roundTAIWANround

Jinlongshan
In central Taiwan, there are several popular places to see the sunrise. Besides Hehuanshan, Cingjing, and Sun Moon Lake, Jinlongshan (金龍山) is one of the good spots to see sea of clouds and sunrise, but not as famous as others. If you want to find a good location to capture the moment by your DSLR, be early. Many amateur photographers love to come to here, and there is not much space for tripod.
Opening Hours:24hr
Entrance Fee:Free
Address:Shanzhajiao Ln., Yuchi Township, Nantou County 555, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel:N/A
Official Web:N/A

Jinlongshan

In central Taiwan, there are several popular places to see the sunrise. Besides Hehuanshan, Cingjing, and Sun Moon Lake, Jinlongshan (金龍山) is one of the good spots to see sea of clouds and sunrise, but not as famous as others. If you want to find a good location to capture the moment by your DSLR, be early. Many amateur photographers love to come to here, and there is not much space for tripod.

Opening Hours:
24hr

Entrance Fee:
Free

Address:
Shanzhajiao Ln., Yuchi Township, Nantou County 555, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
N/A

Official Web:
N/A

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King Garden
In the King Garden (元首館), visitors can buy several desserts and snacks here. On the second floor, there is a restaurant famous of mushroom hot pot. In front of the castle, the big chess is a good place to take photo.
Opening Hours:09:00~17:00
Entrance Fee:Free
Address:No.219, Sec. 4, Zhongshan Rd., Puli Township, Nantou County 545, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel:+886-492918668
Official Web:http://www.9420.com.tw/kinggarden/

King Garden

In the King Garden (元首館), visitors can buy several desserts and snacks here. On the second floor, there is a restaurant famous of mushroom hot pot. In front of the castle, the big chess is a good place to take photo.

Opening Hours:
09:00~17:00

Entrance Fee:
Free

Address:
No.219, Sec. 4, Zhongshan Rd., Puli Township, Nantou County 545, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
+886-492918668

Official Web:
http://www.9420.com.tw/kinggarden/

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Wushe Incident Memorial Park
The Wushe Incident of 1930 was the last major uprising against colonial Japanese forces in Taiwan. In response to long-term oppression by Japanese authorities, the Seediq attacked the village, killing over 130 Japanese. In response, the Japanese led a relentless counter-attack, killing over 1,000 Seediq in retaliation by bombers, cannon, and toxic gas. The leader, Mona Rudao (莫那魯道), ended up committing suicide by shooting himself with a pistol to prevent the Japanese from capturing him alive. The tribes attending the rebellion couldn’t avoid the consequence. Hundreds of aboriginals hung themselves after the incident. Thousands of people died. The handling of the incident by the Japanese authorities was strongly criticized, leading to many changes in aboriginal policy.
In memory of Seediq’s braveness and their great leader, Taiwan government built a monument in Wushe Incident Memorial Park (霧社事件紀念公園). In 2011, the incident is also depicted in Taiwanese film Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (賽德克巴萊).
Opening Hours24hr
Entrance FeeFree
AddressZhongzheng Rd., Ren’ai Township, Nantou County 546, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
TelN/A
Official WebN/A

Wushe Incident Memorial Park

The Wushe Incident of 1930 was the last major uprising against colonial Japanese forces in Taiwan. In response to long-term oppression by Japanese authorities, the Seediq attacked the village, killing over 130 Japanese. In response, the Japanese led a relentless counter-attack, killing over 1,000 Seediq in retaliation by bombers, cannon, and toxic gas. The leader, Mona Rudao (莫那魯道), ended up committing suicide by shooting himself with a pistol to prevent the Japanese from capturing him alive. The tribes attending the rebellion couldn’t avoid the consequence. Hundreds of aboriginals hung themselves after the incident. Thousands of people died. The handling of the incident by the Japanese authorities was strongly criticized, leading to many changes in aboriginal policy.

