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Taiwan: A Long-Awaited Family Visit

This trip to Taiwan was a long-awaited one, driven by the desire to visit family residing there. Accompanied by two friends, we embarked on a journey to explore this vibrant island nation.

The first day, we left home at 4:30 am to catch a flight at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The flight departed at 7:25 am and arrived in Taiwan around noon. Taiwan time is one hour ahead of Thailand time. When we arrived in Taiwan, my brother was waiting for us at the airport. His house is in Taoyuan, not far from the airport. Today, we will be sightseeing in Taoyuan City. The atmosphere of the buildings and houses in this city is similar to the area around Ladprao or the suburbs of Bangkok. I complained to my brother, "I flew all this way, and the atmosphere here is like taking a car to my office."

Our first stop is the Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-Kuo Cultural Park in Cihu. This site is the burial place of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the first president of the Republic of China (Taiwan). It is believed that Chiang saw Cihu as resembling his hometown in China, and therefore requested his family and friends to bury him here.

This area resembles a large park. Upon crossing the bridge, one can see Chairman Jiang's residence. His remains are housed in a glass coffin within the residence, allowing visitors to pay their respects. Previously, visitors could enter the room to pay their respects, but now they must remain outside. When we arrived, soldiers were performing a changing of the guard ceremony.

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It was already past 1 p.m. at that time, so we decided to have lunch there. There is only one restaurant in Chuzhou, which is a bit expensive, but the taste is acceptable.

After finishing a meal and leaving the restaurant, I encountered a group of indigenous people performing a show. When I asked what they were doing, they explained that they were performing to raise money for charity. The show was similar to those performed by indigenous groups in my own country.


The speaker and their friend discussed visiting a flower farm before their trip. The friend assured the speaker that they knew the farm and that it was located in Taoyuan. However, upon arriving at the farm, the speaker realized that their friend had mistaken the farm for another one called "Shihu." The speaker pointed out that the two farms were actually located opposite each other.

Ta Shee Blooming Oasis

Entrance fee: 150 TWD

Website: http://www.tasheeblmn.com.tw/

We arrived at the farm at almost two in the afternoon. The ticket seller told us that the farm would close at around four in the evening. We only had a few hours. He was worried that we wouldn't get our money's worth, but we had already come so far, so we decided to go in anyway.


This farm offers a variety of activities, including a flower garden, a zoo, camping, and DIY workshops. The atmosphere is pleasant, with red flowers contrasting against the blue sky in the valley. However, the lavender flowers were not yet fully grown when I visited, and I arrived in the afternoon, missing all the shows. If you have several days to spend in Taiwan and are unsure where to go, I recommend visiting this farm. However, if you are specifically planning a trip to this farm, you may be disappointed as it is not very large and can be explored in about half an hour.


After exploring the farm, we took our bags to our friend's house to greet their parents. We plan to go out and find something to eat at the night market later in the evening.

The night market is considered a highlight of Taiwan. There is a wide variety of food to choose from at the market. At this market, we found two Thai restaurants. One sold Isaan sausage and iced milk tea (which wouldn't go together in Thailand, it's too sweet). The other sold papaya salad, which they made in a very Taiwanese style. For Thais, it was completely bland.

We opted for the local specialties: hotpot and bubble tea, which were surprisingly affordable, comparable to prices at Thai night markets. After a satisfying meal, it was time to call it a night, marking the end of our first day in Taoyuan.

The second day of the trip, we woke up at eight in the morning because we planned to go to Yehliu and Jiufen early in the morning. However, my younger brother did not wake up, so my aunt bought us breakfast, which was tofu and dumplings.

After finishing breakfast, my aunt told me to go for a walk at the market while waiting for my younger sibling to wake up. It would be almost noon by then. So my friend and I went for a walk at the market. This market is the second largest in Taoyuan and sells everything from fresh produce to clothes. So we bought some snacks and souvenirs here. The pineapple cakes, a national souvenir, mochi, and candy are very cheap.

