THE EAST COAST LOOP Two Weeks/ Hualien to Taitung and Back From Hualien, it's a quick hop to Taroko National Park , site of Taro...
THE EAST COAST LOOP
Two Weeks/ Hualien to Taitung and Back
From Hualien, it's a quick hop to Taroko National Park, site of Taroko Corge, a rugged marble canyon that's been Taiwan's premier canyon that's been Taiwan's premier natural attraction since the '30s. After a few days exploring this treasure, head down the coast on Hwy11 to Taitung. This stretch of road takes you past some of four days en route, stopping at sandy beaches, ocean-side campsites, fishing harhbours, and aboriginal villages.
One month/Taipei to Kenting
Two Weeks/ Hualien to Taitung and Back
South of Taitung, take a stroll though Chihpen Forest Recreation Area with its monkey-filled banyan forests. Then head back north but this time go up the rift valley on Hwy9. You're between two mountain ranges here, in the rice belt of Taiwan, and the contrast with the coastline is dramatic. Check out the organic farming scene at Loshan, walk at least part of the historic Walami Trail, raft the Hsiukuluan River at Rueisui, relax in the many hot springs, and feast on some very exotic aboriginal food in Mataian before returning to Hualien.
DOWN THE WEST COASTOne month/Taipei to Kenting
Almost every trip to Taiwan will start in the capital, Taipei. Don't miss the National Palace Museum with the world's foremost collection of Chinese art, and Longshan Temple a centre of Taiwanese collection of Chinese time, ride the new gondola to Maokong for an afternoon of fine oolong tea, followed by an evening visit to Shilin Night Market.
History soaked Danshui makes for a pleasant day trip as does the Juming Museum, which features Taiwan's best modern sculptures. Heading south, fan of traditional arts and crafts will enjoy a smorgasbord in Yingge, a town devoted to ceramics; at Hsinchu's relic-rich Guqifeng; in the woodcarving shops in Sanyi, and around Lukang, home to master lantern, fan and tin craftsmen.
Further south in Chiayi, visit the small collection fo Cochin pottery while you wait for the train to Alishan. The narrow-gauge alpine railway, called the Alishan Forest Train (one of three left in the world), takes you from 0m to 2200m in just a few hours. For a great side trip, stop halfway at Fenchihu and hike through bamboo forests to the pretty tea-growing village of Rueili. In spring, countless fireflies light up the night.
After returning to Chiayi, continue south to the old capital of Tainan for a few days of temple - and relic-hopping, and sampling of traditional foods. During the winter, take a detour east to see the purple butterflies at Maolin.
Returning to the coast, head south to Kaohsiung. Lunch in this bustling harbour city at the old British Consulate at Takou before continuing to Kenting National Park to wind down your journey on the beach.
Source: Lonely Planet Taiwan
Source: Lonely Planet Taiwan
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