San Ji of Taipei

It seems that Taiwan has not been included in my travel list. If it is not for this business trip with Candy, it may take a long time to go.

Also because of his business trip, I spent a few days in Taipei walking around with my camera on my shoulders. Fortunately, the fresh and artistic Taipei will never make people feel boring. He still has a few days to spare after his business trip, and he feels that it is too much trouble to travel to Taichung or Tainan, so why not just wander around Taipei to experience the local culture and customs.

However, the area around Taipei has always been complained by Candy. The most popular Pingxi Line train is said to be a one-day trip to Mentougou. Danshui is not as good as Qingdao. There are more or less.

In terms of history, when Zheng Chenggong recovered Taiwan in the Ming Dynasty, there were only a small number of aborigines on the island; in terms of humanities, most of the Taiwanese were former members of the Kuomintang and their descendants. Regardless of language, food, and customs, they were all close to the mainland, and even closer than Hong Kong; In terms of scenery, Taiwan’s area is about the same as that of Hainan, and it’s two times the size of Beijing. Let alone how beautiful the scenery is, it can’t compare with the great rivers and mountains of the motherland. It’s no wonder that most tourists who have been to Alishan and Sun Moon Lake feel that they are “too small”; Taiwan’s famous military military cuisine is actually a fusion of cuisines from all over the country. As for night market snacks, most of them are fried and sweet, which are not only unhealthy, but also tiresome if eaten too much...

Only when it comes to literary and artistic temperament, I only obey Taiwan. It’s not just literary and artistic in form, but also those cafes full of sentimentality, those small shops with cultural heritage, and many creative parks such as Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and Huashan 1914; And the respect for knowledge, it is the rush on the campus of National Taiwan University, the reading at night in the Beitou Library, and the infiltration of books in the Eslite Bookstore.

Eslite Bookstore, known as the light of Taiwan, combines books and other peripheral cultural creations, and gradually grows bigger. There are many stores on several floors, and it has become a cultural symbol of Taiwan; it is known as "the 25 most beautiful public books in the world" The Beitou Library, one of the "Little Library", is small, but beautiful, and the quiet and comfortable environment makes the heart quiet; the nearly century-old building of National Taiwan University has been preserved to this day, and the afternoon sun shines through the curved arcade on the ground. Stretching the shadows, the students in twos and threes on the lawn, and the naughty little squirrels jumping among the trees, freeze too many beautiful moments.

——Persistence and love for culture, this is the unique charm of Taiwan!

Others use nine days to go around the island? I only played Taipei!

The itinerary in and around Taipei is as follows:

Super full and super detailed guide for visiting Taipei! no thanks~

Taiwan is neither big nor small.

The entire island of Taiwan is about 400 kilometers long from north to south and 200 kilometers long from east to west. However, although sparrows are small and complete, Taiwan’s cultural tourism is really good. You can find that every city in Taiwan has its own characteristics, and every small town is heart-warming. favorite.

If you want to travel around the island in Taiwan, you must have at least ten days of vacation; if you have limited time, you might as well just go shopping around Taipei. After all, Taipei, the provincial capital, is the most prosperous and lively place in Taiwan, and the surrounding towns are also very rich in ways to play. You can go to Tamsui to see the sea, you can go to Beitou to soak in hot springs, you can go to Yehliu to enjoy the geological wonders, you can Go to Jiufen to experience the unique charm of a mountain city.

Such a fun Taipei, let's go and see how to play!

documents

From August 1, 2019, the personal endorsement for independent travel in Taiwan will be suspended.

Interpret this policy: At present, the restriction is on the issuance of G visa for free travel. If you hold a G visa for free travel and have not used it within the validity period (G visa is usually a single entry), you can apply for a Taiwan entry permit and leave the country legally at any time. into the stage. L endorsement can still be processed, so group travel will not be affected; or consider business visa or medical beauty visa.

It is relatively cumbersome to apply for travel documents to Taiwan. First, you need to apply for the "Taiwan Travel Permit for Mainland Residents", referred to as the pass, which is mainly managed by the mainland department, and you need to apply for the corresponding type of endorsement; 30 yuan for each pass, and 20 yuan for each item of endorsement; Secondly, you need to apply for the "Taiwan Area Entry and Exit Permit", referred to as the Taiwan Entry Permit, which is managed by the Taiwan department and limits the number of tourists. You can entrust a travel agency to handle it. The validity period is 3 months, and the stay period is 16 days and 15 nights. , 650 round trips a year.

Because the procedures are relatively cumbersome, it is recommended to start the process one or two months in advance.

travel season

Taiwan is located at the junction of the tropics and subtropics, and the climate is still very gentle, making it suitable for tourism all year round.

Generally speaking, the peak tourist season in Taiwan is from April to October, during which time you can basically go swimming; but from May to June is the rainy season, and from July to September is the typhoon season. Generally speaking, August is the month with the most typhoons. Most typhoons will pass through within 1-2 days, so be careful not to go out during this period.

For Taipei, October-November is the best time to travel. The temperature in winter is about 10-20°C, but there will be more cloudy and rainy days, and the body temperature is low, so keep warm. "Winter in Taipei to Watch the Rain" is not a casual song...

Entry and exit traffic

From Xiamen in Fujian and Pingtan in Fuzhou, you can go to Taiwan by boat, and other cities are more convenient by plane. Taipei has two airports, Songshan Airport and Taoyuan Airport.

Taipei Songshan Airport

Songshan Airport was built early, it is very close to the urban area, and there are relatively few flights. It is divided into the first terminal (international) and the second terminal (domestic).

transportation:

MRT - Songshan MRT Station is in front of the first terminal, and you can take the Wenhu Line to go to all parts of the city. It takes about 15 minutes to go to the city center, and the MRT runs from 6:00 to 00:30.

Bus/Bus - The waiting hall is located in front of Terminal 1. You can take buses to go to various parts of the city; you can take long-distance buses to Keelung, Hsinchu, Taoyuan and Taoyuan Airport and other surrounding areas.

Taxi - There is a waiting area for taxis in Terminal 1 and fares are metered. It takes about 20 minutes to go to the city center and the fare is about NT$170.

Taipei Taoyuan Airport

Taoyuan is the largest and busiest international airport in Taiwan. It was built in Taoyuan City next door because there is not enough space in Taipei City. Taoyuan Airport has two terminals, and there are free shuttle buses between the terminals.

transportation:

MRT - Taoyuan MRT mainly operates between Taoyuan Airport and Taipei Main Station, which is divided into direct trains and ordinary trains. Direct trains only stop at major stations, and it takes about 35 minutes to arrive at Taipei Main Station, NT$160; ordinary trains stop at each station, it takes 50 minutes, NT$140. The operating time is 6:00-23:00.

Bus - There are many lines to Taipei and surrounding urban areas. The commonly used bus lines are as follows: Guoguang Passenger Transport No. 1819 Guoguang, to Taipei Railway Station, runs 24 hours a day, every 20 minutes during the day, every hour at night, The whole journey is 1 hour, and the fare is NT$125 for a one-way round trip; NT$230; Dayou Bus East Line 1960, to the city government transfer station, operating hours 06:00-01:00, every 30 minutes, the whole journey is 1 hour, the fare is NT $145; Jianming Bus No. 5502 (Flying Dog Bus) to Songshan Airport, every 20 minutes, the whole journey takes 1 hour, and the fare is NT$140.

High Speed ​​Rail - First take the high speed rail shuttle bus to the high speed rail Taoyuan Station and then transfer to the high speed rail. Take the Tonglian Passenger Transport Taoyuan City Bus No. 705 to the High Speed ​​Rail Taoyuan Station, every 10 minutes, the whole journey takes 25 minutes, the fare is NT$30; from Taoyuan to Taipei, the high speed rail runs every 20 minutes, the whole journey takes 25 minutes, the fare is NT$ $160.

Taxi - Fares are metered, motorway tolls are additional. It takes 40-50 minutes to drive to the city center, and the fare is about NT$1150.

city ​​traffic

MRT

Taipei's subway is called "MRT", which is quite appropriate, and it is the most convenient form of public transportation.

Taipei MRT has 117 stations on five lines, namely Wenhu Line, Tamsui-Xinyi Line, Songshan-Xindian Line, Zhonghe-Xinlu Line and Bannan Line. The operating hours are from 6:00 to 24:00.

There are the following types of MRT tickets: single ticket - valid on the day of sale, the fare is charged according to distance, ranging from NT$20-65, IC tokens can be purchased at the automatic ticket vending machine in the station; one-day ticket - valid on the day of activation, valid During the period, you can take unlimited times of Taipei MRT (excluding Maokong cable car), NT$150; 24-hour ticket - valid within 24 hours from the first time you swipe your card to enter the station, you can take unlimited times of Taipei MRT (excluding Maokong Cable Car) during operating hours Empty cable car), NT$180; Easay Card - similar to the bus card, you can take the Taipei MRT and Taipei City, New Taipei City joint bus, the first purchase of NT$500, including NT$400 bus fare can be deducted, swipe the card to take the MRT , each trip is deducted according to the fare, and can be purchased at the service desk of each station; Taipei Pass Taipei Sightseeing Passport MRT ticket package - one-day ticket NT$180, one-day ticket (Cat cable version) NT$250, two-day ticket NT$310, Three-day ticket NT$440, five-day ticket NT$700 and other options. During the valid date of the ticket card, you can take unlimited times on Taipei MRT, Taipei City and New Taipei City buses. You can buy it at the service counter of each station.

URL: www.metro.taipei

the bus

Taipei's bus lines extend in all directions, which can sometimes save more footsteps compared to the MRT, and it is also a very convenient choice.

The fare is calculated by sections. All routes are divided into one-stage ticket, two-stage ticket or three-stage ticket route, and each section is NT$15. You can pay by swiping your EasyCard or by inserting coins. You will not get change when you insert coins. Remember to bring your own change.

URL: 5284.taipei.gov.tw

Passenger transport

Taipei Bus is actually an intercity bus, which is operated by various bus companies and can take passengers to various places in Taiwan. There are 2 passenger stations in Taipei, namely the Taipei Bus Station and the City Hall Bus Station.

Taipei Transit Station

Address: No. 209, Section 1, Civic Avenue, 10351, Datong District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT and get off at Taipei Main Station, go to Zhongshan Underground Mall to Exit R1 or take Exit Y1, Y3, Y5 of Taipei Underground Mall, and walk for about 10 minutes

URL: www.taipeibus.com.tw

Municipal transfer station

Address: No. 6, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan

Transportation: Take the MRT and get off at City Hall Station, take the escalator at Exit 2 to 1F and enter the transfer station

Website: www.estation.com.tw

taxi

The taxis in Taipei are uniformly yellow, and the starting fare is NT$70 for 1.25 kilometers, and NT$70 for every 0.25 kilometers thereafter, with a 20% increase at night (23:00-6:00). Generally speaking, the fare is similar to that of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The free calling line is 0800-055850, or 55850 from a mobile phone. Taipei taxis are operated by individuals and companies. It is best for girls at night to call taxis from regular companies.

recommended route

Within Taipei City: 2-4 days

Taipei is really easy to visit. You won’t get tired of shopping for a week. If you are in a hurry, you can visit the classic attractions in 2 days, and you can visit the whole city in depth in 4 days.

Shilin District + Beitou District: The collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei is really rich. If you are a museum lover, you will not get tired of visiting the whole day. After that, go to the nearby Shilin Mansion, and then go to the Shilin Night Market to eat and drink in the evening. It is perfect! If you have no interest in museums, you can arrange a more compact itinerary, go to Beitou early, and visit the park to soak in hot springs.

Songshan District + Xinyi District: The cultural atmosphere in this area is super strong and easy to visit! The Eslite Xinyi flagship store and nearby business districts can be visited for half a day. For young people, there are Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and Little Arena Stadium. The landmarks suitable for checking in are Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and Sisi South Village. In the evening, go to Taipei 101 Building to see the night view , Visit the essence of Taipei in one day.

Zhongzheng District & Zhongshan District + Datong District: Zhongzheng District & Zhongshan District are the central administrative districts of Taipei, where the Presidential Palace and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall are located. Art lovers can visit the Taiwan Museum, Taipei Fine Arts Museum and Huashan 1914 Cultural Creation Datong District next door was the former business center of Taipei, with traditional historical districts such as Dadaocheng, Dihua Street and Bopiliao Old Street, as well as Mengka Longshan Temple and Qingshuiyan Zushi Temple. Ximending at night is even more famous. unique charm.

Wenshan District: The Maokong cable car is a favorite of cute girls. Taking the Maokong cable car, you can go to the Taipei Zoo to see koalas and giant pandas and other cute animals, and then go to the tea restaurant on the top of the mountain to enjoy the scenery and drink tea. Quite a leisurely day.

Beitou + Yangmingshan: 1 day

If you like to soak in Japanese hot springs, you might as well give Beitou a day. First go to Beitou to visit the Beitou Library and Hot Spring Museum, then find a hot spring hotel, have a one-stop bath and lunch, and then go to Yangmingshan in the afternoon to go shopping, watch the night view, and have dinner. The comfort level is perfect.

Fresh water: 1 day

Fans of Jay Chou must not miss Tamsui! There are not only Old Street, Hongmaocheng and Tamsui Wharf here, but the most important thing is Jay Chou's alma mater, Tamsui High School, which is also the filming location of "The Unspeakable Secret"! The University of Truth next door is also worth a visit~

Pingxi Line + Jiufen + Yehliu: 1-2 days

If you like the style of nostalgic small towns, you must not miss the small train on the Pingxi Line. The small villages along the way will let you feel the charm of old Taiwan. Jingtong, where there is an abandoned coal mine, and Pingxi, where you can fly a sky lantern, are very The bustling, very happy, quiet and warm Maocun Houtong is just right for returning to Taipei on a one-day trip on the Pingxi Line. If you add Jiufen or Yehliu, it will be too compact. It is best to stay in Jiufen for one night. After all, the night view of Jiufen Old Street is the most beautiful. The next day, visit the Golden Waterfall and then go to Yehliu Geopark.

Consumption

Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (?1 ≈ NT$4.26, March 2020)

It is very convenient to swipe a card in Taiwan, whether it is a debit card or a credit card, and UnionPay is also very convenient. You can find ATMs with the UnionPay logo at the airport, 7-11, Family Mart and major shopping malls to withdraw NTD directly. Good deal.

Accommodation in Taipei is relatively expensive, mid-range hotels cost about NT$2000-3000 per night (approximately 400-700 RMB); transportation is not too expensive, whether it is public transportation or taxis, the price is similar to that of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou; Taipei is the most cost-effective It’s gourmet food, you can have a full meal with NT$200, and you can go to various night markets with NT$100 and enjoy local snacks to your heart’s content.

