Traveling Suggestions in Taiwan

10 Things that need to be consider while traveling in Taiwan:

1. Bring enough Money.
2. Having international driving license is an advantage.
3. Don’t forget to contact the tour buddy program before you come to Taiwan.
4. Bring swimming suit or you will be sorry to miss the water adventure.
5. Bring hiking shoes.
6. Don’t forget your towl and bring some tissues.
7. For women, don’t forget your make up stuff and sun cream.
8. Learn some useful practical chinese words.
9. Sun glases is necessity.
10. Bring enough clothes and at least one nice outfit.

Exploring Islam in Taiwan. Mosque, Halal food, Taiwan history and scenic area.

1st day:  Explore Tainan (NT$3000)
Tainan city records a lot of important moments on Taiwan history. Exploring Tainan will give you a brief introduction on the early stage of Taiwan. It is dated from the Dutch colony to Kingdom of Tungning. The first Muslim in Taiwan is believed to be brought by Koxinga from mainland China during occupation of Taiwan from the Dutch. Therefore, it is wise here to explore early stage of Islam in Taiwan by studying the history left by the Dutch and Koxinga in Tainan City.
09:00 – 10:30:	Exploring the fort Zelandia (Anping Fort).
10:30 – 11:30:	Visiting Eternal Golden Fortress.
11:30 – 12:30:	Lunch at famous oyster omelet restaurant, nearby Anping Fort.
12:30 – 13:30:	Praying at Masjid Tainan (Tainan Mosque).
13:30 – 16:00:	Visiting Chihkan Tower (Fort Provedentia).
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20:00 – 22:00:	Dinner at flower night market in Tainan.
2nd day:  Last day in Tainan (NT$3000)
09:00 – 10:30:	Visiting the Koxinga shrine.
10:30 – 12:00:	Visiting National Cheng Kung University (Museum and relics from The Dutch).
12:00 – 13:00:	Praying at Masjid Tainan.
13:00 – 14:00:	Lunch at Alibaba Restaurant (halal food – No.471, Dongfong Rd.).
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17:00 – 18:30:	On the way to Kaohsiung, using the TR-Pass.
18:30 – 20:00:	Break at the hotel/ hostel.
20:00 – 22:00:	Dinner at Liohua night market.
3rd day:  Islam in Kaohsiung (NT$4300)
09:00 – 13:00:	Have fun at Lotus Lake.
13:00 – 14:00:	Lunch at Warung Sate Pak Zaenal (halal food), next to Masjid Kaohsiung (Kaohsiung Mosque).
14:00 – 15:00:	Praying at Masjid Kaohsiung (Kaohsiung Mosque).
15:00 – 20:00:	Take a ferry from Kaohsiung to Penghu Island (NT$1300).
20:00 – 21:00:	Break at hotel/ hostel.
21:00 – 23:00:	Dinner at Magong night market.
4th day:  Feel the beauty of  Penghu (NT$4000)
Penghu is an important part of Tungning Kingdom history. Penghu witnessed how Tungning Kingdom finally overtaken by Qing Dynasty. So far, there is no mosque yet in Penghu. However, as some of Koxinga followers are Muslim and they might settle in Penghu, it might be useful and interesting to explore Penghu Island.
09:00 – 13:00:	Exploring the Fengui Cave.
13:00 – 15:00:	Visiting Guanyin Pavilion.
15:00 – 18:00:	Visiting Shuncheng Gate.
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20:00 – 21:00: Dinner at Lai Fu seafood restaurant.
5th day:  Beautiful Penghu (NT$4000)
09:00 – 12:00:	Exploring Xiyu Western Fort.
12:00 – 15:00:	Exploring whale cave.
15:00 – 18:00:	Visiting Tongliang Banyan.
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20:00 – 21:00: Dinner at seafood restaurant.
6th day:  Preaching at Taichung (NT$4500)
09:00 – 14:00:	Voyage to Taichung (NT$1500).
14:00 – 15:00:	Lunch at Bollywood (halal food) (No.1025, Jian Shing Rd.).
15:00 – 16:00:	Praying at Masjid Taichung (Taichung Mosque).
16:00 – 18:00:	Break at the hotel/ hostel.
18:00 – 20:00:	Get to know the city life by visiting Yimin Yizhong Shopping Mall.
20:00 – 22:00:	Dinner at FengJia night market.
7th day:  Visiting unique places  in Taichung (NT$4000)
09:00 – 14:00:	Explore one of top 10 abandoned places in the world, Katoli World, in Dakeng Scenic area.
14:00 – 15:00:	Lunch at Little India (halal food) (60, BoGuan 3rd St.).
15:00 – 16:00:	Praying and break at Masjid Taichung (Taichung Mosque).
16:00 – 18:00:	Visiting Folklore Park
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20:00 – 22:00:	Dinner at Zhing Hua night market.
8th day:  Last day in Taichung (NT$4000)
09:00 – 14:00:	Have fun at Taichung Metropolitan Park.
14:00 – 16:00:	Journey to Jhongli City, Taoyuan County, using the TR-Pass.
16:00 – 17:00:	Praying at Masjid Longgang (Longgang Mosque).
17:00 – 19:00:	Break at hotel/ hostel.
19:00 – 21:00:	Dinner at Date Palm Restaurant (halal food) (No. 33 Ai Kuo Rd., Jhong-Li City).
9th day:  An adventurous trip  in Sanzhi (NT$4000)
09:00 – 12:00:	Journey from Jhong-Li City to Sanzhi.
12:00 – 13:00:	Lunch at 7-11 or seafood restaurant.
13:00 – 18:00:	Exploring one of the best abandoned place in the world, Sanzhi Futuristic Resort.
18:00 – 20:00:	Journey to Taipei City using TR-Pass.
20:00 – 22:00:	Dinner at Enjoy Kitchen restaurant complex (halal food) (No.2, Ln. 84, Sec. 3, Roosevelt Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei City 106).
10th day:  Islam in Taipei (NT$6000)
09:00 – 12:00:	Visiting National Palace Museum.
12:00 – 13:00:	Lunch at Ai Jiaqing real beef noodle (halal food) (41, Lane 223, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao E. Rd. Taipei City).
13:00 – 14:00:	Praying at Taipei Cultural Mosque.
14:00 – 16:00:	Visiting National Taiwan University.
16:00 – 18:00:	Visiting Taipei 101.
18:00 – 20:00:	Visiting Chiang Kai Sek Memorial hall.
20:00 – 21:00: Dinner at Kunming Islamic Food (halal food) (26, Lane 81, Fuxing N. Rd.).
11th day:  Islam in Taipei –end (NT$6000)
05:00 – 06:00:	Praying at Taipei Grand Mosque.
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09:00 – 15:00:	Take Makong Gondola, Visit makong and Taipei Zoo.
15:00 – 16:00:	Praying at Taipei Grand Mosque.
16:00 – 18:00:	Visit Sun Yat Sen memorial hall.
18:00 – 19:00:	Praying at Taipei Grand Mosque.
19:00 – 20:00:	Dinner at AALEJA PAKISTANI &INDIAN HALAL RESTAURANT (halal food) (6,Alley5,Lane 70, Yanji St,Taipei City).
20:00 – 22:00:	Watch performance at Taipei Eye.
Notes:
The budget allocated was a rough budget. It was including the accommodation and extra transportation such as to rent a scooter or taxi. In total, the budget that is needed including to pay for TR-Pass is around NT$47800.

