Electric scooter ride in Southern Tip of Taiwan

Kenting National Park in the southern tip of Taiwan is a seaside coastal area with many attractions to explore. It was also my very first experience of riding an electric mini scooter without a licence! 

My rented mini electric sccoter 

On the first day of exploration, I rode my electric scooter to the first stop, Southernmost Point of Taiwan. Next destination was Longpan Park. It is a seaside cliff with scenic views of the sea and waves from above. However, as it is an open space with some grassland, the hot sunny weather could be too much on the skin without a big hat.

Seaside view of Southernmost Point of Taiwan 

Entering Longpan Park

Longpan Park

After some distant ride, I arrived at a river mouth are called Gangkou with hanging bridge to walk across the river to explore the opposite surrounding beach.

Gangkou beach

Next destination was Jialeshui. It is famous for its rocky beaches with unique formation that can resemble animals and objects beyond imagination. There is even a free shuttle bus ride along the beach toward the end of the park where ocean waves could be seen hitting the magnificent rocks graciously.

Can you see the sea lion rock?

A lion head on the sea?

Is it an animal or human face?

Jialeshui

After Jialeishui, I proceded to Eluanbi Lighthouse and Park, where mini trekking can be done around the park to spectacular ocean viewpoints.

Countryside view along the journey

Eluanbi Lighhouse

Isn't it a unique tree?

Viewing platform from Eluanbi Lighthouse park

In the evening, I explored the internal attraction called Chu Huo, where eternal flame was seen in the isolated secluded area. 

Chu Huo

Eternal flame from the ground

The final stop was Hengchun town, which I did not have much time to explore as the sky was getting dark and I was worried of my electric battery life to ride back to Kenting town around 40 mins away.

Hengchun at night

The attraction in Kenting town itself is the night market, where street food can be found.

Crowded night market in Kenting town

The next day, I explored a paid park. There was a guide who lead us through the coastal park with astonishing seaside scenery and a walkway with stairs leading down to the rocky beach with stunning views.

A walk along the coast

View from the end of walkway

An isolated scenery

On the way back to Kenting town, I passed by Chuanfanshi, a famous seaside with the iconic sail rock that looked like a human head.

Chuanfanshi

In the afternoon, I paid a motorbike rider to bring me up the mountainous road to Sheding Nature Park, where there were trails and cave to walk through and explore with some distant mountainous sceneries. 

Entrance of Sheding Nature Park

On the way to viewing point

View from the top

A walk in the park

A walk through the caves

In summary, Kenting has many attractions to explore and definitely worth a visit.

Kenting town at daylight

Nature in Taipei City (Yangminshan)

Have you ever thought that in the midst of the bustling city of Taipei, there lies a greenery treasure? In fact, Taipei itself is a city of mountains with many small mountains around to hike. One of them is Mt Qixing (Seven Star), the highest peak in Taipei, located in Yangmingshan National Park.

Yangmingshan National Park is located north of Taipei City. It is a nature escape for city dwellers on weekends. There is a bus that brings directly to the national park from Shilin Station. 

My 1st destination was Xiaoyoukeng, a geological park well known for fumaroles and hot springs. There is a clear path where it leads to Mt Qixing at 1120m in about 1-2 hour with mountain scenery stops for pictures. The hiking trail is quite straight forward with some ups and downs. Mt Qixing is the highest peak in Taipei.

Fumaroles on the hill

Steamy trek

Looking back from Mt Qixing trail

Misty or steamy view?

From Mt Qixing, the path leads down to another direction to Lengshuikang, where it will lead through some forested trails to the most breathtaking grassland I have ever seen in a city, Qingtiangang. It is a big piece of grassland surrounded by mountain peaks with undulating walkway. It was misty in the late afternoon, adding to the feeling of winter. Along the way, there is Mt Zhugao to hike for another spectacular view. 

Flat resting area upon coming down from Mt Qixing

Downhill

Milk Pond

Green green grass of land

View from Mt Zhugao

Mt Zhugao

This one day excursion was the most memorable and enjoying experience in Taipei as I was immersed in mountains and greeneries. 

Qingtiangang Grasslanf

Mesmerising Grassland

Adventure in Hualien City Taiwan

When people visit Hualien in Taiwan, the first must visit place is Taroko National Park. Hualien is a city in the east of Taiwan, the name reminds me of the one of the largest Buddhist Associations in the world, Tzu Chi, which is founded here. 

The city itself is not very big. The best way to explore the city is by cycling. My cycling tour started from the hostel in downtown toward a morning market, where I was surprised to get a good quality winter shirt at a very affordable price. Then the cycling adventure continued toward the outskirts where I could see private vegetable farms sprouting in front and backyard of houses with a nice hilly backdrop. 

Next, a temple and another local market to look for the famous tiny Chinese steamed bun (pau) before going for some mini sight seeing shopping around the city. 

In the evening, cycling at Nanbin Park along the sea coast with the breezing wind was indeed a relaxing pass time. The day ended with a visit to the famous Dongdamen Night Market for food hunting.

Another attraction in the city is Liyu Lake, at the foot of Liyu Mountain, not far from the city. One can walk around the lake which takes about 30 minutes. After walking, I decided to hike Liyu Mountain, just besides the lake. There are 3 main trails to go up and down the mountain. I hiked up from one trail and down through the other. It took about 1 hour to reach the peak. It was quite scary to hike up alone, as there are many signs along the trail with snake pictures. Besides, during my hike, I was alone, upon reaching the top, I had to walk on a tarred road toward the other end before I entered another trail to the peak. I was lost on the direction and nervous as it was shady with loud dog barks from a house near the mountain top. Luckily, there was a man riding a motorbike and I waved for direction. The peak was a plank with some view. I hurriedly walked down through the other trail as there was no one and the snake pictures only added to my suspense. I would not recommend to hike alone in Liyu Mountain.

Overall, Hualian itself is a nice tranquil city with friendly people. Many people visit Hualien because of the iconic Taroko National Park. That would be in another story...