First revealed: 3 Dec 2018
Uncover quirky issues to do in Taiwan like exploring a haunted resort or paragliding — these underrated points of interest may have you screaming “Tai-want!”
Time to see Taiwan from a complete special approach!
On the floor, a visit to Taiwan appears fairly commonplace — getting full of avenue meals, and hitting the stylish streets of Taipei. But past the Ximending buzz, we discovered a complete gamut of adventures, starting from the loopy lovely to only plain loopy. Where else are you able to get your fortune informed by a fowl? Or whizz down a slide right into a heat spa?
Our journey from Taipei to Kaohsiung via Eastern Taiwan took us via neon-lit cities, coastal cities, and cultural icons, having fun with unforgettable experiences, mind-blowing sights, and loopy methods to dine. It was arduous to imagine these numerous experiences had been all in the identical nation!
There’s extra to Taiwan past evening markets, so subsequent time you’re there, why not put down that XL Chicken and check out these 25 distinctive actions?
Unforgettable Experiences
1) Visit Fortune-Telling Birds at Longshan Temple
Photo credit score: Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan
Depending on whether or not you’re a believer, fortune telling is usually a wacky expertise in itself, however right here’s one thing much more cuckoo.
Tucked in a sales space at Longshan Temple Station’s underground bazaar, you’ll discover the English-speaking Ms Chen and her feathered fortune-tellers, Big Luck Master and Big Fortune. The white java sparrows are presupposed to have eager psychic instincts and may present steerage for the mysterious future.
After intense flittering, the birds will choose your destiny from a set of intricate tarot playing cards, every carrying fortunes primarily based on conventional folks tales. Definitely an genuine Taiwan expertise to strive for a lark!
Cost: Ranges round NT$1,000 to NT$2,000 (~S$43 – ~S$87) primarily based on the quantity and complexity of questions
Opening hours: 11AM – 9PM
How to get there: Take the MRT to Longshan Temple Station, observe the indicators for the Longshan Temple Exit and head to the Longshan Temple Underground Shopping Bazaar
*Pro-tip: For essentially the most correct studying, come ready together with your time of delivery — the extra particular the timing, the higher!
2) Watch out for Ghosts on the Grand Hyatt Taipei
Photo credit score: Klook
Maybe it’s best to pay extra heed to your fortune, particularly in case you’re braving an evening at certainly one of Asia’s most haunted lodges.
The Grand Hyatt Taipei would be the epitome of luxurious, however isn’t identified for offering a great evening’s sleep. Rumour has it that behind the resort’s stylish, trendy look lies a sordid historical past: a former jail camp the place many had been executed in the course of the Japanese Occupation.
It’s all simply rumour, after all, and administration is fast to dismiss any ghoulish gossip, however hey, you may solely be certain by experiencing it your self. ????
Cost: From ~S$363/evening
How to get there: Take the MRT to Taipei 101/World Trade Center station and stroll 2mins
3) Ride a Glass-Bottom Gondola Up the Maokong Mountain
Photo credit score: Klook
Try the Taiwanese model of excessive tea with a glass-bottom gondola (cable-car) trip via Maokong, well-known for its charming teahouses alongside the sting of the mountain.
The half-hour trip will take you over lush forest and tea plantations, and supplies gorgeous views of Taipei metropolis. At the highest, sip on high-quality native tea, together with the premium Tie Guan Yin, an Oolong brew. There’s no higher method to chill out away from the bustle of the town.
Photo credit score: @leessaalove2 by way of Instagram
If you discovered the gondola trip slightly too enjoyable, go for the minibus (NT$15) on the way in which down — simply bear in mind to carry on tight!
Cost: NT$120/journey (~S$5.20); EasyCard holders entitled to NT$20 (~S$0.80) low cost on weekdays
Opening hours: Gondola service normally from 8:30AM – 9PM (Sun – Thu); 8:30AM – 10PM (Fri – Sat). Check climate circumstances on the official web site earlier than going
How to get there: Take the MRT to Taipei Zoo station, then observe the indicators resulting in the Gondola. It’s three stops to Maokong Station
4) Wish on a Lantern at Shifen Old Street
Entering Shifen Old Street seems like stepping right into a romantic film of days previous. The out of doors practice tracks are lined with quaint outlets, whereas paper lanterns float gently within the sky above.
