Hsinchu Glass museum, 新竹玻璃博物館
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Located in the Northwest direction of Hsinchu Park, was officially opened on December 18, 1999 and it is the first museum in Taiwan to center around the theme of glass. The museum building was first reconstructed in 1936 from a Japanese royalty residence and a banquet hall. After Taiwan’s restoration, in different periods this building had served for different groups such as the Government Take Over Committee, Military Assistance Advisory Group and Hsinchu military police station.
A home recreational atmosphere pervades both the garden outside and the space and setting inside, much suited to the exquisite and delicate features of glass craft. The Museum has retained the European style of oriental modern architecture through the standing bricks on the southeast corner of the building and the classical image of the foyer. After combining diversified requirements of different users toward the museum as the longitude and analyzing the five service functions of the museum such as administration, exhibition, collection, educational learning and public services.
The establishment of Glass Museum is aimed at combining cultural and sightseeing resources to help promoting the glass industry in Hsinchu and also providing workshop learning actively. Not only its exclusive display of exquisite glass art pieces draw numerous visitors, it also allows the public to go further by touching and creating their own work besides the visual appreciation to get another kind of amazement brought by glass creations. Make sure you don’t miss out on this entertaining and enjoyable spot in your Hsinchu travel!
Address：
No.2, Sec. 1, Dongda Rd, North District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Opening Hours:
Wednesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00
(Closed on Monday & Tuesday)
Ticket Price:
NT$50 per person
NT$20 with Student ID
Free for Children aged under 6 or eldely aged over 65
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Taiwan’s kite masters: hanging on tight to preserve a memory
Kite flying was once a popular childhood pastime, but in the modern times, it has become a hobby relegated to kite festivals and tournaments. But for those who love it, there is nothing like it. The process of making a kite, getting it in flight, and maneuvering it with the wind is a thrill that can''t be experienced in a video game. Kite enthusiasts are teaching kids how to make kites, hoping more people will want to join in the fun. Today in our weekly special report, let''s go fly a kite -- and revisit a charming part of Taiwan''s collective memory.It’s Sunday on Taiwan’s north coast. A crowd has gathered at Laomei Beach in New Taipei’s Shimen District. Look up at the sky, and it’s an aerial show like no other.Kite enthusiasts from eight different countries have come to this international festival to set their treasured kites to the sky.Many of this year’s foreign participants were invited by 86-year-old Robert Yen.Robert YenKite enthusiastYou can get under that blue sky, those white clouds. You can take in fresh air, which is very good for your health. I fell in love with kiting several decades ago and I haven’t stopped flying them since. Making and flying kites was once a popular pastime for Taiwanese children. This was because kites cost little to make, and the materials could be easily found.Hou Shun-chengKite enthusiastWith just one cent, you could buy two sheets of paper. You cut one into a square and then turn the other into a strip that will be the kite’s tail. So with a single cent, you can buy two sheets of paper to make a kite.Hou was a teacher in Yunlin’s Kouhu Township for 40 years. Many still call him Headmaster Hou. Since retiring, he’s devoted himself fully to crafting artisanal kites. His 10-ping workshop is packed with over 100 of them.Hou Shun-chengKite enthusiastI want to take Taiwan’s unique kites and show them off in exhibitions. So when I make kite frames like the double cross, I use makino bamboo, Taiwanese makino bamboo. The kites I showcase aren’t made with fiberglass rods.Thirty years ago, the government had heavily promoted kiting as a folk activity, and many schools organized routine kite competitions. Hou said that back in the day, he had gotten into kites only because he had hoped to win a prize and get a promotion. He didn’t expect to fall in love with kites, too. Thirty years later, he’s gone from being a complete beginner to a kite master.We’re on a small country road near Hou’s home, where he’s getting ready to demonstrate his skills. One after another, 36 connected owl kites soar up to a height of 108 meters. This kite train is the result of a full month’s hard work.Hou Shun-chengKite enthusiastSometimes I feel old, but when these kites take off, I