The journey began at 11:30 am, after a late wake-up. The initial destination, Jiufen, was deemed too far, and Yeliu was chosen instead. The one-hour drive to Yeliu marked the start of the day's adventure.

By the time we arrived at Yehliu, it was almost noon, so we decided to have lunch first. Since we were by the sea, we opted for seafood. We had a hearty meal, treating our friend who had kindly driven us there. The seafood was fresh and delicious.

After we've eaten, let's go buy tickets. The entrance fee is 50 dollars.

Yehliu Geopark is a must-visit destination in Taiwan. The iconic Queen's Head rock formation, once a majestic landmark, has unfortunately eroded over time, leaving only a small remnant. The queue to take photos with the remaining rock is also notoriously long.


Here are some of the highlights of the place: a monument built in memory of a man who drowned while trying to save a child who had fallen into the water; and oddly shaped rocks, each named according to what people imagine they resemble. The weather was cold and windy on the day we visited.

After exploring the area, we took a long drive to Taipei. By the time we arrived, it was already late at night.

Tonight, we have booked a hotel in the Ximending area called ECFA Hotel Wan nian (Mrt Ximen exit 6). The hotel is located on the 6th floor of the shopping mall building as shown in the second picture. We booked through booking.com for around 2,500 baht per night without breakfast, but when we arrived, the staff told us that we could have breakfast.

For more details, please refer to the following link: http://www.ecfa-hotel.com/en-gb#/ecfa-hotel-wan-ni...

It was time for dinner. At first, I planned to go to the buffet restaurant "Tian Wai Tian", but when I arrived, the restaurant was full and there were no seats available. I had to wait for several hours, so I decided to go to another restaurant instead.

After lunch, we said goodbye to our younger brother and let him go home. The rest of us continued our trip. We walked to the Red House, which is open from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM. You can get there by taking the MRT to Ximen Station and exiting at Exit 1. The Red House is full of beautiful and cute handmade crafts, making it a perfect place for photography enthusiasts.


After a day of exploring and shopping, we were exhausted and returned to the hotel.

For the trip on the 3rd and 4th, we will be traveling on our own as we have already dropped our younger sibling off at home.

Before embarking on your journey, let's familiarize ourselves with the subway routes. For this trip, all tourist destinations are accessible by subway except for Gukgong, which requires a transfer to a bus.


After obtaining the subway map, the next step is to purchase an EasyCard, a rechargeable transportation card. The initial purchase price is 500 TWD, with a card value of 400 TWD and a deposit of 100 TWD. The deposit is fully refundable upon card return. For more details, please refer to the following link: http://www.tscc.com.tw/english/use/index.asp


The card top-up machine looks the same as the ones we have at home.

Day three of the journey.

Waking up early in the morning, we had breakfast at the hotel, which consisted of stir-fried noodles, bread, and sausages. After breakfast, we set off to pay our respects at Longshan Temple, seeking blessings for our journey.

MRT Longshan Temple Exit 1 leads to Longhshan Temple.

Stepping out of the MRT station, I was immediately greeted by the sight of a temple. Longhshan Temple, a historic Taiwanese landmark, bustled with activity and offered numerous picturesque corners for photography. I even picked up some lucky charms for free, though I'm still unsure whether they were for sale or simply available for the taking.

After paying respects at the temple, I walked out to the back and came across a green garden corner that was easy on the eyes.

We then walked back to the subway station. On the way, we found a shoe store in the station that was selling boots for the winter at very cheap prices, only 200-300 baht per pair. I bought a pair and wore them right away, but I didn't really like them that much.


We then took the subway to Beitou Hot Spring, where my friend requested to soak in an onsen.

Beitou Hot Spring: Take the MRT Beitou line, exit at platform 4, and transfer to another train for 1 station to Xinbeitou.

