Taiwan

These 7 Well-Kept Secrets Will Make Your Next Trip to Taiwan Extra Special


We already know that Taiwan is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Asia, and now a recent report from Japan confirms that. Taiwan is the most popular holiday destination for Japanese holidays, beating destinations such as Italy, Germany, Spain and China for top honors, the Japan Tourism Industry Association (JATA) revealed. With that in mind, we bring you a Taiwan travel guide to help you learn about the island nation’s best attractions.













Taipei skyline




Overall, Japanese tourists and other foreigners choose to visit Taiwan because they feel safe and welcome here. The friendly and welcoming Taiwanese culture makes it a matter of course for tourists to have a good time.









Taiwan mangrove




Another reason people love visiting Taiwan is to be able to experience authentic island life outside of Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. The island is small but still has many must-see local attractions.





If you still You need a reason to go to Taiwan, and these local secrets are sure to convince you to book your trip in no time.









1. Convenient transportation around the island













Taiwan’s train system is the most convenient way for travelers to travel around the island. Taiwan also built a high-speed rail system linking Taipei and Kaohsiung in less than two hours. Of course you can also take taxis, subways and buses.





2. Free Wi-Fi









Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Taipei. After signing up, you can use Wi-Fi right away, from shopping malls to hospitals. iTaiwan is another great free Wi-Fi service that gives you access to different hotspots across the island.





3. Off the beaten track









Houtong Cat Village




If you prefer to go off the beaten path, Taiwan has many hidden gems for tourists to discover. For cat lovers, Houdong Cat Village in northern Taipei is the cutest place on the island. Although it used to be a mining town, today Houtong is full of cats, wandering around looking for tourists to play with.









Near Cat Village, Wanli UFO Village is another unique local attraction worth a visit. These Futuro houses, designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, are like whimsical flying saucers that land on Earth.









high heels church




We kid you not – it’s totally true: There’s a church with high heels near Chiayi City (southwest of Taipei). This huge shoe church is an all-glass building made of 320 blue glass. This is the photo you don’t want to miss.









Rainbow Family Village




If you’re a fan of Sao Paulo’s Baco do Batman, you’ll love Rainbow Family Village just outside Taipei. This colorful town is filled with colorful graffiti-style art, from walls to roads.









modern toilet restaurant




For foodies with a teenage sense of humor, check out the modern toilet restaurant, ahem, Unique culinary experience. The decor and dishes of this notorious restaurant are toilet-themed. Maybe not the most appetizing atmosphere, but the food is really delicious.









4. Delicious local Taiwanese food









Pig blood cake




When it comes to food, Taiwan is famous for its street food. One of the best ways to get authentic Taiwanese food is to visit any night market. If you’re feeling adventurous, we highly recommend trying the stinky tofu, fish balls, oyster omelette and pork blood cake. Our favorite night market is Raohe Night Market in Taipei.









Raohe Night Market




5. Experience the island’s Aboriginal culture









The Taiwanese aborigines have a long history on this island, dating back 5,000 years. Today, most people call the Central Mountains home, and they take pride in being financially self-reliant and preserving their culture.









Taroko National Park




Visitors can explore the natural beauty of Taiwan’s indigenous lands and cultures. Taroko National Park is one of the major Aboriginal attractions, with several amazing sites ranging from shrines to hiking trails. Jiu Aboriginal Culture Village is another park worth a visit. This place has the largest outdoor museum in Taiwan and consists of nine separate village reconstructions and a traditional European garden.









6. Visit a traditional Taiwanese temple









Longshan Temple




Taiwan has innovative infrastructure and modern architecture across the island. But Taiwan also looks back on its past, with many well-preserved traditional temples across the country. The Longshan Temple in Taipei City is a perfect example of the fusion of tradition and modernity. You can learn about the past history and at the same time learn about the daily religious life of some Taiwanese locals.









Dalongdong Baoan Temple




Dalongdong Baoan Temple is another famous temple. The Dalongdong Baoan Temple was built around 1804 and underwent extensive renovations and repairs to preserve the interior and exterior. Taipei Confucius Temple is another place worth visiting in Taipei City. Minnan style ceramic decoration, there is also a black gold plaque inscribed with Chiang Kai-shek’s inscription in the hall, which reads “education does not discriminate”.





7. Enjoy the outdoors









Eternal Spring Temple




If you love the outdoors, Taiwan has many amazing sites, hot springs and waterfalls to explore. On a tour of Taroko National Park, you’ll discover visually stunning waterfalls from Changchun Shrine. The view from the cliffside shrine is unparalleled, surrounded by natural landscapes and beautiful waterfalls.









Jiu Fen Old Street




Jiufen Old Street offers local tours of this ancient gold mine city. Most of the attractions are on the cobblestone steps of Shuqi Road between Jiufen Elementary School and Jiufen Police Station. On the three roads perpendicular to Shuqi Road, there are many shops, restaurants and cafes.













Yangmingshan National Park




Tourists can hike in Yangmingshan National Park and enjoy the natural environment. Dream Lake and China Pavilion are beautiful places where tourists can enjoy the scenery.









View from Xiangshan




Elephant Mountain is the best view in Taipei City. Also known as Nangang District Hiking Trail and Fragrant Hill, it is close to Xinyi business district and Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taipei. The best time to climb the mountain is in the late afternoon, the city is absolutely beautiful.









Did we leave out any of the local best-kept secrets in our Taiwan travel guide? Let us know in the comments.





This story was originally published on March 17, 2018.









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