feel just like a child. At this year’s kite festival in Hsinchu, there was a moment with no draft and my dragon kite suddenly plunged. I got up and chased after it. Ah, that feeling when I was running! What speed! I felt so light on my feet.Hou pours time and energy into building kites, as well to passing on his craft to the next generation.Kite materials in hand, Hou arrives at Dinghu Elementary School in Yunlin’s Kouhu Township. Hou used to be the headmaster of this remote school. After retiring, he came back as to teach the school’s kite club.The kids get instruction one on one. The steps of kite-making are displayed on a poster. Hou provides all the supplies they need, bringing in odds and ends from his own home.The school’s tiny racetrack is where teachers and students hone their kite-flying skills. In groups of five or six, they put their DIY kites to the test.Chung Chih-chingDinghu Elementary School headmasterThese days you eat with your phone. You eat with your TV. You study with a computer. I think that getting distance from your devices can be healthy. Also, when children have to focus on the task at hand, they develop their ability to concentrate on a single thing at a time.Students at this remote school have plenty of space to play with their kites. Kids in the big city are not so lucky. Finding a safe and suitable place to fly kites can be quite challenging.Cheng Kai-yuanAsian Kite ForumAll of Taipei’s riverside parks are regulated. You can’t fly kites there. Last year – after our persistent lobbying – New Taipei gave us a rare win and allowed kite flying in three places. Usually, kite lines are about 45 meters long, but New Taipei restricts them to 30 meters or less.Over the past 15 years, Cheng Kai-yuan 鄭凱元has organized more than 30 kite events. He says his most important mission is to lobby for more kite-flying space.Cheng Kai-yuanAsian Kite ForumWe want adults to be able to look back on their childhood memories. We want children to have a place to make memories they can look back on.Taiwan’s kite culture refuses to disappear. Kite lovers hope these flying works of art will continue to animate the lives of gene...
Beauty Of Hsinchu, Taiwan. Kristiff Project #5
This time we are showing off beauty of Hsinchu where we live!
These is also first episode shot with a drone: Mavic Air.
The shots are from Jianshi and Wufeng.
美麗的新竹海岸 4K Hsinchu coast, Taiwan (timelapse photography)
這裡 沒有日出
夕陽
有條海藍色的被子
仰臉打了個呵欠
慵懶的翻身
昏黃的光線灑在睫毛上
又是一陣睡意 像浪沫
輕拍上海岸
人們
迎著海風 聽見
潮汐遠去的聲音
赤腳 踏上溫軟的泥土
踩碎 漫天的晚霞與一片葦蕩
而她提高了被頭 終是沉沉睡下
浸入 細碎斑斕的泡沫中
夢境深甜 歲月靜好
新竹的海 是夕陽的被子
暖的。 by 江穎
15-4-kilometer section of Taipei MRT’s Yellow Line begins trial operations, offers free ri...
New Taipei''s Banqiao Station was flooded with people on Sunday eager for a free ride on a new MRT line that has begun trial operations. The 15 and a half kilometer line is a section of a planned Yellow Line that will eventually encircle the greater Taipei area. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi joined the masses and travelled from Touqianzhaung Station to Banqiao Station. He said previously people going between these two places had to travel 39 minutes through Taipei. Now the trip is only five minutes. On Sunday, a section of the Taipei MRT’s Yellow Line began trial operations. Hordes of people lined up at Banqiao station. They could not wait to try out the new line. Member of the PublicNow that the Yellow Lin” is at Banqiao, it will make connections between Xindian and Zhonghe even more convenient. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi in the morning also tried out a ride from Touqianzhuang Station to Banqiao and experienced the convenience of the Yellow Line.Hou You-yiNew Taipei City MayorPreviously we needed to travel through Taipei City to get from Touqianzhuang Station to Banqiao and it took 39 minutes. Now it only takes five minutes. In this 15.4-kilometer section of the planned Yellow Line, there are altogether 14 stops. Hou You-yiNew Taipei City MayorThis is the first MRT line to be exclusively in New Taipei City. It runs from Dapinglin Station to New Taipei Industrial Park Station. During the trial operations period, rides will be free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Officials from the New Taipei City government are expected to meet every day and review operations with the aim of giving citizens an even better travel experience.
????????????WULAI -- Waterfall, Cable Car, Mini Train and more (烏來)
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We are a small publishing company (Vision) based in Taipei. We produce an English magazine (Travel in Taiwan) introducing you to Taiwan as a travel destination. Read it and you'll find lots of useful information about Taiwan. We also have a website with many fun-to-read articles. We try to make a video or two every week.
