Going to and lodging at shitoushan (Lion's Head Mountain)

Hello,

The LP writes that we can get to Shitoushan by taking a bus (Hsinchu Bus Company) near the Hsinchu Train Station.
Are there other ways to get there?

Can we get to Shitoushan by bus from Sanyi (=San Yi) or from Miaoli ?

We are planning to visit Changhua (Great Buddha + Confucius Temple) in the morning, the woodcarving shops/museum in San-Yi in the afternoon and then travel on to Shitoushan?
Is that possible in 1 day?
I want to check if there are buses running late in the day. Is there a website where I can check bus schedules from Hsinchu to Shitoushan for example?

We hope to find a place to stay in the Chuanhua Tang Hall on a Friday evening. Are reservations necessary?

Thanks for your help
Zwendel

You should make reservations.

For buses call the 24-hour tourist hotline. LP has it in the front of the book. Operators speak English and will do the check for you. Invaluable resource.