In memory of Seediq’s braveness and their great leader, Taiwan government built a monument in Wushe Incident Memorial Park (霧社事件紀念公園). In 2011, the incident is also depicted in Taiwanese film Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (賽德克巴萊).

Opening Hours
24hr

Entrance Fee
Free

Address
Zhongzheng Rd., Ren’ai Township, Nantou County 546, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel
N/A

Official Web
N/A

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Old England
The first building that tourists may notice on the road up to Cingjing Farm is a traditional English mansion. White marble structure, big clock on the main tower, and detailed sculptures on the wall make tourists stopping over and taking photos. This is one of the most luxurious and expensive B&B in Taiwan. It’s called Old England (老英格蘭).
The host Luo spent 9 years and invested hundreds of millions Taiwan Dollar on this Tudor-style mansion. The sculptures, the lanterns, and the furniture are imported from England. Some people say he can’t recover his investment in the future 20 years. However, it was open to public in 2010. Not just tourists love here, but also couples come to the mansion for pre-wedding photo shooting.
Opening Hours24hr
Entrance FeeFree
AddressNo.20-2, Shouting Ln., Ren’ai Township, Nantou County 546, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel+886-492802166
Official Webhttp://www.theoldengland.com/
NoticeIf you are not their customer, it’s not allowed to get in the building. It’s only possible to take pictures from outside. However, you can spend TWD450 for their afternoon tea.
Cingjing Travel Information:http://roundtaiwanround.tumblr.com/post/15293006125/cingjing-farm

Old England

The first building that tourists may notice on the road up to Cingjing Farm is a traditional English mansion. White marble structure, big clock on the main tower, and detailed sculptures on the wall make tourists stopping over and taking photos. This is one of the most luxurious and expensive B&B in Taiwan. It’s called Old England (老英格蘭).

The host Luo spent 9 years and invested hundreds of millions Taiwan Dollar on this Tudor-style mansion. The sculptures, the lanterns, and the furniture are imported from England. Some people say he can’t recover his investment in the future 20 years. However, it was open to public in 2010. Not just tourists love here, but also couples come to the mansion for pre-wedding photo shooting.

Opening Hours
24hr

Entrance Fee
Free

Address
No.20-2, Shouting Ln., Ren’ai Township, Nantou County 546, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel
+886-492802166

Official Web
http://www.theoldengland.com/

Notice
If you are not their customer, it’s not allowed to get in the building. It’s only possible to take pictures from outside. However, you can spend TWD450 for their afternoon tea.

Cingjing Travel Information:
http://roundtaiwanround.tumblr.com/post/15293006125/cingjing-farm

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Daan Sea of Bamboo
Daan Sea of Bamboo (大鞍竹海) is located in Zhushan Township, Nantou. In Chinese, Zhushan means bamboo mountain. Bamboos cover the whole mountain area. Once you stand on the top point, tens of thousands of bamboos under your feet swing along with the breeze.
Before Ang Lee (李安), an Academy Award for Best Director winner, chose Sichuan (四川) to shoot a fighting scene in a bamboo forest for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, Daan Sea of Bamboo was his first choice.
Opening Hours:24hr
Entrance Fee:Free
Address:Dalin Ln., Zhushan Township, Nantou County 557, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel:N/A
Nantou Travel Information:

Daan Sea of Bamboo

Daan Sea of Bamboo (大鞍竹海) is located in Zhushan Township, Nantou. In Chinese, Zhushan means bamboo mountain. Bamboos cover the whole mountain area. Once you stand on the top point, tens of thousands of bamboos under your feet swing along with the breeze.

Before Ang Lee (李安), an Academy Award for Best Director winner, chose Sichuan (四川) to shoot a fighting scene in a bamboo forest for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, Daan Sea of Bamboo was his first choice.