Let us know what you think about this channel and what you would like to see about Taiwan. Happy travels!
Travel in Taiwan 2017/09/10
Wulai is a small indigenous settlement that can be quickly reached from central Taipei. For many decades it has been a popular day-trip destination for local residents and international visitors looking for some respite from the capital’s urban jungle. This is a great area to experience indigenous culture, do some hot-spring bathing, and take in refreshing mountain scenery. Wulai still has a host of attractions that make a trip worthwhile.
1. Wulai Old Street (02:30)
Bus No. 849 drops you off close to the northern end of Wulai Old Street, a narrow street lined with eateries and shops selling myriad indigenous specialties and souvenirs. Among the enticing foods you can try here are millet mochi, stir-fried mountain vegetables, bamboo-tube rice, millet and mountain litsea ice cream, wild-boar sausages, range chicken, millet wine, lamb chop soup, almond tea, and much more. If you are looking for souvenirs there is no shortage of indigenous-theme items, such as woven hats, purses, bags, and vests, glass bead bracelets, and also many packaged food and drink products, including mochi cakes and millet wine.
2. Atayal Culture (03:20)
The inhabitants of Wulai are mainly from the Atayal tribe, the third-largest indigenous group in Taiwan. If – apart from eating the yummy indigenous food offerings – you want to learn more about this tribe while in Wulai, visit the Wulai Atayal Museum, located close to the northern end of Wulai Old Street (No. 12, Wulai Street). The museum provides you with plenty of info in Chinese and English about the origins of the Atayal and their traditional ways of life, including sections about hunting, weaving, facial tattooing, and so on. At the Waterfall Area you also have the chance to witness song-and-dance performances by tribe members.
3. Hot-Spring Bathing (20:20)
Wulai is well known for its hot springs. The clear and odorless Wulai spring waters, about 80 degrees centigrade at their source, are rich in alkaline sodium bicarbonate and believed to have beneficial properties for your skin. While the free riverside open-air hot-spring pools, popular with experienced Taiwan soakers, were dismantled earlier this year, there is no lack of brick-and-mortar hot-spring establishments in and around the village. You can choose from upscale hot-spring resorts such as the Pause Landis Wulai, elegantly designed with private and public hot-spring facilities and offering fine-cuisine dining, to simple hot-spring hotels providing rooms with hot-spring bathtubs for less than NT$100/hour.
4. Waterfall Area (08:00)
The scene most closely associated with Wulai is Wulai Waterfall. To get there, cross the bridge at the southern end of Wulai Old Street, turn left, and follow the road along the river, which is closed to vehicles. The walk to the Waterfall Area takes about 20 minutes. The waterfall is an impressive 80 meters high, and is in full view from observation spots on the opposite (road) side of the river it feeds (Nanshi River).
5. Cable Car (08:42)
The cable cars you see crossing the river and ascending to a spot above the waterfall have been part of the Wulai scenery for 50 years now. To get to the base station, take the stairs adjacent to the Chief’s Cultural Village. The cable car (adult return ticket: NT$220) not only takes you above the waterfall, but also to the Yun Hsien Resort (yun-hsien.com.tw), a small recreation area – like the cable car built in the 1960s – where you can go for a walk among dense forest, row a boat on a small lake, and engage in other pleasantries. Included in these is the Yun Hsien Hotel, should you want to stay a night at the resort.
Getting there:
Getting to Wulai is simple and convenient. Take the MRT Songshan-Xindian Line to its southern terminal, Xindian. Then take bus No. 849 to the last stop, Wulai, which is at the car park near Wulai Old Street.
For more information about Wulai, visit wulai.gov.tw.
English and Chinese
Atayal tribe 泰雅族
Chief’s Cultural Village 酋長文化村
Nanshi River 南勢溪
Waterfall Area 瀑布區
Wulai 烏來
Wulai Atayal Museum 烏來泰雅民族博物館
Wulai Forestry Life Museum 烏來林業生活館
Wulai Old Street 烏來老街
Wulai Waterfall 烏來瀑布
Yun Hsien Resort 雲仙樂園
RT MART TAIWAN (pambagahe)
Hi guys this is Ayen again. I wanna share kung saan kami bumibili ng pang package na pinapadala namin sa pinas. Maganda mamili dito sa RT mart gawa ng maraming sale items, at dito sa Taiwan pag sinabing sale talagang malaki ang diacounted na price. Kumbaga Sulit tlaga!