Food

If you don’t go to the night market to shop and eat, it’s like going to Taiwan for nothing. Taiwan night markets have a variety of familiar delicacies, all of which we drool over in those years, pearl milk tea, salted crispy chicken, big rib chicken, oyster omelette, fried squid, beef noodles, braised pork rice, large intestine wrapped in small intestine ... Every night market has its so-called signature dishes. In fact, there is no need to look for them specially, as long as you choose the stall where the locals are queuing up, you will be right!

Shilin Night Market: Shilin Night Market is the most famous and most popular night market in Taipei. Hao Da Da Chicken Chop, Loyalty Stir-fried Flower Branches, Shihlin Time-honored Big Cakes Wrapped with Small Cakes, Ah Liang Noodles, Ten Pork Ribs, Big Head Dragon Oyster Omelet, Xin Fa Ting Ice Products, from snacks to dinners to desserts, you can eat it all the way to your stomach round.

Normal University Night Market: Because it is located in the University District, the night market here has a strong cultural atmosphere, and there are many hidden bookstores and cafes. Horse-power charcoal-grilled chicken chops, Arnold crepes, Taiwanese low-priced lo-mei, and lantern-heated lo-mei are all good things to try.

Ningxia Night Market: Ningxia Night Market mainly offers traditional Taiwanese snacks, which are full of ancient flavors. Huxu Zhang Braised Pork Rice, Lai Kee Oyster Omelet, Guo Fish Soup, and Duck Head Zheng Erdai are all snacks that cannot be tasted elsewhere.

Raohe Street Night Market: The super-large Raohe Street Night Market not only has hundreds of food stalls, but also various clothing stores. It is known as "the most popular tourist night market in Taipei". Kaga Squid King, Huang Ama Pig Blood Cake, Chen Dong Medicine Stewed Pork Ribs, Tooth Beef Noodles, and various desserts such as ancient bean curd and Turkish ice cream.

Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market: A super lively night market, the dishes here are snake meat and snake wine, and there will be snake killing and snake teasing performances in the evening. Danggui pig's knuckles, big meat soup, Liangxihao squid soup, and Longdu Bingguo shop are all the specialties here.

Din Tai Fung Xiao Long Bao: Although there are many Din Tai Fung restaurants in China, since you have come to the birthplace of Din Tai Fung, you must try the most authentic taste. Order a basket of the most classic crab rice dumplings, and try the Taiwanese draft beer that is not available anywhere else!

Shangyin Aquatic Products: Seafood restaurants with ultra-fresh ingredients are all freshly caught and cooked, and the business is super hot. Both locals and tourists love this place!

Ding Wang Spicy Pot: Taiwan's taste is generally mild. If you are a friend who likes spicy food, you must try Ding Wang. Undoubtedly the top1 among the countless mala hot pot restaurants in Taipei, the spicy hot pot is delicious, the soup is excellent, and the service is super good.

Yongkang Street Beef Noodles: Let me go to the second shop in Taipei during my limited time. The soup is rich, the beef is soft and tasty, and it is super satisfying to eat a hot bowl! Du Xiaoyue Danzai Noodles, Gaoji Pan-fried Buns, Chengji Scallion Pancakes, and Mango Shaved Ice Smoothie are all worth trying on Yongkang Street!

ICE MONSTER: ICE MONSTER, one of the top ten desserts in the world, must try mango ice! The super-rich mango flavor completely kills other mango ices on the market!

Shopping

Cosmetics: There are a lot of choices of cosmeceuticals and color cosmetics in Taiwan. First, there are many cost-effective and easy-to-use local brands. The name of love and Morita cosmeceuticals have a very good reputation. My scheming, my beauty diary and black mask The series are all cheap and easy-to-use masks; second, there are many Japanese products that cannot be bought in the mainland. The prices of SK II and Shiseido are much more cost-effective than those in the mainland. Moreover, Watsons and Kangshimei often have promotional activities on weekends, which are good places to shop for goods.

Pineapple Cake: Taiwan's pineapple cake is equivalent to Yunnan's flower cake, and it is a must-have souvenir. It is said that the pineapple cakes in Twilight Hills are the best in Taiwan. Weige Bakery, Liji Bakery, and Jiade Bakery are also well-known brands. Because the shelf life of pineapple cakes is relatively short, it is recommended to buy them before leaving.

Dried pork: Taiwan’s dried meat is not only delicious but also very cost-effective. Xindongyang’s dried meat and dried meat floss are very popular. The 30-year-old Jiangji Hualong’s butcher shop and meat paper are full of ancient flavors, as is the express meat jerky. good choice.

Nougat: The first choice is Tangcun, which has won many international awards. This store has a variety of flavors. The original French and strawberry flavors are very popular, and the packaging is exquisite, which is very suitable for souvenirs; the big black pine and the young couple are also Taiwanese. The founding shop of nougat, scallion cake nougat is super delicious; Xindongyang's nougat is also a good choice.

stay

The transportation in Taipei is convenient, so as long as you live too far away, it’s OK. Of course, in terms of location, living near Taipei Main Station is the most convenient, whether it’s transportation, food, or shopping. Taipei’s homestay industry is very developed, and some are very popular. Beautiful homestays with a sense of design, and the price is relatively affordable. Most of them are gathered near Ximending, but the popular ones need to be booked at least half a year in advance; most of the high-end chain hotels are gathered in the east of Taipei, where there are many high-rise buildings and shopping malls, but the prices are generally on the low side. expensive.

other

Communication: Free public WiFi in Taipei covers a wide range. Both TPE-Free and iTaiwan can provide free network services. TPE-Free can be applied online in advance on the website www.go2tw.cn/article/show/34.html, and iTaiwan can Apply with your passport at any tourist service center. You can also get free Wi-Fi at any 7-11.

Beliefs: Because Taipei is a city of immigrants with a mixture of multi-ethnic groups, so the beliefs are also very diverse. Although Catholicism and Islam are relatively common, most people believe in a mixture of Buddhism and Taoism. You can often see the peaceful coexistence of Taoism and Buddhist gods in a temple, which can be regarded as a scene in Taiwan.

Movies & Books: Taipei is a very familiar place for us, especially in various film and television works. "One Page of Taipei" was filmed at Dunnan Eslite Bookstore, and "One Page of Taipei" tells the story of Ximending Old Street. Monga", Jay Chou's "Unspeakable Secret" is hidden in Tamkang Middle School, the simple and warm Jiufen performed "City of Sadness", and "The Girl We Chased Together in Those Years" is in the warm memories of Pingxi, the journey in Taipei It is simply a check-in tour of the movie location. If you are interested in the humanities and history of Taiwan, I recommend the two books "Orphans of Asia" and "Our Taiwan These Years".

1st day 2016.11.12

On the first day of arriving in Taiwan, I chose to stay in Dadaocheng, a very warm homestay hotel - Dadaocheng Garden Hotel DG Hotel.

This is a B&B transformed from an old house in Dadaocheng. It has a very fresh rural style. Whether it is the flower pattern on the wall, the front desk surrounded by vines, or the restaurant surrounded by flowers and plants, there is greenery everywhere. , as if in a small romantic garden.

Although there are some imperfections in the hardware due to limited conditions, such as no elevator and the room is too small; but the software service is impeccable, the warm welcome and the rich and healthy breakfast are irresistible. up here.

After checking in, stroll along Dadaocheng all the way to Bangka, feel the unique charm of Taipei’s old town, fill your stomach at the Huaxi Street Night Market, and then go to Ximending to experience the lively neon lights, this is the best place in Taiwan. The real look.

Dadaocheng + Dihua Street

The development of cities is always closely related to waterways, just as the development of almost all coastal cities originates from docks, and for an island surrounded by the sea, its origin is often along the banks of the Danshui River that flows into the sea——Taipei also exactly.

The earliest settlements in Taipei developed from Mengka, but because Mengka has always been tough and unfriendly to immigrants, in the middle of the 19th century, immigrants from Fujian who crossed the sea gradually moved north and gathered by the Danshui River Dadaocheng area. In 1860, Tamsui officially opened its port. British Dude introduced the sweet Quanzhou Anxi oolong tea from Taiwan. After tasting it, Queen Victoria praised the Oriental Beauty. Foreign businessmen came here to set up companies and start trading in tea and cloth, which not only brought unprecedented prosperity to the Dadaocheng area, but also brought exotic architectural styles and religious culture. Until the Japanese occupation period in the 1920s, Dadaocheng had always been the economic and trade center of Taipei. It not only had an astonishing development that surpassed the whole island in economic, social and cultural activities, but was also a place where new thoughts and cultures developed. The base is a gathering place of humanities.

Although Dadaocheng has withdrawn from the stage of history, it still leaves behind many testimonies of the infinite scenery of the past. Here you can feel the style of old Taipei and taste the most authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Today, under the "Old House Rebirth" plan advocated by the Taipei City Government, this area has been remodeled, combining historical districts with cultural creativity, so that the old buildings left behind can be rejuvenated.

In Dadaocheng today, what impresses people the most is the Dihua Old Street, which has witnessed the splendor of the past. As early as the Qing Dynasty, this street was famous for buying and selling foreign firms, tea, camphor, Chinese medicine, and even opium. It is still the center of Taiwan’s northern and southern goods, Chinese medicine and cloth wholesalers. Many century-old shops still exist. The historical traces are still on the facade, and the goods are shipped directly to the mainland from here, or shipped from Danshui Port to foreign countries. On Dihua Street and the nearby alleys, there are many well-preserved ornate old western-style buildings with exquisite carvings. Every family is a wealthy businessman who has been passed down for generations, and every household is inextricably linked to the history of Taiwan. , and even many local traditional consortiums started from Dihua Street. On the best-preserved old street in Taipei, you can only appreciate its unique charm by "looking up". The romantic classical façade also has a mix of modernist styles. In the past, rich families were competing with each other, competing for splendor and showing off their talents.

In Yongle Market, the largest fabric wholesale market in Taiwan, there are countless fabrics and accessories that make people dizzy; there are many local snack shops with full of ancient flavors at the door, such as sailfish rice noodle soup, Yongle rice moss, etc.; in Tainan Order a bowl of fish soup, thick and firm fish meat without thorns, pastry crust that absorbs enough soup, smooth and sweet cabbage soup, a mouthful of sweet vegetables and fresh fish!

Opposite Yongle Market is the Dadaocheng Story Workshop, formerly known as Zhongtai Clothing Company, which now functions as a visitor center and an activity center, exhibiting and recording the past and present of Dadaocheng in detail. And emerging cafes and creative workshops such as mansion food and tourism, 127 design public stores, and folk arts have gradually become the new labels of Dadaocheng.

Come here to browse the creative shops, play with porcelain, drink a cup of coffee, appreciate the historical changes of Taipei, and feel the unique humanistic and artistic atmosphere under the atmosphere of blending the old and the new.

tips

Address: Datong District, Taipei (south of Minquan West Road, north of Zhongxiao West Road, west of Chongqing North Road, east of Danshui River)

Transportation: Take the MRT to Shuanglian Station, exit from Exit 2, and transfer to bus No. 811, 518 and Hong 33 to Dihua Street or Yongle Market

Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple is located in Wanhua, Taipei City. This area used to be called "Monga", also known as "Wanhua Longshan Temple" or "Monga Longshan Temple". It is a famous cultural relic in Taipei. It is listed as one of the four tourist attractions in Taipei; it is also the temple with the most incense in Taipei, and together with Mengka Qingshuiyan Zushi Temple and Dalongdong Baoan Palace, it is called the three major temples in Taipei.

Longshan Temple is also famous for the movie "Monga". This is the place where Zhao Youting and his brothers worshiped in the movie. Bangka is the earliest street market in Taipei, where the aborigines gathered for business. At that time, the aborigines paddled canoes on the Danshui River to trade with the Han people. There were densely packed canoes on the riverside, and the scene was spectacular. Pingpu people call "canoe" "Vanka/Banka", while Quanzhou people transliterate it in Hokkien and call this place "艋舺Monga". This used to be the most prosperous place in Taipei, and it was also the starting point of Taipei's development. In the Qing Dynasty, it was listed as one of the three major cities along with Tainan Fucheng and Changhua Lukang, and it was known as "One Fu, Two Lu, and Three Mengka".

When Mengka was first developed, the environment was dangerous and plagues were frequent, so immigrants from Sanyi in Quanzhou jointly built Longshan Temple in the third year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1738), and invited Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to come to Longshan Temple in Anhai, Jinjiang County, Fujian Province tower. After many reconstructions, the Longshan Temple we see now is restored after being destroyed in World War II. The exquisite temple design can be called the essence of Taiwanese temple art.

The total area of ​​Longshan Temple is about 1,800 square meters, facing south from the north. It is a unique Chinese classical three-entry courtyard traditional palace-style building in architecture. From the outside to the inside of the central axis, there are the mountain gate, the temple, the front hall, the atrium, the main hall, the back court, and the back hall. .

The gate of Longshan Temple is magnificent and magnificent. Four square and long stone pillars constitute the main gate and the left and right side gates, the corridor eaves inlaid with gold and flowers, the double-layer broken eaves and arrow-style roof, and the two carved dragons on the top, facing each other in a white space with the momentum of leaping. On both sides of the rosy orb, there are two dragons protecting the orb. This mountain gate, like an invisible wall, magically blocks the hustle and bustle of the city.

Entering the mountain gate, you will be greeted by gorgeous and solemn buildings, resplendent carvings, colorful sculptures, waterfalls flying down like curtains, coiled dragons winding upside down on copper pillars or standing upside down or raising their heads, which constitute a dreamlike myth. realm. The main hall of Longshan Temple is the Yuantong Hall. The sapphire blue dome is like an endless sky, and the golden pillars and golden Buddha statues reflect each other. Chinese architectural wisdom and artistic light shine everywhere, representing the ultimate beauty of the nation.

As the most popular temple in Taipei, there are more than a hundred gods enshrined here, including the important gods of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. There are 7 incense burners in total. You can choose the god you believe in and visit freely. The most popular person in the whole temple is Yuelao, because the grandfather Yuelao here is super efficacious, so single men and women come here to seek marriage. But because there are too many great gods enshrined here, before paying homage to Yuelao, you have to greet the other main gods in order. Before asking Yuelao for the red line, one has to throw three sacred sticks in a row and ask Yuelao if he agrees. If you can’t throw it all the time, it means that the time has not come and you can only choose another day to come again. But if Yuelao is willing to grant fate, Remember to take the red thread and go around the incense burner three times clockwise.

tips

Address: No. 211, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT to Longshan Temple Station, exit from Exit 1, and walk for about 5 minutes

Tickets: Free. It is free to ask for a lottery, but you need to buy incense money to burn incense. A pack of incense is about NT$10.

Bopiliao Old Street

Bopiliao Old Street, which is only one step away from Longshan Temple, is the only Han Chinese street in the Bangka area that was lucky enough to be preserved in the Qing Dynasty.