Traveling from Longshan Temple to Beitou Hot Spring is quite a distance, as it requires traveling outside the city. The journey takes about half an hour by car. After exiting the MRT station, we explored the nearby shops and hotels, searching for an onsen bath. However, we ultimately decided against it because the private baths were expensive, and the public baths required nudity, which we were not comfortable with.

As we explored, we came across a museum (a red building shaped like a letter H) and a communal bathhouse. We decided to take a look, but to soak in the bath, we needed to wear swimsuits, which we didn't bring. So, we reluctantly decided not to take a dip. The entrance fee was around 50 dollars.

We continued walking until we came across a stream. Seeing many people sitting there with their legs dangling in the water, we decided to join them. But as soon as we dipped our feet in, we screamed! The water was scalding hot.

After much deliberation over potential hot spring locations, we ultimately settled for a simple foot soak in the mineral-rich stream. Despite its unassuming nature, the experience proved to be surprisingly delightful.

The last picture is of a communal bathhouse.

After soaking in the hot spring until our legs were almost soft, it was time for lunch. We walked to Burger King, which is located near the subway entrance. After eating, we explored a 7-11 store. We looked at the price of the cosmetics and decided not to buy them because they were the same price as in the city. We were too lazy to carry them.

Next stop: Danshui Riverside Market. Take MRT Danshui Old Street Exit 1.

Upon exiting the train station, one must decide where to find the desired destination. Crossing the street and continuing straight ahead is a common approach.

The market was vast and offered a wide variety of goods, including snacks, souvenirs, and fresh produce. We ultimately decided to explore this street, but first, we stopped at Starbucks to quench our thirst. The cafe provided Wi-Fi, allowing us to update our Facebook pages and use the restroom. After enjoying a refreshing coffee, we ventured out to continue our shopping spree.

In Taiwan, they are famous for their delicious food. We went from shop to shop, trying different dishes. We were particularly impressed by the ice cream at one shop. It had a roti-like dough with crushed peanuts, ice cream, and a sprinkle of spring onions. It cost 35 dollars. It seemed easy to make, but when we tried to make it at home, the taste wasn't the same. We also saw the legendary bitter melon juice, but we couldn't bring ourselves to try it. After buying souvenirs and snacks to our heart's content, we continued our journey to Gugong.

The National Palace Museum is accessible via the Red Line of the MRT. Get off at Shilin Station, Exit 1. Turn right after exiting the station and walk towards Watsons. Take bus R30, 213, 255, 304, or 18. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes. Admission is 160 baht per person. On Saturdays after 6:30 PM, entry is free. To return, take the same bus back to Shilin Station.

By the time we arrived at Gukgong, it was around 4 pm. We were hungry again, so we bought some sushi and ate it under the train station. Everyone was staring at us, but we didn't care because we were hungry. We decided to take bus number 304 and asked the driver if it passed by Gukgong. We told him to let us know when we arrived.

Upon reaching the driver, he shouted for us to get off. The sight that greeted us was simply breathtaking – a magnificent structure of immense scale and grandeur.

Arriving in the late afternoon, we were captivated by the magnificent architecture, but time constraints, as it was nearing five o'clock, prevented us from exploring the interior. Having no particular interest in history and having previously visited the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, we surmised that the museum's contents would not differ significantly. While this may seem like a convenient excuse, the truth is that we were reluctant to spend the admission fee.

After taking photos in the cold for a while, it started to get dark. We wondered how we would get back, so we decided to take a chance and look for a bus stop. We saw a bus that said it was going to Ximending, which was where our accommodation was, so we decided to take it. It turned out to be a good decision, even though the journey was a bit long. We were able to rest and enjoy the scenery as we rode the bus. I don't remember which bus route we took.

By the time they reached Simin, it was already very late, so they went shopping for a bit and then returned to their room for a party with Mama Tom Yum Goong. They showered and went to bed, ending their third day completely exhausted.

