AROUND TAIPEI – ONE DAY TRIPS

In the previous post I wrote about what you shouldn’t miss if you come to visit Taipei, the capital of Taiwan with Chinese-Japanese influences. Now I would like to explain to you about some trips that you can take around Taipei, with the round trip in the same day. Let us begin!

HOW TO GET AROUND

Although by renting a car you will have more freedom to organize your time, a good option in Taiwan is to travel by public transport, very comfortable and well organized. The timetable of trains and buses is wide, so you can organize your trips with ease. Also without having to worry about looking for parking and wasting time on it.

On the other hand, Taiwanese are very friendly and although they do not always speak English, they will help you as much as they can so that you take the appropriate transport and arrive without any problems at your destination.

JIUFEN

HOW TO GET THERE: There is the possibility of arriving by MRT to Zhongxiao Fuxing station and then taking the bus to Jiufen which is located right outside the subway. You also have the possibility to take the train from Taipei Main Staion to Ruifang, and then take the bus that will take you to Jiufen. In both cases the total journey will be about 90 minutes.

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Jiufen is located in the northeast of Taiwan in a mountainous area, where you can also take a short hiking route lasting about two hours. The route begins in the upper part of the town and is very well indicated. Thanks to the mining of gold, this small town underwent a great development, coming to be called Little Shanghai. In the middle of the 20th century the mining industry ceased, the last mine was closed in 1971, however, today the town has a great tourist interest due to the film industry. Films have been shot in this town, such as: Spirited Away.

In this magnificent town, Jiufen Old Street stands out, full of traditional shops and antique architecture. Some buildings still remember the times of the Japanese occupation. In the streets, the restaurants and traditional food stalls invite you to try the typical delicacies of the area. Do not miss: the melonpan (pineapple cake), goyoza, dim sum and ice cream.

BEITOU

HOW TO GET THERE: from Taipei Main Station it takes about 20 minutes to get to Beitou Station on the subway red line.

A visit to this residential neighborhood in Taipei, located on the outskirts in a mountainous area, is highly recommended. Formerly Beitou was a separate town from Taipei, but finally due to the growth of the city, it was absorbed and today it is part of the capital city. It is an ideal area to disconnect and relax in the hot springs that run through the district. Geothermal heating turns the rivers in the area into the open-air spa, although to bathe it is necessary to enter the places enabled for it, paying an entrance fee. The price is really cheap.

You can start your visit at Beitou Hot Spring Museum and then go up to the Thermal Valley area, also known as Hell Valley. You also have the possibility to bathe in Beitou Public Hot Spring.

PINGXI FESTIVAL & SHIFEN WATERFALL

HOW TO GET THERE: from Taipei Main Station you can take the train to Shifen, although the bus is somewhat faster. The journey takes about 2 hours.

The town of Pingxi was an important mining area until the end of the 20th century. It is still possible to feel the history of this mining town by being located on the train tracks that transported black gold to other parts of the country. Nowadays around the train tracks are located the restaurants that serve delicious local food, and many souvenir shops.

Also, this town is known worldwide due to the Lantern Festival, based on millenary beliefs, also known as the Sky Lantern Festival. The lanterns, Kongming, made of rice paper, bear the inscriptions with Chinese calligraphy that wish good luck. During the Chinese New Year there is a real spectacle of great beauty since all the lanterns are thrown into the sky at the same time. Also, after the launch, there is a large parade, made up of clowns, acrobats, red dragons and musicians.

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This isn’t all! This charming town has the wonderful Shifen Waterfall. Perhaps it is not the largest in the world, since it is only 20 meters high, but it is quite wide, 40 meters wide! The views of the waterfall are truly spectacular. To get there it is necessary to take a short walk of about 20 minutes from the town. The views are beautiful and the path runs through the beautiful nature, crossed by the Keelung River. You can even get on a hanging bridge over the river.

TIPS:

• It’s easier to use the public transport in Taiwan.
• To bathe in the Beitou hot springs, it is necessary to have a bathing suit. For men the typical Bermuda shorts are not always accepted.
• I recommend you can combine the visit of towns with a short hiking route. Nature in Taiwan is lush!