Conquering Taiwan in 16 days during the spring with only NT$26,000

1st Day: Kaoshiung City (NT$1,680)
4:00 PM	Arrive in Kaoshiung International Airport.
4 PM – 4:20 PM	Go to Tourist Information Center and ask for Youth Travel Card and some maps.
4:20 PM – 4:40 PM	Take MRT from Kaoshiung International Airport to the main station at R11(NT$20-NT$40).
4:40 PM – 4:55 PM	Get the Scooter from Scooter shop in front of main station. Rent it for 3 days (NT$200/day).
4:55 PM – 6:00 PM	Going around the city, fuel the gas (NT$100), and check in to the guest house Kaoshiung Hero House located at No.145, Wufu 3rd Rd., Kaohsiung City, for 1 day (NT$450, using the youthtravel card).
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM	Relax in the guest house and clean up after airline trip.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Go to the Dream Mall which is one of the biggest mall in Taiwan. Buy some necessary stuff for traveling and windows shoping.
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM	Enjoy the Love River and also the Love River Bridge, and then go to Liuhe Night Market (NT$300) located at Liuhe Rd.
11:00 PM	Go back to the guest house and sleep.
2nd Day: Kaoshiung City – Kenting (NT$1,100)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Go to Lotus Pond (old city of Fengshan, Confucius Temple, Ciming Temple, Spring and Autumn Pagodas, Wuli Arbor, the Dragon Tiger Tower, food market).
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Have Lunch in Cijin Island at Lai Lai Seafood BBQ Restaurant (NT$300).
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Journey from Kaohsiung City to Kenting at Pingtung County by Scooter.
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM	Check in to Kenting Jigguang Hostel, located at Hengchuan Township, No.4, Wunhua Lane, Kenting Rd. (NT$400/day). Have a rest and shower.
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM	Dinner at Warung Didi located at 176 Dawan Rd. (NT$300).
10:00 PM	Go to sleep.
3rd Day: Kenting (NT$2,200)
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Exploring Kenting National Forest Recreation Area.
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Swimming at Kenting Beach.
2:00 PM – 4:30 PM	Surfing at Nanwan Beach (NT$500-NT$800).
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM	Relax and see the sunset at Baisha Bay.
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM	Dinner and feel the hotspring at Sichongxi Hotspring at Dashan Hot Spring Spa in Tamei Rd. Wenquan village (NT$200+NT$200).
10:00 PM	Check in and have a rest at Sichongxi Mingquan Hot Spring Hotel that is located at No. 2, Yuquan Lane, Wenquan Rd., Wenquan Village (NT$1000).
4th Day: Kenting – Kaoshiung City – Magong City (NT$2,340)
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Journey from Kenting to Kaoshiung City. Return the scooter to scooter rent shop.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM	Go to Kaoshiung harbour to take a bout to Magong Port (NT$860). And have lunch in nearby restaurant.
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Voyage to Magong City.
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM	Arrive at Magong Port, and then go to Rent a scooter/ motorbike at R Jhan Motor Rent that located at No.11-1, Linhai Rd., Magong City (NT$50/day using youthtravel card) for 2 days.
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM	Sightseeing the town and go to Shunceng gate at Chungsan Rd.
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM	Sightseeing the town and go to Makung Old Wall and Siying Rainbow Bridge.
8:30 PM – 10:00 PM	Have dinner in some night market in Magong City (NT$300).
10:00 PM	Check in and have a good sleep at Cinsu Hotel which is located at No.9-1, Alley 16, Lane 25, Wunguang Rd., Magong City (NT$1,080/day).
5th Day: Penghu County (NT$500)
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM	Going around Husi Township.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Going around Baisha Township (Tongliang Banyan, Penghu Great Bridge).
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM	Going around Siyu Township (Siyu Western Fort, Devil Mountain).
3:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Going around back to Magong City having dinner at Starfish or Dong Wei Ho mestyle.
9:00 PM	Sleep.
6th Day: Penghu County – Tainan City (NT2,500)
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM	Voyage from Magong Port to Anping Harbour (NT$1,100).
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Go to Anping Matsu Temple.
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM	Go by bus/ hitchike to Tainan station to rent a scooter for 1 day ($100/day).
2:30 PM – 3:10 PM	Visiting Koxinga Shrine.
3:10 PM – 3:50 PM	Visiting Confucius Temple.