The name "Bopiliao", which sounds a little creepy, has different origins. The widely circulated saying is that during the Qing Dynasty, merchant ships from Fuzhou brought in Chinese fir, and the tree got its name after the bark was stripped here. This short street is only 300-400 meters long and 3 meters wide. Most of the winding sides are brick and wood structures with one or two floors. The arcade, which is a mix of foreign and foreign, is full of antiquity. In the Bopiliao Historic District, there are quite complete street shapes from the Qing Dynasty, traditional shophouses from the Qing Dynasty, exquisite facades improved during the Japanese occupation period, and a new look after restoration. The diverse changes in architectural space have witnessed the development of Mengka City Street.

Today, Bopiliao Old Street, which has escaped the fate of demolition, has become a retro old street with super atmosphere after a series of comprehensive renovations. , Rixiang Hotel, Songxiexing Mihao, Huaian Hospital, Taiyang Manufacturing Factory and other time-honored shops are all available. After hundreds of years of polishing, these buildings are mottled and decadent, with an old atmosphere. Being here is like a world away.

Huaxi Street Night Market

The Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market, which is adjacent to Longshan Temple, is famous for its "vigorousness" that is different from other night markets. In addition to all kinds of snacks ranging from mountain products to seafood, there are also Chinese herbal shops, selling Ganoderma lucidum tea, and even selling Dieda plaster. Of course, the most famous dish is snake meat. Many tourists come here for the snake blood, snake gall and snake soup. Sometimes, in order to attract customers, there will be live snake killing or snake teasing performances.

As the earliest tourist night market in Taiwan, the traditional archway building at the entrance and the red palace lanterns along the way are very distinctive. Don’t worry if you are incapable of accepting “violent” food like me. There are many time-honored snacks that have been in business for decades. Foods such as squid soup, big meat soup, angelica pig’s feet, and Tainan Danzai noodles are very popular among locals and tourists. welcome. Drinking a bowl of hot pig's knuckle soup, the rich flavor of traditional Chinese medicine makes people feel comfortable, and ordering a plate of smooth and tender raw fried beef is a very delicious meal.

Ximending

Ximending is probably the place name with the highest frequency of appearance in all Taiwanese variety shows. As a gathering place for the new generation of pop culture in Taiwan, it makes every visitor yearn for the first time.

When you really stand in this bustling street, the flashing neon lights of the headlights and the constantly changing large LED screen make people feel a sense of detachment at a loss. As the most experienced business district in Taipei, Ximending seems to be filled with young people forever. There are the most popular Japanese and Korean fashion brands, unique design products, various gourmet snacks, and entertainment venues such as KTV. There are more than 20 movie theaters, and it is a famous movie street in Taipei. Sometimes there are also cultural activities such as autograph sessions, small concerts, and movie promotion sessions.

For me, what I look forward to more is the small red brick octagonal building in the reinforced concrete building. The Ximen Red Building was built in 1908. It used to be a vegetable market during the Japanese colonial era. The Red House Theater, where movies are staged in turn, is now the venue for 16 workshops featuring local cultural and creative brands and the Red House creative market every weekend. It's a pity that this place is under renovation, so I can't see the whole picture, which is more or less regrettable.

Escaping from the overly noisy Ximending that made people feel at a loss, strolling all the way back to the hotel, walking through the long and quaint old streets of Mengka and Dadaocheng, and occasionally encountering songs babbling on a stage, or Passing by the old-fashioned projector in the middle of the street, playing lonely old movies of unknown time, the audience is the grandparents who have lived here for generations, with hunched figures and cattail fans, these real and beautiful daily life are my What Taipei should look like in my mind.

2nd day 2016.11.13

If I can only do one thing in Taiwan, then for me, it must be to visit the collections of the National Palace Museum in Taipei!

We who like to visit museums have reserved almost a whole day for the National Palace Museum in Taipei, and we just have a casual attitude towards the Shilin official residence which is very close. As expected, the National Palace Museum in Taipei is totally worth spending a day in it slowly. Although I missed Chiang Kai-shek's residence, I don't feel regretful. In the evening, of course, there is a Teeth Festival at the nearby Shilin Night Market. For me, the Taiwan Night Market is a place to eat fresh and lively. Try those interesting snacks that appear frequently in Taiwan variety shows but have never been tasted. If you really talk about the taste, How can it compare with the profound food in the Mainland!

Tomorrow, Candy will start working in Taiwan. In order to make it easier for him to travel to and from the company, we moved to the Grand Hyatt Taipei near 101. Dadaocheng and Dadaocheng seem to be two worlds, one old and one new, one ancient and one modern, one simple and one gorgeous, no matter which side it is, it is charming Taipei.

Taipei Palace Museum

For the National Palace Museum in Taipei, every Chinese has an indescribable special feeling.

That period of fragmented history brought many precious collections across the ocean to Taipei. There is even a saying that "Taipei has cultural relics but not the Forbidden City, and Beijing has the Forbidden City but not cultural relics." Obviously this statement is incorrect. It is said that due to the limited shipping capacity that year, only one-sixth of the collections in the Forbidden City were selected and shipped to Taiwan. In order to house these national treasures, the Taiwan authorities specially built a "New Forbidden City".

The National Palace Museum in Taipei was completed and opened in November 1965. It is built on the hillside. The main building has four floors. It imitates the traditional Chinese palace architecture. The beige base is in harmony with the surrounding white marble railings. The green tiles on the eaves are full of traditional colors; five six-column archways stand in the square in front of the courtyard. The whole building is solemn and elegant, and has the beauty of Chinese classical architecture.

The National Palace Museum in Taipei has a collection of 650,000 pieces of art treasures, most of which come from the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Shang and Zhou bronzes, jades, ceramics, ancient books, famous paintings and rubbings in the collection are all rare treasures with incomparable And irreplaceable cultural value, has the reputation of "Chinese cultural treasure house".

Compared with the Beijing Forbidden City itself, which is a large exhibit, tourists pay more attention to architecture rather than cultural relics; the design of the Taipei Forbidden City is more suitable for exhibitions, and the exhibition methods are more diverse and humanized. The exhibits are replaced every three months on average , various special exhibitions will be held from time to time.

The exhibits of the National Palace Museum in Taipei are mainly collections of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. When the cultural relics of the National Palace Museum were moved to Taipei in 1949, the focus was on the calligraphy and painting of the Yuan and Song Dynasties. The real treasure of the town hall is Fan Kuan's "Traveling in Streams and Mountains", Guo Xi's "Early Spring", Li Tang's "Wind in Pines in Ten Thousand Valleys", Wang Xizhi's "Quick Snow and Sunny Post", Su Shi's "Cold Food Post", etc., but most of these treasures are only available in special places. I only got to see it during the exhibition.

The three treasures of the National Palace Museum in Taipei that are most favored by tourists from all over the world are: jade cabbage, Dongpo meat stone and Maogong tripod.

The pure white cabbage body, emerald green leaves, and two lifelike insects resting on the vegetable leaves——this emerald jade cabbage is a work of the Qing Dynasty, and its age is not too long ago. This work was originally placed in the Yonghe Palace, the bedroom of Concubine Jin, the concubine of Emperor Guangxu, and it was probably the dowry of Concubine Jin. Its preciousness lies in its exquisite carving and beautiful meaning. The sound of cabbage is the same as "hundred wealth", plus katydids and locusts which imply many children and grandchildren, it is definitely a very auspicious collection.

Different from the acquired carving of emerald jade cabbage, Dongpo meat stone is a kind of natural beauty. This piece of fake Dongpo meat is fat and thin, with distinct layers, and even the pores on the skin are clearly visible. It is not unusual to say that the carving is exquisite. It is unbelievable that this Dongpo meat stone has not passed through any stone. The carvings are completely natural and amazing, and it is precisely because of this that they can become the treasure of the town hall.

To say that the first two pieces are nothing more than exquisite and exotic collections of the royal family, only the Maogong Ding is a genuine cultural relic with great archaeological significance. This bronze tripod cast in the late Western Zhou Dynasty was authored by Mao Gong, the uncle of King Xuan of Zhou. Maogong Ding is not only beautifully cast and well preserved, but more importantly, there is an inscription cast on the inner wall of the tripod, with 32 lines and nearly 500 characters, which is the longest one among the existing bronze inscriptions. Most of all, it is an important historical material for studying the political history of the late Western Zhou Dynasty.

In fact, if you go shopping carefully, you can find many precious or interesting treasures. For example, the micro-carved jujube stone boat, the 17-story ivory ball with hundreds of treasures, etc., are often admired by tourists for their exquisiteness and ingenuity.

The first to third floors of the National Palace Museum in Taipei are exhibition spaces, the fourth floor is a teahouse, and the basement floor is a children's learning center and gift shop. The cultural and creative surroundings of the National Palace Museum in Taipei are really worth a stroll. They are exquisite and practical, and everything is hard to put it down. The glasses cloth of Castiglione Flower and Bird Picture bought here is my favorite, and it has been with me so far, and has traveled to many countries in the world.

The food in the museum is also quite arty. The Leisure House on the first floor of the first exhibition area provides light food, coffee and tea; the Fuchun House on the first floor of the second exhibition area provides set meals, beef noodles, etc.; It is also worth a try. The restaurant is elegantly decorated and has an antique flavor. There are not only edible emerald cabbage and Dongpo pork, but also beef noodles in the shape of Maogong Ding. All the three treasures of the Forbidden City can be used to worship the Wu Zang Temple. The Baoding Yuanyang Beef Noodles here are recommended. The shape of the Taiji Bowl is filled with white pepper-flavored clear soup noodles and traditional Chinese medicine-flavored red soup noodles, with strong noodles and soft rotten beef. A perfect full stop.

tips

Address: No. 221, Section 2, Zhishan Road, Shilin District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT Tamsui Line and get off at Shilin Station, then transfer to bus No. 30, 255, 304, 101, 18, 19 and get off at the Palace Museum Station

Tickets: NT$250

Shilin Night Market

Taiwanese who are extremely obsessed with night markets have various night market lists, but no matter which list is on, the existence of Shilin Night Market is indispensable!

Shilin Night Market is the most famous and popular night market place in Taipei. The ingredients flying up and down, the delicious food, the aisles crowded with people and the shouts one after another, this is the busiest "night feast" in Taipei.

Shilin Night Market not only gathers snacks from the north and the south, but also shops selling specialties, groceries, trinkets and fashions. In this labyrinth-like noise, many time-honored delicacies are hidden in casual corners, such as Hao Da Chicken Chop, Loyalty Stir-fried Flower Branches, Shihlin Time-honored Big Bread Wrapped with Small Cakes, Ah Liang Noodles, Ten Pork Ribs, Big Head Long oyster omelette, Xinfating iced products, from snacks to dinners to desserts after meals, until the belly is round.

I specially ran to try the Stir-Fried Flower Branches and Oyster Omelette from Loyalty, ate the large intestine wrapped in small intestine, and drank the frog’s eggs. The curiosity is too delicious, but such a lively and friendly atmosphere makes people happy unconsciously~

tips

Address: Dadong Road, Danan Road, Wenlin Road, Shilin District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT Danshui Line to Jiantan Station

3rd day 2016.11.14

On the first day Candy started working, I also started a day of wandering around Taipei with my camera on my shoulders.

After starting to do self-media, although it is often dark and dark when rushing to write, it is indeed very comfortable to have free time to control at will. As a result, following Candy on business trips and leisure activities has become the norm, exploring around in unfamiliar cities alone, stopping and taking pictures at will. Of course, when I am alone, I will try my best to choose a neighborhood with good law and order, and usually I don’t arrange the itinerary too tightly. I have a cup of coffee and a simple meal for lunch. Go back to the hotel before dark, wait for Candy to get off work, and then go out for food and press the road together.

On the first day of "solo flight", the place I couldn't wait to go to was Eslite Bookstore. I am keen to go shopping in bookstores all over the world, so I can't wait to spend a whole day in Eslite; after a simple lunch at Eslite Cafe, I continue to stroll in the Xinyi business district and visit the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall on the way. I went shopping in Songshan Cultural and Creative Park until the sun was setting in the west; before returning to the hotel, I stopped by a good example of a bookstore that was rated as the most beautiful. Surrounded by the fragrance of books and the atmosphere of literature and art, even though I was tired and broke my legs, I was still full of joy!

Eslite Bookstore (Xinyi Flagship Store)

If Building 101 is a geographical landmark of Taipei, then Eslite is a cultural landmark of Taipei. The wooden floor, soft lighting, fragrant book and strong coffee aroma exude a long-lost tranquility, making this place a utopia in this noisy city.

Not only in Taipei, but also in Taoyuan, Pingtung, Kenting, and throughout Taiwan, you can meet Eslite unexpectedly. Wu Qingyou, the founder of Eslite, once said, "Property is exhausted sometimes, but the word "sincerity" is inexhaustible throughout life." Sincerity is a sincere heart and persistent care; "pin" is a professional accomplishment and a rigorous choice; the name "Sincerity" represents the bookstore's pursuit and practice of a better society. I am very moved by the persistence of Mr. Wu Qingyou, who opened up a pure land full of scholarly fragrance in this fast-moving city; Can keep original intention.

The first Eslite Bookstore was founded in 1989 in the circle of Ren'ai Road in Taipei. At the beginning, it mainly sold books on art and humanities, and then transformed into a comprehensive bookstore. Through experiential marketing and diversified business models, Eslite Finally ended 15 consecutive years of losses and became the largest bookstore chain in Taiwan. Today, Eslite Bookstore’s business covers department store retail, cultural and creative industries, logistics, art cinemas, performance halls, hotels, real estate, online shopping, etc., while 70% of Eslite Group’s operating income comes from shopping malls, and the bookstore is only Accounted for 30%. In the traditional sense, Eslite Bookstore is indeed a physical bookstore, but compared with other bookstores, its existence is more like a symbolic cultural symbol.

What Eslite Bookstore advocates is "chains do not copy". All physical stores are based on bright warm yellow as the main visual tone. The decoration is elegant but not gorgeous, and the brand logo in traditional Chinese characters is very recognizable. Every Eslite bookstore has a public reading area, maintaining about 400 public seats. Compared with making money, cultivating customers' reading habits is the primary goal of Eslite. Everyone who enters the Eslite Bookstore will unconsciously slow down, for fear of disturbing the tranquility, choose a good book and enjoy a rare leisure time.

Eslite Xinyi flagship store fully explains "why the Eslite model cannot be replicated". In this 8-storey complex bookstore, you can not only read quietly, but also participate in various communication activities such as new book releases, performing arts, and lectures. Coupled with the shopping malls full of literary and artistic atmosphere, the cultural and creative design full of sense, and the rich food street, you can spend a whole day shopping here without going out.

