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 19th
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.