3:50 PM – 4:30 PM	Visiting Wufei Temple.
4:30 PM – 5:10 PM	Visiting Chikan Tower.
5:10 PM – 6:00 PM	Visiting and relaxing at National Chengkung University (Banyan Garden and Chengkung Lake).
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Dinner at Xiaobei Night Market (NT$200 – NT$300).
9:00 PM – 9:30 PM	Check in at Chiaoli Hotel located at No.57 Wennan 2nd street, Tainan City (NT$999/day using youthtravel card).
9:30 PM	Have a perfect rest.
7th Day: Tainan City – Kaoshiung City – Taitung County (NT$1,300)
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM	Return the scooter, then have journey from Tainan City to Kaoshiung City by Train (NT$100).
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM	Journey from Kaoshiung City to Taitung County by bus (NT$200 – NT$300).
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Trip to Chenggong Township for check in to the National Cheng-Gong Commercial & Aquaculture Senior Vocational High School Practice Hotel located at No.52, Taiping Rd. (NT$500/day).
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM	Exploring the East Coast National Scenic Area.
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Going around the town and having dinner.
9:00 PM	Go back to Hotel and have a rest.
8th Day: Taitung County – Hualien County (NT$1,600)
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM	Traveling to Xingang (Rainbow) Waterfalls.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM	Enjoy the culture from one of Taiwanese Tribe in Ami’s Folk Center.
10:30 AM – 3:00 PM	Go to Baxian Cave, which is located in the north of Hua Tung Mountain by the coast of Changbin Township.
3:00 PM – 7:30 PM	Take a bus to go to Hualien County, to Hualien new station (NT$200-NT$300).
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM	Take a bus or taxi to go to Ruisui Township and then check in to Good Friends Homestay (NT$1000/day using youthtravel card) for 1 night.
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM	Have dinner in nearby restaurant/ market.
9:30 PM	Go back to hotel and have a good rest.
9th Day: Hualien County (NT$1,600)
06:00 AM – 07:00 AM	Go to Ruisui Xiuguluan River Recreation Co., Ltd. Located at 156 Jong Shan Rd., Ruisui Township by bus or taxi or hitchhiking and then preparing for rafting at The Xiuguluan River.
07:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Rafting across Xiuguluan river (NT$750).
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM	Have a rest and having lunch.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Travel to another township in Hualien, that is Xiulin Township by bus.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM	Go to The famous Longjian Hydroelectric Power Plant by bus or taxi.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Traveling to Longfeng Great Canyon, by bus or taxi.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Go for accomodation at Hehuanshan FRA that is located at No.33, Guanyuan, Fushih Village, Xiulin Township, Hualien County (NT$480/day using travelyouth card).
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Have a rest as well as dinner.
8:00 PM	Go back to our hotel and sleep.
10th Day: Hiking in Taroko National Park (NT$2,300)
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM	Check out from the hotel and travel to Taroko National Park by bus or taxi from Xiulin township.
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM	Fixing the plan, asking for information, maps and everything at Taroko Visitor Center and hire a cab to go to some good places that we like for NT$1500.
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM	Take the cab and asked to go to Shakadang Trail. Take off the cab and do short hike.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM	with the same cab, Go to Buluowan for lunch and sightseeing.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM	Go to Swallow Grotto.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM	Exploring Tunnel of nine turns (Jiqudong trail).
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Exploring the Baiyang trail.
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM	Go to and stop at Tianxiang, check in to Catholic Hostel (NT$350/day).
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM	Have a break at the hostel.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Exploring Tianxiang and have a dinner.
8:00 PM	Have a good rest.
11th Day: Hualien County – Chiayi (NT$1,700)
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM	Have breakfast (NT$100).
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM	Be ready to take a bus to Hualien Train Station.
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM	Journey from Tianxiang to Hualien Train Station.