Whether you are a reading lover or not, you should come to Eslite for a stroll and feel the most unmissable cultural landscape in Taiwan.

tips

Address: No. 11, Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take MRT Bannan Line to City Hall Station

URL: www.eslite.com

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

On the way to Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, I just passed the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, so I just went in to have a look.

The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was built to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, surrounded by Zhongshan Park outside the hall. Walking into this emerald green under the scorching sun, dotted with green trees, ponds, rockery, Jiuqu bridge and other scenery, makes people feel relaxed and happy. There are also some sculptures of Mr. Sun scattered in the park, from the vigorous youth to the old age, as if He has gone through his rough and firm life.

The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, built in 1972, is the work of the famous architect Wang Dahong. The overall building is in the palace style of the Tang Dynasty. The yellow roof is shaped like a roc spreading its wings. It combines traditional and modern architectural elements. One of the landmark buildings in Taipei. But it always looks a little weird, a little indescribable. Under the turned-out eaves supported by four sky-reaching pillars, there is a plaque of the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, and the plaque on the lintel of the main entrance reads the eight characters of "Journey to the Great Way, the World is for the Public".

There is a bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen in the museum, which sits high on the seat and can only be looked up by the world. On the base is engraved with the first part of the "Book of Rites·Li Yun" written by Mr. Sun Yat-sen himself. Every hour, the Memorial Hall will hold a changing of the guard ceremony. The movement is very slow but has both strength and beauty. It also combines dance movements. The whole process takes about 10 minutes, and the coolness index explodes.

The open space in front of the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall is one of the favorite places for outdoor leisure activities of Taipei citizens. Camphor trees, Phoenix trees, and Melaleuca trees interweave a large green space. The weeping willows in the green lake disturb the tranquility of the pool. The water dancing fountains in the square sway with the wind like silver lotuses in full bloom. Kites are dotted with the blue, and the wide square is a good place for parent-child games, in-line pulleys, and leisurely walks. Of course, this is also an excellent place to watch and take pictures of the whole picture of the 101 building. The healthy and comfortable scenery is the most beautiful picture.

tips

Address: No. 505, Section 4, Renai Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT Bannan Line and get off at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station, and exit from Exit 4

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

Nowadays, it is very popular to convert some old factory buildings and old warehouses into cultural and creative parks, and Taipei, which has a strong cultural and artistic atmosphere, is no exception.

Similar to 798 in Beijing and 1933 in Shanghai, is Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei. Its predecessor was the "Taiwan Government Monopoly Bureau Songshan Tobacco Factory" during the Japanese occupation in 1937. It was the first modern cigarette factory in Taiwan and created a very high economic output value for Taiwan at that time. However, due to the decline in demand and other reasons, Songshan Tobacco Factory merged with Taipei Tobacco Factory in 1998, and the once busy factory area was vacant until it was transformed into Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and officially opened to the public in 2011.

More than 70 years of tobacco production have left behind not only the charming smell of tobacco, but also the amazing historic buildings of the tobacco factory. When Songshan Tobacco Factory was originally planned, it was designed as a factory compound with rich life functions. Therefore, compared with Huashan Creative Park, it has more intimacy close to life. The lotus pond, which was set up for the purpose of fire prevention, ventilation and water vapor adjustment, has now become an ecological pond, isolating the hustle and bustle of the city. Outside, there are not only refreshing green vegetation, but also listening to frogs and insects by the pond.

The main factory building of Songshan Tobacco Factory is a two-story single building, and the first floor is designed with multi-beam columns to support the mechanical weight of the second floor. The factory building that used to pack cigarettes is now used as a space for cultural and creative performances. There are many creative workshops where you can make handicrafts and buy various cultural and creative products. The long corridor that can be seen at a glance, the sun shines on the ground through the large window lattice, such a beautiful afternoon makes people miss the old school life. The atrium is an exquisite Baroque garden. There are several nude statues scattered in the courtyard. There are right-angled triangle pools in the four corners. In the center is a small champagne tower-style fountain. It seems that you have traveled back to the tobacco factory leisurely for seventy years. The era when it was first built.

The spacious and high-rise warehouses have become an important cross-border exhibition space, holding various interesting art exhibitions and cultural and creative exhibitions from time to time; the mechanical glass factory and nursery by the pool are now turned into bookstores and coffee houses, still playing a role Supporting functions; the only change is the Taipei Cultural and Creative Building that rises next to the warehouse. This modern building designed by architect Toyo Ito inherits the century-old characteristics of Songshan Tobacco Factory and echoes the context of Taipei. , It also shows the changes in people's lifestyles today.

Cultural and creative concepts of different forms and textures are gathered in the complex cultural space of Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. The modern hustle and bustle is simple and quiet, and there is a sense of beauty that is independent but integrated, making it a place in Taipei and even the entire Taiwan region. cultural landmark.

tips

Address: No. 133, Guangfu South Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT Bannan Line to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station and exit from Exit 5

Tickets: Free

Website: www.songshanculturalpark.org 

good sample thing

A good example is VVG something, this exquisite little bookstore was rated as the top 20 most beautiful bookstores in the world by Flavorwire.com, a well-known American art website. Different from what I imagined, this bookstore is not only small but also very low-key, without even a conspicuous signboard. The red old-fashioned bicycle in front of the door is its symbol. Open the sliding door, and there is a large wooden table in the middle, on which there are some unique design, art, photography and cooking books, as well as household goods and groceries collected by the boss in big cities and small towns around the world, retro And stylish. Although it is hidden in the city, it has rich connotations and unique tastes. There have been idol drama MVs filmed here.

Coming here is more or less like a pilgrimage. The books in the store are not rich, and the arrangement of items is also a bit messy. It always makes people feel a little cramped, and they are careful not to turn around and touch the boss's "treasure".

4th day 2016.11.15

In order to go to Candy's company for lunch at noon, I didn't go far in the morning. I just walked around Sisi South Village, which is not far from 101. The small military village with 101 as the background always makes people feel like a deliberately created contrast. The oldest Taiwan and the newest Taiwan are just combined in one picture, which is a bit too coincidental.

After lunch, I casually strolled around 101, the plethora of luxury brands was very boring. I took the MRT to Beitou, and first went to the relatively small Dharma Drum Mountain Nongchan Temple. The modern temple reflected by the blue waves is really beautiful, but unfortunately there is nothing to do. Then I went to the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, which was also interesting. Lanshan, after all, you have come to a place famous for its hot springs. If you don’t soak in the hot springs and only visit the museum, it’s like going to a ramen shop and only ordering a plate of fried dumplings. You don’t appreciate the essence of it at all. Beitou is better. The happiest thing is that I spent a good time in the Beitou Library, and the quiet reading is immersive.

For dinner, I went to Din Tai Fung on the 101st floor. Naturally, it was overcrowded, and the wait for a seat started from half an hour. As for the taste, I didn't taste much difference from Din Tai Fung in other places, but the taste of draft beer limited to Taiwan is really great! It makes people want to pack two big cups to take away~

Four Four South Village

It is hard to imagine that only one road away from the high-rise Xinyi business district, there is an extremely old military dependent village—Sisi South Village.

Speaking of Taiwan's history and culture is always inseparable from the "military dependents' village", but the stories about the military dependents' village are full of bitterness and helplessness. When the Kuomintang withdrew to Taiwan in 1949, it brought a large number of officers, soldiers and young men to Taiwan. These people from other provinces built "villages" and lived in them. resemblance.

Because the people from other provinces in the military dependents village come from all over the world, and their education level is generally high, the children who grew up here have seen a lot since they were young. Many Taiwanese celebrities we are familiar with come from the military dependents village. Dechang and Hou Xiaoxian, cultural heavyweights Long Yingtai, Yu Guangzhong, Zhang Dachun, iconic beauties Brigitte Lin, Hu Yinmeng, Wang Zuxian, and Ang Lee, Luo Dayou, Zhang Yusheng, Zhang Aijia, Wang Weizhong, Qi Yu Qi Qin, Ren Xianqi, Yi Nengjing, Of course, there is also Teresa Teng who "no one in the world knows you". There are also many literary and artistic works describing military dependents' villages, such as "Olive Tree" sung by everyone, stage play "A Village on Treasure Island", TV series "Hometown" and "Story of Time", etc., but the most familiar and resonant one is, It belongs to Yu Guangzhong's "Nostalgia".

When I was a child / Nostalgia is a small postage stamp / I am here / Mother is there

When I grow up / nostalgia is a narrow ticket / I am here / the bride is there

Later / Nostalgia is a short grave / I am outside / Mother is inside

And now / nostalgia is a shallow strait / I am here / the mainland is there

There are quite a few military dependents’ villages preserved in Taiwan, but the preservation of Sisi South Village is the most controversial, and it was preserved only after the vigorous efforts of many people in the cultural circles. After all, preserving such a dilapidated old house in such an expensive location is nothing more than to preserve the memory of the small people in the torrent of the great era, to prove that they have been here, and to regain respect for the "individual".

The special significance of Sisi South Village is that it is the first dependent village in Taipei. At the end of November 1948, the employees and family members of Qingdao Lianqin No. 44 Arsenal hurriedly moved to Taipei City. They built this temporary residence with the intention of returning to their hometown after a year and a half, but they did not expect that, This stay lasted for dozens of springs, summers, autumns and winters.

The Sisi South Village that can be seen today is actually only a small part left. Because it is located in a prime location, most of the family homes have been demolished, leaving only four rows of buildings for tourists to reminisce about the past. Most of the houses in the military dependents’ village have no aesthetic feeling, and many of them were built in a hurry. The main building was originally made of bamboo chips and lime mud, and then gradually changed to a brick wall structure; in the early days, the living area of ​​each household was only three or four square meters. There is room for a bed, a table, and a stool. The kitchen, bathroom, and toilet are all shared; can talk to each other. ——Here shows the most daily and real life scenes in Taiwan military dependents' villages in the 1960s.

Walking into the "Military Military Village Exhibition Hall" with the theme of introducing the static display of cultural history and artistic activities of Sisi South Village is like walking into the long river of time. Old objects full of memories and longings are loved by residents. I personally made it into a treasure box of time, which brought us back to the historical military dependent village, and also let us empathize with the nostalgia and origin of the military dependent village people.

In the current Sisi South Village, some houses have been converted into "Xinyi Civic Hall". In addition to providing venues for individuals or groups to exhibit their artistic and cultural works, some creative markets are often held here; and the Cultural Park next to the Military Military Village , the old air-raid shelters have become small green grass slopes, together with the nearby Jingxin Park and Sisi Square, it has become a good place for a leisurely stroll; therefore, many nostalgic tourists and wedding dresses gather here photo of couple.

tips

Address: No. 50, Songqin Street, Xinyi District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT Xinyi Line to Taipei 101 Station, exit from Exit 2, and it is within walking distance

Tickets: Free

Dharma Drum Mountain Nongchan Temple

Dharma Drum Mountain Nongchan Temple is a small scenic spot in Taipei, and it may not be appropriate to be listed as a scenic spot. It is one of the three major Buddhist temples in Taiwan. For me, the purpose of visiting is only because of the beauty of the architecture here.

The Nongchan Temple, located in the rice fields of Beitou, was built in 1975 by the old man Dongchu. After the old man passed away, Master Shengyan inherited the legal line. The Shuiyue Dojo of Dharma Drum Mountain Nongchan Temple expanded by Master Shengyan was opened on December 29, 2012. It was built by the team of famous Taiwanese architect Yao Renxi. The expected "flowers in the sky, moon in the water" appearance of the ashram is set against the backdrop of distant mountains and elegant pool landscaping, as if only this majestic Buddhist hall is the only one among the mountains and rivers, which is inaccessible and sacred.

The Shuiyue Taoist Temple is all Qingshui buildings, and there is no place to burn incense in the entire Buddhist hall, only lamps are used instead. Buddhist classics such as "Diamond Sutra" and "Heart Sutra" are hollowed out on the outer wall of the Buddhist hall. The fonts and contents that change with the light and shadow give people infinite space for association. The Buddha is teaching the scriptures in a silent way.

The pure and uncomplicated Shuiyue Taoist Temple has a simple sense of returning to basics, but it brings people a real spiritual shock.

tips

Address: No. 89, Lane 65, Daye Road, Beitou District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT Danxin Line to Qiyan Station and walk for about 10 minutes

Beitou Hot Spring Museum

The Beitou Hot Spring Museum, whose predecessor was the "Beitou Hot Spring Public Bath" built in 1913, is a typical product of the Japanese occupation period.

In 1895, Japan occupied Taiwan and discovered the abundant geothermal hot spring resources in the Beitou area. They exploited and utilized them to create a place of enjoyment that embodies Japanese hot spring culture. . Under this background, the Beitou Hot Spring Bath, which was invested and built, was the largest and most luxurious hot spring bath in East Asia at that time, with hot spring baths, rest rooms, restaurants, entertainment rooms, etc. Going to Beitou to soak in hot springs, listening to Japanese geisha playing shamisen and enjoying the joy of silver moon and smoke soup have become the standard of life for Japanese colonists.

This public bath was built in the style of Izu Onsen. The calm red walls and black tiles match the green shade. It has the style of antique Victorian English country houses and the architectural style of Japanese houses.

The scale of the original building was two floors, in line with the natural environment and topography. The entrance is from the second floor, with a gazebo and a shoe-changing entrance. The second floor was originally a VIP room and rest space. The smell of hot springs, the dense time of the past, seems to be reappearing in front of our eyes;

The first floor was originally men's and women's changing rooms, a large public bath for men, a small bath for women, and several independent bathrooms for VIPs. The large bath surrounded by Roman arches, the sun shines through the inlaid stained glass on the wall, Bring out bright bathing ambiance and gorgeous exoticism.

Similar to the fate of most old buildings, although it was abandoned for a while, it was finally listed as a third-class cultural relic in Taiwan with the efforts of all parties, and it was converted into Beitou Hot Spring Museum in 1998 and reopened for visiting. The museum mainly introduces the history and development of Beitou. The first floor mainly displays topics such as hot spring related facilities and supplies, Beitolite, and the use of bathing space. The second floor displays themes such as Beitou's humanities, history, and industry. Due to the beautiful lawn and elegant landscape outside the museum, couples who are about to get married often take wedding photos here; the amphitheater has irregular performances, forming a unique scenery.

This museum has now become a very important representative building in the history of the development of Beitou Hot Springs. It not only solidifies the precious historical traces, but also embodies the feelings of Beitou residents for this land.

tips

Address: No. 2, Zhongshan Road, Beitou, Taipei City

Transportation: Take MRT Danshui Line to Beitou Station, transfer to Xinbeitou Branch Line to Xinbeitou Station, and walk for about 5 minutes

Tickets: Free

URL: hotspringmuseum.taipei

Beitou Library

The entire Xinbeitou area is a traditional hot spring town in Taipei, with a very small and fresh Japanese style. Along the road winding up the hillside are hot spring hotels, and even the air is filled with a strong smell of sulfur. Not only can you take a comfortable bath here, but it is also rich in natural and human resources.