Hope you enjoy watching guys!
HOW TO GET THERE:
From North Hsinchu station, paglabas nyo turn right lang kayo, from there makikita nyo na yung sign ng RT mart..
Ukay Ukay sa Taiwan
Hey Guys, It's Mae and Welcome to my Channel. I am from the Philippines but currently living here in Taiwan as an OFW.
#UkayUkaySaNorthHsinchu #Ukay2SaTaiwan #OFW
The store is open Monday to Saturday from 8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm
Store address is No. 2, Alley 21, Lane 22, Tianmeisan Street, North District, Hsinchu City.
(Store name/place: 社團法人新竹市脊髓損傷者協會 / 希望之愛二手衣鋪Address in Chinese: 新竹市區北區天美三街22巷21弄2號)
How to get there:
1. Ride a Train going to Hsinchu Station.
2. From Hsinchu Station Ride a Taxi going to North Hsinchu (ipakita nyo lang po sa Taxi Driver yung Chinese address na nkalagay sa Taas) 135nt$ lang po ang pamasahe.
Hope you have enjoyed watching this video ????????????????.
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L E T S G E T C O N N E C T ED
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email: kimmae015@gmail.com
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DJI MAVIC 4K 空拍 台灣 新竹 豆腐岩 Taiwan Hsinchu Aerial Drone Video Tofu rock 20170204
此處PO的空拍影片多為本人於周末空檔背空拍機在著名景點拍攝。
I like to bring the drone to take the beautiful view .
私はドローン使て美しい景色を取るためにドローンを持って好きです。
若需要購買我空拍的素材 , 請至以下網站購買
If you need to buy my video, please go to the following website to buy
私のビデオを購入する必要がある場合は、以下のWebサイトにアクセスしてください
Howard Plaza Hotel Hsinchu (Hsinchu, Taiwan)
Check and booking now:
Howard Plaza Hotel Hsinchu (Hsinchu, Hsinchu County Taiwan) Hotel
Offering 5-star luxury in the city centre, Howard Plaza Hsinchu features modern rooms with a flat-screen TV, recliner and free internet. It boasts an indoor pool and 24-hour business centre.
Howard Plaza Hotel Hsinchu is a 15-minute walk from Hsinchu Train Station and provides free parking. Hsinchu City Hall and Cheng Huang Temple are also a 15-minute walk away.
Featuring minimalist interiors, air-conditioned rooms are spacious and come with a fridge and safe. Large bathrooms have a bathtub, hairdryer and separate shower area.
To relax, guests can work out at the gym or simply unwind in the sauna rooms. The hotel also houses a shopping arcade and a 24-hour front desk.
Champs Elysees Restaurant serves European cuisine and international buffets in an elegant setting. French desserts can be sampled at the Seven Scholars Lounge
Check and booking now:
(276815)
4K DJI Mavic Air Taiwan Hsinchu Building photography 6 4K DJI Mavic Air 台灣 新竹 大樓拍攝 6
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如果喜歡請幫我按訂閱及分享~謝謝~
TAIWAN TOURIST SPOT /CHIANG KAI-SHEK /TAIPEI 101
#TaiwanTouristSpot
CHIANG KAI SHEK ADDRESS ⬇️⬇️⬇️GOOGLE MAP
ADDRESS CHIANG KAI-SHEK ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Search Results
No. 21號, Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100
Mei mei chen tourist guide service⬇️⬇️⬇️
Cyonglin or Qionglin Combat Village (Kinmen, Taiwan)
Cyonglin or Qionglin stands out from other Kinmen villages with its myriads of historic houses, temples and wind lion god statues plus a military tunnel complex runs underneath the village. The tunnel's total length is 1,355 meters and most of the network is 6 meters underground.
Due to the village's key strategic location on Kinmen, all the homes in the villages are connected by a network of tunnels, leading to the nickname Combat Village.