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM	Take a cab from Hualien Train Station to Museum of Sculpture at No.6, Wunfu Rd., Hualien City.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM	Have a lunch (NT$200).
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Go back to train station and then purchase a ticket to go to Chiayi.
2:00 PM – 2:50 PM	Waiting for the train to depart.
2:50 PM – 9:40 PM	Journey from Hualien to Chiayi by train.
9:40 PM- 10:00 PM	Rent a scooter in front of Train Station for 1 day which cost NT$200.
10:00 PM – 11:00 PM	Have dinner at Wenhua Night Market (NT$200).
11:00 PM – 11:30 PM	Check in to Jiaxin Hotel in JhongJheng Rd. (NT$700/day).
11:30 PM	Have a rest.
12th Day: Chiayi – Nantou (NT$1,500)
04:30 AM – 06:00 AM	Take a journey to Alishan Forest Recreation Park early morning to see the sunrise.
06:00 AM – 07:00 AM	Enjoy the sunrise while having breakfast from 7-11 and have a rest.
07:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Going around Alishan Forest Recreation Park, hiking in some trail, such as Duei-Kao-Yueh Trail.
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Go back to Chiayi and turn back the scooter.
2:00 PM – 3:40 PM	Wait for THSR Bus nearby train station to go to Taichung City (NT$380).
3:40 PM – 5:15 PM	Take another bus to travel to Puli (NT$100).
5:15 PM – 6:00 PM	Take a cab to go to lakeside resort for check in (NT$600/day).
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM	Have a break.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Have dinner at Carp Lake Restaurant On Water (NT$200).
8:00 PM	Have a total rest.
13th Day: Puli – Sun Moon Lake (NT$2,200)
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM	Check out from hotel and then go to Chung Tai Chan Monestary.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Have lunch at Shang Yuan (NT$200).
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Take a cab to go for Paragliding (NT$1,200)! At 210-9 Chung Shan Rd., Puli.
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM	Take a bus to go to Sun Moon Lake
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM	Trip to Wunwu Temple.
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM	Move to Meihe Garden (Night View).
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM	Check in to Teachers Hotel at No.136, Jhongsing Rd., Shueishe Village, Yuchih Township (NT$500 using youthtravel card).
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Having dinner at Min Hu Old Restaurant, located at Minsheng Rd. Shuesha Village (NT$200).
8:00 PM	Go to sleep.
14th Day:Sun Moon Lake – Taipei (NT$2000)
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM	Take a boat to go to Ita Thao Pier (NT$100).
9:30 AM – 1:00 AM	Yuetan Bikeway (NT$400/4hours).
1:00 AM – 3:00 PM	Ita Thao Shopping street (lunch for NT$200) + Butterfly Garden
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM	Cihen Pagoda (hiking + visiting).
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM	Shueisha Visitor Center.
5:00 PM – 9:30 PM	Journey from Sun Moon Lake to Taipei by Kuo-Kuang Bus (NT$480).
9:30 PM – 10:30 PM	Have dinner (NT$300).
10:30 PM – 11:00 PM	Go to Taipei Police Hostel at No.18, Sec.2, Jhongsiaou W. Rd.,Taipei City by cab (NT$100).
11:00PM -	Check in to the hotel and have a total rest (NT$400).
15th Day: Taipei City (Tour Buddy Program) (NT$1,000)
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM	Go to Miramar Mall with MRT (NT$20-NT$40), sightseeing and buy some necessary stuff.
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM	Move to Chiang Kai Sek memorial hall through MRT as well (NT$20-NT$40).
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM	Go to Exit 2, MRT Taipei City Hall Station (Appointment Services) for a tour buddy program from Shih Hsin University.
2:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Tour Budy Program from Shih Hsin University
	Exit 2, MRT Taipei City Hall Station － Taipei 101 － Si-Si Nan village － Xinyi Flagship Store of Eslite Bookstore － Tonghua Night Market.
9:00 PM – 1:00 AM	Go to one of the best night club in Taipei, Luxy (NT$400) that is located at 5F, No. 201, ZhongXiao East Rd, Section 4, Taipei, with MRT (NT$20-NT$40).
1:00 AM	Go back to the hostel and sleep.
16th Day: Leaving Taiwan (NT$400)
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM	Take MRT Danshui Line to the Shilin Station and take bus R30 (Red 30) to the National Palace Museum.
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM	Enjoying National Palace Museum.
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM	Take MRT to go to Taoyuan International Airport to go home (NT$145).
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM	Continue with a bus to arrive in Taoyuan International Airport (NT$30).
2:00 PM	Leaving Taiwan with a happy feeling ............

