Activities in Taiwan
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Taroko Gorge Full-Day Tour from Taipei
by Viator
lt;pgt;See one of the seven wonders of Asia, the Taroko Gorge. Take a short plane trip to Hualien from Taipei to see this great wonder, a must-do while in…Not LP reviewed
from USD$168.99 - All activities
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Shakadang Trail
Formerly the Mysterious Valley Trail, this flat 4.4km hike follows the crystal-clear Shakadang River as it winds through marble canyons and boulder-strewn flats. The curving riverbed creates massive pools of bluish green water, and many outdoors groups from Hualien come here in summer to swim and river trace (although the park's board is not entirely happy about that).
Coming from the direction of the National Park Headquarters, the trailhead is to the right after emerging from the first tunnel. Follow the stairs down to the river to access the path.
The Shakadang Trail officially ends at 3D Cabin. However, if you have permits you can (theoretically) continue on the …
reviewed
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Taroko Gorge Full-Day Tour from Taipei
by Viator
lt;pgt;See one of the seven wonders of Asia, the Taroko Gorge. Take a short plane trip to Hualien from Taipei to see this great wonder, a must-do while in…Not LP reviewed
from USD$168.99 -
Hiking in Chaishan Nature Reserve
Within Kaohsiung City there is good hiking in the 1000-hectare Chaishan Nature Reserve, which has been preserved since Japanese times. There's a decent brochure and map of the area at the tourist office. The Chaishan reserve is famous for its macaque population, so don't carry food into the area and watch out that the monkeys don't steal your camera!
On weekends and holidays you can take the Chaishan Line bus to the reserve from the train station. On weekdays take bus 248 to Yancheng Station (鹽埕站) then change to bus 219 to Longcyuan Temple (龍泉寺). The trails start behind the temple.
Just walking around the university and getting lost in the hills is pleasant…
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River Tracing
River tracing outings are organised year-round by the local aborigines in Sanjhan from the community activity centre. The cost is around NT$2000 per person including all rental equipment. Trips take about eight hours return and start from the activity centre, usually in the early morning. You should be able to just go and join a group.
Sanjhan is just south of Taroko Park on the way back to Hualien. Heading south, turn right off Hwy 9 at the sign for Sanjhan (三棧). When you cross the bridge into the village stay right along the river. The community centre is obvious, 150m on at the end of the road on the left.
Note that technically you are supposed to apply for a police…
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Cycling
One of the most pleasant things to do in Meinong is to get into the countryside on a bike. The town of Meinong, like most in Taiwan, is ugly, but the countryside is lush and dotted with tobacco sheds and three-sided Fujian-style houses.
Some of the best cycling is off the main road towards the ridge. Another enjoyable route is to ride out of town on County Rd 140 east towards Liugui and then head left into the fields. There are colour-coded bike route across Meinong but at the time of research the lines on the road were fading, and in any case, maps were in Chinese only. You can hire bikes on weekends to the right of the Meinong The Hakkas Museum on 40-3 Minzu Rd. The…
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Dali-Datung Trail
The Shakadang Trail officially ends at 3D Cabin but if you have permits you can continue on the Dali-Datung Trail, leading to Dali and Datung, two isolated Atayal villages. At the time of writing, the trails were getting new signs and being made more accessible and clear, and should be ready for hiking by the time you read this. Maps should be available at the park headquarters. Apply for permits at the police station by the park headquarters. The trail should take about seven to eight hours return.
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Huoran Pavilion Trail
The Huoran Pavilion Trail is short but steep, gaining 400m in elevation in 1.9km. The trail leads to Huoran Pavilion, which has fantastic views of the Liwu River and Tienhsiang. Note that the trail turns into a slippery mess when it rains and is best avoided at these times. Landslides occasionally close the area, so check with the National Park Headquarters before starting out. The trail starts off the road on the way up to the Youth Activity Centre.
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Lushui-Holiu Trail
Part of the Old Hehuan Mountain Rd, the 2km trail runs above the highway along a cliff, with fantastic views of the Liwu River. Think of it as the Jhuilu Old Trail for the faint of heart. The trailhead starts behind the now-closed Lushui Information Centre.
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Meiyuan/Jhucun Trail
About 6km up the main road from Tienhsiang, at the KM164.5 mark on a switchback, this 12.4km trail begins its runs up the rugged Taosai River valley along a path chiselled into the valley walls. Though a popular hiking route (plan on eight hours for a return trip), it's also the only outside access for two tiny farming villages that are deep in the mountains. Once the site of Taroko aboriginal settlements, the villages were resettled after the construction of the Central Cross-Island Hwy.
