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Qingshui Cliff

Qingshui Cliff, located on the section of the Suao-Hualien Highway that stretches between Heping and Chongde stations, is one of the most spectacular sights on Taiwan's Pacific coast. The cliff is more than 1,000 meters high and drops almost vertically into the sea. The highway snakes along its curving face more than 20 kilometers, with the sheer cliff rising on one side and a sheer drop to the ocean on the other.

National Taroko Park

Taroko became a national park in 1986, including Hualien City, Nantou County and Taichung City. Taroko is famous for its spectacular mountains and marble canyons. Cliffs and canyons stretch along Liwu River. Four million years ago, the island of Taiwan was formed by the collision of plates. After millions of years of wind erosion, the marble rocks were exposed and cut by Liwu River, creating impressive grand canyons. From Qingshui to Nanhu Peak, the drop height is 3,742 meters. Such special geography has also bred special flora and fauna in this area.

The waterfalls characterized Taroko National Park and the most famous ones are Baiyang Waterfall, Yindai Waterfall, Changchun Waterfall, and Lushui Waterfall. Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) and Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong) are the most impressive natural scenes in Taroko and the canyons here are the narrowest. Tourists can appreciate the natural beauty along the tour track. Swallows nest on the cliff, chirping and flying back forth. The Taroko monumental is designed in Chinese style and Changchun Temple is to remember those who sacrificed their lives for building the central highway.

Shakadang Trail

The entrance to this trail is conveniently located only a minute or so from the entrance of Taroko Gorge, behind the Shakadang Toll Station. To reach the trailhead, follow the path behind the toll station that leads down toward Liwu River. After crossing the stream, follow the bank until the river forks at the Shakedang tributary. The trailhead can be found nearby on the right bank of the tributary.

Prospectors seeking the gold sand for which the river was known cut this trail during the Japanese occupation. Although the gold has been fully exploited, the sunlight on the clear water produces a different and perhaps even more beautiful glimmering sight. And after walking for about 25 minutes along the trail, hikers reach a platform. This provides an excellent view of the emerald green waters of Shakadang Stream and the folded strata of marble that form its banks. A wooden walkway leads away from the main Mystery Valley Trail and follows the stream. On weekends, this is a very popular spot, and for those looking to enjoy the tranquility of nature, continuing along the main trail probably offers greater potential. A leisurely progress to the top of the trail and back takes approximately 4~5 hours.

Sanxiantai

Situated at the 110.5-kilometer mark on the coastal highway, Sanxiantai consists of a headland facing a small island in the sea. The three huge rocks that make up the island's most prominent feature have given rise to a local legend that three of China's Eight Immortals once landed there; hence the name of the island, which means "terrace of the three immortals." The island was once connected to the headland by a neck of land which has been eroded away; it is now connected by a red, scalloped footbridge, and the island has a network of footpaths for viewing its geological features such as potholes and sea-eroded caves and trenches, as well as rare coastal vegetation. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and a multitude of tropical fish, making this an ideal spot for skin diving.

Sanxiantai Visitor Center
Sanxiantai is one of the most popular scenic spots in East Coast. You can find out more about these natural wonders and ecology of this area before departing on your tour from the Sanxiantai Visitor Center.

Zhiben Hot spring

Zhiben (Jhihben) Hot Springs have the reputation of being "the greatest scene in eastern Taiwan." In the early years, hot springs emerged from riverbeds. There are carbonic acid springs (with the nature of base). There are colorless, odorless and their temperature reaches more than 100 degrees (Celsius). The springs are of high quality.

Zhiben (Jhihben) is divided into the inner hot spring area and the outer hot spring area by the Zhiben (Jhihben) Creek. Inner hot spring area was developed late. However, due to presence of five-star resorts, the area has become the largest business district. It attracts many foreign tourists who demand services of higher quality.

The "Zhiben (Jhihben) Hot Springs" generally known by the public is located in outer hot spring area. There are many middle-size and small hot spring inns. It is convenient to get accommodation or enjoy hot spring spa. Now the inner hot spring area and the outer hot spring area have expanded and joined together. However, the inner hot spring area is close to Zhiben (Jhihben) Forestry Park and its scenery is even better.