The final day of this trip.

Waking up early to have breakfast at the hotel, the food is the same as yesterday. Our first tourist destination today is the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

MRT: Take the MRT to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station (Exit 4).

Museum Hours: The museum closes at 5 PM.

Entering the building, we encountered this group of women. What are they doing? Every day in Taiwan, we encounter various groups of people engaged in diverse activities. We often wonder what they are doing, but we have no one to ask.

Walking into the hall, you will find an exhibition on the history of Sun Yat-sen.

The next room leads to the Chinese seal and calligraphy exhibition, where visitors can try their hand at writing and drawing.

The friend wanted a personalized stamp, but the seller was unavailable. The employee suggested calling the store, but it would take several days to receive the item, so the friend had to wait.

I prefer the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou to the one in Nanjing. While the Guangzhou building is more aesthetically pleasing, the Nanjing memorial offers a wider range of exhibits.

The translator stepped outside the hall, eager to capture a photo with Taipei 101 in the background. However, disappointment set in as the angle resulted in a backlit image, limiting the photo's potential.


Turning to another angle, the backlight still persists.

The weather that day was cold, but the sun was shining brightly. It was cold in the shade, but hot in the sun, so I changed my mind and asked to take photos only of the building corners. It seemed more refreshing.

Next stop: Taipei Main Station. How to get there: MRT Taipei Main Station.

The purpose of our visit was to explore the route to the airport. Initially, we intended to take the high-speed train, so we came to see how difficult it would be to drag our luggage. We then walked to the bus station and decided that taking a taxi from the hotel to the bus station would be the best option, as it was a long walk and we had a lot of luggage. Taipei Main Station has a wide variety of shops, and we bought sushi from the bus station for lunch. We often eat sushi because it is affordable and delicious.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Directions:

  • Take the MRT to CKC Memorial Hall Station.
  • Exit through Exit 5.
  • Turn right after exiting the station.

Note: This translation is concise and provides clear instructions for reaching the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. It avoids personal pronouns and colloquialisms, and maintains a formal tone appropriate for academic writing.

We were impressed by the grandeur of the subway station, which is shown in the first four pictures of comment 28. The towering skyscrapers and the overall magnificence of the cityscape were truly breathtaking.

We didn't have much historical knowledge beforehand, and after paying our respects to Chiang Kai-shek at Cihu, we sat down to eat the sushi we had bought, taking photos with the buildings and walls before returning.

Encountering the Elderly Man Embracing Natural Energy Once More

This concise sentence describes the repeated observation of an elderly man engaging with natural energy. The use of the word "อีกแล้ว" (again) implies that this is not the first time the observer has witnessed this behavior.

The phrase "รับพลังงานธรรมชาติ" (receiving natural energy) suggests that the elderly man is actively seeking to connect with and draw strength from the natural world. This could involve various practices such as spending time in nature, meditating, or performing specific exercises.

Without further context, it is difficult to determine the specific nature of the elderly man's interaction with natural energy. However, the sentence provides a glimpse into his potential connection with the environment and his pursuit of well-being through natural means.

The last tourist spot we visited in Taipei was Taipei 101.

Directions to MRT Taipei 101 / World Trade Center Exit 4

Take Exit 4 at MRT Taipei 101 / World Trade Center Station.

Exiting the station, I was immediately greeted by the sight of Taipei 101. Passing by Din Tai Fung, I was tempted by the delicious food, but the long queue and fear of missing my flight forced me to resist. Instead, I continued on, encountering another opportunity to meditate and absorb the natural energy.

Bidding farewell to Taiwan, we capture the cool evening ambiance and adorable photo spots in front of Taipei 101.

After taking photos to our heart's content, we took the subway back to the hotel to get our luggage, and then hailed a taxi to the bus station to head to the airport.

Goodbye Taiwan, I hope to see you again soon.

Thank you for watching the review.

#taipei#taiwan
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