Taiwan 12-Day Vacation – Day 2 Part A -Qingshui Cliff

Today, we woke early eager to go on a guided tour of the Qingshui Cliff (清水斷崖) and the Taroko Gorge. 

We had breakfast at a shop near hotel (5 mins away).

At 8.30 am, our day tour begins from the hotel with Tiffany (driver and tour guide) there to receive us rather punctually.

First we were driven to Qingshui Cliff.  The cliff is located at the southern part of the Suhua Highway that connects the counties of Yilan and Hualien in eastern Taiwan. It is 12 km long, 5 of which span the coastline. This 5 km stretch has a majestic natural beauty. When travelling through this section, we see both the rugged cliff and the endless ocean at the same time. Here we witness the three distinct colour tones of the Pacific. The breathtaking cliff, together with the Pacific coastline and blue sky is truly impressive.

This magnificent area has been designated as one of the Eight Wonders of Taiwan. While most visitors visit Taroko Gorge without stopping by Qingshui Cliff, a visit to Hualien would not be complete without a visit to this gorgeous attraction.

Qingshui Cliff information board

A family pose

The beautiful coastline with the Pacific Ocean

Another view of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean

What can you see?

Our guide's yellow MPV parked at the side of the road for another wonderful view of the ocean

the 3 distinct colours of the Pacific Ocean

Another incredible view

Again the colours of the Pacific are wonderful

One final view ... fabulous!!

To check My Taiwan 12-Day Vacation Itinerary - See Link

Taiwan 12-Day Vacation – Day 1 Arrive @ Hualien

We departed from Singapore 8.30am TigerAir flight and arrived in Taipei airport at around 1.30pm. Took a bus to Taipei Main Station, have lunch there and then took the 4.40pm Taroko Gorge Express train to Hualien and we arrive there about 6.30pm.

We then took a taxi to the Cullinan Hotel, checked in and by the time we freshen up it was about 7.30pm. We went out for dinner at a nearby eatery.

Hualien - View from my hotel window

 Hualien City is one of the most beautiful city in Taiwan, the city face the Pacific Ocean with the Central Mountain Range (average 2000meters high) for a background. For most travellers like ourselves, we come to Hualien City because it is an important stop, because on its north side is the most famous spot Taroko Gorge, while on its south are East Rift Valley and East Coast, which is one of the least developed area and the best vacation places for Taiwan people. 

We were told the busiest season in Hualien City is July to September due to students' summer vacation and stable weather except for typhoon. 

That evening we walked around the city area of Hualien.

Hualien centre - As in most cities in Taiwan, the motorcycle is one of the favourites forms of transport

Many such shops selling pineapple tarts and local sweet delicacies

Streets of Hualien - well lit and attractive

Window display of a mini model of dried goods sold in traditional provision shops

Another window display of mini model of seafood sold in traditional wet markets

Again, plenty of motorcycles, parked on the walkway - but well organised.

Walking through a night market - where food choices are plentiful

My favourite dumplings

Another street scene - motorcycles orderly parked

Warm millet dessert to fill our hungry stomachs after a walk through the city

Stall selling all kinds of sweet desserts - roaring business

And very popular with young people too - a place to eat and chat.

To check My Taiwan 12-Day Vacation Itinerary - See Link

Taiwan Vacation - 12-Day Itinerary

My 12-Day Taiwan Vacation 6 to 17 March 2014

Taiwan is not a popular destination for foreign tourists, especially compared to some of its near neighbours such as Japan, China, Hong Kong and Thailand. That said Taiwan still has some excellent attractions and is a worthwhile place to visit. For example, the National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物館) in Taipei is home to the world's best and largest collection of Chinese historical artifacts. Taiwan also has the highest mountains in North-east Asia.

Taiwan's Jade Mountain (玉山 Yushan), just short of 4,000m tall, is taller than Japan's Mt Fuji. Taroko Gorge (太魯閣), near Hualien (花蓮) on Taiwan's east coast, is spectacular and an absolute must see if you are in Taiwan. The scenery in the central mountains and along the east coast is also impressive.