To improve the civil defense fortifications, work was begun on extending and upgrading the tunnels in 1976. With the village office as the center of defenses, the tunnels were extended towards the north and south. A command post was also built under the village office with connecting tunnels to air-raid shelters, bunkers, pillboxes and private homes.
The village was also home to a wealth of scholars passing the highest imperial civil service examination, who therefore became “Jinshi” (official).
The village of Qionglin is beautifully constructed of red bricks, and the quaint houses are topped with swallowtail roofs that consist of ornate sickles curling up into the air at the ends of a roof’s ridge which resembles the tail of a swallow. These are very prominent parts of the traditional Minnan architecture.
In 1949, Chinese communist forces launched a night attack on Kinmen and fought a pitched battle with R.O.C. troops for 56 hours before finally being repulsed. The area where the battle was fought is now known as Guningtou Battlefield.” However, the Chinese communist forces were supposed to land on Qionglin, but a whiff of north wind changed their route. The lucky village therefore got to stay intact after the war.
Every single village on the island of Kinmen has at least one guardian lion that wards off evil spirits, and the ones in Qionglin are said to be the grandest and largest.
THERE WAS A CAMPING THERE! - TAIWAN ON FOOT #7
I'm Steve, I'm travelling in Taiwan on foot.
I left Sanyi after visiting the Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum.
I left at around 2pm and stopped at the Shengxing Station, not in use anymore since 1998.
I was walking to Taichung, my original destination but it was still far and obviously I didn't have enough time that day.
The Longteng broke bridge is another tourist attraction along the way. Once there I saw few nice spots where place my tent for the night. So I waited until the last tourist left the site and just before the dark I built my tent right behind the bridge. Once done with that I wrote a post on my Facebook page. I was a bit scared honestly. My tent was just next to the wood and I was worry about wild animals. After a while a old friend of mine, a Taiwanese girl met in Italy nine years before, saw the post and contacted me. Funny thing is that her family has a restaurant and camping 300 meters from where I was! She came out shouting my name. That was a big surprise. Was too late to move my tent in her camping but in the day after I did it.
Where I slept:
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Camping in Taiwan
The first time I have ever been camping and it's in Taiwan. The views were beautiful.
Music: Give you everything x Blackbird.
I do not own this song.
Las Vegas Taipei ????
Las Vegas Taiwan ????
Address: No. 6, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, 110
Ride MRT Blue Line exit 2 in Taipei City Hall ????
MIAOLI Old Mountain Line Railbike (苗栗舊山線軌道自行車)
On this one-day trip we experienced rail-biking on the Old Mountain Line. That was fun! We also visited the strawberry village of Dahu and the Hakka village of Beipu.
If you want to do the rail-biking make a reservation on this site (I was wrong, they do have English now):
WHO WE ARE
We are a small publishing company (Vision) based in Taipei. We produce an English magazine (Travel in Taiwan) introducing readers to Taiwan as a travel destination.
WHO I AM
My name is Johannes. I love creating videos about places in Taiwan and I try to post a few videos every week (well, more like twice a month). Please let me know what you think about this channel and feel free to ask me any question. Thanks for your support!
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Travel in Taiwan 2019-03/04
TEXT: STEVEN CROOK
The picturesque village of Shengxing has one of Taiwan’s best-known train stations, which is surprising considering regular passenger services on the railroad that passes through here ceased more than 20 years ago. Between 1903 and 1998, what’s called the Old Mountain Line carried local, express, and freight trains across the Da’an River into the greater Taichung area. At an altitude of 402.36m, Shengxing Railway Station was the highest station above sea level on Taiwan's conventional railway network. The station, a quaint wooden cottage-style building built in 1930, is a highly photogenic structure.
After the completion of a shorter, straighter alternative to the Old Mountain Line, 15.9km of track, along with eight tunnels and three bridges, were decommissioned. The Shengxing station was closed, but never forgotten – and since last year tourists have had a new reason to come here.
Sanyi Rail Bike Fun
The Old Mountain Line Rail Bike attraction offers an unusual 90-minute experience, a railway journey amid gorgeous scenery at the speed of a bicycle, but with no pedaling required. “Rail bike” is something of a misnomer. Each vehicle is about the size of a golf cart, has four train-type wheels, and runs on unmodified rail tracks. A canopy protects the passengers (there are four seats) from sunshine and rain.
