 Miles |
Itinerary: Today we’re taking a scenic journey along Taiwan’s stunning north coast and into its old mountain villages. We’ll explore Yehliu Geopark, wander the lantern-lit lanes of Jiufen Old Street, and end the day in the historic railway town of Shifen—famous for sky lanterns.
Daily Journal
Summary: Today we took a day trip along Taiwan’s north coast, visiting the rock formations of Yehliu Geopark, the historic gold-mining town of Jiufen, the scenic Shifen Waterfall, and Shifen’s sky-lantern launch.
Weather: 68F and partly sunny
It was a beautiful day for sightseeing. I fell asleep early last night and ended up waking around 1:00 am before falling back asleep until 6:00 am. We got up early and headed to a metro stop near our hotel to meet our tour group. The group was made up of about 18 people from North America and Europe.
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| Today's Touring Map |
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| Taipei - Taking Metro to Meeting Point |
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| Taipei - Taking Metro to Meeting Point - So Orderly |
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| Taipei - Our Bus for the Guided Tour |
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| Taipei - Our Guide for the Tour |
We drove for about an hour to the north coast and arrived at Yehliu Geopark, one of the premier attractions in New Taipei City’s Wanli District. This scenic coastal area is famous for its striking rock formations shaped by wind and waves, including the iconic “Queen’s Head,” a mushroom-shaped rock that resembles the profile of Queen Elizabeth. The park features a wide variety of unique geological sculptures, such as mushroom rocks, chessboard rock, trace fossils, and other remarkable formations, including the Sea Candles, the Fairy Shoe, the Ginger Rocks, the Elephant Rock, the Ice Cream Rock, the Kissing Rock, and the Princess’ Head.
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Near Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Near Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark - Tour Group |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark - Queens Head |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark - Queens Head |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark |
We then traveled to Jiufen, a historic hillside village in Ruifang District known for its narrow, lantern-lit streets, traditional teahouses, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Once a booming gold-mining town in the 1940s before falling into decline, Jiufen has since regained fame thanks in part to the award-winning film A City of Sadness, which highlighted its nostalgic, melancholic atmosphere and brought global attention to its old-street charm. Today, Jiufen is one of northeastern Taiwan’s most beloved destinations, inviting visitors to sip tea in clifftop teahouses, wander its story-filled alleys, sample local snacks, pick up souvenirs, and try the famous handmade taro-ball dessert.
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen - Tea House |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Juifen |
Our last stop was Shifen (near Pingxi), a small mountain town known for its waterfall, old railway line, and traditional sky-lantern releases. It offers a nostalgic village atmosphere with charming streets, bridges, and views along the tracks. The highlight was writing wishes on large paper lanterns and then releasing them into the sky, powered by the upward draft created by burning paper at the base of each lantern. We stopped at the waterfall first before venturing into the town itself, which was quite charming.
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen Waterfall |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen Waterfall |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen Waterfall |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen Waterfall |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen Waterfall |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen Waterfall |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
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| Northeastern Taiwan - Shifen - Lantern Release |
Overall, this organized tour outside Taipei gets five stars in my book. The tour had great stops, was nicely paced, and featured a comfortable coach. Most importantly, Kevin Cu was an excellent and entertaining guide. Everything was enjoyable, but I especially loved the lantern release in Shifen.
After returning to Taipei in the late afternoon, we hopped on the subway and went back to our hotel for about an hour. In the evening, we ventured out to the Ximending Night Market and enjoyed a dumpling dinner. Although our server did not speak English, hand gestures went a long way.
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| Taipei - Rush Hour Traffic - Scooters Abound |
After dinner, we wandered back through the night market and watched a street performer juggling spindles on a string between two wands.
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| Taiwan Ground Travel Map - 5 Days - 400 Miles |
Itinerary: Get ready for one of Taiwan’s most breathtaking adventures! A Taroko day trip whisks you from Taipei to the jaw-dropping Qingshui Cliffs, where mountains plunge into the Pacific. Inside Taroko Gorge, you’ll walk among towering marble canyons, emerald rivers, and cliffside trails like Swallow Grotto that make you feel tiny in nature’s masterpiece. Add in the postcard-perfect Eternal Spring Shrine with its waterfall and mountain backdrop, plus glimpses of Truku tribal culture along the way, and you’ve got a day packed with scenery that shifts from dramatic to serene at every turn. It’s the kind of place that makes you whisper “wow” without realizing it.
Daily Journal
Summary: Today we took a 12-hour private tour to Taroko National Park to witness Taiwan's scenic beauty. We were not disappointed.
Weather: 65F and sunny
Today we escaped Taipei once again by taking a day trip to Taroko National Park for a taste of country living. For the first time on this trip, I finally got a full night of sleep. It seems I have adjusted to the 14-hour time difference from home.
