The sky I see... because we focus on photography

Hello, it's been a while since I've posted a travel review. I'm usually quite lazy when it comes to writing reviews.

First of all, the name of the post "I see Taiwan" is an Instagram account and hashtag for beautiful tourist spots in Taiwan.

If you're curious about other beautiful and unique places in Taiwan, you can search for them using the hashtag #iseetaiwan.

The reason I wanted to visit Taiwan this time started when I came across a Taiwan review on Pantip near the end of last year.

I felt like it was the perfect place for me, so I started looking for travel companions. In the end, there were three of us on the trip.

We booked our tickets for October 22-29, 2016, and planned our trip for about six months.

*Avoid going during the month of July, as it is the monsoon season.

There are often cheap promotional tickets available during that time, but if you're willing to take the risk, go for it.

Original post /// TAIWAN thru my eyes /// : http://pantip.com/topic/34178614

I really want to thank the original poster for making me want to visit Taiwan. I wasn't disappointed with what I saw.

This post will focus on photos. Information on how to get to each place is relatively easy to find. I think Taiwan is becoming increasingly popular.

With the free visa, it won't be long before you might bump into Thai people in Taiwan. Even this time, I met a lot of Thai people.

Let's start with the plan. The places we visited are listed below. There were some changes from the original plan,

but that's okay. Plans are meant to be adjusted anyway.

/Cut to Taiwan/



● S U N M O O N L A K E ●

If you come to Taiwan and don't come here, it's like you haven't been here (or so they say). But if you do come, you won't be disappointed.

This is a lake surrounded by mountains, layer upon layer. The water is very green, and the view is beautiful.


By the pier



View from the cable car



View from Xuanguang Temple



Evening light



Morning light
is a highlight. Anyone who comes here should stay overnight and wake up to watch the sunrise. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
The color of the atmosphere will be all blue. It feels very peaceful. I really like this atmosphere.


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Our visit coincided with the Sun Moon Lake International Fireworks and Music Festival.
The festival features musical performances from early evening, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. If you're planning a trip to Sun Moon Lake in October, be sure to check it out!


When visiting this restaurant, don't forget to try the stuffed chicken wings with rice, which every review claims to be incredibly delicious.
I searched for a long time before finding it, and after trying it, I have to agree that it is truly delicious.

Apologies for the blurry photos, I was too focused on the delicious food! T_T

On our way to Alishan, we came across a rest stop with cherry blossoms blooming out of season. There were only about 2 trees, but hey, we'll take it! 55555555

Just a heads-up: don't expect consistency with the seasons in Taiwan, and don't get your hopes up for fall foliage or snow.







● Alishan Mountain Railway ●
A park known for its scenic sunrise views accessible by train, a signature attraction of the area.


Alishan Railway Station





The fog here comes and goes quickly. Just five minutes after the sky was clear, the fog rolled in.



Red leaves





To catch the sunrise by train, it is recommended to take the first train and rush to the viewing point as soon as possible.
We arrived late at the Zhuzhan Viewing Lot, and it was already crowded with people reserving spots.
We had read a review mentioning another beautiful viewing point, so we decided to walk to a better location.




Ogasawata Mountain Viewing Lot
I love the layered mist like this.






Viewing Platform at Zhuzhan






Don't forget to try the local sausage with wasabi. It's as delicious as the famous Alishan wasabi.
At first, we didn't know, but the seller told us that the wasabi here is famous. After trying it, we have to say that it goes very well together.



Walking along the trail in the cool morning air, the atmosphere was great, but due to limited time, we had to hurry.











Sister Pond







Shouzhen Temple






● Xiangshan Mountain ●
A legendary viewpoint of Elephant Mountain. It might be quite tiring for those who don't exercise regularly. However, it is worth the climb. It is recommended to go in the afternoon as it gets very crowded, and you will be able to see both the daytime and nighttime views.



● Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall ●







The guard changing ceremony is extremely impressive.





● L o n g s h a n t e m p l e ●
As we are not temple enthusiasts, we only visited Longshan Temple, which everyone recommended.
The temple is not very large, but the front gate is very beautiful, and the interior of the temple is quite impressive.





● Taipei Fish Market ●
Offers a variety of seafood options, both raw and cooked.
We opted for the cooked dishes, which were both affordable and delicious, offering excellent value for the quality of the sushi.