People flock to this charming city simply outdoors Taipei to expertise this lovely custom: writing their needs on vibrant lanterns and releasing them into the heavens. The railway tracks make the proper backdrop, with old-school trains passing via each few minutes.
Cost: NT$100 – NT$200 (~S$4.30 – ~S$8.70) per lantern
Opening hours: Most stalls open from 8:30AM – 6PM
How to get there: From Taipei Main Station, take a northbound practice (besides Keelung-bound trains) to Ruifang Train Station. Then switch to the Pingxi Line Train and take the practice to Shifen Station
5) Get Spirited Away at Jiufen
The former gold mining city of Jiufen is really magical — filled with cobblestone pathways, fairly lights, and historic structure. It’s no surprise that the mountainside village grew to become the proper inspiration for Miyazaki’s Spirited Away.
Wander the winding alleys whereas munching on scrumptious conventional snacks, like Wu Di Wild Boar Sausage and A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll.
Cost: Food costs common round NT$50 (~S$2.20)
How to get there: From Taipei Main Station, take a northbound practice (besides Keelung-bound trains) to Ruifang Train Station. Upon exiting, face the Wellcome Supermarket, flip left and head 200m down Mingdeng Road. Next to the police station, you’ll see the Local Residents Plaza (區民廣場) bus station. It’s a 15min bus trip by way of routes 827, 788, or 1062 to Jiufen Old Street
6) Slide right into a Spa at Art Spa Hotel Yilan
Renowned for its underground scorching springs, lodges with spas are a dime a dozen within the Jiaoxi township of Yilan. Art Spa Hotel, nevertheless, takes issues to a different degree — particularly 5 storeys, with a 360° spiral slide that launches you right into a heat pool.
It’s an truthfully thrilling trip which noticed us returning for seconds, earlier than cooling (heating?) down in the usual, enjoyable scorching springs. As for the latter, we had been spoilt for selection with 50 indoor and out of doors springs, and even a scorching spring tub in every resort room!
Cost: From ~S$164/evening
Opening hours: The scorching springs are open day by day from 7:30AM – 10:30PM. Slide operates hourly at 10AM, 2PM, 4PM, 7:30PM, and 9PM
How to get there: 4min stroll from Jiaoxi Station
*Pro-tip: Swim-caps are a should to enter the springs, so carry your personal in case you’d somewhat not buy one (NT$50, ~S$2.20) from reception.
7) Visit Taiwan’s First Whiskey Distillery
Taiwan’s first whisky distillery was a long-held dream of its founder, who believed that Yilan’s spring water and contemporary air can be good for whisky-making. Turns out he was proper — Kavalan Whisky Distillery is now internationally-acclaimed and is even topped the ‘World Whiskey Producer of the Year‘ for three years in a row!
At Kavalan (named for the indigenous name of Yilan county), take a tour of the whisky-making process, or enjoy a whisky-tasting session (NT$800)! Each session entitles you to claim a trio of pre-packed 20ml bottles — there’s no sweeter memento!
To get essentially the most out of the day, we suggest taking a Yilan day tour which incorporates the Kavalan Whisky Distillery and different cool actions in Yilan.
For occasion, visiting the aesthetically-pleasing Lanyang Museum, The National Center for Traditional Arts for old-school craft outlets and a hilarious Zodiac-themed efficiency, and Tangweigou Hot Spring Park for a calming dip.
An entertaining (and free!) zodiac-themed efficiency at The National Center for Traditional Arts
Our driver, Ben, was tremendous useful and pleasant — even bringing us to native gems after we informed him we had been craving dessert and lu rou fan (braised pork rice)!
Cost: ~S$86.80/pax for a 7hr tour (incl. admission tickets), min 4pax
Pick-up & Drop-off: Taipei Main Station
8) Paraglide over Palm Trees and Paddy Fields
Hands down top-of-the-line issues I’ve achieved in my life. There’s no higher feeling than wanting on the pure wonders of Taiwan from a fowl’s eye view.
