Donโt let its size fool you, Taiwan is home to a 23-million strong population that keep its spirited traditions and luxurious culture alive
Taiwan, China
With so much to do and see in Taipei, can you even believe there will come a time when you fancy experiencing something different? Well, long-term expats can attest to this being bound to happen sooner or later. Worry not, I have you covered! ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ: ๐ธ photo spot / tip ๐ best time to visit ๐ซ admission fee Distance: ๐ public transport | ๐ car Travel times are an approximation. Starting point is Taipei Main Station. High speed rail not considered. All information is given to the best of my knowledge at the time of posting. Please always check with the location prior to visiting.
Named after Ming Dynasty scholar Wang Yangming, ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป is the treasure trove of wonders for the Taipei expat and well deserves its reputation as the ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ณ๐๐น ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ง๐ฎ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ป. Here are some highlights to get your bucket list started: ๐ธ soak in the local hot springs ๐ธ visit historical buildings ๐ธ wander through flower gardens ๐ธ take scenic hikes through forests or grasslands ๐ธ feast on sweeping vistas and great photo-ops. Distance: ๐ 1h 40min | ๐ 35min Check out my dedicated list for more detailed descriptions of the many attractions you can find in this area: https://lemi.travel/wabisavi/yangmingshan-the-ultimate-guide?utm_source=iosapp&utm_medium=share
Taiwan
When it comes to day trips from Taipei, ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐๐ณ๐ฒ๐ป holds the record of most visited town. The throngs of people filling every winding street are proof. They are also proof that 90% of the photos you have seen of this place are the result of editing magic ๐. Jioufenโs popularity grew when it started being associated with the Japanese animation โ๐๐ฑ๐ช๐ณ๐ช๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐๐ธ๐ข๐บโ. Not to crush your dreams, but any resemblance between Jioufenโs most famous teahouse and the movieโs bathhouse ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐บ๐๐๐ต๐ which have long been busted (in case you were wondering, the real inspiration is located in Kyushu, Japan). That being said, this little mountain town has ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ป๐ถ๐พ๐๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐. Steep narrow alleys will have you lost among souvenir shops and tantalizing snack stalls. Red lanterns hanging at every corner will whisk you away to a magical world after dusk. All this of course, if youโre willing to endure losing any kind of personal space for the duration of your visit. Worth it? Thatโs up to you to decide. Distance: ๐ 1h 15min | ๐ 40min
Jioufen, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224
Home to a long pottery tradition, ๐ฌ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ด๐ฒ appears to be all but unknown to foreign visitors. And what a shame that is. How to spend a day in Yingge: ๐ธVisit the pottery museum. ๐ธTake photos with oversized teacups at the pottery art garden. ๐ธStroll down the old street and shop all things pottery to your heartโs content. If youโre looking for the perfect china bowl or terracotta tea set to bring home, Yingge is the place to go. ๐ธTry your hand at one of the numerous pottery workshops. ๐ธSip Chinese tea from traditional handmade vessels. ๐ธTake your loved one to the Love Garden for a romantic surprise and a beautiful night view. ๐ธBonus. Visit the Coca-Cola Museum (booking in advance required) Distance: ๐ 40min | ๐ 40min
Yingge District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 239