● Guandutou to Zhongshan ●
Our initial plan was to cycle from Guandutou to Tamsui (cycling north).
However, we ended up cycling south to Zhongshan instead. Luckily, a kind uncle and auntie gave us a ride to the station.
It was already evening by then, and we were feeling really disappointed because we were looking forward to the seaside view in Tamsui.
So, we decided to try again next time and cycle the correct way. 555555555






● X i m e n d i n g ●
A shopping district where we didn't get much.



Ba Mee A-Jong



Fried chicken giant *For us, it's just okay. I don't like this kind of batter.



Mala hotpot soup *Love the rich and spicy mala soup

● Maokong Gondola ●
This gondola has three stations, but we only visited two: Maokong and Zhinan Temple. The views from the top are breathtaking, offering panoramic vistas of the city below.

Crystal-clear cable car



Maokong station
The tea plantation that we had high expectations for, but in reality, the plantation was not as beautiful as we thought because it was not the tea picking season.

Everyone comes here to eat green tea ice cream. It's actually delicious, with a strong green tea flavor, but it's expensive at around 90 baht.



Zhinan Temple station
The temple is currently undergoing renovations, but it is still very beautiful, especially the interior, which is off-limits to photography.
An auntie will act as a guide and explain each deity depicted in the paintings inside the room. It's truly breathtaking once you enter.
If you have time, you should definitely go inside, even though the auntie's English is fast and abrupt. TT




● Yangmingshan National Park ●
This is the place that made us want to come to Taiwan. We really love mountains, and after visiting, we want to come back again. If we come to Taiwan again, we will definitely come here for a full day.


Xiaoyoukeng
An old sulfur pool that still emits smoke constantly, but the smell is not too strong.



Qing Tian Gang
A vast meadow stretching as far as the eye can see, perfect for a relaxing afternoon.


*I must say that the atmosphere here is truly amazing, and I'm not saying this for any advertising purposes. It's genuinely incredible.




● J i u f e n ●
An ancient village best visited in the late afternoon or early evening when the lanterns are lit, creating a stunning visual spectacle. However, be prepared for large crowds during this time. If you're looking to relax and enjoy a cup of tea, there are numerous charming tea houses to choose from. As for me, I opted for a leisurely stroll through the village, taking in the sights and sounds.




Don't forget to try the peanut ice cream here. The vendor speaks Thai, but we found it to be just average. The coriander flavor is quite strong.



This is a picture of the scenery on the way, the atmosphere of riding the THSR and the bus, the scenery on both sides is really beautiful.


And that concludes our video. Until next time, on our next trip.

In terms of the food I had the opportunity to try during this trip,

Mala Yuanyang Hotpot

This hotpot restaurant is highly recommended for those who enjoy a medium to spicy flavor profile. The buffet offers a wide selection of seafood, including shrimp, crab, and fish, with unlimited refills. However, the selection of meat is limited. For the best value, it's advisable to visit during lunchtime before 2 PM, as prices are lower and crowds are smaller. The cost is 498 NTD, excluding a 10% VAT.

Location: http://www.1000milesjourney.com/taiwanese-shabu-mala-hotpot/

Oolong Milk Tea
This milk tea is not overly sweet, which is perfect for those who prefer a more subtle flavor. The oolong tea base is rich and flavorful, similar to a traditional Thai iced tea but with less sweetness. It is available at most convenience stores in Taiwan and costs around 2X NTD.




Beef Noodles in 7-11
The taste is slightly milder than the color suggests, but it's okay for a cold day. It's a bit expensive at 99 NTD, but I bought it because I wanted to try beef noodles.
P.S. If I were in Thailand, I would probably add some chili and salt.




Matcha ice cream with a cat on top @ Hemakong Tea Plantation
Strong matcha flavor, not too sweet, topped with a cat-shaped biscuit. Delicious but expensive at 90NTD.
Location: http://www.flymetotaiwan.com/Hemakong-cable-car/




Matcha Latte @ Hemakong Tea Plantation
Strong matcha with milk, unsweetened. Matcha lovers might enjoy it, but I found it just okay, especially considering the high price of 150 NTD.
Location: Same shop as the matcha ice cream.




Hot Star Fried Chicken @ Ximending
Honestly, we found the taste to be just average. The chicken pieces were large and crispy, but even with the paprika powder sprinkled on top, it was still bland. We shared this piece among three people, and I don't remember the price as I didn't pay for it.
Location: The shop is located opposite Watson's in the heart of Ximending.