You know all these loopy nature drone photographs you see in journey movies? That’s what you’ll get, from all angles — insane views of limitless greens, winding blue rivers, and the Taiwanese mountains stretched throughout the horizon.
P.S. Toward the top of the 15-minute flight, your teacher would possibly ask if you wish to ‘spin’. Don’t hesitate, cling tight, and say YES!
Cost: ~S$108.50/pax
How to get there: Take the free shuttle offered by the operator from Wanrong Railway Station to the meetup level.
9) Go River-Trekking
Photo credit score: 溯溪王Riverking Facebook
Refresh your self with a dip, splash, and slide alongside Hualien’s crystal streams. The river-trekking journey begins with a fast trek via the forest, earlier than rising to cyan waters so clear, you’ll simply need to get proper in.
Photo credit score: 溯溪王Riverking Facebook
And get proper in you’ll — leaping off cliffs and dashing down pure water slides! The water is so cool, clear, and refreshing, you’ll really feel brand-new proper after. We got steaming scorching bowls of noodle soup after we had been achieved, which had been easy however so scrumptious to slurp whereas waist-deep in water.
We took the 4-hour tour (together with transport), however had been informed that the full-day choice comes with much more journey, in addition to fairly waterfalls! It additionally features a full camp lunch of veggies and hen. We’d undoubtedly have opted for that if we had extra time.
*Pro-tip: Attempt provided that you’re in good bodily situation because the rocks may be troublesome to traverse when moist. And the excursions had been performed in Chinese so greatest to have somebody with you that may translate!
Photo credit score: 溯溪王Riverking Facebook
After, obtain your images totally free off the Facebook web page, so the enjoyable recollections don’t get washed away!
Cost: NT$1,200/pax (~S$52) for 4hr half-day tour, NT$2,400/pax (~S$104) for 8hr full-day tour
Pick-up & drop-off: Any location in Hualien
10) Cycle Along the Pacific Ocean
The coastal metropolis of Taitung is legendary for its bike path, with attractive views of open skies, mountains, and the large Pacific Ocean. The towering blue waves are really a mind-blowing sight.
We rented bikes totally free from Inn by the Village (~S$145/evening), our lodging in Taitung, and went for a straightforward, enjoyable trip. Set the morning apart to go to the sightseeing spots alongside the way in which, together with the Railway Art Village and Harbin Park.
How to get there: Choose your bike path right here
11) Skin Diving at Houbihu
Skin-diving a.okay.a snorkelling is certainly one of nature’s greatest out of doors actions — low-effort and nice for novices (even non-swimmers are welcome!), however extraordinarily rewarding with its numerous marine scene.
One of the very best locations to skin-dive is Houbihu, Kenting’s coral reef lagoon that’s crystal-clear and delightful all year long. Admire the beautiful white seaside as you submerge in emerald waters to see scores of vibrant reef fish and corals.
Cost: ~S$13/pax
Meetup level: No. 79-56, Daguang Road, Daguangli, Hengchun Township, Pingtung County
Mind-Blowing Sights
12) Hike Elephant Mountain for a Bird’s Eye View of Taipei City
If you’ve been to Taipei earlier than, you’ve in all probability ticked off the fundamental vacationer must-do: a visit to the highest of Taipei 101. For these searching for one thing distinctive, nevertheless, right here’s one higher: free views of Taipei 101 and your complete metropolis skyline, with train as well!
Take the path up Elephant Mountain — a 20-minute hike with relaxation stops and viewpoints alongside the way in which.
Go at sundown to look at the views change from daytime Taipei to a stunning array of lights. Bonus: Taipei 101 lights up within the seven colors of the rainbow for every completely different day of the week!
*Pro-tip: Bring your personal water as there aren’t any outlets alongside the path.
Opening hours: 24hrs
How to get there: Take the MRT to Xiangshan, stroll out by way of Exit 2, and observe the indicators to the path
13) Spot Dolphins round Turtle Island
On the Turtle Island Tour, you’ll see one of many coolest sights ever: wild dolphins in clear, glowing waters, swimming insanely near your boat. If you’re fortunate, you’ll even spot whales in the course of the hotter months!