At the Chiumei (Jiumei) suspension bridge, a 2.1km side trail leads to Lotus Pond (蓮花池步道; Liánhuā Chí Bùdaò), another farming area now reverting to a natural state. Should you take this…
reviewed
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Taiwan Tour Bus
Leaves from Hualien train station visitor centre. Staff at the visitor centre can help with ticket purchases.
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Lotus Pond
At the Jiumei (Chiumei) suspension bridge there is a 4.3km side trail to Lotus Pond, a former farming area now reverting to its natural state. It is a three-hour return hike from the suspension bridge to Lotus Pond.
You can camp at Plum Garden and Bamboo Village, but make sure you ask the park for permission first.
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Chiufen Village (Jiufen) and Northeast Coast Half-Day Tour from Taipei
4 hours 30 minutes (Departs Taipei, Taiwan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Explore the Northeast Coast of Taipei and stroll through the Chiufen Village also known as Jiufen on this four-hour tour from Taipei. Drive to the east…Not LP reviewed
from USD$37.99 -
Taipei Half-Day City Tour
3 hours (Departs Taipei, Taiwan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Get a glimpse of Taipei on this three-hour tour. See how the people live in this interesting city. Visit Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Martyrs's Shrine,…Not LP reviewed
from USD$30.99 -
Northern Coast Half-Day Tour including Yehliu Park from Taipei
4 hours (Departs Taipei, Taiwan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;A geologists dream tour, explore the harbor city of Keelung on this four-hour tour from Taipei. A 40-minute drive northeast of Taipei, Keelung is one of…Not LP reviewed
from USD$33.99 -
Taipei Night Tour including Mongolian BBQ Dinner
3 hours 30 minutes (Departs Taipei, Taiwan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Taipei comes alive at night and the city is a buzzing. This 3.5-hour night tour of Taipei starts with a delicious Mongolian barbeque dinner at a downtown…Not LP reviewed
from USD$44.99 -
Love River Cruises
One of the most popular activities now is cruising along the river at night. There are four piers where you can catch a boat for a 20-minute ride (around NT$50) from 16:00 to 23:30 every day. Boats leave often and are usually full on weekends.
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Tunnel of Nine Turns
The Tunnel of Nine Turns is actually a 2km section of the original highway through the park. In the early '90s, the highway was diverted to leave this section - the most scenic in the entire gorge - open to walkers. Don't miss this one!
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Yangmingshan National Park and Hot-Spring Half-Day Tour from Taipei
4 hours (Departs Taipei, Taiwan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Want to take a relaxing hot spring bath? Visit the Yangmingshan National Park and Beitou (Peitou) on this tour from Taipei. Visit the hot spring and…Not LP reviewed
from USD$44.99 -
Wulai Aboriginal Village Half-Day Tour from Taipei
4 hours (Departs Taipei, Taiwan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Wulai is a famous mountain village in northern Taiwan and is located in water reservation area. Residents are mostly aboriginal people (Tai Ya Tribe).…Not LP reviewed
from USD$44.99 -
Yingge and Sansia Half-Day Folk Arts Tour from Taipei
4 hours (Departs Taipei, Taiwan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Explore the two neighboring towns of Yingge and Sansia on this tour from Taipei. Yingge is Taiwan's ceramic and potter capital, producing magnificent…Not LP reviewed
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Taipei Arrival Private Transfer: Taoyuan International Airport to Hotel
Varies (Departs Taipei, Taiwan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Landing at Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport and need to get to your hotel? Pre-book a professional, competent and reliable private transfer. From…Not LP reviewed
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Taipei Departure Private Transfer: Hotel to Taoyuan International Airport
Varies (Departs Taipei, Taiwan)
by Viator
Need to get to Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport? Plan your trip ahead of time, and pre-book your professional and reliable private transfer. Don't pay…Not LP reviewed
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WWOOF
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Wuliao Jian
On the outskirts of Sansia, the Wuliao Jian (五寮尖; Wǔliáo Jiān) trail doesn't cover much ground yet takes six hours to complete. But then you need to tread slowly on a ridge that's less than a hand's-breath wide in places. As with other crazy ridge walks in the north, these days you'll find secure ropes and guide poles in place, and they're a godsend. On one section, the trail is nothing but a bumpy slice of rock exposed on all sides. Years ago, when we first hiked the route, there was only a thin rope attached to the flat of the ridge and you had to straddle the rock and shimmy across. It was insane then; now it's just a good thrill.
Needless to say, don't go…
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Wulai Royal Resort
The Royal looks like a community swimming centre, but it's inexpensive and in the perfect location for an after-hike dip if you've been on the Jia Jiu Liao trail. The resort is across the street from where the bus drops you off in Cheng Gong village.
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