ŜTaiwan DIY Travel Guide

Itinerary 1 otenTaiwan Northern Pingsi Lantern

& Train Tour Itineraries

The train to Pingsi winds through a scenic terrain of mountains, rivers and forests, making the trip as enjoy- able as the charms of the destination itself.

Pingsi Train Station

œ Scenic sites Located on the Pingsi Branch Line, Pingsi Station is surrounded by greenery and rustic hous- es. The leisurely pace of the town infects one as soon as you disembark from the train.

D．A．T．A From Taipei Main Station take the Yilan Line to the Rueifang Station and then take the Pingsi Branch Line to Pingsi.

The tranquil old streets of Pingsi Old Street Pingsi are lined with long nar- œ Scenic sites row townhouses that seem to have been forgotten by time. This scene is completed by the many old homes perched along the riverside and railway that runs through the town. D．A．T．A Pingsi St. and Shihdi St., Pingsi , Taipei From Taipei Main Station take the northbound train to Rueifang and continue to Pingsi on the Pingsi Branch Line. Follow Jhonghua Rd. to Pingsi St. or Shihdi St.

43 Northern TaiwanItineraries Scenic sites Scenic sites œ œ D．A．T．A From Taipei Main Station take the From Taipei This station welcomes train to Hsinchu and then take the Neiwan Branch Line to Neiwan. visitors with rustic charm and scenic surroundings. The building is colorfully adorned with illustrations by a well-known local cartoonist. The old part of town is located just across the street. Neiwan Suspension Bridge 45 D．A．T．A aiwan DIY Travel Guide Travel DIY aiwan Neiwan Train Station Neiwan Train T Neiwan and Beipu are home to large Hakka commu- Neiwan and Beipu Neiwan Village, Hengshan Township, Neiwan Village, This 14.7-meter-long bridge nities, the cultural influence of which can be seen in the nities, the cultural influence cuisine. local architecture and Itinerary 2 in Culture Hakka Beipu & Neiwan Ŝ Main Station take the train to Hsinchu. Then take From Taipei the Neiwan Branch Line to Neiwan and walk to the bridge. spans the Youluo River in the town spans the Youluo of Neiwan. The bridge offers an excellent vantage from which to enjoy the picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and the The river- river passing below. banks under the bridge are popu- lar fishing spots. Ű Scenic sites œ D．A．T．A D．A．T．A From Taipei Main Station take the Main Station take From Taipei Coal Mine Museum 10, Ciankeng Rd., Nanshan Village, 109 Shihfen St., Pingsi Township, Taipei Taipei 109 Shihfen St., Pingsi Township, Ű Once used as a signal to At 40m wide and 20m high, At 40m wide aipei Main Station take the train to Rueifang aipei Main Station take the train County (02)2495-8422 09:00~21:00 train to Rueifang and then take the Pingsi Branch Line to Shihfen. Pingsi Township, Taipei County Pingsi County Taipei Pingsi Township, (02)2495-8531 07:00~19:00 Adults NT$180, Students NT$120T From Line to and then take the Pingsi Branch to the water- Shihfen Station and follow signs fall. warn of neighboring villages bandits, "heavenly lanterns" are the highlight at Pingsi's annual lantern festival. Ama's has been selling these artistic lanterns for over a decade. (*"Ama" means "grandmother" in Taiwanese.) this is one of 's biggest of Taiwan's this is one waterfalls.and mightiest often appear in the Rainbows Make by the water. mists raised the cherrysure to enjoy blos- som trail too. 44 Scenic sites Scenic sites œ œ (02)2495-8680 D．A．T．A Ama's Heavenly Lanterns Shihfen Waterfall Shihfen Waterfall 5, Pingsi Dingliaozih, Sinliao Township, Old abandoned mine tracks Old abandoned mine County, Taipei County Taipei County, 08:30~17:30 Eve and holiday Lunar New Year's Lunar New Year Concession NT$200 NT$250, Adults Station take the train to Rueifang and trans- Main From Taipei fer to the Pingsi Branch Line. At Shihfen Station walk in the direction of the police sta- tion. offered to the mine entrance. um. Coal car rides are also mining in Taiwan at this muse- mining in Taiwan you back to the early days of you back to the early and vintage equipment take and vintage equipment ŜTaiwan DIY Travel Guide

Itinerary 3 Neiwan Theater Hakka Restaurant Taiwan Northern

œ Restaurant This 50-plus-year-old theater Flower and recalls the early logging days of Neiwan. The theater has Itineraries been repurposed as a restau- Orchard Holiday rant where diners can enjoy old movies while they eat. There are dozens of idyllic flower farms and you-pick orchards in the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli area. Most have D．A．T．A 227 Jhongjheng Rd., Hengshan teahouses to enjoy the rustic setting among the blooms Township, Hsinchu County (03)584-9260 and fruit. Sat. & Sun. 10:30~20:30 Lunar New Year's Eve From Taipei Main Station take the train to Hsinchu. Then take the Neiwan Branch Line to Neiwan. Sun & Green (Guanyin) These glutinous rice tamales Ginger Lily Rice Tamales œ Scenic sites are a trademark snack of œ Scenic sites From May to October, the sun- Hengshan Township, which is flowers at Sun & Green come into known for its fragrant ginger brilliant bloom, turning the farm lily blooms. The tamales made into an unbroken expanse of yel- at Fan Ama's (Granny Fan's) low. The farm also has an outdoor are considered among the best cafe, BBQ area, and offers DIY in town. classes. D．A．T．A D．A．T．A 45 Jhongjheng Rd., Hengshan Township, 52, Lanpu Village, Guanyin Township, Hsinchu County Weekdays 09:30 until Taoyuan County (03)487-0629 sold out; Weekends/holidays 08:00 until 09:00~18:00 ŰŰFrom Taipei sold out Closed irregularly From Main Station take the train to Jhongli and Taipei Main Station take the train to Hsinchu. transfer to the Guanyin-bound Taoyuan Bus. Then take the Neiwan Branch Line to Get off at the TECO Electric stop and take a Neiwan. taxi to the farm.