Is this actual life? Is this simply finn-tasy?
Before dolphin-watching, you’ll additionally get to discover the paranormal Turtle Island on a guided strolling tour. It’s named for its form (guess which animal it resembles), with a tail that supposedly curls northwards in summer time and southwards in winter. Do go to from March via May in case you can, because the island blooms with lovely white lilies.
Do you see it? Photo credit score: Klook
For barely over an hour, wander the 7,000-year-old volcanic island because the information tells attention-grabbing tales in Hokkien and Mandarin. It’s attention-grabbing to see remnants of historical past, just like the island’s solely major faculty, which was vacated and reworked right into a navy base till as lately as 2000.
Cost: ~S$60.70/pax for a 4.5hr tour
Meet-up level: Wushih Harbour, No. 15-30, Gangkou Rd., Toucheng Township, Yilan County
How to get there: Take the practice to Toucheng Station adopted by a 25min stroll, or get a taxi from the station
14) Admire the Famous Taroko Gorge
If there’s one factor to place in your Taiwan bucket record, it’s this. Also often known as the Taiwanese Grand Canyon, the gorge is so breathtaking that its native Truku tribe named it ‘Taroko’, that means ‘magnificent and splendid’ of their language.
Gorge-ous.
It’s one of many largest and most breathtaking canyons on the earth, with over 20km of vertical cliffs, some towering over 1000m. Fun truth: At 920km², Taroko Gorge is even larger than Singapore (721.5km²)!
If you’re solely there for the day, one of the best ways to get round is by scooter or driving to the highest sights, together with the Eternal Spring Shrine and Cimu Bridge. Otherwise, spend a day or two mountain climbing across the space for views like no different!
Entrance charge: Free
How to get there: From Hualien Station, take a 30 – 40min automobile or scooter trip. Alternatively, take a 10min trip from Xincheng Station
15) Enter the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas
The surreal Dragon and Tiger Pagodas supply an expertise like no different. For good luck, stroll via the dragon’s mouth and exit by way of the tiger’s.
Inside every pagoda, you’ll discover attention-grabbing paintings, graphically depicting conventional tales of heaven and hell.
Entrance charge: Free-will donation foundation
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM
How to get there: Take the MRT to Ecological Park Station, and stroll for round 20mins. Alternatively, take Red Bus 35 from Zuoying High Speed Train Station
16) Stand Under the Dome of Light at Formosa Station
In Taiwan, driving the metro is its personal tradition full with souvenirs, anime mascots, and commemorative stamps.
There’s additionally the Dome of Light at Formosa MRT Station, the most important glass paintings on the earth created by esteemed Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata. The gorgeous rainbow kaleidoscope depicts the human life cycle — with Water: The Womb of Life, Earth: Prosperity and Growth, Light: The Creative Spirit, and lastly, Fire: Destruction and Rebirth.
Cost: Free (inside public premises of practice station)
Show instances: Light exhibits at 11AM, 3PM, and 8PM
How to get there: Formosa MRT Station
17) Sleep in Your Very Own Art Installation
This boutique Papa Whale Hotel in Kaohsiung guarantees a distinct expertise every time. Every room comes with a novel theme and magnificence, starting from the inventive to the really wacky.
We tried two of the rooms — one which felt like we had stepped into a comic book ebook, and the opposite with big braille-like messages operating over the partitions and ceiling.
The keep additionally comes with a hearty breakfast of fruit, french toast, salad, and sausage.
Cost: From ~S$50.90/evening
Address: No. 328號, Minsheng 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 800
18) Catch One of the Most Beautiful Sunsets within the World
Guanshan Sunset Lookout Point.
Nestled in Kenting National Park, Guanshan Hill seems to be unassuming within the daytime. Come sundown nevertheless, the sky grows ablaze with mild and color, reworking from hues of good orange to spectacular purples and pinks.
It’s a day by day sight which has earned Guanshan a spot on CNN’s 12 Superb Sunset Spots Around The World, providing unobstructed views of the Hengchun Peninsula, fishing villages, and the gorgeous coast of Kenting National Park’s South Bay.
