Wednesday, 5 December 2012

Day 5 and 6


Say goodbye to JiuFen and head to Sun Moon Lake 日月潭 located at Taichung by Taiwan High Speed Rail



Taipei to Taichung in about 1 hour by HSR



Sun Moon Lake 日月潭

Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan as well as a tourist attraction. Situated in Yuchi, Nantou, the area around the Sun Moon Lake is home to the Thao tribe, one of aboriginal tribes in Taiwan.

The beauty of the lake, from dawn to dusk and from spring and summer to autumn and winter, exudes an aura of enchantment regardless of whether it is bathed in sunlight or shrouded in mist. Consequently, viewers never tire of looking at it admiration and amazement.

In the early morning the surface of the lake is covered by a thin veil of mist. When the sun rises over the mountains the obscuring mist lifts slowly to reveal the lake's true countenance, with its surface reflecting images of mountains and trees as chirping insects and singing birds lend their voices to the enchanted scene. At dusk the colors of the setting sun paint the lake a sparkling gold, transforming it into a crystal fairyland. As the curtain of night falls, the lights and reflections ripple with the waves and cooling evening breezes waft in, giving rise to fascinating illusions of spirits sprinkling fairy dust on the water.








 

 
 
Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
 
The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, famed for its display of the aboriginal cultures in Taiwan, a boutique European garden and state-of-the-art amusement park facilities, has all the fun that a theme park can offer.
 
  










Our Hotel which we will be staying for 2 nights.......

The Crystal Resort Hotel



 
 























Monday, 3 December 2012

Taiwan Itinerary

Day 3 and 4

Check out of Hotel in Taipei and take train to..........

Jiufen 九份  (about 40 minutes from Taipei Train Station)

Jiufen Street


Tea Houses


Night View


Street View


Sea View


It is said that long time ago there were only nine families in Jiufen (Jioufen). Before the roads on land were built, all materials were transported via ships. Thus a habit was formed that nine pieces of same object were purchased at one time for reservation. Hence, the place was called Jiufen (Jioufen or 九份 Nine Portions in Chinese).

Jiufen (Jioufen) used to the center of gold mining. It is located within the hills in northeast of Taiwan. The village is next to the mountain and facing the sea. In 1890, someone struck gold near Jiufen (Jioufen). The poor village with only nine families soon attracted prospectors of 4,000 families. The village once was gold city of Asia and called little Shanghai or little Hong Kong. However, with the decline of gold mining activities, Jiufen (Jioufen) fades. Later, several movies chose to shoot here and the movies won international acknowledgement. For example, the film the Sad City has won first prize in Venice Film Festival and awakened people's memory of Jiufen (Jioufen). It seems that the prosperous old streets, buildings, mines and the glamorous gold digging days are flashing before our eyes. The place is whispering its golden past. Now, there are many unique teahouses in Jiufen (Jioufen). These teahouses are best stops during visit to this mountain village. Also, there is the beautiful ocean view of Keelung outer sea.

The most prosperous shopping district is Jiufen (Jioufen) Old Street. It goes through most of the village. There are many visitors on the street. Along the street there are shops vending the most famous country snack of Jiufen (Jioufen), yam dish and various local dishes. There are some historical items well reserved. The trip to Jiufen (Jioufen) is full of fun and delights. Jiufen (Jioufen) has many accommodation places provided by local residents. If you were not in a hurry, you may want to pick a nice inn and stay for the starlight and fishing lights at night.


 

Our hotel for 2 nights at Jiufen - Windsor B&B



Room for Day 3:





Room for Day 4:








Jiufen’s unique street view was the model that was used in a very famous Japanese animation movie – “Spirited Away”.
 
 
 
Day 4 Itninerary
 
We will visit the GOLD museum at Jin Gua Shi Gold Mining Museum (金瓜石金博物館) ........
 

200Kg Gold Ingot
 
 
 
 and visit SHIFEN waterfall (十分瀑布) and release the Sky Latern ()
 
 


十分瀑布
 
 


Sky Lantern Festival


Cute Lantern
 
 
The Kongming Lantern (Chinese: 孔明燈) was the first hot air balloon, said to be invented by the Chinese sage and military strategist Zhuge Liang, whose reverent term of address was Kongming. They were first deployed at the turn of the 3rd century as a type of signalling balloon or, as it's said, as a type of spy blimp in warfare. Alternatively the name may come from the lantern's resemblance to the hat Kongming is traditionally shown to be wearing.

According to the sinologist and historian of science, the Chinese experimented with mini-hot air balloons from as early as the 3rd century BC, during the Warring States period, which suggests that the Sky Lantern may have been invented long before Kongming's era.



Sunday, 2 December 2012

Taipei Itinerary Day 1 and 2



Day 1: Singapore to Taipei


Taipei International Airport


Caesar Park Hotel
(We will be staying for 2 nights)

We will visit Taipei101 and Night Maket as well as Ximending Shopping District on Day 1......

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 at night


Shilin Night Market


Day 2: Taipei

A City of Smiles

From the world's tallest building to the biggest collection of Chinese art, Taipei invites you into a world of fascinating contrasts-a mix of the modern and traditional, with a generous dash of energy and friendly smiles to make this one of your most memorable trips to Asia.

The cultural kaleidoscope of Taiwan's capital city pulses wherever you go. Incense-veiled temples dating back to dynastic times blend seamlessly with a neo-street life of a decidedly more modern era. Taipei has dozens of world-class restaurants where gourmets can sample the best regional Chinese cuisine; and for the gourmand, there are plenty of night markets serving up scrumptious evening snacks in an environment of chaotic excitement and fun.

The polarities of Taipei are vividly present as well in the joining of the urban and natural. Just a few minutes from the heart of the city you can soak away the cares of the world in mineral-rich hot springs nestled in the lush mountain foothills ringing the Taipei Basin. And throughout the city there are plenty of trails, parks and other oases of tranquility to lift and invigorate your spirits.

Whether you're just stopping over en route to another Asian destination, or planning a longer stay, Taipei is a many-faceted treasure that will call you back again and again.

Discover the heart of Asia in beautiful Taipei!
 
 
On Day 2, We will visit Yehliu Geopark (野柳地質公園) ....
 
Famous "Queen Head"
 
 
"Candle Rocks"
 
 
"Tail Fin of Whale"
 

and Taipei Shopping District Ximending (西門町) at night...


Ximending (西門町)Shopping Distirct