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Today's Tour Map
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Our driver, Steven from YOLO Tours, picked us up on time at our hotel, and we began the drive to Hualien, which is about two and a half hours away. |
Taiwan - Our Guide for the Day
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| Taiwan - Driving to Taroko National Park - 2+ Hours from Taipei |
Along the way, we passed through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, also known as the Xueshan Tunnel, which is approximately 12.9 kilometers (8 miles) long and located on Taiwan’s Freeway No. 5. We also passed the Crayola Crayon factory during the drive.
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| Taiwan - Hsuehshan Tunnel - Length 8 Miles |
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| Taiwan - Hsuehshan Tunnel - Length 8 Miles |
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| Taiwan - Crayola's Taiwan Factory |
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Taiwan - Solar Panels at Gas Stop En Route
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After 2 hours of driving, we reached the Taroko National Park visitor center, where we got an overview of the park and learned about the geological forces that shaped the area. Taiwan’s landscape has been uplifted by plate-tectonic compression, which makes earthquakes common. The exhibits also showed before-and-after effects of seismic events, most notably the major Hualien earthquake in 2024, which dramatically changed the park’s trails and landforms.
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| Taiwan - Taroko National Park - Visitor Center |
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| Taiwan - Taroko National Park - Visitor Center |
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| Taiwan - Taroko National Park - Geological History |
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| Taiwan - Taroko National Park - Bee Hive |
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| Taiwan - Taroko National Park - Indigenous Peoples Monument |
We then embarked on a driving tour of the park.
Our first stop was at Swallow Grotto and the Buluowan Suspension Bridge, followed by stops at Liufang Bridge and Cimu Bridge, also known as Motherly Devotion Bridge. Cimu Bridge is an H-shaped hanging bridge featuring marble stone lions at each end and marble lotus stones on both sides. Beneath the bridge, a rock formation resembles a frog, with black schist on top and white marble below. A pavilion built on this frog-shaped rock was constructed by former President Chiang Ching-kuo in memory of his mother, while the nearby Cimu Pavilion area, built by former President Chiang Kai-shek, also commemorates his mother.
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| Taiwan - Taroko National Park - Visitor Center |
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| Taiwan - Taroko National Park - Visitor Center |
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| Taiwan - Taroko National Park - Visitor Center |
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| Taiwan - Taroko National Park - Visitor Center |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Cimu Bridge |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Cimu Bridge |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Near Cimu Suspension Bridge |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Near Cimu Bridge |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Near Cimu Bridge |
Our next stop was a photo stop at Shakadang Trail and Eternal Spring Shrine, which was built to commemorate the 226 military veterans who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway.
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Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Eternal Spring Shrine
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We then visited the Tianxiang Scenic Area and Xiande Temple, located along the eastern section of the Central Cross-Island Highway. Here, the Dasha and Tacijili Rivers merge to form the Liwu River, whose long history of sedimentation and erosion has created striking multi-terraced riverbanks. Once a lively area filled with restaurants, shops, and hotels, Tianxiang has become much quieter since the 2024 earthquake, leaving behind a peaceful, almost untouched atmosphere. We also saw Formosan macaques roaming the area.
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tianxiang Scenic Area |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tianxiang Scenic Area |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tianxiang Scenic Area |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tianxiang Scenic Area |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tianxiang Scenic Area |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tianxiang Scenic Area |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple - Singing Monks |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Xiande Temple |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tianxiang |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tianxiang |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tianxiang |
We made a brief photo stop at the Tunnel of Nine Turns and then stopped at the East Entry Gate of the Central Cross-Island Highway. The large archway, inspired by traditional Chinese palace architecture, marks the entrance to Taroko Gorge and features a six-character inscription by the renowned calligrapher Wang Chuang-Wei.
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - Tunnel of Nine Turns |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - East Entry Gate |
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| Taiwan - Taroko Nat'l Park - East Entry Gate |
For lunch, we stopped on Xincheng Old Street at Jiaxing Ice Fruit Shop, an indigenous peoples restaurant. Indigenous peoples make up about 2.5 percent of Taiwan’s population, and Xincheng is a village at the base of Taroko Gorge known for its local Hualien snack stalls and relaxed atmosphere.
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| Taiwan - Xincheng Old Street - Jiaxing Ice Fruit Shop |
After lunch, we visited Qixingtan Beach, a picturesque pebble beach on Hualien’s Pacific coast just north of the city and adjacent to an Air Force base. The crescent-shaped shoreline, deep blue water, and mountain backdrop made it a beautiful place to walk, listen to the waves, and enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean. Swimming was not allowed due to strong currents.
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| Taiwan - Hualien - Qixingtan Beach |
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| Taiwan - Hualien - Qixingtan Beach |
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| Taiwan - Hualien - Qixingtan Beach |
We also made a quick stop at Qingshui Cliff to take in the dramatic coastal cliffs from an overlook before driving back to Taipei. During the return drive, we encountered several controlled traffic stops in construction zones, where we waited for extended periods.