This is a particular must-go — nonetheless the one time I’ve ever seen a purple sundown, and hands-down the prettiest!
*Pro-tip: Guanshan’s sundown is gorgeous year-round, however locals say it’s particularly spectacular within the months of June to October.
Entrance charge: NT$60/pax (~S$2.60)
Address: No. 17-1, Binlang Road, Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan 946
19) Gaze at Fo Guang Shan’s Big Buddha
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Taiwan’s largest Buddhist compound is really a sight to behold, with 480 golden Buddha statues, together with an superior seated Buddha at a towering 108m-high.
Even in case you’re not Buddhist, it’s a fantastic place to spend a day studying about its charming founder, Master Hsingyun, and his philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism, which inspires folks to unfold love and peace on this life.
There’s additionally a powerful (and free) 15-minute film concerning the lifetime of Sakyamuni Buddha. Trust me, it’s extra entertaining than it sounds — plus it’s in 4D!
Entrance charge: Free
Opening hours: 9AM – 7PM, closed on Tuesdays (‘Life of the Buddha’ present timings each half an hour from 10AM to 12:30PM)
How to get there: Driving from Kaohsiung metropolis to Fo Guang Shan takes about 20mins. The Harvard Express Bus (NT$70/pax) that shuttles to-fro Kaohsiung HSR station and Fo Guang Shan takes 45mins. We suggest taxis, which make the identical journey at half the time for NT$100/pax. You could contact Mr. Huang at +886933307574 for taxi providers round Kaohsiung and Fo Guang Shan
Crazy Food & Drinks
20) Eat out of a Toilet Bowl at Modern Toilet Restaurant
If you thought smelly tofu was unhealthy, you haven’t tried sloppy turd-shaped meatballs. The second you step into Taipei’s Modern Toilet Restaurant, you’ll be graphically reminded of the place (and the way) your meals goes to finish up. The self-described ‘scatological fantasyland’ serves alarmingly reasonable dishes which can be truthfully fairly disgusting.
Sat comfortably on our bathroom bowl seats, we feasted on Modern Toilet Poop Meatballs (NT$260) and Toilet No.2 (NT$160), an overflowing diarrhoea-mess of ice shavings, soft-serve, jelly, and biscuits — all in a shitty shade of poo-brown.
Even the drinks are gross. Our Bleeding Hemorrhoid Strawberry Milk and Taiwanese Urine Beer (NT$200) got here in a medical urine assortment container, with a urinal choice additionally out there.
Cost: Mains from NT$260 (~S$11.30), and drinks from NT$110 (~S$4.80)
Opening hours: 12PM – 9:30PM (Mon – Fri), 11:30AM – 10PM (Weekends). Last order 1hr earlier than closing
Address: 2F, No 7, Ln 50, Xining S. Rd., Taipei City (Taipei outlet)
21) Have Meals with Wheels on the Crazy Cart Café
At Crazy Cart Café, whiz round after feasting on traditional café fare. The tracks begin indoors and wind outdoors the constructing, and are full with looping platforms and steep slopes. Even going at 20km/h, it was fairly thrilling as we tried to float, and ended up spinning round uncontrollably. Way to combat off a meals coma!
Cost: NT$650 (~S$28), (NT$500 goes towards the go-cart). NT$300 (~S$13) minimal order with out the go-cart
Opening hours: 12PM – 9PM (Wed – Sun), closed on Mon and Tue
Address: No. 360, Section 8, Civic Blvd, Nangang District, Taipei City, Taiwan 115
22) Grab a Cuppa on the Highest Starbucks within the World
Level up your caffeine buzz with a cuppa at Taipei 101’s Starbucks — the very best on the earth!
Once a well-kept secret, this scenic Starbucks is now successful amongst locals and vacationers alike, so that you’ll must make a reservation no less than a day prematurely (by cellphone +886 2 8101 0701). Like an unique membership, this Starbucks additionally comes with its personal algorithm, together with a minimal spend per buyer, a 90-minute time restrict, and a strict costume code of no slippers or shorts.
