“Babu, babu!”—the sound of a horn rings out in the distance. People trying to cool off make their way through the scorching hot afternoon to a vending cart, where an older man is scooping out Taiwanese-style ice cream in taro, sweet runner bean, and goose-yellow vanilla flavors. An icy cold treat is the quickest way to beat the heat!
From Mudan to Sandiaoling, from Pingxi to Jingtong, there are mountains and waterways, old trails and waterfalls. For this story, Taiwan Panorama followed local historians along the Wangyou Trail in search of traces of the indigo industry that flourished in days gone by. We also recommend fun itineraries that include canyoning and exploring river potholes.
When it comes to hiring a vehicle while traveling, you’re probably aware that you can rent a bicycle, motorcycle or car. But do you know that you can also hire a train?
Travel agencies, railway enthusiast clubs, and even government agencies can apply to Taiwan Railway (TR) to charter a train.
To appeal to train buffs, TR charters out special trains, including some hauled by steam engines, on branch lines such as the Pingxi and Neiwan lines.
Eiji Mitooka, known as the father of specialty trains in Japan, once said: “Riding the train can itself be the purpose of a journey.” In recent years, a number of special tourist trains have been launched in Taiwan, with stylish carriage interiors, exquisite meals, and cordial, professional staff. The itineraries are meticulously planned, so that trains are no longer just a means of transportation, but are themselves worth coming a long way for.
Get up early in the morning to scuba dive in Kenting’s tropical seas on Taiwan’s southern coast. Then in the afternoon, cross the Tropic of Cancer and don a down jacket to release a sky lantern in the mountain village of Pingxi. This kind of day trip, covering almost 400 kilometers, doesn’t require ruby slippers like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz or Sun Wukong’s magical cloud. All it takes is the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) to make this kind of adventure possible in a single day.
Human beings seem naturally attracted to enormous machines that can move. Trains, which carry people and goods across long distances, are regarded as a defining trait of modern civilization. In important ways, rail transport is emblematic of how modern people live.
To preserve memories and bear witness to history, Taiwan’s National Railway Museum opened its doors for the first time this year.
The demolition of the Beimen Overpass in downtown Taipei City in 2016 gave visual access to the Railway Department Park opposite the iconic building of the Beimen Post Office.
With its characteristic red brick walls and white faux stonework, the European-looking main edifice of the park used to be the headquarters of the Japanese precursor to the Taiwan Railway Corporation.
“The only true voyage, the only fountain of Youth, would not be to visit strange lands, but to possess other eyes, to see the universe with the eyes of another....” —Marcel Proust
Known as Sandiaowan (Sandiao Bay), the rugged coastline between Cape Bitou and Cape Santiago in Northeastern Taiwan features distinctive rocky headlands.
Though you may never have set foot on Yushan, you have almost certainly seen it. Pull out a NT$1,000 note, and on its back you will see an image of Yushan’s majestic, snow-capped Main Peak.
You may wonder: Where was the original photograph of this 3,952-meter peak, Taiwan’s highest, taken from? The answer: the weather station on Yushan’s North Peak.
So you’ve visited Taipei 101, strolled through historic streets, and consumed a lot of great food. But would you like to experience a different side of Taiwan?
Then why not try out an alternative travel plan? Enter mist-shrouded forests, climb rock faces, and go down into river valleys. Search for paths through lush vegetation and feel the suspense of pushing ahead, sweating and wheezing, into places that are wild and adventurous.