Welcome to Taiwan!

"Welcome to Taiwan........" with a bright and sincere smile, eye glasses on her face and holding a cup of drink, she greeted me once I came out from the car. It was around 1 AM midnight, in Tainan City, Taiwan. I couldn't remember how long I spent my time in the airplane, traveling from Indonesia to Taiwan. However, arrived in a foreign country in the middle of the night is quite tense for me. Luckily, I arranged everything back home that once I arrived in Kaohsiung International Airport, a kind of private-public transportation will pick me and drop me at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). Moreover, the university offered us a buddy-buddy program, that helps foreigner to get to know Taiwan and school environment. At first I didn't expect much from this program and even skeptical. Nevertheless, I was thinking to immediately have local friends was a good things.

Well, to tell you the truth, I have no idea at all how Taiwan looks like. I even never imagine before, that I am going to pursue my master degree in Taiwan. But.... after one and another things happened in my life, this opportunity came to me. Yes....I sacrificed another opportunity to get this opportunity. I reject a position to have a descend job in a bank that placed 7th as biggest bank by asset in the world, after very long selection process. My feeling was mixed, I just hoped that Taiwan will be a good place with good people and wouldn't be disappointing.

That night, when I first came to Taiwan, I was sooo careful and cautious. Especially with the people. I was prepared for any kind of bad things, including if the car driver drop me in different place or even robbed me. Well... all of those negative thought was just disappear when my buddy gave me a warm welcome. It was "jenju naicha" or bubble tea, a cup of drink that she hold and then given to me. I was really touched at the moment as she was waiting for me in the middle of the night and even provide me a special drink from Taiwan. It was very warmhearted experience and made me love jenju naicha so much. Moreover, it was just the beginning of my life experience in Taiwan. Through this blog, I would like to share my experiences in this lovely island as well as information about it. I hope my writings can help you to understand or get some insight about Taiwan or further be your guidance to travel in Taiwan.

Welcome to Taiwan!