Beitou Hot Spring Water Park centered on Beitou Creek, including Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Taipei City Library Beitou Branch (referred to as "Beitou Library"), open-air hot spring baths, children's hot spring water area, air-raid shelter maze There are several parts such as the game area.

The Beitou Library is like a large wooden ship amidst the lush forests. It faces the park in the south and faces the stream in the north. It blends harmoniously with the trees in the park. The branches even run through the corridors of the library. It is affectionately called by the surrounding residents. As a "tree house", it was once selected as one of the 25 most beautiful public libraries in the world by Flavorwire.com.

Beitou Library is a green building that breaks the concept of traditional libraries in Taiwan. The overall appearance is made of wood and steel structure, which is simple and elegant. There are solar photovoltaic panels on the roof to generate electricity, and the turf part has a special drainage design, which can recycle natural water for watering plants and toilet water. The high and low window design is used in the hall to generate convection, which can reduce the indoor temperature by 4°C in summer, saving electricity and energy and facilitating air circulation.

The atmosphere in the museum is quiet and focused. The large floor-to-ceiling windows let the greenery flow into the room. The sunlight penetrating into the museum adds a bit of light and warmth to every corner. The wooden bookshelves are all under 100 cm, and the height of the bookshelves is reduced. On the contrary, it makes the space in the library look more spacious. Although surrounded by many books, it doesn't feel crowded at all. The reading platforms extending from the first and second floors reflect the lush mountain scenery in the distance, enjoy the oncoming gentle breeze, full of natural wildness, and feel as comfortable as reading in the forest.

Most of the books in the Beitou Library are practical books, not academic. It seems more appropriate to call it a reading room; the most touching thing is that this library with only three floors has reserved for children The space on the entire first floor has seats suitable for children of all school ages, which shows that Taiwanese people attach great importance to culture and education, and the people-oriented approach to the public is the most commendable value orientation of a library.

The fragrance of wood and the fragrance of books are integrated, this is a paradise for book lovers. The gray-haired old man was leisurely flipping through the newspapers, the energetic students were studying hard, and the lively and lovely children were enjoying the fun of reading in the sunshine and the fragrance of birds and flowers. Such a quiet and leisurely environment makes people want to spend a whole day here quietly.

tips

Address: No. 251, Guangming Road, Beitou District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take MRT Danshui Line to Beitou Station, transfer to Xinbeitou Branch Line to Xinbeitou Station, and walk for about 5 minutes

Tickets: Free entry, taking pictures needs to be applied at the front desk

5th day 2016.11.16

Every time I go to a city, I like to go to the university. The temperament of a university is the epitome of the whole city. National Taiwan University is naturally literary and artistic. The lush campus and lush students are pleasing to the eye.

Next to National Taiwan University, there are some small alleys full of feelings. Because the professors of National Taiwan University and Normal University lived here in the early days, it has a humanistic atmosphere. It is very beautiful to stroll around Yongkang Street and Qingtian Street.

Strolling around Huashan Cultural and Creative Park, there are some exquisite shops that are easy to browse. Although the area is not too large, it is richer and more interesting than Songshan Cultural and Creative Park.

For dinner, I asked Candy to go to Yongkang Street to eat delicious food. We were satisfied with the steaming beef noodles all night. The half-tendon and half-meat stewed beef was soft and delicious, and it was simply irresistible; Gaoji’s pan-fried buns are also worth ordering Once back in line, the freshly baked pan-fried buns are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! I feel that the Yongkang Street commercial district is more popular than the major night markets.

After drinking and eating, go for a walk on the Xiangshan Nature Trail near the hotel. Climbing in the dark, just to find an excellent angle to take pictures of the dazzling night view of Taipei 101.

National Taiwan University

National Taiwan University, the legendary "Taiwan University", is not only the earliest university established in Taiwan, but also the largest comprehensive and research university in Taiwan. The predecessor of National Taiwan University was Taipei Imperial University, which was founded in 1928 during the Japanese occupation period. It was one of the nine imperial universities established in Japan at that time; in 1945, after the recovery of Taiwan, it was renamed "Taiwan University" and had nine campuses in Taipei City. , 6 campuses scattered across Taiwan, and affiliated institutions such as National Taiwan University Hospital.

As a leading university in Taiwan, the campus of National Taiwan University is completely open, without fences, and can be entered from any intersection. The gate of National Taiwan University, which is recognized as a "Taipei City Historic Site", is a small building built in 1931. It has a slight sense of incongruity with the straight and wide Coconut Grove Avenue behind it, but it has witnessed almost all History.

As a well-established prestigious school, National Taiwan University's heritage can be seen everywhere. Most of the teaching buildings adopt the Roman style, with a large number of "arches" and "gates" designed, and each department is also designed with a unique style. And no matter which teaching building it is, you can feel a strong sense of age, with lattice windows, wooden doors, European-style lighting, and ubiquitous small green plants, retro style is everywhere.

There is a "Fu Bell" hanging high in front of the Faculty of Arts. This clock that appears on the school emblem of National Taiwan University is a symbol of the entire National Taiwan University. 21 hours, and the remaining 3 hours are for contemplation."

Walking around the campus, the environment is quiet, as if walking into a big park. There is not only the most famous Coconut Grove Avenue in Taipei, but also a pond under the shade of green trees, an old school building covered with ivy, and a rice field that is privately owned by the Ministry of Agriculture. Squirrels bring a pleasant mood.

This kind of National Taiwan University is very suitable for casual wandering. There are cheap student restaurants and coffee shops everywhere, and there are often unexpected surprises. The teenagers on the field were sweating and youthful amidst the hilarity, the girls on the lawn were wearing earphones and holding books and let the breeze blow their skirts, and the naughty teenagers from someone else blew strings of colorful bubbles into the sky, expressing their free and easy manner. Sexy young people put their bicycles aside and lie down in the shade of a tree to take a rest; along the winding stone path, they unexpectedly come across a quiet world, a leisurely afternoon, an old tree, a swing, I have to sigh that National Taiwan University is really a A romantic place to study.

Wandering in various Western-style small Western-style teaching buildings, those years of humming Taiwanese folk songs and copying Jay Chou's lyrics seem to be rewinded. There is no way to regain youth, at least there is such a space for a short memory. 

tips

Address: No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Daan District, Taipei City, Taiwan

Transportation: Take the MRT Xindian Line to Gongguan Station, exit from Exit 3, and it is within walking distance

Tickets: Free

Yongkang Street & Qingtian Street

Those small alleys full of humanistic feelings in Da'an District have always been the favorite of young artists. As the cultural and educational district of Taipei, it not only has the top universities in Taiwan such as National Taiwan University and Normal University, but also various religious institutions and churches gather here. The largest Daan Forest Park in the center of Taipei is also here. The collision of daily life is the most exciting and charming side of Da'an District.

There are several well-shaped alleys in Da’an District: Yongkang Street, Qingtian Street, Lishui Street, Jinhua Street, Taishun Street, and Longquan Street. This small world is hidden behind the main road, and the prosperous green shade blocks the hustle and bustle of the city. Quiet amidst the hustle and bustle is the best choice to experience the beauty of Taipei’s alleys. Even these street names are taken from the place names in southern Zhejiang, which is full of literary temperament and brings people a bit of green imagination. Before the recovery of Taiwan, this area was a residential area for senior Japanese civil servants. After the national government took over, it gradually became a dormitory group for Taiwanese masters and professors. Starting from Yongkang Park, strolling freely among the alleys, many self-contained small shops, coffee shops, and thrift stores quietly manage their own world, which also adds a lot of charm to this block. Very laid back atmosphere.

You can see many well-preserved Japanese-style wooden houses here, and there are more than 30 well-preserved Japanese-style dormitories in Qingtian Street, which were built by university professors at that time. They are Taiwanese Japanese-style houses. The best preserved area. The old trees cover the sky and the sun, and the walls are covered with vines. The buildings and plants, between the old and the new, are rare and quiet, which is a proper fusion of humanity and nature. Over the past hundred years, the place is still full of light Japanese feelings, which not only retains the atmosphere of the city, but also incorporates a bit of literary and artistic temperament, exuding a fresh and authentic taste.

If you are tired from shopping, you can just find a shop to taste afternoon tea and take a break. Qingtian Qiliu is probably the best choice. It used to be the former residence of Professor Ma Tingying, a geologist at National Taiwan University. It is hidden in the charming atmosphere of green shade and sunshine, making people want to slowly visit this old house with a history of more than 80 years. The cypress wood floor, the Japanese-style porch, and the tatami-matted zashiki have a unique Japanese style; the moss in the yard is clear and shallow, and the fish in the pond are leisurely wagging their tails. Among the special Western-style wooden buildings, half-hidden The century-old tree in the blue sky brings the nostalgic smell of agarwood. How comfortable and enjoyable it is to drink afternoon tea with three or five friends in the sun room!

Yongkang Street is much more lively. The old-fashioned arcade buildings and huge advertising signs make people feel like they are walking on the streets of Hong Kong. Yongkang Street has always been famous for its gourmet food. Yongkang Beef Noodles, Din Tai Fung Xiao Long Bao, Du Xiaoyue Danzai Noodles, Gao Ji Pan-fried Buns, Shing Kee Scallion Cracker, Tianjin Scallion Cake, Smoothie Mango Shaved Ice, etc. are all well-known shops. In front of the food, queuing is inevitable!

tips

Address: Yongkang Street/Qingtian Street, Section 2, Xinyi Road, Daan District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take MRT Xindian Line to Gongguan Station, or Zhonghe Luzhou Line to Dongmen Station

Huashan 1914 Creative Culture Park

Huashan 1914 Cultural and Creative Park, its predecessor was the "Taipei Winery" founded in 1914, one of the largest winemaking factories in Taiwan at that time. After more than a hundred years, this once idle urban ruin was reopened in 2005 after renovation. The entire park is filled with a strong industrial retro style, the mottled and thick walls are covered with plants, and the well-preserved old factory buildings are like a museum of industrial architectural art. The current Huashan Cultural and Creative Park is a cultural park that includes parks, green spaces, fashionable food, creative design stores, and art performance venues. It is also the base camp of Taipei's literary youth.

Visiting Huashan Cultural and Creative Park is a very special experience. You will find that in the corner of the bustling city center, there is still a small world like a pure land. The warehouse building in the park exudes a simple and simple temperament, and has the ability to evoke your memory. Being in it is like going back to that era; many graffiti and creations of modern art coexist with the mottled walls, but there is no The sudden sense of dissonance makes people unable to stop and appreciate it slowly, or keep pressing the shutter of the camera.

Special stores and exhibition spaces are scattered in the park's large and small alley spaces, so that people who wander in it will encounter another scenery every time they walk into a turning point. Compared with other cultural and creative parks, Huashan Cultural and Creative Park has more exhibitions, various art exhibitions that are updated from time to time, a creative market that sells interesting products, and cultural performance groups are also frequent visitors here. There is always a variety of exhibitions that can be hooked arouse your interest. Small individual shops, delicious restaurants, and unique nostalgic taverns make this place full of vitality and charm.

One session and one meeting to meet friends for tea; the Taipei Coliseum, a performance space that tells the history of Taiwan; the Jade Bird Bookstore, which is comfortable, quiet and full of humanistic atmosphere; the flagship store of Fengchao Music, the largest independent record company in Taiwan, which has published many natural music; Canteens, izakayas, flower shops, cooking classrooms, small utensil living spaces in pottery galleries... Every store is worth your stop.

My favorite shop is VVG Thinking, which is different from the old stores in the alleys of the Eastern District. The spacious and high-rise space and the lush flowers and plants add a bit of natural flavor. The first floor is the restaurant and indoor garden, with three colors of red, yellow and blue, combined with the elegant posture of the art exhibits on the brick wall, to create a dining space with different visual experiences; Design, art, photography, recipes, flower art, travel books and various living utensils, etc., and there is an exhibition space specially designed for individuals, "Solitary Lele", with one period of works a week, and a human and art exhibition. Up close and personal conversations.

Today's Huashan is no longer an old winery, nor is it an inaccessible art gallery, but has been reborn as a creative cluster that can satisfy everyone no matter whether it is eating, drinking or having fun. Compared with other cultural and creative parks that are high-spirited, this place has a natural affinity for Taipei citizens. The square or the open-air seats under the big trees are used by nearby residents to rest, watch exhibitions, shop, and take a walk leisurely. , or do nothing, order a cup of coffee or beer, and enjoy this rare space and time.

tips

Address: No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT Bannan Line or Xinlu Line to Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station, exit from Exit 1, and walk for about 3 minutes

Tickets: Free, some exhibitions charge

Elephant Mountain Nature Trail

If it weren't for taking a postcard-style photo of 101, probably few tourists would come to climb Elephant Mountain.

Xiangshan, which is only 183 meters above sea level, seems to be more accurate to say that it is a hill, and it takes less than half an hour to climb to the top of the mountain for viewing. But because there are no barriers in front of the mountain, you can have a panoramic view of the Taipei Basin. It is not only a good base for climbing and looking into the distance, but also an excellent location for taking pictures of the Taipei 101 building.

This Taipei landmark, once the tallest building in the world, appears like a totem in all promotional materials about Taiwan. It is said that the design concept of the 101 building is that the bamboo joints rise high. Although I really can't appreciate the shape of this building, building a super high building of 508 meters in earthquake-prone Taiwan is itself a matter of breaking through the limit. Therefore, in Taipei, a city without a skyline, 101 stands out from the crowd, with an unreal sense of magnificence.

I have long forgotten how beautiful the night view of Taipei is; what impressed me most was the flying squirrel on the tree beside the Xiangshan Trail, which looked like a big squirrel and a bat. It looked really cute~

tips

Address: Lane 342, Lane 150, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City

Transportation: Take the MRT Banxinyi Line to Xiangshan Station and walk for about 20 minutes; or take the MRT Bannan Line to City Hall Station, then take the bus "Blue 5" from Exit 2 and get off at Wuxing Elementary School Station

Tickets: Free

6th day 2016.11.17

Candy, who finished her business trip, can finally accompany me to play around Taipei today.

When I was doing the strategy before, I was most interested in the small train on the Pingxi Line. An old railway, several small villages, and diverse scenery - the quaint Jingtong Old Street, the majestic Shifen Waterfall, and the rising sky lanterns are the earliest small town style in my impression. There are nine stations along the Pingxi Line, and time is limited. We only chose Jingtong, Pingxi, Shifen, and Houtong to stop at these four stations. In fact, each station has beautiful scenery worth stopping, such as Lingjiao Waterfall and Dahua Pot Cave. , Wanggu Appreciation Waterfall Trail, are very cool places for hiking, a day trip is not enough.