I was impressed by the number of staff on duty, and their diligence. Safety belts must be fastened, and before starting the 6km-long ride from the train station to Tunnel No. 6, each “driver” – I was the one on our “locomotive” – is shown how to start the electric motor, release the hand brake, and accelerate. If you’ve ridden one of the scooters that are ubiquitous in Taiwan, you can do this. If anything, it’s far easier: There’s no need to steer, and the vehicle has been rigged to never exceed 12 km/h.
We were instructed to pull away from the station at intervals. Having a good bit of space between each rail bike is a good idea, as drivers often get distracted by the scenery and slow right down. Almost immediately, we were heading through the 725m-long tunnel south of the station, disturbing the bats that roost within.
Much of the route is single-track, and soon we were traversing a narrow bridge far above a mountain creek. Looking left, we enjoyed excellent views of one of Miaoli’s most-adored sights: the Longteng Bridge.
We were instructed to park our rail bikes at the point on the track where riders look down onto Liyu Elementary School. Glancing toward the west, we could see rugged Mt. Huoyan, located by the Taiwan Strait coast. Its bare, sandy ridges are highly unusual in lush, tropical Taiwan.
Everyone then proceeded on foot through Tunnel No. 6 to the Neishechuan Iron Bridge. The bridge itself is off-limits, but from its north end it’s possible to enjoy views up and down the waterway that drains the Liyutan Reservoir. After learning about this spot and the history of the railway line, we rode back to Shengxing.
If you’d like to take a look at this part of the Old Mountain Line without signing up for the rail bike experience, you can reach the iron bridge via Township Road 52. Steps connect the road with the southern end of the tunnel. There’s nothing to stop you walking north through the tunnel, but a flashlight is advised.
English and Chinese
Beipu 北埔
Beipu Old Street 北埔老街
Dahu 大湖
Dapu Reservoir 大埔水庫
leicha 擂茶
Longteng Bridge 龍騰斷橋
Neishechuan Iron Bridge 內社川鐵橋
Old Mountain Line 舊山線
Shengxing Railway Station 勝興車站
The Well Teahouse水井茶堂
Tunnel No. 6 六號隧道
4K DJI Mavic Air Taiwan Hsinchu Building photography 5 4K DJI Mavic Air 台灣 新竹 大樓拍攝 5
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Kaohsiung may force petrochemical firms to move head offices or leave
Last summer 32 people died when a series of gas explosions rocked Kaohsiung. The incident placed attention on the petrochemical pipelines that run underneath the city. The local government was particularly upset at the many companies that have factories in the city but are domiciled elsewhere. Now Kaohsiung has drafted controversial legislation to change this. When speaking about the gas explosions, Mayor Chen Chu could not help but show strong emotions. Her city has drafted an autonomous statute that would require petrochemical companies to domicile their head offices in Kaohsiung or stop using their pipelines in the city.Chen ChuKaohsiung MayorThe Kaohsiung City government’s position is that for the safety of our residents, we cannot wait any longer for petrochemical pipeline management.Chen Wei-zenInterior MinisterI believe that this article, which seeks to restrict where companies can be domiciled, could be unconstitutional.There is another belief that the Kaohsiung City government is seeking money. If companies move their head offices to Kaohsiung, business sales in the city would increase. Based on the central government’s formula for allocating tax funds, it would then receive more money.Chen ChuKaohsiung MayorEnterprises must all be established in safe locations. I believe this is unrelated to the allocation of (tax) revenues. Unequal allocation of revenues between the north and south is a different matter.There are currently 89 petrochemical pipelines in Kaohsiung. Only three petrochemical corporations have their head offices there.
????MIAOLI Coast Railway WHY IS NOONE GOING HERE? (苗栗火車之旅)
A short trip to the hardly known coastal area of Miaoli County in western Taiwan. Small towns, small railway station, the sea, quiet countryside, and a strange park.
