Travelmomo
Author

Kate Wu

Browsing
In Taipei

Nanya Peculiar Rocks

Naya Rocks 南雅奇石

If you go to Yilan or head east of Taiwan, driving along the northeast coastline is the best option when the weather is good. You will see the Pacific Ocean on the left hand side. The coastline is beautiful with lots of stopping points where you can hop off to take a short walk, take pictures and enjoy the scenery. Nanya Peculiar Rocks are one of the scenic spots of the northeast coastline. The rock formation and sandstones are unique in its eroded form and texture. The combination of iron rich mineral and the force of water current erosion created a nice shade of orange color band and the the wavy lines to the rocks. There are only a few parking space by the view point. In case you park across the road, please use the traffic light.

Keep Reading
In Taiwan

Lakeside Bed and Breakfast

The restaurant of Jasmine in the wood 森之茉莉餐廳

Many travellers choose to go to Yilan for a nice break from the busy city life: stay in bed-and-breakfast, cycle around, take a walk along the lake, the forest, the beach, and be close to the nature. In Yilan, there are now hundreds of bed-and-breakfast in different locations and offer different style.  “Jasmine in the wood” is located right by the Plum Lake, a beautiful environment.

Keep Reading
In Taiwan

Night Market in Yilan

Luodong night market 羅東夜市

The Luodong night market (羅東夜市) is the only night market in Yilan. Everyone goes to Taiwan will visit at least one night market. In Yilan, you don’t have a lot of choices and there isn’t much to do at night. Luodong night market is relatively small compared to those in Taipei yet there are good varieties. Snacking your way will make you full!

Keep Reading
In Taiwan

Is Taiping Mountain in Yilan a Must See?

Some say the Victoria Peak in Yilan is beautiful but most say couldn’t see anything. What does it mean?  It’s a matter of luck and timing. Located at 2,000 meters above sea level, Mt. Taiping is one of the three major national forest recreation areas in Taiwan. The mountain is rich in ecological resources, offering easy access to natural and man-made forests, alpine lake, waterfall and hot spring. There are a few walking trails where you can enjoy a nice walk in the mountain and beautiful view. Many come here to see the sun rise and the “sea of clouds”.  It really is a matter of luck if you get to see beautiful views of low clouds.  Mountain climate is unpredictable. For a day trip, it is recommended that you go early morning and return after lunch before it becomes too foggy. Low visibility is dangerous for driving. The mountain is located in the South West of Yilan, an average of at least 2 hours away from Yilan city. If you wish to go further to the Cuifeng Lake, the largest alpine lake in…

Keep Reading
In Taipei

Local Taiwanese Cuisine

Radish omelette 菜脯蛋

Many people go to Taiwan for a variety of inexpensive good food. There are restaurants every where: street food, night market, and all kinds of restaurants, coffee shops and tea houses. However, when it comes to Taiwanese cuisine, non-touristy authentic restaurants are limited. Here’s one recommended by a local Taiwanese, a small restaurant with no English name. I think that the owner’s last name is “Zhao” and the translation is “Zhao opportunities” in English, phonetically the same as “Finding opportunities”.  The restaurant environment is very local but the food is good! It is definitely popular among the locals. Address: 1F and 1B, No. 83 Tong An Street, Daan District, Taipei (near Hunghua Night Market) Tel: 2733 7334(1F) 2732 2330(1B) Booking is recommended because it’s always full. Closed on Sundays.

Keep Reading
In Taipei

From Winery to Creativity

The old buildings in Huashan Creative Park were built as Japanese sake wineries in 1914. There were several name changed by the government and the winery had expanded into making rice wine, fruit wine and other types of wine. Due to urban development, the winery was moved to provincial factory area out of Taipei City in 1987. The buildings were abandoned until the Golden Bough Theatre restored part of the facilities and staged performances in the venue in 1997. This has attracted attention from the local community, artists as well as the government as the site continued to be used by artists. In 2005, the winery and the area was rebuilt and named Huashan Creative Park, providing creative workshop facilities, exhibition halls and a public park. Today, there are coffee shops, bars and restaurants, shops, exhibition halls filled with different type of art and creative exhibitions, as well as open space for music performance and cultural activities.

Keep Reading
In Taipei Sightseeing

Military Families Community Park in Taipei

In recent years, some old buildings with historic values are nicely retained and turned into cultural and educational areas. I think it’s a good idea if the implementation is right. Personally, I think Taiwan has done a good job. Si Si Nan Cun in Xinyi District is another good example. In Chinese, the name means “Forty-four South Village”.  It was built as the military families quarter for the Joint Services Command’s 44th Arsenal during the end of civil war between the Kuomintang and Communist Party in 1948.   Hence the name “Si Si”. In addition to the south village, there were east and west villages but they were all demolished. It is now a little nice area near Taipei 101 where you can take a little walk, learn some history, and enjoy a light meal and coffee. A little place like this would need a cool restaurant in the neighborhood to encourage people to stay and hang out. That’s Good Cho’s! It’s variety of bagels, jams and fusion light meal is another attraction of this place. A good package. Then you can…

Keep Reading
In Taipei Sightseeing

Tobacco Factory turned into Cultural Park

Song Shan Cultural Park in Taipei 位於台北市的松山文創園區

Songsang Cultural Park in Taipei City was first built in 1937 as a tobacco factory. It was named Matsuyama Tobacco Plant of the Monopoly Bureau of the Taiwan Governor’s Office under the Japanese government. The factory began operation in 1939 and shipping tobacco products throughout Asia during the Pacific War. At the end of World War II, the Taiwan Monopoly Bureau took over the factory and renamed it. In 1947, the plant was renamed again to Songshan Tobacco Plant of the Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Bureau and continued to operate. It was eventually closed down in 1998. In 2001, the Taipei City Government announced this site as the 99th historic site in Taipei and turned it into a cultural and creative park. Then it was open for public in 2011.

Keep Reading
In Hokkaido

The Lake that Changes Color

Lake Onneto by Kate Wu

“Onneto” means old lake or old pond. The lake, situated 623m above sea level, is part of Akan National Park and is one of the three great secret lakes in Hokkaido. The lake was formed when the river was dammed up due to the volcanic eruption of Mt. Meakan, the tallest active volcano in Akan Volcanic Complex. Lake Onneto is at the foot of Mt. Meakan. The minerals of the lake causes the change of color from emerald green to deep blue, forming a beautiful gem surrounded by a dense natural forest.

Keep Reading
In Hokkaido

A Lake in the Sky

Lake Shikaribetsu, located at 800 meters above sea level, is at the highest altitude of all lakes in Hokkaido, and is the only natural lake in Daisetsuzan National Park. The lake was formed by damming of a river during a volcanic eruption 30,000 years ago. It is surrounded by primeval forest where various wild birds and animals live.  From the observation desk, you may walk down to the lake to hire a boat to paddle on the lake in the summer. There is a wooden staircase at the observation desk to walk down to the lake. You may rent a boat to paddle or dip your feet in the free hotspring on the lakeside.

Keep Reading
error: Content is protected !!