Because of the popularity of the Pingxi Line, I specially avoided the crowds on weekends, chose to go there in the middle of the week, and stayed in Jiufen at night to feel the unique charm of the old street at night. I thought that Jiufen was just like the night markets in Taipei, the more lively the night is, but I didn’t expect that the shops were rushing to close the stalls just after 9 o’clock, and the garbage trucks moved slowly between the narrow streets and alleys, collecting garbage one by one, accompanied by the smell all the way , It's really disappointing. I originally thought that after the store was closed, it would be a good picture to take pictures of the empty streets and red lanterns. Facts have proved that I was still too naive. After the shop closed, even the lanterns were extinguished one after another, so I had to go back to the hotel in the dark. It seems that it is better to go to Jiufen Old Street as early as possible!

In the evening, I stayed at the Buyanqing B&B not far from the old street. It is a typical Taiwanese local boutique B&B style. The warmth is like coming home, and the alienated enthusiasm still makes people feel comfortable.

Pingxi Line

The Pingxi Line is a Taiwan Railway line that records the prosperity and black gold years of the past. The name of Pingxi is very simple and straightforward. When the Keelung River flows through this area, the stream changes from turbulent to gentle, hence the name.

The prosperity of Pingxi originated from the discovery of coal mines nearby in 1907. Since then, the quiet mountain town has transformed into a bustling town and village; The carloads of black gold coal mines were transported away and replaced with real gold and silver. The bustling crowds revitalized the economy of the mountain city and opened the black gold years of Pingxi.

However, the Pingxi Railway, which prospered due to the prosperity of the mining industry, also faded to tranquility due to the decline of the mining industry, until the directors discovered the charming charm here again. As movies and idol dramas have come here for filming, today's Pingxi has ignited hope in the sky lanterns, and is proud of it for the second time.

Buy a one-day tour ticket for the Pingxi/Shenao double-branch line, and recall the glory of the black gold years one stop at a time. In the sound of the train whistle, coal yards, mine pits, old streets, mountains and rivers, and streams, scenes of slowly regressing images recall the black and golden years of prosperity; time seems to freeze, stone streets, wooden buildings , cordial greetings, the bustling mountain city full of people in the past reappears in front of you. Look for ancient delicacies in the alleys, stroll along the railway tracks to experience the style of the small town, climb high and look far away to see the beautiful scenery of the mountain city, write your wishes on the sky lanterns and let them fly. Convenient transportation and beautiful scenic spots make Pingxi a tourist attraction with an endless stream of tourists.

The 12.9-kilometer Pingxi line stops at nine stations: Ruifang, Houtong, Sandiaoling, Dahua, Shifen, Wanggu, Lingjiao, Pingxi, and Jingtong, among which Houtong, Shifen, and Pingxi The most famous places are Jingtong and Jingtong. Trains run every hour, so keep an eye on the train timetable. You can go to the terminal station Jingtong first, and then play all the way down; if you want to release sky lanterns, it will definitely look better when it is almost dark. Sky lanterns can be released at almost every station on the Pingxi Line, but the two most famous places are Very Pingxi, it is recommended to arrange the itinerary of releasing sky lanterns at the last stop.

Jing Tong

Jingtong is the terminus of the Taiwan Railway’s Pingxi Branch Line. With a history of more than 80 years, Jingtong Station is one of the few remaining wooden stations in Taiwan. The antique and nostalgic style is like going back in time to the Japanese occupation period. Therefore, Jingtong Station was rated as "Taiwan's Top 100 Historical Attractions", and it has also become the location of many well-known movies and advertisements. The scene where the hero and heroine in "The Girl We Chased Together" walked on the railway tracks and talked about their thoughts was filmed here. . The train will stop at the terminal station for about 10 minutes, which is an excellent opportunity to take a photo with the small train on the Pingxi Line.

Just outside the station is Jingtong Old Street, a stone-paved street that is only a few hundred meters long, and the nostalgic atmosphere creates a romantic railway style, which not only attracts many idol dramas to film here, but also a must-visit place for many people. Several old shops on the street are tepidly selling local food and souvenirs. You can taste the famous Yang’s chicken rolls, or buy miners’ bento to taste the strong ancient taste; the ancient buildings and old streets of the Railway Story Museum Reflecting each other, the large mailbox at the entrance and the Taiwan Railway doll are the best places for tourists to stop and take pictures. When you step into the store, the old photos displayed on the wall record the past glory of the black and golden years. Standing among the bustling crowd, imagining the old street after the mining pit was closed in the past, the same scene, different ages, together inject vitality into this stripped-down street. I don’t know when it started, Jingtong became popular for tourists to write prayers on bamboo tubes and hang them on both sides of the railroad tracks. When a gust of wind blows, the bamboo tubes clatter, adding a bit of literary and artistic temperament to this quiet small mountain town!

Standing at Jingtong Station and looking forward, a red brick building stands in front of it, which is the old coal preparation and washing plant. The coal excavated in the past was transported out of the big inclined pit in a centralized manner. The coal mines transported out had to be screened, sorted, washed and then sold in grades. Therefore, the coal preparation plant and Jingtong Station also came into being.

Walking along the mountain road, you will come to the Jingtong Coal Mine Memorial Park, where the abandoned coal yard buildings and the mine pits cut by stones are preserved. But here has long been occupied by lush vegetation, and the intertwined roots of trees have become a special painting wall. The combination of ruins and new life has a unique aesthetic feeling, which makes people sigh that the time of these hundred years is fleeting.

After years of baptism, although the splendor of Jingtong is no longer today, the old and mottled buildings still guard the glorious years that once existed.

Pingxi

The movie "The Girl We Chased Together in Those Years" aroused new enthusiasm in Pingxi. The stone-bottomed bridge where the hero and heroine set off sky lanterns together, the egg ice that they ate together, and the romantic movie scene have become the reasons why many tourists miss Pingxi.

The train slowly entered Pingxi Station. The stone exterior walls, log windows and railings showed a simple and simple style, which made people full of expectations for this small town. Pingxi Old Street is built along the hillside by the Keelung River, winding and undulating. Many traditional long street houses are preserved on both sides of the street, and you can feel the traditional ancient flavor. The towering Pingxi Railway Bridge passes directly above the street. Whenever a train roars past, the rumbling sound makes the whole street tremble. This rare scene is also a unique scenery of the old street.

Walking in the alleys of Pingxi Old Street, the exquisite local snacks and charcoal-grilled sausages that are full of aromas provoke the taste buds. Grandma’s orange shop, traditional hardware grocery store, and the proprietress of the specialty store sell , warmly greets the guests coming and going, and being in it, seems to return to the old street full of human touch in the early days.

Although it was still early in the day, we still decided to release sky lanterns in Pingxi. After all, in some senses, the sky lanterns here can be described as "the most orthodox". The folk activity of releasing sky lanterns in Pingxi has lasted for one or two hundred years since the Daoguang period, and enjoys the reputation of "Northern Sky Lantern and Southern Bee Cannon". Today, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is not just a festival exclusive to New Taipei City, but a major celebration in Taiwan. It was once named "the second largest nighttime festival in the world" by the international channel Discovery and gained international fame.

No matter in Pingxi or Shifen, releasing sky lanterns is already a standard assembly line service. First of all, the shopkeeper will help you choose the right sky lantern. Different color combinations have different blessing meanings. Then, the shopkeeper will give you a shelf for you to splash ink and be creative in the shop. You can write on all sides of the sky lantern, and you can write all your blessings on it. Finally, the shopkeeper will teach you how to fly sky lanterns, and also help you pose at the most suitable angle to take pictures. Whether it is near the station or along the street, the prices of sky lanterns are similar. Of course, if you want to see the most beautiful sky lantern effect, you still have to wait until the night gets dark. As witty as I am, I set up a sky lantern in Pingxi, and went to Shifen in the evening to take pictures of others putting up sky lanterns. It was perfect!

Houdong

Houtong’s name contains “monkey”, but it is actually a cat village. This is the base camp of cats on earth. It was once selected by CNN as one of the top six cat viewing spots in the world.

This small mountain town, originally dominated by mining, used to have a prosperous population, and many miners raised cats to prevent rats; however, with the decline of the coal mining industry, the miners left one after another, but the cats were left behind and continued to grow and multiply here. It was not until a few years ago that a cat-loving netizen posted cute photos of Houtong’s cats on the Internet, which attracted many cat-loving tourists to come to make a pilgrimage, and Houtong officially became a tourist attraction.

Houdong, which was once tough, is now full of soft and cute style. On the promenade walking out of the station, there are cute cat patterns everywhere; in the small shop at the station entrance, the seals, tapes, postcards, etc. sold are all around cats; even the signboard of Houtong has cute cats There is also a cat lying lazily next to it as a "living signboard". Various cat-themed designs can be seen everywhere in the cat village. Every pictorial, sculpture, and reminder is extremely cute, which immediately arouses the hearts of pink girls; there are many interesting reminders everywhere, for example, don’t bring Dogs enter, do not feed the cats casually, do not disturb the cats when they are resting, etc.

Here you can see the real earth people and the cats coexist peacefully. The cats wander around the small town as they like, or just find a place to take a nap lazily. Some of the cats here are raised by villagers, and some are wandering knights with independent spirits. No matter what kind of cats, they will have regular medical examinations and deworming every year. The cats are very clean and happy to interact with tourists. Gently stroke their fur, spend some leisure time with them quietly, and spend a moment of healing in the cat village.

very

"Fen" is an adverb, and it is very rare to use adverbs as place names in Chinese. Therefore, no matter how you praise this small town, it has an extra bonus——very happy, very beautiful, and very lively!

Yes, the biggest feature of Shifen Town is that it is very lively, because this is the only check-in point for tour groups on the Pingxi Line, and the entire old street is full of tourist buses. Shifen Old Street is the longest and busiest commercial street on Pingxi Line, and it is also one of the most distinctive old street styles. Although there are no nostalgic century-old buildings to attract the attention of tourists, the ordinary houses that can be seen everywhere are located on both sides of the railway tracks, with a distance of only two or three meters. "A marvelous sight.

The shops on both sides of the old street sell sky lanterns and various souvenirs, as well as noodle tea, rice flour, bean curd, Japanese ice, chicken wings with rice, and other local ancient delicacies. It is as lively as a Taiwanese night market. The old street, gourmet food, railway, and sky lanterns complement each other, and fully reveal the characteristics of the very old street.

When you arrive at Shifen, you must not miss the local limited happiness ticket. All kinds of station names are ingenious, very happy, very happy, very healthy...you can buy them here. In addition to the general ticket size, there is also a postcard-sized size, so you might as well write down your "very" blessings to your relatives and friends on the back! Pay the postage and ask the store to send it on your behalf. Those who receive the postcard will be very moved!

On the other side of the old street is the longest suspension bridge across the Keelung River—Jing'an Suspension Bridge. During the mining industry, it was built by industrial and mining companies for coal transportation. Today's Jing'an Suspension Bridge has become a very new landmark after years of renovations. , Whether you are overlooking the Keelung River from the bridge, or taking pictures on the bridge, you are watching the scenery on the bridge, and the people watching the scenery are watching you on the bridge.

The other end of the suspension bridge leads to the largest curtain waterfall in Taiwan - Shifen Waterfall. If it takes at least 1 hour to go back and forth on foot, you can take a taxi on the street or rent a locomotive in Old Street. It's a pity that time is limited, so I can only leave a small regret. It must be a wonderful thing to feel the cool water mist atmosphere under the waterfall, and let the green mountains and near water wash away the fatigue of a day's journey!

7th day 2016.11.18

Waking up in the warm sunshine of Jiufen, before the crowds arrive, go to the Golden Waterfall to have a look. Although the waterfall is small, the "gold content" is not high, but it is quite festive to see such a golden waterfall. Not far from the Golden Waterfall is the Gold Museum. I am really not interested in this kind of museum, so I hesitated and still didn’t go there. Why not go to Jiufen Town to eat some delicious food!

Although Jiufen during the day is not as beautiful as at night, it is more lively. After all, most people will not choose to spend the night near Jiufen. Walk around the old street and use snacks as lunch, reluctant to leave. There is a Candy Crush candy shop opposite the old street. The candies of the same style in various games are so cute, it’s hard to cover your wallet~

After returning to Taipei by car in the afternoon, I first went to Yongkang Street for mango ice and beef noodles. I was super satisfied! In the evening, I went to Shangyin Aquatic Products to eat seafood and had a great time! Sure enough, when you come to Taiwan, eating and eating is the right rhythm!

Jiufen

A "City of Sadness" brought the small mountain city of Jiufen into people's sight. The red lanterns, narrow alleys, bluestone steps, and mottled wooden buildings retain the old Japanese life style. Today's Jiufen is a sacred place suitable for collective nostalgia.

The unique name "Jiufen" is said to have originated when this small village was born. In the early Qing Dynasty, there were only 9 families living here, and whenever they went out to shop in the market, they asked for "Jiufen" for everything, so Jiufen became the place name of the village, which has been used ever since.

Since the discovery of gold mines in the Jiufen area during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, a large number of gold diggers have flocked here. The small mountain village with only Jiuhu quickly developed into a small mountain town with 30,000 to 40,000 people, ending its barrenness and tranquility. Success is also Xiaohe, failure is also Xiaohe. With the depletion of the mines in the 1960s, the prosperity of Jiufen also faded. The houses were empty, the old streets were sparsely populated, and the noisy town returned to calm. Until the film "A City of Sadness" directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien was filmed near Jiufen and won the Venice Award, Jiufen's unique old-style buildings and nostalgic style attracted attention at home and abroad, and brought vitality to the town again.

Stepping on the bluestone road into this small mountain city with a story, the narrow streets, steep stone steps, high and low, winding, the houses are built in line with the mountain, and they are built together in rows. When walking, you always feel Like walking on the eaves of other people's houses, this is the most characteristic landscape in Jiufen.

In the eyes of tourists, Jiufen is the bustling scene in "Spirited Away", where Jishan Street, Shuqi Road and Qingbian Road are the main streets.

Jishan Street is the most lively street in Jiufen. Many old buildings from the Japanese colonial era are still preserved here. There are more than a hundred small shops on both sides of the street. Special snacks, handicraft shops, and specialty shops are all available for eating, drinking, playing, and living. The snack taro and sweet potato, the first tea house in Jiufen and the Jiufen Culture and History Studio are all on this street. Don't miss the red bean and taro ball soup, which is a handmade traditional snack. The sweetness of the taro, the softness of the red bean, and the smooth taste, are complete in color, fragrance and taste; there is also delicious taro cake, salty, fresh and refreshing. There are so many grass cakes, sweet but not greasy brown sugar mochi, soft and fragrant red meat balls, rich-flavored peanut roll ice cream, etc. There are so many choices, it is dazzling.