Zhiben (Jhihben) Hot Springs are the gathering place of aboriginal people. It provides the delicious dishes of aboriginal people and country dishes. Other than stores of country dishes, there are venders selling fruits like Shijia (sugar-apple), pineapple and Luoshenhua (roselle). It has the flavor of eastern Taiwan.

Eluanbi Lighting House

Kenting's rugged coastline provides some of the area's most outstanding attractions. The most prominent of these must be Eluanbi, also known as "Taiwan's Tail." This is the island's southernmost point.

Eluanbi Park was created in 1982 to provide an appropriate venue for people coming to visit Taiwan's southernmost point and one of the peninsula's most notable landmarks, the Eluanbi Lighthouse, also called "The Light of East Asia." It stands 21.4 meters high and is reputedly the brightest lighthouse in Asia. The park covers an area of 59 hectares. Within the park there are a number of recreational facilities and a wide range of interesting geological, botanical, and ornithological features. The area covered by the park is also one of the sites of Kenting's prehistoric cultures.

Fo Guang Shan Monastery

At the north-east of Dashu Township in Kaohsiung City on the left bank of the Gaoping river, a famous tourist destination is located. Here you will find the Buddhist center of South Taiwan, established my Master Hsing Yun and his disciples. The architecture of the temples is very characteristic, and at the southeastern side of Fo Guang Mountain (Guang Shan) Monastery the most prominent landmark of the region is found: a huge golden statue of Buddha Amitabha which measures some 120 meters. The main square is surrounded by 480 standing Buddha's, while water and mountains form the magnificent scenery. The main structures consist of four temples, namely the Daxiongbao, the Dabei, the Dazhi and the Dashu shrines. The Daxiongbao shrine covers a large area and is the most imposing of all four shrines. The main god of worship here is Sakyamuni, while statues of Amitabha is placed on the left and right sides. More than 10,000 Guanyin statues surround the temple. Buddha statues and lanterns of light rest in the 14,800 holes in the walls of the four shrines. The site counts more than a thousand Buddha statues, large and small.

Anping Fort, Tainan

In 1624, Dutch built the first fort in Anping, Taiwan, called "Fort Zeelandia", now known as Anping Old Fort, where has been the administrative center of the Dutch regime, and the hub for trading. The building was originally constructed in square inner fortress and rectangle outer walls. In 1661, the fort was renamed as Anping to commemorate his home town when Koxinga (Cheng Cheng Kung) has driven the Dutch out of Taiwan. Therefore, Fort Zeelandia was also known as "King's Fort" or "Taiwan Fort", nicknamed Anping Old Fort.

In Kangxi Emperor's regime of Qing Dynasty, Taiwan was included in the empire that the political center was transferred to Tainan City, causing the decline of the Fort. The red bricks of the Fort have been taken for construction of Eternal Fortress. During the Japanese occupation, the Dutch style buildings in inner fortress were completely destroyed. A square red-bricked step platform was constructed with a western style house on the platform, being served as dormitory for Customs officials, where the memorial hall now is located. It was named Anping Old Fort after Restoration of Taiwan and become an attraction for tourists. The remaining more than 70 meters long south walls of the outer fort with worn-out red bricks, accompanied by the old banyan roots, chanted its odyssey. The fort is the very historical replica over three hundred years.