Opening Hours:
24hr

Entrance Fee:
Free

Address:
Dalin Ln., Zhushan Township, Nantou County 557, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
N/A

Nantou Travel Information:

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Zhushan Sky Ladder
In order to make tourists easier to reach Taiji Canyon (太極峽谷), the government built a sky ladder suspension bridge on 2 precipices crossing a river. Zhushan Sky Ladder (竹山天梯) used to be one of the only 2 suspension bridges with ladder in the world. The length is 136 meters with 208 steps and the difference of height is around 20 meters.
From the entrance to Taiji Canyon, you walk through bamboo forest, climb thousands stairs, crouch through hole in the rock, cross Earth God Temple, and you will reach Green Dragon Waterfall (青龍瀑布).
The water which comes from the waterfall flows across Taiji Canyon. There are many waterfalls on the giant rock along the canyon. One of these looks really like a human face, with eyebrows, nose, cheek, and even with tears.
Opening Hours:07:30~16:00
Entrance Fee:TWD50
Address:Zhushan Township, Nantou County 557, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel:N/A
Notice:There are around 1000 steps from entrance to Taiji Canyon. Make sure you have enough energy to counter it.
Nantou Travel Information:

Zhushan Sky Ladder

In order to make tourists easier to reach Taiji Canyon (太極峽谷), the government built a sky ladder suspension bridge on 2 precipices crossing a river. Zhushan Sky Ladder (竹山天梯) used to be one of the only 2 suspension bridges with ladder in the world. The length is 136 meters with 208 steps and the difference of height is around 20 meters.

From the entrance to Taiji Canyon, you walk through bamboo forest, climb thousands stairs, crouch through hole in the rock, cross Earth God Temple, and you will reach Green Dragon Waterfall (青龍瀑布).

The water which comes from the waterfall flows across Taiji Canyon. There are many waterfalls on the giant rock along the canyon. One of these looks really like a human face, with eyebrows, nose, cheek, and even with tears.

Opening Hours:
07:30~16:00

Entrance Fee:
TWD50

Address:
Zhushan Township, Nantou County 557, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
N/A

Notice:
There are around 1000 steps from entrance to Taiji Canyon. Make sure you have enough energy to counter it.

Nantou Travel Information:

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Xitou Nature Education Area
Xitou means the origin of stream in Chinese. In Qing Dynasty, Xitou was a small village in mountains. During Japanese Colonial Era, the forest in Xitou area was chosen as practical training place for Tokyo University students, and they did research in summer vocation. In 1970, the forest was established as nature education area by Taiwan government.
The Xitou Nature Education Area (溪頭森林遊樂區) is located in a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides. The highest mountain is on the south side over 2000 meters high. Besides astronomical observatory, Bamboo Cottage, and University Pond, Giant Tree, Ginkgo Forest, and Sky Walk are must-see spots in this recreation area.
The Giant Tree is more than 2000 years old. There is a huge rock inside the stem of Giant Tree and the center is mostly rotted and hollow, but the giant tree is still alive.
The Ginkgo is a living fossil, with fossils recognisably related to modern Ginkgo from 270 million years ago. Because the Ginkgo tree grows slowly, the people plant the seed and only the grandchildren are able to witness the seed becomes a mature tree. Therefore, Ginkgo is also called the grandfather tree.
The Sky Walk is 22.6 m above the ground and 180 m long surrounding by trees. The forest provides habitat and shelter for epiphytes, tree-dwelling animals, insects and fungi. From the walkway, you can experience life in the treetops and observe how it changes with the four seasons.
Opening Hours:07:00~17:00
Entrance Fee:TWD200
Address:No.9, Senlin Ln., Lugu Township, Nantou County 558, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel:+886-492612111
Official Website:http://www.exfo.ntu.edu.tw/sitou/eng/01about/default.aspx
Map:http://goo.gl/5ztV8
Nantou Travel Information:

Xitou Nature Education Area

Xitou means the origin of stream in Chinese. In Qing Dynasty, Xitou was a small village in mountains. During Japanese Colonial Era, the forest in Xitou area was chosen as practical training place for Tokyo University students, and they did research in summer vocation. In 1970, the forest was established as nature education area by Taiwan government.

