In this article we rollick about the coastal, flatlands, foothills, and urban-core regions for quick-dips at some of the best tourist-friendly natural treasures.
The magnificent Alishan National Scenic Area, known for iconic Taiwan sunrises, narrow-gauge alpine railway, and “seas of clouds,” is divided into three main corridors, north, central, and south. The northern corridor is perhaps the quietest of the three, a region of steep-slope tea plantations, bamboo forest, scenic heritage trails, soaring waterfalls, indigenous-culture experiences, and much beyond.
Constructed over a century ago, the narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway branch line, today plied by tourist trains, is one of just three steep-gradient alpine railways on the globe. The others are also located in exotic locations off the beaten tracks: a line in India that runs through the Darjeeling tea-plantation region and one in Chile-Argentina that traverses the high Andes.
Chiayi is an old city sitting in the middle of the southwest plains with a pleasingly relaxed pace. It is filled with nuggets awaiting the history spelunker, more and more of its architectural nuggets now turned into places of trendy cultural-creative enterprise, joining the legion of friendly old-time shops and eateries.
If you are interested in Hakka culture, the small towns and villages of Hsinchu are perfect for exploration. Visit Zhudong and Beipu to immerse yourself in the Hakka way of life!
There are many smaller tourist attractions in Taoyuan City’s Daxi and Logntan districts making this part of Taiwan great for day trips from Taipei.
Lalashan is a well-known mountain accessible via the Northern Cross-Island Highway. Among the attractions there are divine giant trees, sweet honey peaches and indigenous cuisine, as well as guesthouses with great views.
There are countless options for budgets travelers to find cheap and good accommodation in Taipei. Here are three of Taipei’s top hostels.
From the coast to the high mountains Hsinchu County in northwest Taiwan has a lot of scenic and cultural attraction to offer.
There are countless options for budgets travelers to find cheap and good accommodation in Taipei. Here are three of Taipei’s top hostels.