Beipu Old Street Beipu Township in Hsinchu The organic strawberries Great Miaoli Strawberry Farm County is deeply rooted in grow big and sweet in the rich œ Scenic sites Hakka culture. It is also a his- soil of this recreation you-pick œ Scenic sites toric town, with several well- farm. Throngs of visitors come preserved old buildings, from to pick the berries during the the Chiang A-Hsin House, Jin harvest season from Dec. to Guang Fu Estate to Ci-thien April.

Temple and Tianshuei Hall. D．A．T．A 267-24, Fusing Village, Gongguan Township, (037)225-259 07:00~18:00 Ű Free admission D．A．T．A with hourly charge for strawberry picking Beipu Township, Hsinchu County From From Taipei Main Station take the train to Hsinchu Train Station take the Gongguan- Miaoli. Then take the Dahu- or Jhuolan- bound Hsinchu Bus to Jhudong and then take bound Hsinchu Bus to Shangfuji stop and the Beipu Bus to Beipu. walk to the farm.

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Itinerary 4 Wu Tsuo-yang Recreation Farm This multifunctional recre- Taiwan Northern ation farm is abloom with lotus- Beach Holiday at Fulong œ Scenic sites es, roses and other flowers From gorgeous beaches to deep blue seas, Fulong is a per- throughout the year. fect summer getaway and host of a major annual concert. Strawberries, golden tomatoes and other produce are also Itineraries grown here. Fulong Beach San Diego Lighthouse

D．A．T．A œ Scenic sites œ Scenic sites 14-2, Shulin Village, Guanyin Township, Taoyuan County (03)483-8510 Fulong Beach is a popular This bright white lighthouse 09:00~18:00 Ű NT$100 (good for discount on purchases) From Taipei Main spot for swimming, sun- is a striking sight against the Station take the train to Jhongli and then bathing, sailing, canoeing and blue sky. There is also a nice take the Taoyuan Bus to Dasi Train Station and transfer to the Cihhu-bound bus and get more. The Ho-Hai-Yan Rock walking trail here. off in Dasi. Festival is a major annual event here. Lavender (in April), coreopsis Tomita Farm (June), sage, snapdragons, œ Scenic sites sunflowers and a variety of other blooms and herbs can be enjoyed at this scenic farm in Dasi Township.

D．A．T．A

20-1, Piwei, Dasi Township, Taoyuan D．A．T．A County (03)387-2540 10:00~18:00 D．A．T．A Ű Admission NT$50 (good for dis- 38 Magang St., Fulian Village, Gongliao count on purchases; min. NT$100 purchase 40 Fulong St., Gongliao Township, Township, Taipei County (02)2499- per person) From Taipei Main Station Taipei County (02)2499-2381 1300 09:00~16:00 Mon., Lunar take the train to Jhongli. Then take the 08:00~17:30 Oct.~May Adults New Year's Eve and day From Taipei Taoyuan Bus to Dasi Train Station and trans- NT$60 From Taipei Main Station take Main Station take the Yilan- or - fer to the Cihhu-bound bus and get off in the North Link Line to Fulong and walk to bound King Bus (Coastal Line) to Magang. Dasi. the beach.

Ta Shee Blooming Oasis With two hectares of planted Fulong Boxed Lunch Maoao Fishing Village lavender, this recreation farm œ Scenic sites œ Scenic sites œ Scenic sites turns into a field of purple in the blossom season. Lavender The boxed lunches sold in Maoao in eastern- cuisine and western fare are front of Fulong Train Station most Taiwan is known the specialties at the Van Gogh, are an institution at this pop- for its rock homes, a picturesque European styled ular seaside town. At just cleverly designed to restaurant. NT$50, they are also a tasty protect against the D．A．T．A and filling bargain. elements. 27, Alley 1093, Fusing Road, Dasi D．A．T．A Township, Taoyuan County (03)388- D．A．T．A 0801 Weekends. 08:30~20:00 Lunar 1 Fulong St., Gongliao Township, Taipei New Year's Eve Adults NT$100, County (02)2499-1417 07:00~19:00 Fulian Village, Gongliao Township, Concession NT$60 At Gueiyang St. in Lunar New Year holiday From Taipei Taipei County (Near Sandiao Cape) Taipei City take the Dasi-bound Taipei Bus to Main Station take the North Link Line to From Taipei North Station take the Yilan- or Dasi. Fulong. Luodong-bound King Bus to Maoao.

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