The Xitou Nature Education Area (溪頭森林遊樂區) is located in a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides. The highest mountain is on the south side over 2000 meters high. Besides astronomical observatory, Bamboo Cottage, and University Pond, Giant Tree, Ginkgo Forest, and Sky Walk are must-see spots in this recreation area.

The Giant Tree is more than 2000 years old. There is a huge rock inside the stem of Giant Tree and the center is mostly rotted and hollow, but the giant tree is still alive.

The Ginkgo is a living fossil, with fossils recognisably related to modern Ginkgo from 270 million years ago. Because the Ginkgo tree grows slowly, the people plant the seed and only the grandchildren are able to witness the seed becomes a mature tree. Therefore, Ginkgo is also called the grandfather tree.

The Sky Walk is 22.6 m above the ground and 180 m long surrounding by trees. The forest provides habitat and shelter for epiphytes, tree-dwelling animals, insects and fungi. From the walkway, you can experience life in the treetops and observe how it changes with the four seasons.

Opening Hours:
07:00~17:00

Entrance Fee:
TWD200

Address:
No.9, Senlin Ln., Lugu Township, Nantou County 558, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
+886-492612111

Official Website:
http://www.exfo.ntu.edu.tw/sitou/eng/01about/default.aspx

Map:
http://goo.gl/5ztV8

Nantou Travel Information:

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Hehuanshan North Peak
Hehuanshan North Peak (合歡北峰) is 3422 meters high and is the highest peak among Hehuanshan. It makes itself a perfect spot for sunrise- and sunset-seeing. Actually, it’s an individual peak and it doesn’t joint with other Hehuanshan series. The trail to Hehuanshan North Peak is famous for its large arrow bamboo plain and there is a microflector on it. In autumn, you will have higher possibility to see the awesome “sea of clouds” here. However, this trail is not that easy and quite challenging. You must be well-prepared before you start and it will take you about 3 to 4 hours for a round trip. If you are keen on hiking and enjoying fantastic panoramic view, you cannot miss Hehuanshan North Peak.
Opening Hours:24hr
Entrance Fee:Free
Address:Renhe Rd., Ren’ai Township, Nantou County 546, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel:N/A
Trail Condition:Taroko National Park Official Website
Hehuanshan Travel Inforamtion:http://roundtaiwanround.tumblr.com/post/13721191384/hehuanshan

Hehuanshan North Peak

Hehuanshan North Peak (合歡北峰) is 3422 meters high and is the highest peak among Hehuanshan. It makes itself a perfect spot for sunrise- and sunset-seeing. Actually, it’s an individual peak and it doesn’t joint with other Hehuanshan series. The trail to Hehuanshan North Peak is famous for its large arrow bamboo plain and there is a microflector on it. In autumn, you will have higher possibility to see the awesome “sea of clouds” here. However, this trail is not that easy and quite challenging. You must be well-prepared before you start and it will take you about 3 to 4 hours for a round trip. If you are keen on hiking and enjoying fantastic panoramic view, you cannot miss Hehuanshan North Peak.

Opening Hours:
24hr

Entrance Fee:
Free

Address:
Renhe Rd., Ren’ai Township, Nantou County 546, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
N/A

Trail Condition:
Taroko National Park Official Website

Hehuanshan Travel Inforamtion:
http://roundtaiwanround.tumblr.com/post/13721191384/hehuanshan

