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MidoriHaru08:46 UTC19 Jun 2013

We are visiting Taiwan for 3 days on a package from Tokyo from July 23 to July 26. We are a Japanese and Australian couple with a 9 year old daughter.

We are staying in Taipei fairly close to Ximending. The first 2 days (1 1/2 days actually) I thought we would stay in Taipei - sightseeing and going to night markets. I'm also thinking of going to Tansui (Dansui?)

The last day I thought that maybe we could go somewhere for a day trip. I found information about the Childrens Folklore festival when I looked up summer festivals on the Taiwan tourist information website.

As the first 2 days are really for the adults, I thought it would be nice to do a kid friendly activity for the 3rd day. Especially if it involves water and an escape from the heat:D

I do have some questions and concerns - so if anyone has any idea about the festival or the Yilan area it would really help.

For a non- Chinese speaking child, would it be possible to enjoy activities? ( she is English/ Japanese bilingual )

We would be going during the week not the weekend, but how crowded is it likely to be?
(My daughter is not keen on places that are that crowded. We live in Tokyo though, so we are used to a certain level of crowding)

How easy is it to get tickets or do things there?

I've checked information about how to get there. It seems that a high speed train and a taxi is the best option. Is that right? How easy is it to get there?

I am interested in also going to the traditional culture museum and then a night market. Would that be possible/ enjoyable in one day?

And - as a tourist to Taiwan, do you think this would be an interesting thing to do?

longislandbob22:54 UTC19 Jun 2013

Yilan is great (very scenic) and I've heard of water parks in the southern Yilan Area but have no personal experience with them. I have been to Taiwan many times including two times with an elementary aged son.

The BEST thing to do with an elementary aged child in Taiwan is take her on a 2-night (one full day) snorkeling trip to Green Island. But of course that takes 2 nights.

The easiest really good thing to do with a kid in the Taipei area is to go to Yang Ming Mountain. Start at the fumeroles at Xiaoyoukeng hike over the top, through the crater and end, as the weather is cooling, at the hot springs.

We did that with our son on his 8th birthday. We deliberately had a late start so we could reach the hot springs when the weather cooled. Fumeroles? A volcanic crater? Hot springs? Stunning views? He felt like a King!!! Yeah, it competes with waterslides. . . and the waterslides can wait. (He's gotten plenty of those in his life), but hiking a volcano?? Borders on a "once in a lifetime" experience. He loved it so much we started a tradition of hiking on his birthday.

ETA
Oh kids love taiwan markets, both the morning (grocery) ones and the night markets with lots of snacks and atmosphere.

Edited by: LongIslandBob

sullivanchen07:08 UTC21 Jun 2013

Don't worry too much.
The Festival provides games, performance, and exhibitions, workshop. All designed for kids.
http://www.yicfff.tw/2013/en/

Transportation
From Taipei to Loudong Train(Bus) Station
You can take express train or by bus (From Taipei Bus Station or Taipei City Hall MRT station)
I have written an blog about how to identify the Express Train(Taroko and Puyuma) and how to taks bus.
The terminal of the bus is at the rear station of Loudong Train Station, whish is also the terminal station of the shuttle bus.
http://sullivanchen.blogspot.tw/2013/04/HualienTaipeiTransportation.html

Shuttle Bus
I suggest you buy the one day ticket
http://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/Besttour/Info/?id=2
The shuttle bus connect the railway station, the festival(Dongshan River Water Park), the National Center for Traditional Arts, the night market. That's the places you have mentioned.
--
Travel Taiwan http://sullivanchen.blogspot.tw

Childrens Folklore Festival and water park in Yilan - good idea? Country forums / North-East Asia / Taiwan
MidoriHaru08:46 UTC19 Jun 2013	We are visiting Taiwan for 3 days on a package from Tokyo from July 23 to July 26. We are a Japanese and Australian couple with a 9 year old daughter. We are staying in Taipei fairly close to Ximending. The first 2 days (1 1/2 days actually) I thought we would stay in Taipei - sightseeing and going to night markets. I'm also thinking of going to Tansui (Dansui?) The last day I thought that maybe we could go somewhere for a day trip. I found information about the Childrens Folklore festival when I looked up summer festivals on the Taiwan tourist information website. As the first 2 days are really for the adults, I thought it would be nice to do a kid friendly activity for the 3rd day. Especially if it involves water and an escape from the heat:D I do have some questions and concerns - so if anyone has any idea about the festival or the Yilan area it would really help. For a non- Chinese speaking child, would it be possible to enjoy activities? ( she is English/ Japanese bilingual ) We would be going during the week not the weekend, but how crowded is it likely to be? (My daughter is not keen on places that are that crowded. We live in Tokyo though, so we are used to a certain level of crowding) How easy is it to get tickets or do things there? I've checked information about how to get there. It seems that a high speed train and a taxi is the best option. Is that right? How easy is it to get there? I am interested in also going to the traditional culture museum and then a night market. Would that be possible/ enjoyable in one day? And - as a tourist to Taiwan, do you think this would be an interesting thing to do?
longislandbob22:54 UTC19 Jun 2013	Yilan is great (very scenic) and I've heard of water parks in the southern Yilan Area but have no personal experience with them. I have been to Taiwan many times including two times with an elementary aged son. The BEST thing to do with an elementary aged child in Taiwan is take her on a 2-night (one full day) snorkeling trip to Green Island. But of course that takes 2 nights. The easiest really good thing to do with a kid in the Taipei area is to go to Yang Ming Mountain. Start at the fumeroles at Xiaoyoukeng hike over the top, through the crater and end, as the weather is cooling, at the hot springs. We did that with our son on his 8th birthday. We deliberately had a late start so we could reach the hot springs when the weather cooled. Fumeroles? A volcanic crater? Hot springs? Stunning views? He felt like a King!!! Yeah, it competes with waterslides. . . and the waterslides can wait. (He's gotten plenty of those in his life), but hiking a volcano?? Borders on a "once in a lifetime" experience. He loved it so much we started a tradition of hiking on his birthday. ETA Oh kids love taiwan markets, both the morning (grocery) ones and the night markets with lots of snacks and atmosphere. Edited by: LongIslandBob	1
sullivanchen07:08 UTC21 Jun 2013	Don't worry too much. The Festival provides games, performance, and exhibitions, workshop. All designed for kids. http://www.yicfff.tw/2013/en/ Transportation From Taipei to Loudong Train(Bus) Station You can take express train or by bus (From Taipei Bus Station or Taipei City Hall MRT station) I have written an blog about how to identify the Express Train(Taroko and Puyuma) and how to taks bus. The terminal of the bus is at the rear station of Loudong Train Station, whish is also the terminal station of the shuttle bus. http://sullivanchen.blogspot.tw/2013/04/HualienTaipeiTransportation.html Shuttle Bus I suggest you buy the one day ticket http://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/Besttour/Info/?id=2 The shuttle bus connect the railway station, the festival(Dongshan River Water Park), the National Center for Traditional Arts, the night market. That's the places you have mentioned. -- Travel Taiwan http://sullivanchen.blogspot.tw	2

Childrens Folklore Festival and water park in Yilan - good idea?