Ah, Taroko! Even the name, which means “human being” in the language of the indigenous Truku tribe evokes magic.Best known for its gorgeous gorge, the park itself is known collectively as Taroko Gorge National Park.
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All articles filed in Places
5 ways to experience Tainan, Taiwan’s Ancient Capital
Tainan is an Taiwan’s oldest city, and (some say) Taiwan’s most “Chinese” city. Without getting too political, we think it’s safe to say that visitors looking for either a true taste of Taiwanese Culture or something approaching the classic Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon vibe of ancient China (the two intersect many places) will find what…
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Exploring Tainan’s natural side and a brief trip to Hell
“This area is famous for its fireflies,” Chen-hui said, “but of course, they come out closer to dark.” Though we saw no fireflies as we hiked, we could hear the melodic chirping of cicadas. And as we climbed higher, the views became more impressive.
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Exploring the History, Handicrafts and Culture of Tainan City
Not long ago my partner Stephanie and I were invited to take part in a two day tour of Tainan by the Tainan City Tourism Bureau. They offered us a few suggestions for places to check out, but were also genuinely interested in customizing the tour to fit our desires.
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10 reasons to visit Xiao Liuqiu, Taiwan’s Hidden Island Gem
Unlike well-trammeled Taiwan scenic spots like Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Gorge and Alishan, Xiao Liuqiu hasn’t gotten much international press. Indeed, outside of a few intrepid international travelers who find their way to the island, most westerner visitors to Xiao Liuqiu are local expats who’d likely prefer that the island remain a secret.
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HsinPu Persimmons, Golden Pearls of Wisdom
It takes the right time, the right place, and the right relationships for the mouth-watering traditional dessert to be passed down from generation to generation.
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15 suggestions for a day in Dadaocheng
If strolling through scenic history-drenched streets filled with cultural attractions, unique shopping venues and an abundance of great food is your thing, Taipei’s Dadaocheng neighborhood is well worth a visit. The neighborhood just north of Taipei’s Bei Men , or north gate station become increasingly popular with travelers over the past few years (much to the bemusement of locals, who’ve been hanging out here since the late Qing dynasty).
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Three Days on Xiao Liuqiu (were not enough)
Astute readers of my regular weekend column may have noted that there was no column last weekend, and this was because I was off for three days enjoying myself on Xiao Liuqiu island. MyTaiwanTour published a previous article on this barely discovered gem here a few months back, but this was the first time I’d gotten to experience the place firsthand.
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The Living History of Dadaocheng
Modern Taipei is a massive city overlaid by a spider web of intercrossing metro lines on which you can spend 90 minutes getting from one end of town to the other. But Old Taipei, which sprang alongside the eastern bank of the Danshui river, was a smaller place, and much of it fit neatly inside the confines of a city wall, among the last built in the waning days of the Qing dynasty.
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Pingtung: Expect the Unexpected (Part two of two)
Kenting’s position at the tapered tip of Taiwan island means that unlike most elsewhere in Taiwan (where getting lost might lead to a quick life ending or lengthy life changing experience), this far south most sensible hikers should be able to find their way within sight distance of either the Taiwan Strait or the Pacific Ocean within a few hours of hiking in any direction but due north. Once we’d left the cars behind, Misalu’s choice of footwear made perfect sense, as we found ourselves walking through a high plain grassland, dry in some places and muddy in others.
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