Shuqi Road runs through Jiufen in the shape of "Feng". The stone steps with a length of more than 300 steps were the main roads for transporting supplies in the early days. Today, there are various teahouses and cafes on both sides of the long stone steps. The stone steps, the fragrance of tea, and the old Japanese-style houses are full of quaint beauty and have become the symbol of Jiufen. Just find a teahouse to sit down, look out from the terrace, you can not only see the "Shengping Theater", but also the gold mine ruins and the sea view in the distance, drink a cup of fragrant coffee in this antique environment, have a A leisurely, relaxed and happy feeling.

As for the Amei Tea House, which exists like a landmark in Jiufen, it is said to be the prototype of the oil house in "Spirited Away". ! Mr. Hayao Miyazaki has personally come out to refute the rumors. If you want to see the real prototype of Aburaya, you should go to Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Japan!

The relatively quiet light road is a combination of nostalgia and avant-garde. There are not only many lovely nostalgic murals, but also many warm family homestays. In addition to these three roads, there are many small lanes and alleys, and you will find surprises if you explore them casually!

Jiufen Mountain City, the more beautiful it is at night. When the night hides the old appearance of the old street buildings, the winding and scattered red lanterns set off the hazy artistic conception of the mountain city, such a unique charm makes people fascinated.

tips

Address: Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan Province

Transportation: Jiufen Old Street is about 50 kilometers away from downtown New Taipei City; you can take the Keelung Bus from Zhongxiao Fuxing Station to Jinguashi to Jiudao Station; or from Keelung Railway Station, take the Keelung Bus to Jinguashi Take the shuttle bus to Jiudao Station; after visiting Pingxi Line, take bus 825 from Ruifang Railway Station to Jiudao Station.

Tickets: Free

golden waterfall

Along the winding mountain road, we finally reached the legendary "Golden Waterfall".

In fact, the Golden Waterfall is not only small, but also does not have any "gold content". Because there is a copper mine beside the creek upstream of the waterfall, the water quality has been oxidized due to the deposition of heavy metal ores over the years, resulting in a peculiar golden waterfall landscape, which is called "Golden Waterfall" by local residents.

Although there is nothing to see, the golden color is quite rare and festive. If you go to the Gold Museum next to it, you might as well drop by here to have a look; if you want to see the waterfall, you can go back and forth on the 18th bend of Cheshan Road, and it is often blocked for a long time, but it is really unnecessary~

Upward aquatic products

One of the shops that seafood lovers can't miss in Taiwan is "Shangyin Suisan", which is known as Taiwan's "Tsukiji Market".

I went looking for it with full expectations, only to find that the Taiwanese are really exaggerated. Compared with the Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, the scale here is really small. In my opinion, it is better to say that Taiwan’s Hema Xiansheng is more Be more specific.

The same model as Hema Xiansheng, Shangyin Aquatic Products is a high-end store integrating aquatic products, supermarkets and restaurants. It is clean and tidy. As an island rich in products, the variety of seafood is very rich and dazzling. The entrance is the aquatic products area, where you can cook for customers after you have selected them; in the middle is the fresh food supermarket, which sells all kinds of processed seafood; the dining area is divided into Litton Food, Kuai Yi Xian Wei Bar, Le Cooking Pot and Charcoal There are 4 areas of Dao Seafood BBQ, all kinds of processing methods are available; the most popular is Litton Food, which is hosted by Masahiko Takeda, the champion of Japan's national sushi competition. Dine and feel the heroic, efficient and energetic seafood market atmosphere.

Due to the popularity of Shangyin Aquatic Products, it is hard to find a table for meals. Except for Le Cooking Hot Pot and Zhu Hai Ke, reservations by phone are required, and other areas require on-site waiting. And the store does not provide credit card services, remember to bring enough cash.

tips

Address: No. 18, Lane 2, Lane 410, Minzu East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan

Transportation: Take the MRT to Tiangong Station and walk for about 20 minutes; Shangyin Aquatic Products is not in a popular scenic spot, so you have to walk a certain distance whether you take the MRT or the bus, and you can choose to take a taxi there

Official website: www.addiction.com.tw

8th day 2016.11.19

Fresh water today.

This small coastal town feels very similar to Qingdao, with its bustling coastal plank roads, undulating up and down slopes, and red-roofed buildings full of colonial traces.

Take the MRT to Tamsui early in the morning, and ride a bicycle in the mangrove forest to enjoy the sea breeze while the sun is not too hot. This kind of simple little happiness is very beautiful.

When we arrived in Tamsui, we naturally wanted to visit the alma mater of Jay Chou, who accompanied us through our entire youth, Tamkang Middle School where "The Unspeakable Secret" was filmed. Unfortunately, Tamkang Middle School is no longer open to the public. I have to leave regrets; if you want to see similar buildings, the University of Truth is also a good choice, with red brick buildings and beautiful domes, with a strong colonial style.

Of course, the most famous building in Tamsui is Hongmao City. The three hundred years of changes in Taiwan have left traces here, and it is definitely the soul of the whole town.

Stomach growling after shopping, then go to Tamsui Old Street to look for delicious food, relying on the mountains to eat, relying on the sea to eat the sea, the food here has the taste of the sea, waiting in line for a long time to eat Tamsui Aji, which is exactly the same as many delicacies in Taiwan , are not delicious that I can get, it is not as good as the shrimp rolls on the street, which is more to my taste.

After filling your stomach, wander aimlessly along Fisherman's Wharf, blowing the wind and waiting for the sunset. In my impression, the sunset was beautiful that day, and it was the last and most beautiful impression of Danshui.

Although there are still many beautiful things that I have not had time to experience, I have not had time to take a ferry to ride a bicycle in Bali on the other side, I have not had time to see the characteristic buildings such as the Little White House, Huwei Fort, Deji Lishi Foreign Firm, etc. The Tianxia Art Museum, Dengfeng Fish Ball Museum and other small exhibition halls full of humanistic feelings, so let’s leave a thought for the next trip to Taiwan! Always remember, there will be reverberations.

Tomorrow I will leave Taiwan, the last night in Taiwan must be accompanied by the night market. Try those signature snacks at the Ningxia Night Market near the hotel, goodbye, lively nightlife~

freshwater

The fishing fires in the small town, the waning moon, the fluttering sails, plus the sparkling light, the scenery of fresh water, in fact, it doesn't stop there! Hongmao Ancient City, Fort ruins, Western-style churches, bathing beaches, etc. are also indispensable places of interest in the Eight Scenic Spots of Tamsui.

Sometimes it is quiet and pleasant, and sometimes it is rich and colorful. Everyone has a different impression of Danshui; sometimes it reverberates with the aftertaste of a long history, and sometimes it passes by the youthful laughter on a bicycle. Everyone has their own stories about Danshui in their memories. Incisively and vividly. The green natural beauty, the majestic Hongmao City, the carnival-like old street style, the endless food, the Bali Left Bank and Fisherman's Wharf with a charming coastal style...these are very different beautiful landscapes, so layered The ever-changing human history, with an incredible and ingenious combination, piles up and piece together the unique and hearty memories of Tamsui River in every traveler's heart.

Tamsui, a charming waterfront town, is located on the north side of the estuary of the Tamsui River, with beautiful rivers, mountains and rivers, and beautiful scenery. It has been one of the eight scenic spots in Taiwan since ancient times, and was known as the "Oriental Venice" in the past. Historically, Tamsui was the largest port in northern Taiwan, and it was also the place where Western civilization took root and spread in the north. Such a beautiful, magnificent and magnificent ancient cape city has experienced almost every turmoil and change in Taiwan's history.

In ancient times, Tamsui was a general term for a region, referring to the Tamsui estuary or Tamsui port, and even generally referring to the entire northern part of Taiwan. Because of its unique geographical location, it has become a well-known land and sea midway station in Southeast Asia in history. During the heyday of western sea power in the 17th century, Spain and the Netherlands successively occupied northern Taiwan. The famous scenic spot Hongmao City in Tamsui can still be seen as a trading port in those days. After that, it went through Zheng Chenggong, the Qing Dynasty, the Japanese Occupation era, and the British lease. During the period of operation and construction, Tamsui, where trade flourished, has gradually become a gathering place for Chinese and Western businessmen, and various buildings and foreign firms stand here, leaving a variety of historical sites here. The Mackay missionaries used Tamsui as a missionary base and set up schools, schools, hospitals, etc., which added a warm and humanistic color to Tamsui.

Now Tamsui is a leisurely small harbor town. This is a paradise for sightseeing and entertainment. Shuttle through the bustling streets, linger in the noisy and busy shops, while tasting the special snacks of Tamsui, while playing joyful nostalgic games; here is a paradise of nature and leisure, stepping on bicycles, Take the fresh and refreshing breeze, enjoy the refreshing scenery of mountains and rivers, take a leisurely break at the shore cafe and have a cup of coffee; this is a palace of art and creativity, you can visit art workshops and enjoy the unique style There are all kinds of art treasures and handicrafts here; what's more, it is a treasure house of history and humanities. The long and rich history is condensed and refined in the historic buildings of various periods everywhere.

If I were to choose one of the tourist attractions around Taipei and go through it again, I would choose Danshui without hesitation. Whether you are strolling along the shore, or walking through the humane Tamsui Old Street, the Fisherman's Wharf under the golden sunset, and the Danjiang High School with the sound of reading, the boats on the Tamsui River seem to go back and forth in time. Regardless of historical changes or humanistic characteristics, this beautiful and energetic ancient cape city is always the most meaningful and beautiful poem in the hearts of travelers.

Tamsui River Mangrove Nature Reserve

In the south of Tamsui and on the southwest side of the Guandu Plain, there is a mangrove forest with beautiful scenery, which is the well-known "Tanshui River Mangrove Nature Reserve".

Mangroves refer to the wetland woody biome that grows on tidal flats and shoals at the junction of the land and the ocean. It is composed of evergreen shrubs or trees dominated by mangrove plants. It is not uncommon in subtropical and tropical seaside shoals. The reason why the Danshui River mangroves are famous is thanks to the poet Xi Murong.

The mangroves on the banks of the Danshui River are composed of water pens, mudskippers, fiddler crabs, water birds, etc., forming a typical estuary wetland ecosystem. The main tree species is water pens, which grow in the wide swamp outside the embankment. The accompanying plants include reeds and cattails. Grasses such as fennel and salty grass are distributed in the swamp area outside the embankment and the grass swamp area inside the embankment. Because the environment is suitable for biological growth, there are abundant fish and invertebrates, which attract a large number of resident and migratory birds, represented by sandpipers, kingfishers and little egrets, with more than 30 species.

Xi Murong, who wants to live in Tamsui, loves this mangrove forest very much, which is why she mentions Shuibizai many times in her works. In the postscript of "Give Me the Pen Boy", Xi Murong wrote: "In today's world, many people are unwilling to believe that beautiful and sincere things are actually in front of them. In order to protect themselves, they would rather conclude from the beginning : All good things are just a hypocritical effort. In this way, when everything is lost, they will not feel regretful and hurt. Shuibizai is a precious and rare plant, just like a precious and rare The love of love is becoming rarer and harder to get in this world, because too many people are no longer willing to love and believe.”

In fact, the precious and rare plant, Shuibizai, is really ordinary in appearance, not as gorgeous as peony, not as elegant as lily, and not as "unstained from mud" as lotus. It grows in freshwater ponds and has unobtrusive white filamentous flowers. Because its ends are like pens, it is called "Shuibizai".

The Tamsui River Mangrove Nature Reserve is a nature reserve specially designated to ensure the sustainable survival of Shuibizai. Surrounding the verdant mangrove coastline, there are scenic walking plank roads and flat and smooth bicycle paths; you can rent a bicycle and ride against the wind, the fresh air is mixed with the salty taste of the sea breeze, so Cozy people recall the appearance of youth; you can also take a walk in it, in the greenery, carefully observe the intricate but harmonious and beautiful Shuibizai dense forest, looking for small fish, shrimps, crabs and graceful water birds that live in the wetland figure.

In this rare mangrove forest, accompanied by Xi Murong's poems, learn to respect all things, feel the coexistence with the environment, and get closer to nature physically and mentally than ever before!

tips

Address: Scenic Baoan Forest along the Danshui River near Zhuyuan, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Transportation: Between Hongshulin Station and Tamsui Station of the MRT; it is recommended to start from Hongshulin Station for walking; it is recommended to start from Tamsui Station for cycling. There are many car rental companies, and where you rent a car, you must return it

Tickets: Free

Red Hair City

When you arrive in Tamsui, how can you miss the famous Hongmao City with a long history?

Tamsui Fortress is the most historically significant building in Tamsui and a first-class historic site in Taiwan. It is not only a landmark building that symbolizes the historical and cultural changes in Tamsui, but also a witness to the development of Taiwan for more than 300 years.

Since ancient times, due to the important strategic location of Danshui Port, sovereignty has been changing hands as wars continue. Red Hair City stands at the end of Tamsui Street, high on the top of the estuary of the Tamsui River. The fortifications here can be traced back to 1628. The Spaniards built a wooden Fort San Domingo, although its remains have been destroyed. It no longer exists, and its English name is still retained to refer to the entire park. As the Dutch "went down to the city of fresh water without a fight" and rebuilt the city on top of the city of Santo Domingo, this reconstruction laid the foundation for the city of Red Hair. The strong castle built in 1946 was named Fort Antonio. Because the Dutch were generally called "Red Hair Fan" because of their red hair at that time, the castle was also known as the Red Hair City by the people, and it is still used today. After Zheng Chenggong expelled the Dutch, Hongmaocheng experienced the Qing Dynasty and was forced to open up as a treaty port. In 1867, the British leased Hongmaocheng from the Qing court and repaired it as a consulate. Hongmaocheng became a military fortress. and office spaces. Until 1980, the Taiwan authorities took back Hongmaocheng, and opened it to the public after renovation again in 1984.

After more than 300 years of history, today's Hongmao City has a beautiful environment, surrounded by lush forests and quiet gardens. You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of Guanyin Mountain and the Tamsui Estuary. It also houses a number of valuable cultural relics. One of the most famous attractions. Commonly referred to as Hongmao City, refers to the Hongmao City Historic Site Area, including the main castle, the Western-style consular mansion and the south gate of the Qing Dynasty building.

The main castle is built with the method of "outer stone and inner brick". It is a solid square city wall, divided into upper and lower floors, and the direction of the semi-cylindrical dome is perpendicular to each other; In addition, turrets, terraces, battlements and gun holes were added. The strong structure and functional design of defense make Hongmaocheng a military fortress that is easy to defend but difficult to attack in the Tamsui Estuary.