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| Taiwan - Hualien - Chinese Cemetery |
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| Taiwan - Near Hualien - Qingshui Cliff |
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| Taiwan - Hualien - Big Traffic Jam Due to Scheduled Closures |
Once back in Taipei, it was straight to bed. It had been a memorable, but long day.
Go to Table of Contents
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| Taiwan Ground Travel Map - 5 Days - 400 Miles |
Itinerary: Metro touring to several of Taipei's famous temples and a hike up Elephant Mountain for panoramic views.
Daily Journal
Summary: Today we wrapped up our touring in Taipei with what I called the Temples and Trail tour. The day included a hike up Elephant Mountain for iconic views of the city, followed by visits to three major temples and nearby sights, including Raohe Market and the Rainbow Bridge.
Weather: 68F and sunny
We got up at our usual time of 6:00 am, had coffee in the hotel reception area, and then walked to the metro station for a short crosstown ride to Elephant Mountain.
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| Today's Tour Map |
Elephant Mountain offers one of Taipei’s most iconic skyline views, especially at sunset when Taipei 101 lights up the city. The hike is short but steep and provides several panoramic photo spots along the way. My feet had been a little sore for a few days, but the anticipation of reaching the top kept me going. The climb to the summit involves about 400 steep steps. Once we reached the top, we were rewarded with a phenomenal view of the city, including the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper. Do it!
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook - Made It! |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook - The Reward! |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook - The Reward! |
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| Taipei - Elephant Mountain Scenic Overlook - The Reward! |
After hiking back down Elephant Mountain, we walked through the beautiful Xiangshan Park and then hopped back on the metro. We rode over to Ciyou Temple and also visited the nearby Raohe Night Market and Rainbow Bridge. Ciyou Temple is a colorful Taoist temple that guards the entrance to Raohe Night Market. It is dedicated to Mazu and is filled with ornate carvings and a sense of lively festival energy.
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
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| Taipei - Ciyu Temple Next to Raohe Market |
After visiting the temple, we walked next door to the Rainbow Bridge along the river for a photo stop, then crossed back over to Raohe Night Market for a short stroll. Since it was only mid-morning, the market was closed, but you could still sense how energetic the area becomes once the night market opens. The market is mostly food-focused and is considered one of the best in the city.
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| Taiwan - Rainbow Bridge by Raohe Market |
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| Taiwan - Rainbow Bridge by Raohe Market |
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| Taiwan - Rainbow Bridge by Raohe Market |
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| Taiwan - Rainbow Bridge by Raohe Market |
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Taipei - Raohe Night Market - A Little Early :-)
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Taipei - Raohe Night Market - A Little Early :-)
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We then took the metro to visit the last two temples of the day. The first was the Confucius Temple, followed by Dalongdong Baoan Temple directly across the street. Both temples are stunning and recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Taipei’s Confucius Temple is an elegant Minnan-style complex that emphasizes culture, learning, and ceremony rather than worship. It is one of the best places in the city to experience quiet, traditional architecture.
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| Taiwan - Confucius Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Confucius Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Confucius Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Confucius Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Confucius Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Confucius Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Confucius Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
Dalongdong Baoan Temple is a meticulously restored heritage temple known for its exquisite woodwork, stone carvings, and annual cultural festivals. It is dedicated to Baosheng Dadi, the god of medicine.
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Taiwan - Baoan Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site |
Having gone out with a bank and with our touring of Taipei officially complete, we wandered into a nearby pedestrian zone where we found a magnificent bakery offering sandwiches and sweets. It turned out to be a great lunch stop.
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| Taipei - Lunch Across from Confucius Temple |
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| Taipei - Lunch Across from Confucius Temple |
After lunch, we returned to the hotel to rest. I rested so much that I slept right through the dinner hour. By the time I woke up, I did not feel like going out again, and my feet were grateful. I gathered my dirty clothes for washing in the morning and went back to bed.
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| Taiwan Ground Travel Map - 5 Days - 400 Miles |
Itinerary: Morning at leisure. Transfer to airport for midafternoon flight to the Philippines.
Daily Journal
Summary: Today we flew from Taipei, Taiwan to Manila, Philippines. We had been in Taiwan since 12/1/2025 and looked forward to another 11 days of tropical weather in the Philippines as part of an organized tour.
Weather: 72F and sunny
I got up early and did laundry in the hotel facility. It felt good to have all clean clothes, even though I probably would not wear any of the long pants or shirts since the weather in the Philippines would be in the mid-80s.
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| Today's Touring Map |
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| Taipei - Hotel Musik - Laundry Facility - Ah, Clean Clothes! |
We spent most of the morning relaxing at the hotel and decided to head to the airport early, since there was more to do there. We arrived around noon and waited about four hours for our flight to Manila. I used the time to work on my blog, which you are reading now.
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