Buzz
If you find yourself in Taiwan, be sure to explore the geological park of Da Leu and the two ancient villages of Tenfold and Ninefold. With just a day to spare, you can easily cover all three places, capture numerous photos, and indulge in delicious cuisine.
When traveling to Taiwan, make a stop at Da Leu, Tenfold, and Ninefold for an enriching experience.
When is the best time to visit Taiwan?
Taiwan has four seasons, but generally falls under a humid subtropical climate. It's advisable to visit Taiwan in late spring (April to May) or fall (preferably November) if you prefer mild and pleasant weather. Those who are prone to sweating or dislike hot and humid conditions should avoid visiting in summer (around August).
Spring lasts from March to May, with comfortable temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 22ºC on the lower end and 19ºC to 27ºC on the higher end. Summer spans from June to September, characterized by hot and humid weather, with average temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 28ºC on the lower end and 27ºC to 31ºC on the higher end.
Autumn extends through October and November, with cool weather ranging from 18ºC to 27ºC on the lower end and 27ºC to 30ºC on the higher end. Winter spans from December to February, characterized by dry weather and fog. Temperatures drop to lows of 13ºC to 15ºC and highs of 17ºC to 19ºC.
Location and Language
To find accommodation at a good price, especially if you're visiting the town of Ninefold, search on online booking platforms.
Approximately 70% of Taiwan's population speaks Hokkien, but the official language of the country is Mandarin. Additionally, English is widely used by locals, especially in major cities like Taipei.
Here are some common communication phrases in Hokkien:
Hello: Lee ho
Thank you: To-sha
You're welcome: Mian keki
Yes, please: Si
No: M-si
Goodbye: Jaigen
I'm sorry: Phai se
Is there anyone here who speaks English: Chia(nasal) mng, jia u lan ehiau gong Engi bo?
Help me!: Giu mia!
Congratulations!: Gam bei!
Yehliu Geological Park
Yehliu Geological Park is located in Wanli District, New Taipei City, stretching 1.7 km with hundreds of peculiarly-shaped rock formations formed by coastal erosion.
Most of the rocks here are named based on their shapes, such as Fairy Shoe, Japanese Geisha, Ice Cream Rock, Elephant…
Throughout the park, there are directional signs to help visitors easily find their way around.
The most famous rock formation here is called the “Queen's Head”. Originally, it was a giant rock formation.
In the 1960s, a part of the rock fell off, and the remaining part began to resemble the face of Queen Elizabeth.
This rock formation dates back to 4,000 years old and is now listed for conservation.
Every day, there are many tourists queuing up to admire the “Queen's Head” rock.
If you take advantage of visiting early in the morning, you'll avoid the crowds.
Typically, visitors need about 1 hour to fully explore Yehliu Geological Park.
Shifen
Shifen is a historic village in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Formerly, it was a railway town used for transporting coal. Nowadays, this ancient village often attracts tourists to enjoy local delicacies, sightseeing, and lantern releasing activities.
The streets in Shifen Ancient Village are one of the distinctive features that you definitely should capture.
The most interesting thing here is the railway running along the main street of the village. So, while strolling around, you may see trains passing right in front of you.
The trains run very slowly and have warning horns, so you don't need to worry. Additionally, locals will notify tourists if a train is approaching.
After exploring the village, purchase a sky lantern to release. All shops in the village sell lanterns at standard prices of around $5 for a single-color lantern and $6.5 for a multi-color one.
Each color symbolizes different meanings such as family, love, wealth, success, health, and more.
Shops usually include a small piece of paper explaining the meaning of each color for customers.
You can write your wishes on the lantern and release it, hoping your wishes will come true.
The sky lantern festival typically takes place around February or March at Shifen Square.
On this day, visitors release thousands of lanterns into the sky.
To find out the exact timing of the event, you can inquire with the tour company or search for information online.
When visiting Shifen Ancient Village, don't miss out on the delicious local cuisine. There are plenty of restaurants and small stalls selling food here.
Additionally, make sure to visit and admire the Tinh An Suspension Bridge and Shifen Waterfall – the most beautiful and largest waterfall in Taiwan, standing at 20 meters tall.
The waterfall is open for visitors from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
To explore Shifen fully, visitors need about 90 minutes.
Jiufen
Located on the mountainside near the northern coast of Taiwan, Jiufen is an ancient village retaining many ancient architectural beauties adorned with red lanterns.
Not just for its scenery, this place also attracts tourists with its local culture and unique culinary flavors.
Formerly a gold mining area isolated during the Japanese occupation in 1893, many structures in Jiufen such as wooden doors and floors remain intact, clearly reflecting the influence of Japanese culture.
It's because of this that Jiufen Ancient Village has become an inspiration for renowned director Hayao Miyazaki to create the award-winning animated film Spirited Away.
Due to its small size, you can explore the village on foot. Some attractions include the Shengping Theater – where you can watch old Taiwanese movies and enjoy free opera performances, and the Wufan Tunnel.
This tunnel was excavated in 1927 and sealed off in the early 1970s to ensure the safety of residents and tourists. However, you can still admire it from the outside. If tired, visitors can rest at Songde Park.
Jiufen is also a place with many delicious Taiwanese dishes such as ginger tea, red bean buns, taro cakes...
Similar to Shifen, you only need about 90 minutes to explore this place.
According to Youth
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References: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourFebruary 6, 2018
