TAIPEI’S DIY TRAVEL GUIDE – ITINERARY 03

As we tried to maximize our time in Taipei, sites to visit are hard to decide on because the weather didn’t cooperate well with us that time. We were left no choice but to put off our original plan and just stayed in our accommodation. Our day that time was not actually bad at all. I was able to interview 2 Hong Kong nationals at the lobby of Hey Bear and both of them were really conversant in English. I asked their advice on how to learn and how long to study Mandarin. It was such a productive day for all of us.

We were glad that we had a very nice weather the following day. This time, we made it sure  that we wouldn’t be wasting every single second we had that day and proceeded to our unaccomplished plan.

Attractions:

1. Yehliu Geopark

2. Pingxi District – Sky lantern

Sample Itinerary:

07:00 am -  Start your tour

08:00 am – Arrive in Tamsui MRT Station (the last station)

- Then take Tamsui Bus (Bus # 862) at the bus terminal, located a few meters from Tamsui MRT Station.

10:00 am – Arrive in Yehliu Bus Stop.

- Walk for a few minutes from Yehliu Bus Stop, crossing a fishing village all the way to the geopark.

12:00 pm – Back to the entrance.

- Have your lunch in the area.

02:00 pm – Start your journey to Pingxi District.

03:00 pm – Arrive in Pingxi old streets.

Wander around the area.

06:00 pm – Back to Taipei

01. Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu is almost a kilometer-long cape located at Wanli of New Taipei City. This geological park is numerous with rock formations in various forms or shapes mostly made of limestone. The rocks have gone through a fascinating constant marine erosion creating interesting formations nearby the shore such as candle, tofu, ginger, honeycomb, pot holes, queen’s head, elephant, fairy’s shoe and a marine bird. The park also highlights some attractions like the fossils in the rock bedding. 

In order to to preserve this natural attraction, some are the important reminders that you have to consider when visiting the park:

1. The rocks in the entire geopark are still in a constant marine evolution. Be sure not to touch nor damage any of these amazing creations of nature.

2. Activities such as swimming, fishing, wading, biking, climbing, touching, tagging of any kind or anything illegal is strictly prohibited under the law.

3. Do not litter anywhere in the park at all times.

Other Prohibitions within the Premises:

* Do not cross the red warning line to avoid the heavy wind and waves. In order to avoid danger, please stay alert anywhere from the park.

* Strictly no flying of drone.

* No smoking. A fine of more than 2,000 NTD or less than 10,000 NTD will be imposed to violators.

Time: 

08:00 am – 05:00 pm

Yehliu Nature Center

Sat, Sun

09:00 am – 12:00 pm

01:00 pm – 04:00 pm

Admission Fee:

Adult – 80 NTD

Group of people more than 30 – 20% discount

Courtesy Entry for Disabled – please show your ID

40 NTD for the following visitors:

1. Student (Taiwan only) – please show your ID

2. Senior Citizen (65 y/o and up / Taiwan only)

How to visit:  

1. Take MRT – RED line

2. Alight at Tamsui Station

3. Not too distant from the MRT station, you can see a small bus terminal.

4. Take Tamsui Bus (Bus # 862). It takes almost a couple of hours to reach your destination.

5. Get off at Yehliu Stop. Walk from there for a few minutes, crossing a small town along a coastline all the way to the park.

Tips:

- Do not attempt to visit the park at late noon. It closes at exactly 5 pm.

- You can have lunch at a small covered area with some food stalls inside located in front of the Yehliu Ocean World, a few feet away from the geopark. Or you can try seafood restaurants found along the way to the bus stop.

- Not too far from the bus stop, you can see or even smell the aroma from a restaurant that serves different crabs.

02. Pingxi – Sky Lantern

Pingxi District

Pingxi in Chinese language means “peaceful river.” But this peaceful place had come to an end in 1907 when coal was discovered there. Since then, it became a busy town and railroad was constructed for miners in search of wealth. The decline of Pingxi paved its way to be known as setting for some famous films or dramas and for railway enthusiasts these days. Locals and numerous tourists  flock to the old streets and fill the sky every night with people’s wish or hopes written on multicolored giant lanterns. It was such a surreal feeling to have witnessed these trains passing the old streets of Pingxi. It just reminded me of the trains in Philippine National Railroad (PNR) and the train terminal nearby my village where it used to be my playground with my elder brother every after school when we were young. What amazes me about this place is the lush greeneries seen in every single turn giving people a very calming scenery to indulge with. Not only that, you’ll surely enjoy the cool breeze coming from the river and mountain ranges that welcome you when you visit the place.

Have time to wander down the old street and try its traditional food, and enjoy the train tracks as you find best deals of souvenirs.

Sky Lanterns

The locals associate sky lanterns with the great Chinese Statesman named Zhuge Liang. He used lanterns to send military signals and disrupt celestial readings of Simayi, his enemy during the three different kingdom periods. They are also called as “Kongming Lanterns” because they resemble Zhuge’s headdress. Thus, when released and flown into the sky, they bring your wish to heaven and symbolize this stunning tradition that should be pass on.

Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival

The life in Pingxi during the mid 19^th century was peaceful and flourishing, but it was disrupted when an intrusion occurred in the village. This made the people pack their things and hide in the mountains. Then someone was sent back to the village to check if the intruders were gone. A sky lantern would be released to let the villagers know that it was safe to return. Because of this abominable circumstance, sky lanterns became a symbol of peace and wishes to heavens. This practice turned to Pingxi’s inadvertent custom among villagers. Nowadays, more than 10,000 people come together in the district to celebrate the Lantern Festival as the write their wishes and commemorate this fascinating tradition.

Time: Open until 5:00 pm, daily

Admission fee: Free

How to visit:

1. From Yehliu Geopark, you can take a cab directly  to Pingxi’s old streets for about 1000 NTD(you can share the fare)

Tips:

- The cab fare was originally 1400 NTD to Pingxi from Yehliu Geopark. Since there were few tourists who would like to visit Pingxi that time, the cab drivers lowered it to 1000 NTD. You can haggle for the taxi fare.

- Be there earlier because most of the stores start to close at 5 pm.

- Half day should be aloted to fully enjoy the entire place.

- Fly your lantern right after the sunset.

- Choose the color of Japanese paper where you will write your wish. Each color has specific meaning or symbol.