Read Travel in Taiwan at:
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Music by Isaac Chambers (
Gear used for this video
Camera:
Panasonic Lumix GH4:
Lenses:
PANASONIC LUMIX G X Vario Lens, 12-35mm:
PANASONIC LUMIX G Vario Lens, 100-300mm:
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8:
Panasonic DMW-MS2:
Travel in Taiwan 2017, March/April
(By Steven Crook)
YUANLI
Yuanli is an excellent place to enjoy the morning markets which are still a key feature in urban areas on this island. Less than 100m from Yuanli Railway Station, the block bordered by Weigong, Tianxia, Datong, and Jianguo roads is crammed full of vendors.
Some sell vegetables, others fabrics, others prepared food. The range of hot and cold snacks is enticing. One especially popular option is the glutinous pork-filled disks at Jinguang Meatballs (open daily 8am to 9:30pm).
Jinguang Meatballs (金光肉圓)
Add: No. 80, Tianxia Rd., Yuanli Township, Miaoli County
(苗栗縣苑裡鎮天下路80號)
TONGXIAO
One stop and six minutes north of Yuanli is Tongxiao. Stopping here is recommended, as both fresh-air lovers and history buffs can indulge their passions at Hutoushan Park.
First, you’ll come to the remains of a Shinto shrine built in 1937 by the Japanese authorities then ruling Taiwan. After World War II it was preserved by the Chinese Nationalist government, which had reclaimed Taiwan in 1945, but rededicated to heroes of the Republic of China (ROC). Despite post-earthquake modifications since carried out, which reflect postwar political correctness, the site retains considerable elegance.
A little further up, what was once a military lookout post is now shaded by an immense concrete lotus. The lotus flower is a Buddhist symbol of purity, so this is perhaps an attempt to counter the site’s military atmosphere with peaceful sentiments.
At the very top of the hill is a monument that since 1945 has served as a celebration of Taiwan’s return to the Chinese fold, but which was originally erected by the Japanese to mark a crucial moment in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05.
XINPU
Some might think there’s nothing to see at Xinpu but the station itself, a quaint 1922 wooden structure. But they’d be wrong.
Known to rail enthusiasts on the island as the location of one of the stations closest to the sea, Xinpu is a splendid place to stop if you want to feel sea breezes. Here, as at several other spots along Miaoli’s coastline, there are boardwalks and bicycle paths.
There’s also a rather odd park called Qiumao Garden, 350m south of the station. Its garish yet cutesy statues – among them are representations of ROC founder Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Daoist deity Guan Gong, and the entire cast of Journey to the West – are clearly visible from passing trains. Kids will enjoy the slides and concrete animals.
BAISHATUN
Baishatun enjoys island-wide fame of sorts, thanks to Gongtian Temple and the annual pilgrimage that begins and ends here. Like the better-known festival that kicks off down the coast at Dajia Zhenlan Temple, it’s an expression of the Taiwanese people’s adoration of Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea. In 2011, this pilgrimage was declared a national intangible cultural asset by the central government.
ZHUNAN
It’s impossible not to notice the immense statue of a stern-looking, burgundy-skinned man, naked from the waist up. His head is 156m above street level, making this representation of Shennong, the Chinese God of Agriculture and putative inventor of herbal medicine, the largest religious icon in the region.The statue sits atop Wugu Temple, inside which you’ll find other effigies of Shennong. He’s easy to recognize, because he’s invariably depicted holding sprigs of millet in his right hand. Another of his names, Wugushen, means God of the Five Grains.
Getting There:
Taking a train from Taichung Railway Station to Yuanli takes about 70 minutes (NT$79); from Yuanli to Zhunan takes about 45 minutes (NT$61). If you want to get from Zhunan to Miaoli THSR Station, take a train to Fengfu Railway Station (10 min.; NT$16), which is next to the THSR station.
The stations between Yuanli and Zhunan are not far apart from each other, but as the gap between services on this stretch of railroad often exceeds an hour, do carry a schedule of train times. This information can be found on the TRA’s bilingual website, railway.gov.tw.
Gongtian Temple 拱天宮
Houlong 後龍
Hutoushan Park 虎頭山公園
Qiumao Garden 秋茂園
Shennong 神農
Tongxiao 通霄
Wugu Temple 五穀宮
Wugushen 五谷神
Xinpu 新埔
Yuanli 苑裡
Zhunan 竹南