10 days Taiwan DIY trip
Peck Family of 3 had just completed a 10 days DIY tour to Taiwan, from 6 to 15 Jan 2019. We had a wonderful time and we missed the food and fruits so much that we intend to go again next year. Taiwan, see you again soon!
Taiwan is largely mountainous with a chain of mountains running from north to south at the centre of the island. The west coast is largely plains and unsurprisingly is where most of the population is concentrated, and is where all the larger cities like Taichung and Kaohsiung are located. The east coast also has some plains but is more sparsely populated due to the higher typhoon risk. It is also home to the cities of Hualien and Taitung.
January is the coolest month of the year in Taiwan, but given its geographical location it is never too cold. Average low and high temperatures are 13°C (55 °F) and 16°C (61 °F). In the south it is usually sunny and warm, while in the north it is often cloudy, windy and at times wet.
When we were there in January, Taipei was around 21°C while Taichung and Sun Moon Lake were cool and sunny at around 25°C. Fortunately, the weather was dry as well during the whole trip (it had been raining the week prior to our tirp). We were indeed blessed with a wonderful weather.
OUR TAIWAN TOUR ROUTE
Taoyuan Airport –> TaiChung –> Cinjing Farm –> HeHuang San –> Sun Moon Lake –> CherCheng Town–> JiJi Town –> Sun Moon Lake –> TaiChung HSR staion–> Taipei Main Station –> Maokong –> the Hope Plaza –>Taipei Fish Market –> Taipei Fruit Wholesale Market –> Taoyuan Airport
Duration: 10 days
Taoyuan to Taichung 
Sun Moon Lake to Taipei
PRIOR TO THE TAIWAN TRIP
It is always important to plan our trip well in advance to get good value promotional AIR TICKETS direct from the Airlines. We like Singapore Airline and in our search in Dec 2018 (hehe..last minute decision), we were fortunate to find an SQ 2-to-Go promotion. The window from 6 to 15 Jan 2019 offered the cheapest fare of S$395 per person.
Our next step was to draft out the ITINERARY. This process is challenging and time consuming. You are most welcome to make reference to this itinerary that I am sharing here.
We searched and booked our ACCOMODATION via booking.com.
Last but not least, we must have a TRAVEL INSURANCE to cover ourselves during the trip. We searched AVIVA, DBS, FWD and finally settled with FWD at S$115 for 3.
PORTABLE WIFI is a must for DIY trip so that we can access Google Map via our mobile phone for directions, read our Whatsapp messages, make changes to hotel booking when necessary, all on the go. We booked the WiFi router in advance at Changi Recommends website and collected it at the Changi Terminal just before we depart.
Our detailed Taiwan Trip itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive at Taoyuan Airport by Singapore Airlines; On board HSR Train to Taichung
- Day 2: Tour the Rainbow Village and Visited Fengjia Night Market in Taichung
- Day 3: Cingjing Farm
- Day 4: Hehuanshan Sunrise Tour and Hike East Peak
- Day 5: Cruise on Sun Moon Lake
- Day 6: Train Ride to CherCheng and Jiji Town
- Day 7: Sun Moon Lake to Taichung via Nantou Bus Express, then to Taipei via HSR Train, visit Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
- Day 8: Tour Maokong and Visit Hope Plaza (Farmer’s Market)
- Day 9: Visit Taipei Fish Market a.k.a Addiction Aquatic Development; Taipei Fruit Wholesale Market
- Day 10: Home Sweet Home
DAY 1
We departed Changi Airport on 6th Jan 2019 at 11.40am. It was a 4 hours 50 mins flight from Singapore on Airbus A330.
Taoyuan to Taichung
We arrived Taoyuan Airport at about 4.30pm. The first thing we did after clearing immigration was to buy the Taipei “Easy Card“. With this card, we could travel conveniently in Taiwan by MRT and bus. At the Airport Terminal 1 station, we boarded the subway at Huanbei station (Jichang Line). The ride to Taoyuan HSR station was about 25 mins.
Upon arrival, we bought 3 tickets (NT$1620 ) at the counter and boarded the train to Taichung HSR station. The ride took us about 45 mins. Thereon, from Xinwuri ( about 350m away) we took the Fuxing / Shuttle 2226 to Taichung Station. After a 4 mins walk we reached our Hotel.