Koxinga Shrine

The Koxinga Shrine (Yanping Junwang Temple), located by Kaishan Road surrounded by trees, is the only Fujianese style shrine in Taiwan. This is the shrine built in memory of the work and achievement of Cheng Cheng Kung, the pioneer of Taiwan. Cheng Cheng Kung was originally called Cheng Sun, a native in County Fujian. His father, Cheng Chi Lung, was a wanderer in his early days. He has been a merchant as well as a pirate. His mother was a Japanese lady called Tagawa. Cheng was born with great intelligence. Not only was he diligent in his studies, he also has a huge ambitious to achieve something big, i.e. to become someone who are good in both academic work and in the military field. By the time he was 21 years old, Wu San Kuei led the Qing army into China and the Ming dynasty thus came to an end. As a result of his father surrendered to the Qing Dynasty and his mother committed suicide, Cheng Cheng Kung suffered a lot of pain and decided that he should turn against the Qing Dynasty to rejuvenate the Ming Dynasty in order to get rid of the shame caused by his father's traitor behavior. In April 1661, which is the 15th year of Emperor Yung Li's reign, he led his army crossing the Taiwan Strait and after 9 months' battle, had finally retrieved Taiwan from the hands of the Dutch. Taiwan thus was no more a colony of the Netherlands. After gaining access to Taiwan, Cheng quickly built up the whole place by setting up governing offices, regulations, education system as well as developing more farm lands to improve the living standards of the local people. He also actively trained people in military tactics, preparing them to fight the Qing army. However, just half year after he had retrieved Taiwan, Cheng died of illness on May 8, 1662. His aim of rejuvenating the Ming Dynasty was unfulfilled which was the biggest regret of his whole life. In 1874, which is the 13th year of Emperor Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty's reign, emperor's special envoy Shen Bao Chen requested for the enlargement of the then existing Kai Shan Wang' shrine which was in memory of the work of Cheng Cheng Kung. It was approved by the regime and the new shrine was officially called "Koxinga Shrine" and for people to pay tribute to this folk hero.

Inside the Koxinga Shrine, there is the Koxinga Museum where exhibits various historical culture of Tainan. The first floor is for pre-historic preserves and dig-ups. Apart from illustrating the geographic connection between Taiwan and the Mainland, these things also describe the evolution of life from the past to the present. Most of the exhibits in the second floor are the historical materials of Tainan. These include the materials and things related to the concerned ancestors, such as the portraits of Cheng Cheng Kung and Shen Bao Chen, and also their works. In addition, daily items of Tainan city of the old like the street signs, bedding equipment, land deeds, money bills are on exhibition so that the public can understand the daily life of the past generations. It is a cultural spot very worth visiting.

Sun Moon Lake Cycling Routes

World's Top 10 breathtaking cycling routes - Sun Moon Lake

Located in the heart of Taiwan, the Sun Moon Lake has long been charming curious foreigners and local visitors alike. The route around the largest lake in Taiwan is a three-hour ride, where visitors can enjoy lake scenery, experience Thao aboriginal culture and learn about the local ecology in the Nantou County. If you arrive in early spring, you can even catch the cherry blossoms near this mirror-like lake.

Sun Moon Lake

100 Years of Well Known Beauty, The Must-Visit 8 Attractions in Taiwan
The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area covers five major recreation attractions - Huantan, Shuili River, Puli, Zhuoshui River and Jiji. Surrounding these major attractions are sightseeing hotspots such as Taomi, Checheng, Jiji, Shuishe Great Mountain, Shuanglong Waterfall, Mingtan Reservoir and Shuili River.

Sun Moon Lake’s beauty is created by mountain and water. Diffused misty clouds and distinct mountain views all evoke poetic and romantic scenes from Chinese landscape paintings. Therefore, this area is renowned as Taiwan’s famous “Eight Beautiful Scenic Attractions.”

Taichung National Theater

The National Taichung Theater was designed by Japanese architect Ito Toyo. Based on the "sound cave" concept, elements such as curved-wall units and air holes are used to build this changed space. The result is a newfound building that stands on its own firmly without supporting pillars or 90-degree walls at all.

The theater is equipped with three professional performing venues which meet international standards: Grand Theatre, Playhouse and Black Box. They can each be adapted to fit the needs of various types of productions. There is also a multi-functional space, "Corner Salon," where educational events and public speeches may be held. The green Outdoor Plaza and the rooftop Sky Garden are great for the public to spend some leisurely hours in.

The architecture of the National Taichung Theater is a work of art. The theater's performing venues and garden are unique, too. It is worth paying a visit here for an artistic feast, from the inside out!