While Taiwan's cities are often crowded, there are many beautiful temples and an extraordinary array of delicious food to be discovered. 

It is for these reasons that I planned a round Taiwan 12 day vacation to experience some of the wonders of this island, also called Ilha Formosa -- the beautiful isle. My itinerary focuses on visiting the beautiful landscapes and the smaller but more historic cities. Hence I by-pass the second tier cities like Kaohsiung and Taichung. Also, spring is a good time to go because it is much cooler for my long walks and outside of the typhoon period.

My Round Taiwan Trip

Day1 Thu 6 Mar
Depart  Singapore 8.30am - Arrive Taipei at 1.30pm
Take bus to Taipei Main Station and take the 4.30pm Taroko Gorge express train to Hualien. Arrive Hualien train station 6.30pm. (See link on how to order train tickets online)

Day 2 Fri 7 Mar 

Hualien. Visit :

 - Qingshui Cliffs

 - Taroko Gorge 

 - Baiyang Trail (2 hours)

 ( 2 Nights in Hualien – 6, 7 Mar )

Day 3 Sat 8 Mar 

Leave Hualien at 11am for Taitung via express train ( about 2.5 hours)

Taitung. Visit:

- Taitung Forest Park ( 2 hour bicycle ride)

 ( 1 Night in Taitung -  8 Mar )

Day 4 Sun 9 Mar

Leave Taitung 7.40am for Tainan via express train (about 4.5 hours)

Tainan. Visit:

- Anping,a historic district 4 km from Tainan city centre

 ( 1 Night in Tainan - 9 Mar)

Day 5 Mon 10 Mar

Tainan. Visit:

- Confucius Temple

- Koxinga Shrine

Leave Tainan at 4pm for Chiayi via express train. (40 minutes)

From Chiayi, take a 5.10pm midi bus to Alishan (Shizhuo - where home-stay is). Journey takes 1.5 hours.

Day 6 Tue 11 Mar
- Alishan Homestay

- Tour Yushan 
- and Alishan (whole day)

( 2 nights in Alishan home-stay)

Day 7 Wed 12 Mar

- Fenqihu

- Ride the 2pm Alishan Forest Railway from Fenqihu (only2 services per day - 9am and 2pm)

Arrive at Chiayi after 2.5 hour train ride.

From Chiayi take a taxi to Sun Moon Lake (arrive around 7.15pm)

Day 8 Thu 13 Mar

- Tour Sun Moon Lake (whole day)

( 2 nights in Sun Moon Lake - 7, 8 Mar)

Day 9 Fri 14 Mar

Depart Sun Moon Lake for Taipei via 1.20pm direct bus ( 3.5 hour ride)

Arrive in Taipei at 5pm.

Visit Ximen night market.

Day 10 Sat 15 Mar

Taipei. Visit :

- Longshan Temple

- Bopiliao Old Street

- Guangzhou Street night market

- Xichang Street night market

Day 11 Sun 16 Mar

Taipei. Visit:

- National Palace Museum

- Shilin night market

( 3 nights in Taipei)

Day 12 Mon 17 Mar

Depart Taipei for Singapore around 2pm.

Note: This is my second time to Taipei, so I'm taking it easy. During my first trip to Taipei, I've visited interesting sights in like Beitou hot-spring, Danshui, Jifen, Yehliu Park, Taipei 101, Yang Mingshan etc.

Taiwan's Express Trains - Buy On-line Train Tickets

Some tips here on how to buy train tickets on-line for inter-city travels. Taiwan's express trains are clean and efficient and I would recommend the in-cabin travel experience.

Express train - Taitung to Tainan

Wifi in Taiwan - Rent 4G Rental Pocket Wifi

It is always useful to have wifi on the go while you are travelling. WifiTaiwan provides a good service and up to 10 simultaneous users/devices can be activated. Book early!

Another provider is iVideo. Check it out.

wifiTaiwan

iVideo