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Peacock Garden
There are more than 30 peacocks and over 150 other rare and valuable birds in Peacock Garden (孔雀園). Over 100 other species live in this park, including the mountain chicken, the Formosan blue magpie, the long-tailed pheasant, the golden pheasant, the ampherst pheasant, and the black coot.
Opening Hours:08:00~17:00
Entrance Fee:Free
Address:No.83, Zhongzheng Rd., Yuchi Township, Nantou County 555, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel:N/A
Notice:Peacocks are inside the cage and not able to be seen from the yard during raining.
Sun Moon Lake Travel Information:http://roundtaiwanround.tumblr.com/post/15815963868/sun-moon-lake

Peacock Garden

There are more than 30 peacocks and over 150 other rare and valuable birds in Peacock Garden (孔雀園). Over 100 other species live in this park, including the mountain chicken, the Formosan blue magpie, the long-tailed pheasant, the golden pheasant, the ampherst pheasant, and the black coot.

Opening Hours:
08:00~17:00

Entrance Fee:
Free

Address:
No.83, Zhongzheng Rd., Yuchi Township, Nantou County 555, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
N/A

Notice:
Peacocks are inside the cage and not able to be seen from the yard during raining.

Sun Moon Lake Travel Information:
http://roundtaiwanround.tumblr.com/post/15815963868/sun-moon-lake

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Shuili Snake Kiln
The Shuili Snake Kiln (水里蛇窯) has nothing to do with snake but a traditional pottery kiln. The reason that it is called snake kiln is the 30-meter kiln “wiggles as a snake does”. Using firewood as fuel, the ashes falling on adobe results in pottery formed with rich color and simple texture. This is a modern kiln cannot achieve. Potters still work here and most of their work is bought up by top hotels in Taiwan. In this pottery arts park, one can see the history of Taiwan’s pottery industry and experience how a pottery is made by traditional way.
During the 921 earthquake in 1999, the Snake Kiln was completely destroyed. In 2000, after the park area underwent repairs, in order to celebrate its opening, an especially large pottery bottle of 6.6 meters tall was built, and given the name, “Millennium Double Opening Bottle”. This conveyed the meaning of “double wealth for an eternity”. This bottle, which broke a Guinness World Record, symbolizes peace.
The park area includes a pottery art classroom, a Snake Kiln art gallery, a coffee house, the 921 Disaster Memorial Hall, and… etc.
Opening Hours:08:00~17:30
Entrance Fee:NTD150
Address:No.41, Dingkan Ln., Shuili Township, Nantou County 553, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel:+886492770967
Official Website:http://www.snakekiln.com.tw/index.php
Sun Moon Lake Travel Information:http://roundtaiwanround.tumblr.com/post/15815963868/sun-moon-lake

Shuili Snake Kiln

The Shuili Snake Kiln (水里蛇窯) has nothing to do with snake but a traditional pottery kiln. The reason that it is called snake kiln is the 30-meter kiln “wiggles as a snake does”. Using firewood as fuel, the ashes falling on adobe results in pottery formed with rich color and simple texture. This is a modern kiln cannot achieve. Potters still work here and most of their work is bought up by top hotels in Taiwan. In this pottery arts park, one can see the history of Taiwan’s pottery industry and experience how a pottery is made by traditional way.

During the 921 earthquake in 1999, the Snake Kiln was completely destroyed. In 2000, after the park area underwent repairs, in order to celebrate its opening, an especially large pottery bottle of 6.6 meters tall was built, and given the name, “Millennium Double Opening Bottle”. This conveyed the meaning of “double wealth for an eternity”. This bottle, which broke a Guinness World Record, symbolizes peace.

The park area includes a pottery art classroom, a Snake Kiln art gallery, a coffee house, the 921 Disaster Memorial Hall, and… etc.

Opening Hours:
08:00~17:30

Entrance Fee:
NTD150

Address:
No.41, Dingkan Ln., Shuili Township, Nantou County 553, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Tel:
+886492770967

Official Website:
http://www.snakekiln.com.tw/index.php

Sun Moon Lake Travel Information:
http://roundtaiwanround.tumblr.com/post/15815963868/sun-moon-lake

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