TAIWAN’S RUGGED NORTHEAST
3 min readWhen most people think of Taiwan, they think of endless factories churning out textiles and computers and crowded streets filled with business-suit types rushing from business meeting to business meeting. While this may be true of the cities, the picture over in the northeast Taiwan’s vacation paradise is far different and a whole lot prettier. to his is being a small island, you don’t have to travel too far from the heart of Taipei a thousand miles away from the big city. The last he river of the same name Qing dynasty on Chongjian here ancient times, or Yin street, where narrow lemple, a to the principles of fengshui.a drive along the north coast of Taiwan will ers head north on the weekends. Carved by the name means stone gate) is popular spot for exploratio Yeliou Scenic Area, where ueens Head” rock (really excellent fish meals at the nearby Yeliou Harbor. If yling, the hills nearby Feicueiwan, a nearly mile-Iong 1. 5 km) beach of white sand, are popular. The beach itself is beautiful and great for swimming, sailing and windsurfing in all but the coldest months. You’ll easily be able to find places to rent all needec uipment once you get there, so don’t bother trying to put your windsurfing board in your carry-on.
The Palace Museum in Taipei is one of the best places see the treasures of China’s’ past.( gugong The most famous of north Taiwan’s “old Towns” is the hillside vilage llage of Jiufen, where the three main streets have been designated historical landmarks. Jishan Street is the best place for traditional snacks and many tea shops are clustered along the stone steps of Shuci Road. Of course, Jiufen is also a good place for souvenir shopping.
Bitou Cape is a well maintained trail running along the edges of a small finger of land jutting out into the sea. The tip of the cape has a lighthouse, which is open to the public. Just south of the cape lies the Taoyuan Valley Trail which brings hikers to a gently sloping carpet of green grass from which you can view a 360 degree view of the Pacific. This area also offers other hiking opportunities, so comfortable footwear is a must.
Heading south along Route 2, you’ll have the mountains to your right and the ocean to your left. In most spots, the ocean is pretty rocky and rough. Yanliao Beach, Fulong Beach and Honeymoon Bay are all popular with people who dig the beach Fulong Beach is the spot of many all night parties on the weekend and all three places see some surfing action apparently the best waves are right before the typhoons hit. oon Lake.(riyuetan) South of Honeymoon bay is the Lion’s Kingdom Museum Leo Club, a museum that doubles with a powerful affinity for stone lions. This obsession has resulted in his owning the largest collection of stone lions in the world, 6, 000 pieces and rising definitely worth series of trails that lead over the rocks and along the beach. There’s a set of excellen her you can eat seafood caught fresh from the sea, or just hang out and snack on apple soda and peanut cand candy. trecently, Kueishan ilnd was off limits to the public. now possible to get It’s a permit to visit, but it’s still a bit of a hassle. However, the sunrise over the island of underwater hot springs turn the ocean at the head of the island strange shade green, there are several boat tours leaving every day from nearby Wushih Harbor.
Even if the island doesn’t’ interest you it looks like turtle, complete with stony face and a long sandy tail the boat trip is well worth it, as the ocean east of the island is rich with opportunities for dolphin and whale watching. Though the entire road down the east coast is amazing and loaded with sightseeing opportunities, the northeast sector of Taiwan is the best of the best Be sure to see the town of Jiaosi, just north of the city of Ilan. Jiaosi is best known as a hot spring resort and all of the hotels boast of having superheated water reputed to cure a number of physical illnesses pumped into their rooms.
