Taiwan News
Date: 2017/07/11
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)–New Taipei Government has invited the public to watch

New Taipei Government has invited the public to watch tens of thousands of bats flying out of Taiwan’s biggest bat caves on the northeastern coast of Taiwan.

tens of thousands of bats flying out of Taiwan’s biggest bat caves on the northeastern coast of Taiwan by holding a series of bat watching events at a park near the caves.

Ruifang District Warden Chen Chi-cheng (陳奇正) said the bat watching events will open on the evening of the coming Saturday (July 15) at the Bat Cave Park in the Ruifang district off the scenic coastal highway (Provincial Highway No. 2). He said the city government will provide free shuttle bus service from Ruifang Railway Station to and from the event venue, starting at 4 p.m. on July 15.

The Ruifang bat caves are located near the entrance of the highway tunnel at the kilometer mark 75 on Provincial Highway No. 2.    [FULL  STORY]

How can you travel one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist attractions?

The News Lens
Date: 2017/04/16
By: Steven Crook

Photo Credit：阿里山賓館官網

The high-altitude resort of Alishan has long been one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist destinations, thanks to an alluring blend of mountain scenery, pristine forests, indigenous culture and temperatures appreciably lower than the 30-plus degrees Celsius often experienced on the lowlands.

For some, the narrow-gauge railway that climbs from 30 m (98 ft) above sea level to 2,216 m (7,270 ft) is reason enough to visit Alishan. This century-old railroad – built to carry supplies up and felled trees down – features no fewer than 77 bridges and 50 tunnels, and delivers passengers to the heart of Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.    [FULL  STORY]

The most challenging trail in Jiaoxi is unequivocally the Marian Hiking Trail located above the Wufengchi Waterfalls.

Taiwan News
Date: 2017/04/16
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)–Besides hot spring hotels and the Wufengqi Waterfall, Jiaoxi in the northeastern Taiwanese county of Yilan is equally famous for its hiking trails that are sure to reward hikers with physical and spiritual benefits.

The most challenging trail in Jiaoxi is unequivocally the Marian Hiking Trail located above the Wufengchi Waterfalls. To take on this trail, take a train and get off at Jiaoxi Station, then take a Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus to the Wufengqi Scenic Area stop, where the trail head is located nearby.

Visitors can start hiking by visiting the waterfalls first or go directly to the entrance of the trail on the bank of the Dezihkou River.    [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan News
Date: 2016/11/23
By: Maggie Huang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Taiwan has been ranked as the world’s fifth most-favored country or area as a travel destination, according to a survey by the accommodation booking website Agoda.com.

In the survey, Thailand tops the list, followed by Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

As for the most favored cities to tour, Taipei was in seventh spot, behind Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali, and Tokyo, and followed by Seoul, Pattaya, and Phuket Island.

The Tourism Bureau also revealed the latest inbound tourist number earlier this year, which shows a continuing increase of Asian tourists as compared with the same period last year.    [FULL  STORY]

Some suggested outings for those who enjoy museums, hiking, and ocean views.

The News Lens
Date: 2016/09/04
By: Scott Weaver

The port city of Keelung bustles with the currents of international commerce, but is also home to

Photo Credit: Bing-Fang Lee CC BY-SA 2.0

picturesque shores, scenic hills, museums, a fascinating history, and a colorful night market. And new attractions have been added in recent years,
contributing toward a more tourist-oriented and greener environment. In particular, the National Museum of Marine Science & Technology (NMMST) and the associated ecological park in the eastern Badouzi District offer a new and different set of attractions, as does the new Yang Ming Marine Museum closer to downtown.

Getting there

Driving is the easiest way to get to Keelung, but mass transit services are also available. Local trains depart from Taipei Main Station to Keelung via the Hsinchu-Keelung Line every 30 minutes or so, and the trip takes about 47 minutes. Express train service via the Chaozhou-Keelung Line exists but is infrequent.

Buses to Keelung are also widely available. From the Greater Taipei area, departure points include Taipei Main Station, as well as the major suburbs.    [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-08-17
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) announced on Wednesday it will operate 203 more trains in addition to its regular schedule during the Mid-Autumn Festival long holiday, and that the booking of trains for this holiday period begins on Aug 31.

After intensive negotiation with the Taiwan Railway Labor Union, a consensus on the issue of overtime work during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday had been reached, The TRA said. They have agreed to ratchet up the railway transportation capacity the same way as during the Chinese New Year season, the TRA said, adding that during this period all freight trains will be suspended to meet the personnel need for operating the additional passenger trains.

From Sep 14 to Sep 19, the TRA will operate a total of 203 additional trains across Taiwan on top of its regular schedule, the TRA said. During the period, there will be 163 additional trains for the Eastern Line (the South Link Line included), including 76 Tze-Chiang Limited Express trains, 46 Chu-Kuang Express trains, and 41 Fu-Hsing Express and Local trains; and 40 additional trains for the Western Line, including 30 Tze-Chiang Limited Express trains and 10 Chu-Kuang Express trains, according to the TRA.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan News
Date: 2016-07-19
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

The Penghu National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Bureau Tuesday urged tourists not to visit the walls of basalt-column formations on Tongpanyu Island in Penghu’s South Sea as there have been rock falls at several locations following the onslaughts of Typhoon Nepartak and heavy rains.

The whole island of Tongpanyu is surrounded by columnar basalt formations, which are one of Penghu’s tourist attractions, the scenic area administration said, adding that a trail around the island allows visitors to appreciate the views of the natural geological formations.

The columnar basalt formations, which were originally a hexagon or pentangle, are now pretty much circular on the edges due to the fierce weathering and erosion and have been known as the “Yellowstone Park of Penghu,” according to the scenic area administration.     [FULL  STORY]

Eye On Taiwan
Date: June 28, 2016
By: Erixon Chen, Special to ye On Taiwan

July 1st is Aowanda(奧萬大) National Forest Recreation Area’s 22nd open anniversary. Nantou

Photo by: Erixon Chen

Forest Districe Office(南投林管處) has a new promotion. Admission tickets now only cost 10NTD/each on July 1st and only costs half on July 2nd and July 3rd.

Aowanda is a nice place to enjoy nature, the Spring blossoms, the Summer waterfalls, the autumn moon and Winter maple trees. A different season will bring you different feelings. Now you can see the butterflies flying and hear insects singing, Lilium formosanum blooming everywhere. It’s beautiful especially in Summer. The waterfall walkway was opened this February. Visitors can see the spectacular view of the waterfall and the double waterfall the Nantou Forest Districe Office said.