Ay-Chung @ Ximending
The taste is similar to fish maw soup, but the noodles are chewy like golden needle mushrooms. The noodles are filled with ingredients and are delicious. This is the large size for 65 NTD.
Coordinates: http://www.1000milesjourney.com/ay-chung-ximending/




Chicken stuffed with seasoned rice
This one took me a while to find, it's sold near the market at Ita Thao Pier. It costs 60 NTD per piece, but if you offered me another piece, I'd eat it! The chicken is a bit salty, but it's delicious with the rice stuffed inside, the chili peppers, and the spring onions they add. It's the best!
Location: Market near Ita Thao Pier @ Sun Moon Lake




Americano at PEN.LAND Cafe
No matter where I am, I can't live without coffee, so I had to buy a cup. This one cost 45 NTD and tasted like a typical Americano.
Location: Located in an alley with a red pole, near Ajong Noodle Shop.




Earl Grey Milk Tea
This one is also delicious, similar to a mild Milo. We think it's better than the white bottle (again).




Spicy Plum Juice @ Convenience Store
This is so good! I love it! It's a drink that wakes you up and makes you feel refreshed. If you like plums, you have to try this! It costs 2X NTD.




Taiwanese Beer
I first tried beer at a hotpot restaurant and thought, "Wow, this is delicious!" I bought another can for 35 NTD when I got home.




Soup Dumplings
Available everywhere, these were enjoyed in Jiufen and were delicious. The price was 130 NTD.
Location: The shop is located on Jiufen Old Street.




Braised Pork Rice
This is braised pork rice, but it's a bit salty. The delicious part is the tender pork belly that is topped with it. It's very soft! This cup costs 70 NTD, which is not cheap.
Location: The same shop as the Xiaolongbao in Jiufen




Red pork wonton (large)
I didn't try this myself, but my friend said it wasn't very good. One piece costs 45 NTD.
Location: Street stall in Old Street, Jiufen

Red Bean Bread
Predictable taste, but with a more generous filling than what we have back home.
Location: This one was found on the side of the Old Street in Jiufen, but it's available in almost every market.

Crushed peanut ice cream in roti dough
In our opinion, it was not delicious. The coriander smell was quite strong, and the ice cream was just average. However, the taro ice cream might be better. 40 NTD per piece.
Location: Old Street in Jiufen

Oyster Omelette with Tiny Oysters
As the name suggests, the taste is decent. The sauce is different from ours, with a salty and sweet flavor. If you want to adjust the taste, there are chili peppers available.
Location: Ningxia Night Market

Mochi with Peanut and Sesame Powder
Delicious mochi with chewy dough, generously sprinkled with peanut and sesame powder.
Location: Ningxia Night Market




Stinky Tofu
It really lives up to its name. Even if you've never smelled it before, you'll know it's stinky tofu for sure. 5555 It tastes like our fried tofu, but the dipping sauce is better.
Location: You can find it at every night market.

Okonomiyaki
This was delicious and a large portion. The original flavor was excellent and cost 60 NTD.
Location: Shilin Night Market




Scallops Baked with Cheese
This dish is incredibly delicious, especially for cheese lovers. The scallops are tender, and the cheese is perfectly melted and aromatic. Each scallop costs 75 NTD.
Location: Shilin Night Market

Bubble Tea
I've tried bubble tea at several shops, but I can't remember the names. The flavors were all good, and not as sweet as the ones back home.




Sushi Takeout
This mid-range sushi restaurant offers a satisfying and affordable dining experience. Priced at 90 NTD, the sushi boasts decent flavor.
Location: With numerous branches, this particular outlet is situated at the West Bus Station.




Alishan Wasabi Sausage
A must-try for visitors to Alishan, the wasabi here is truly delicious. It's not the kind that shoots up your nose, but rather provides a pleasant spiciness on the tongue. It pairs perfectly with the sausage. Initially, I told the vendor I didn't want it, but they insisted it was a local Alishan specialty. After trying it, I was hooked! 30 NTD
Location: The shop is located at the Zhuzhan sunrise viewing point.

Fried Squid
This is my favorite! The squid is so tender and not chewy at all. The batter is crispy and sprinkled with a bit of paprika for a spicy kick. I could eat it again and again!
Location: You can probably find it at any night market, but I had it at the Shilin Night Market.

Breakfast at Star Hostel



These photos only capture a portion of the delicious and affordable breakfast options available.
If you're visiting Taiwan, be sure to give it a try!

See you on the next trip!

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