Located on Level 35 of Taipei 101, it’s a less expensive method to catch the view with out shelling out for observatory tickets — plus, after all, bragging rights!
Cost: Minimum spend of NT$200 (~S$8.70) for no less than one pastry and drink
Opening hours: 7:30AM – 6:30PM (Mon – Fri), 9AM – 6PM (Sat – Sun)
How to get there: Take the MTR to Taipei 101 Station and search for Door 7
23) Munch on a Penis-Shaped Cake
Can you actually say you’ve visited Taiwan in case you’ve by no means posed with certainly one of these?
This icocknic Taiwanese snack comes as a pineapple cake with PG13 fillings: honey-melon, blueberry, raspberry, or sesame and peanut (NT$300 per set). Each is coated in a distinct color, however there’s no hiding what they’re meant to resemble.
Not the same old Taiwanese sausage.
If you’re massive on realism, there’s additionally a chocolate cake model filled with chocolate filling (NT$320) in a skin-tone shade of brown!
Cost: From NT$300 (~S$13) for 2pcs
Opening hours: 10AM – 12AM
How to get there: Walk alongside Ximending Street — the store is reverse the large MASA claw machine arcade.
24) Omakase at Four-Generation Farmer
If you’ve ever visited Taiwan, you’ll be accustomed to their wonderful hospitality. Experience this firsthand on the homely Four-Generation Farmer, an omakase-style household restaurant, tucked within the peaceable countryside of Hualien. At simply NT$300/pax, you’ll take pleasure in a feast freshly ready with no matter’s within the kitchen.
This means it’s your luck what sort of dishes you get, however primarily based on our go to there, I can safely say the standard (and amount) of dishes surpassed approach past my expectations.
The meals saved on coming: alfalfa sprout & lobster salad, fried fish with Roselle, braised pork knuckles, omelette with dried radish, lengthy bean soup, kumquat tea, and rice. So scrumptious, and ready with a lot coronary heart.
Cost: NT$300 (~S$13)
Opening hours: 11AM – 2PM (Lunch), 5PM – 8PM (Dinner)
Address: No. 1, Dazhong Road, Fenglin Township, Hualien County, Taiwan 975
25) River-Shrimping in a Stream
Photo credit score: 溯溪王Riverking Facebook
When the solar has set, go wandering knees-deep within the cool stream and have a go at river-shrimping. It’s an thrilling expertise that’s not as straightforward because it sounds — the shrimp are extraordinarily troublesome to identify, and are fast to slide away!
Photo credit score: 溯溪王Riverking Facebook
Wet boots on our ft, nets in our fingers, we spent a great 40 minutes making an attempt to identify traces of brilliant purplish orbs (the shrimps’ eyes reflecting underneath headlamps), getting ridiculously excited at any time when we did.
At the top of the session, head again for a scrumptious scorching meal of soup, barbecued meat, and bamboo rice. Definitely a welcome shock, since we thought we’d solely be consuming our measly catch — in actual fact, the shrimp we caught had been returned to the stream.
*Pro-tip: The tour we took was performed fully in Mandarin, so greatest to have somebody in your group who’s in a position to translate if mandatory!
Cost: ~S$43.40/pax
Time slot: 7PM
Address: No. 215, Section 2, Zhonghua Road, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County (In entrance of 7-Eleven)
Win Travel Vouchers to Spend in Taiwan!
After experiencing out of doors adventures to uncovering distinctive experiences in Taiwan, we’re undoubtedly coming again for extra!
Lucky for us (and all of you), Taiwan Tourism Bureau is freely giving journey vouchers price NT$5,000 (~S$218) to 500,000 vacationers! The giveaway will run for 3 years ranging from 1 May 2023 — 250,000 vouchers will likely be given out in 2023, 150,000 in 2024, and 100,000 in 2025!
Choose to make use of your journey vouchers in certainly one of two methods, a stored-value smartcard to make use of at taking part shops and points of interest or within the type of lodging vouchers for taking part lodges.
Remember to register between one to seven days earlier than your arrival date in Taiwan for an opportunity to win!
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