See the True Taiwan: an insiders guide

For as long as I can remember people who come to Taiwan have asked about "those wild hot springs in Yangmingshan".  Somehow the idea of soaking in volcanic water in the untamed wilderness appeals to nearly everyone, and there are a ton of blogs written about the experience at Bayan. Perhaps it's the clever name that gets people involved - wild hot springs do sound fun! - but the name tells little of the truth. A better name is "Bayan technically illegal agrichemical waste water often over crowded and full of bathing soaps wading pools", but who would want to waste a whole day going there? Agrichemicals sounds like they make for an uninviting swim, but where do the pollutants come from you ask? Just uphill of the springs - and an area you'll need to pass through if you descend to the springs - is a giant farm which also features a man made reflective pool with a rock garden. As you descend from the road you'll snake your way through the fairly exten...

Right before the Chinese New Year Taipei City started demolishing a long ramp up to the Zhongxiao Bridge which, while helpful for drivers, was a massive eye sore in one of the city's most heavily visited central areas. Now, several weeks on, the construction is nearing its end, commuters have gotten used to new traffic flows, and a small park has been built around what was previously an overlooked landmark. Despite living here for a long time, there is something cool about actually being able to pass through the gate and hang out in the space around it without being in the middle of traffic. The outward side of the gate, as seen from the new park. The new park under development, with the Zhongxiao bridge in the back. The city side of the gate seen from Boai Road. The move was one of many designed by city hall to make Taipei a more pedestrian friendly place and encourage residents and visitors to get around on their own power. Many visitors to Taipei at some po...

A short drive from Luodong is the Yi Nong farm, or 宜農牧場, a family friendly place to let your kids get up close and personal with some very cuddly farm animals. There is also a cafe and a little store on the grounds, as well as tables to enjoy a little rest during your trip through Yilan. If you've never been to a milk farm or fed animals it's a great visit, and it's good people watching with all the kids being cute and crazy around the animals. A taste of cold, hard steel. The farm can get busy on the weekend and holidays, especially the Chinese New Year, so don't be surprised if there is a bit of a crowd. There is free parking on site for cars and scooters, and it's close enough you can use pedal power to arrive too. The animals have been conditioned by all the visitation so they are as safe and tame as nature allows, but they're not shy in asking for food. Cute beggars. Adult visitors should pay 30NT to visit the farm, and payment ...

Shrimping is one of those Taiwanese past times that draws a cult following of locals much like bowling does in the west. People who do it regularly love it, bring their own equipment, and have an entire social network centered around the activity. Many of the shrimp shacks are open around the clock all year round and run a restaurant in addition to the pools of massive shrimp. It's not uncommon to see big groups of young Taiwanese folks having a giant meal, a rack full of giant beers, and plate after plate of fresh grilled shrimp. Tourists who have done some research on Taiwan might have stumbled across shrimping as an activity and not paid it much mind. The reality is shrimping is easily in the top ten things you must do when you're in Taiwan. If you have not been to a shrimping stand and think you've gotten local, it's time to think again. For an average price of 300 NT per hour you get a rented pole, some bait, and a seat around a murky pool of water. The staff r...

Teapot mountain is a cute name for an enjoyable ocean side hike located a short ride from Jiu Fen's old street. The hike gets its name from the view of the rock outcropping at the summit of the trail which looks like a teapot without its handle. From start to finish you'll need to budget between two and three hours of your day to get it done, less if you're an avid hiker and decide not to climb your way around to higher peaks nearby. It's a more forgiving journey than the one up nearby Mt. Keelung, and while the view from the top isn't quite as epic on a beautiful day it has more character and far fewer people. From Taipei take bus 1062 from ZhongXiao FuXing MRT which is labeled Jin Gua Shi. The pick up point changes fairly often so check the station map to confirm you get to the right spot. You can also take bus 788 from Keelung, and if you're out at Rui Fang station there are two buses serving the mountain from there. The bus route to/from Taipei...

Every year on the fifteenth and final day of the lunar new year a small temple in Neihu fills the winter night with massive columns of smoke and fire while packs of people crowd into the narrow lanes west of the BiHu park. It's loud, smoky, and a little bit dangerous in all the ways you'd expect a good Chinese New Year festival to be. Plumes of smoke and fire make for good times Many years ago when I'd first arrived in Taiwan I got brought to this this festival on a whim by a friend who thought it'd impress me. And impress it most certainly did.  For many people being in Taiwan during Chinese New Year is a little bit of a letdown compared to western expectations about the holiday. Neihu's take on the lantern festival is certainly a welcome nod to the noisy parade you were expecting to see. Selfies at the tiny temple on Neihu Road which hosts the event. For those only spending one new year in Taipei there is a choice to be made between this firec...