Built at the end of the 19th century, the British Consul's Residence in the former Qing Dynasty is a British colonial building that incorporates Chinese elements. The cloister of the official residence adopts an arched design. The facade of the cloister on the first floor is a circular arc arch, and the second floor is a semi-circular arch. The unity has changes and the design is very elegant. The clear water red brick walls, the southern Fujian red tile roof, and the green glazed bottle railings make the whole building present an elegant and colorful scene with a unique style. Exquisite brick carvings can still be seen on the exterior walls of the building, with the "thistle flower" symbolizing Scotland and the "rose" symbolizing England as patterns, which are elegant and eye-catching; the foundation of the mansion is inlaid with the "money pattern" common in Chinese architecture The ventilation hole not only has the function of ventilation, but also has the auspicious meaning of "great wealth and great honor". Entering the room, look around the interior decoration of the mansion. The west side of the first floor is the living room and study room, the east side is the dining room, and the rear side has a laundry room and several servant rooms. There is a three-fold staircase leading to the second floor at the entrance of the first floor. On the second floor there are three large bedrooms, attic storage and a nanny's room. Elegant geometric pattern tiles, imitation of Victorian furniture style in England, and official residence corridor that can be used as a place for afternoon tea allow people to feel the comfortable life of the British consul in those days.

Climb to the top of the city and look around, you can see the open atmosphere of the Tamsui Estuary at a glance. The beautiful atmosphere formed by the sea, blue sky, and red buildings has long been condensed into the indelible mark of Tamsui Town in history. 

TIps

Address: No. 1, Lane 28, Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City

Transportation: Take MRT Tamsui Line to Tamsui Station, transfer to Red 26, 836 to arrive

Tickets: Free

University of Truth

Although it is a bit regrettable not to be able to go to Tamkang Middle School, Jay Chou's alma mater, the Truth University next door is open for free 365 days a year, and the campus beauty is comparable to Tamkang Middle School.

Truth University Aletheia University, you can tell from its name that this is a church school. This is a private university founded by the Presbyterian Church in northern Taiwan. It was formerly known as Tamsui Business Administration College. This school with a history of more than 100 years has an inseparable relationship with Dr. Mackay, the most famous missionary in Taiwan.

Dr. Mackay George Leslie Mackay is a Canadian of Scottish descent. He is the founder of the church in northern Taiwan. His life's efforts in medical treatment, missionary work and education have not only changed the culture and life of Tamsui, but also become an inseparable part of Tamsui history. , an indelible part. Dr. Mackay not only preaches, but also actively trains believers to become missionary talents. In 1882, Mackay used the donations from pastors and church members in his hometown of Oxfordshire, Canada, to choose the current site to build the Li Xuetang College, and the English school name was therefore named "Oxford College". At that time, the school not only taught theology, but also included modern subjects such as astronomy, geography, and biology. It can be said that it was the earliest Western-style school in Taiwan.

Although the campus is small, the campus is full of flowers and trees, and the study environment is exquisite and elegant, surrounded by greenery. Many old Spanish-style buildings give people the illusion of being deep in Europe. Most of the buildings in the school were designed by Dr. Mackay himself, and the ingenuity of the fusion of Chinese and Western can be seen everywhere, which makes it a popular location for shooting advertisements, movies, and wedding photos.

The historical monuments with strong humanistic color can be seen everywhere in the Truth University, such as the former residence of Mackay (also known as the Little White House), the Clergy Hall (now converted into a restaurant), the former site of the University Hall of Li Shuyuan (now the School History Museum), the Red Building and other western-style buildings. visit. If you are interested in historical relics, don’t miss the rich and precious collection of cultural relics in the School History Museum: Mackay’s original diary, old photos of Mackay’s trip to Taiwan, and related cultural relics and documents of Mackay. The customs and customs of old Taiwan are here. a reappearance. If you love the beauty of architecture, then don’t miss the former missionary dormitory—Girl’s Building and Priest’s Building. These two beautiful red brick buildings were designed by William Gauld, a Canadian missionary. They have long corridors and arcs. Shaped doors and windows, and exquisite brickwork, although there are many similarities with European and American church buildings at the end of the 19th century, they also have a touch of oriental charm due to the addition of Chinese elements.

tips

Address: No. 32, Zhenzhen Street, Tamsui District, New Taipei City

Transportation: Take MRT Danshui Line to Danshui Station, transfer to Red 36, Red 38, Red 51, 837, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873 and get off at Truth University Station or Hongmaocheng Station

Tickets: Free

Tamsui Old Street & Golden Waterfront & Fisherman's Wharf

From Tamsui Old Street, along the golden water bank, all the way to Fisherman's Wharf, the scenery of less than 2 kilometers along the Tamsui River embodies all the beauty of Tamsui. It is known as the "Oriental Venice" for its beautiful riverside scenery and rich historical and cultural characteristics. It presents different appearances during the day, night, and even throughout the year.

The best way to get to know a place is to experience life in the city, and Tamsui Old Street is a good choice. Danshui Old Street, located in the area of ​​Zhongzheng Road, Jianjian Street, and Qingshui Street, has been a thriving business and cultural area since ancient times, where preserved ancient buildings and old houses can be seen everywhere. Because the Old Street is located by the Danshui Port, it not only develops a variety of food styles, but also creates folk customs and nostalgic flavors due to the presence of many antique shops, folk craft shops, cafes, and clothing shops. It is the most distinctive in Taiwan. One of the old streets. Old Street is not far from Tamsui MRT Station. Because of the convenient transportation, it is always crowded with people every holiday. There are many shops on Tamsui Old Street, full of old Taiwanese flavors, whether nostalgic or modern, as well as fish ball soup, steamed rice cakes, pork bone soup and many other famous traditional delicacies of Tamsui.

Tamsui Aji is the most famous and popular snack in Tamsui. The deep-fried tofu is hollowed out and stuffed with vermicelli, then steamed with fish paste and topped with sweet and spicy sauce; Aji was originally a hawker in order not to waste the leftovers The cooking method that came up with the ingredients by mistake, has developed so far, there is a restaurant every few steps on the street of Tamsui, and it has developed a variety of flavors such as abalone and shiitake mushrooms, which are extremely popular. The intriguing "iron egg" is marinated eggs repeatedly stewed, and finally the egg white shrinks into a thin black bast, with a mellow smell; the production process of grandma iron egg is tedious and time-consuming, but its rich aroma and full elasticity make people eat it in one bite. One bite is reluctant to stop, the deliciousness contained in this little iron egg is a wonderful taste that Danshui cannot miss. Crispy Shrimp Rolls are filled with pork and fresh shrimp, wrapped in strips and deep-fried crispy, and then topped with garlic soy sauce paste; the golden-yellow exterior and crispy texture, paired with fresh hot filling, is amazing Not to mention, almost every boss who sells shrimp rolls reminds customers to "eat it while it's hot, eat it while it's hot!", which seems to add a kind of heart-warming human touch.

On the 1.5-kilometer-long golden waterfront behind Tamsui Old Street, there are countless specialty shops, delicious food, and endless laughter. Walking all the way to Fisherman's Wharf, you can take a rest in the European-style coffee house by the river, or you can lean over and caress the marks of the century-old banyan tree, and you can sit or stand by the water at will, looking at the Guanyin Mountain and the sea estuary on the opposite bank. The wide field of vision is breathtaking.

Along the Tamsui River until it reaches the estuary, you will find the most famous sightseeing and leisure resort in Tamsui - Fisherman's Wharf. It was originally just a small traditional fishing port, but now it has transformed into a multi-functional leisure fishing port, with pleasant sea and sky views and a leisurely and romantic exotic atmosphere; the boardwalk stretching straight into the sea, the embankment coffee and the port park constitute a The circular moving line allows visitors to fully and smoothly experience the style of the fishing port. Here you can lean on the fence and enjoy the view of the Tamsui Estuary in the wind. Fisherman's Wharf in the evening is one of the best places to enjoy the sunset; every holiday, Fisherman's Wharf is always full of tourists, and many people come here just to watch a show The romantic beauty of the Danjiang sunset.

Standing on the trail, overlooking the opposite Guanyin Mountain and the Taiwan Strait at the end of the estuary, watching the sunset slowly fall from the water level, the magnificent scenery makes people linger. As the sky gradually draws down, there are always crowds of people waiting beside the ferry pier. The afterglow of the setting sun reflects on the water surface, intertwining into a pair of beautiful and changing river banks. It has become an unforgettable memory shared by tourists.

tips

Transportation: Take the MRT Danshui Line to Tamsui MRT Station, go west to Zhongzheng Road, and you will arrive at Tamsui Old Street; take Red 26 or 836 (Tamsui Historic Park Special Bus) at MRT Tamsui Station, etc., and you will arrive at Fisherman pier.

Tickets: Free

Ningxia Night Market

Ningxia Night Market is not very big. It is located in the section from Minsheng West Road to Nanjing West Road in Taipei. It is about 400 meters long. It gathers many traditional Taiwanese snacks and fully demonstrates the nostalgic flavor of Dadaocheng. . This is one of the few night markets in Taipei where vendors are concentrated in the middle of the road. Walking in the pedestrian area, there are mouth-watering delicacies on both sides. It is difficult to know where to start.

The snacks at Ningxia Night Market are full of strong Taiwanese flavors, mainly local traditional snacks, fragrant braised pork rice and chicken rice, sweet and delicious oyster omelette and large intestine oyster noodle, freshly fried and delicious sand tea beef, nourishing The beautifying pork liver soup, the Tainan bowl cake from Fucheng, the salad fish eggs, tilapia fish soup, etc., all make people can't help but twitch their index fingers.

tips

Address: No. 58, Ningxia Road, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan

Transportation: Take MRT Tamsui Line or Beitou Line to Shuanglian Station and walk for about 10 minutes

9th day 2016.11.20

On the last day in Taipei, because it was an evening flight, I still had half a day to kill.

Big Yehliu is the place I miss. Taipei's art and freshness are indisputable, but when it comes to natural attractions, it's a little lacking. Fortunately, there are big wild willows, all kinds of strange rocks and rocks created by sea erosion, which are given various romantic names by Taiwanese. Walking in them is like walking on the surface of Mars. Except for too many people, the scenery does not disappoint.

At noon, I went back to Taipei to eat Tim Ho Wan. Although it is a Michelin-starred tea restaurant in Hong Kong, it is still very popular in Taiwan, and the queue is long. Then he rushed to the airport non-stop.

Yehliu Geopark

The initial attention to Yehliu Geopark was because CNN had reported the unique beauty here, describing it as comparable to space geology, and it is the most Mars-like rocky environment on Earth. How can such an interesting landform be missed?

Yehliu Geopark is located in Wanli District, New Taipei City. It is a headland protruding out of the sea from the remaining veins of Datun Mountain. It is about 1,700 meters long. From a distance, it looks like a sea turtle staggering away from the shore, bowing its head and back to swim, so it is also called "Yehliu Turtle". "The name. Dayeliu is the pearl of the north coast of Taiwan. The rocks of tens of millions of years have undergone the baptism of nature such as wave erosion and rock weathering, forming geological wonders such as mushroom rocks, candlestick rocks, ginger rocks, pot holes, chessboard rocks, and sea caves. The blue sea, blue sky, white waves, small bridges, sandy beaches and stretches of jagged rocks interweave into an unbelievably beautiful scene. Coupled with the surrounding rich marine ecology and fishing village customs and other diverse features, Taiwan's famous ten One of the two places of interest.

The windward side of Yehliu Cape is a steep cliff, but the leeward side is lushly planted with coastal plants such as canna, agave, and sea hibiscus. Enter the Yehliu Scenic Area, walk along the trail, and stroll through the forest trails, which has a special atmosphere. Along the way, you can see the peculiar geological landscape, which is a rich natural classroom:

The mushroom-shaped rocks that look like big mushrooms are undoubtedly the most representative topographical landscape in Yehliu. There are more than 180 in the whole area, which completely records the development process of the mushroom-shaped rocks. Walking around, it is like being in a strange rock forest. In particular, the graceful, dignified and lifelike shape of the queen's head makes it a symbol of the Yehliu Geopark; however, with natural factors such as the erosion of waves and the uplift of the strata, the queen's neck will become thinner and thinner. Scientists estimate that The queen's head will be broken around 2040, and some wonders will never be seen again once they are missed.

Some fungus rocks are covered with large and small caves, like honeycombs, so they are called honeycomb rocks. The famous weathered windows, looter stones and diamonds all belong to honeycomb rocks.

Candlestick Stone is a unique sea erosion landscape in Yehliu. The candle core is a relatively hard calcareous spherical concretion in the rock formation, which is gradually exposed under the erosion of sea water, and a ring-shaped groove is formed around it, and the sea water carves and cuts downward along the ring groove. A conical "candlestick" is produced, which is of great ornamental value.

Ginger stone is named for its rugged and majestic surface, which looks like old ginger, and it is another topographical feature of Yehliu. Among them, the most famous fairy shoe seems to be a big shoe left by a fairy in the world.

There are large and small potholes scattered on the sea erosion platform, and the vertical caves are filled with seawater, attracting algae, small fish, and small crabs to swim leisurely in them, just like a small paradise. During the process of Yehliu Cape rising from the sea, sea caves were formed under the erosion of the waves day and night, and as the strata rose, the sea caves broke away from the sea level and became natural caves everywhere.

Walking to the tip of the headland, you will see the white Yehliu Lighthouse. Looking at the sea and sky here is the most refreshing. Besides the geological landscape, Yehliu is also a rest station for many migratory birds, and it is a treasure house in the eyes of bird watchers.

The entire Cape Yehliu is still dynamically evolving today, just like a living organism with its own life course, which makes people have to admire the magic and greatness of nature! Let us protect this peculiar landform together, so that future generations can also appreciate this tribute to nature!

tips

Address: No. 167-1, Gang East Road, Yeliu, Wanli District, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Transportation: Guo-Kuang Bus No. 1815 (Taipei-Jinshan Youth Activity Center), you can take the Kuo-Kuang Bus at Taipei East Station Building B or the city government transfer station, and the bus runs every 15-20 minutes. Get on the train at Taipei Station, the one-way fare is NT$96; get on the bus at the city hall, the one-way fare is NT$84; get off at Yehliu Station. (Guo-Kuang Bus departs from Taipei Station and will go around downtown Taipei, which takes a long time. It is recommended to take the shuttle bus at the passenger terminal next to Taipei City Hall Station.)  

Tickets: NT$250, students, seniors, children, etc. can enjoy half-price tickets

write at the end

Although I didn't enjoy my trip to Taipei this time, I still didn't want to leave. The bustling night market, bookstores and libraries lit up late at night are my deepest impressions of Taipei.

May the prosperity be like a brocade, and the reunion will still be the same, and I hope that in this life, I can finally wait until this day!

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