Accomodation @ Chance Hotel in Taichung
We stayed at Chance Hotel for 2 nights. A 3 star hotel. The room was pretty clean, but there was cigarette smell in it. The walls were not sound proof and we could hear noises made from next door guests. We did not like the bed either as the mattresses were too soft. Oh no! so much to complain.
DINNER @ Chun Shui Tang
“CHUN SHUI TANG” Teahouse in Taichung is said to be the birthplace of bubble tea. It is both a teahouse and a restaurant. You can savour a wide range of tea-based beverages, reasonably priced, and tasty traditional Taiwanese food such as pig’s blood, toasted cheese bread, beef noodles and braised pork rice, etc. We had dry/soup noodles, spicy bean curd, and a glass of bubble Milk Tea. Not bad, indeed!
How to Get There: Chun Shui Tang Teahouse, No. 9 Dadun 19th Street, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403
Ice Cream @ Miyahara, Taichung
Miyahara (宮原眼科) is one of the most popular places in Taichung. The building is used to be an old eye hospital and it has been recreated into a modern and beautifully designed retail shop. It sells their house brand ice cream, pineapple pastries, chocolates, tea, cookies and tea snacks.
Must Try Ice Cream 
Miyahara
DAY 2
Taichung Rainbow Village彩虹村
Rainbow Village is one of the “veterans villages” in Taichung. Those villages were simple housing to the Kuomintang soldiers and their families after they retreated from Mainland China and they belonged to the State. Over the year, they had been abandoned or deteriorated into slum.
Photo: Steve Barringer via Wikimedia Commons
In early 1990s, the government started an aggressive program to demolish these villages that sit on prime real estate ground. To fight for the preservation of his village, Mr Huang Yong-Fu (a Hong Kong born military veteran who fought against the communists) started to paint colorful murals all over his home, as well as the gates around it and the walkways. He used very bright colors and painted very random and imaginative figures including plants, animals, monsters, celebrities and traditional cultural heroes.
Students from Ling-Tung University which was located just next to his village saw what he was doing and took pictures and shared them online. These photos went viral and Rainbow Village soon became a tourist destination and people from all over started to visit while he was still busy painting. Tourists offered donations and supported the by-then almost 90-year-old artist. His peaceful protest, fortunately, gained sufficient sympathy from people around the country to halt Taichung mayor’s plans for demolition and hence saved the village. Today, residents still stay in the village!
Rainbow Village is a tiny dwelling. One needs only 10-15 minutes to tour this place.
Address: Taimao 5th Vil., Nantun Dist., Taichung City 408, Taiwan (R.O.C.) | Opening Hours (Official): 8am – 6pm | Tel: 886-4-22289111 | Admission Fee: Free
How to Get There: By Taxi – about NT$160 to NT$200; By Bus – at Taichung station, take Fuxing/shuttle 3267 in the direction of ChaoZhou. After 4 stops, alight at Xinwuri. Thereafter, take bus 56 or 74 at the Renyou Parking Lot at Xinwuri station. Journey time : 40 mins; Cost NT$35
Fengjia Night Market 逢甲夜市
The Fengjia Night Market (逢甲夜市) was established in 1963 and is Taichung’s largest and most popular night market. To many, it is probably Taiwan’s most favorite market. Intially setup along Wen-hua road, it had later expanded to Fengjia road (逢甲路), Fushin road(福星路), Xian street(西安街) etc.
The area has a variety of shops which include Food/drink stands, clothing stalls, restaurants, games stalls and most notably, lots of snacks to please any palate. Fengjia Night Market ever came in first place together with Keelung’s Miaokou Night Market , in terms of taste, in a competition organized by the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan. The Market is just next to Feng Chia University.
Address: Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407; Opening Hrs: 4pm to 2am
DAY 3
Taichung to Cingjing Farm
How To Get There: By Taxi (Fixed Fare – around NT$2000); Journey Time: 1 hr 34 mins By Tripool (Door to Door Private Transport Service – around NT$1600); – this requires advance booking. By Nantou Express Bus (Bus Fare – around NT$265); Journey Time: 2 hrs
We had initially wanted to take the Nantou Express Bus but on our way to the bus terminal we were intercepted by a taxi driver.
He said that he could drive us to Cingjing for a price of NT$500 per person and bring us to other attractions along the way. After much hesitation, we accepted the offer since NT$500 x 3 = NT$1500 would still be cheaper than a normal taxi fare. But at the end of the ride, we ended up paying NT$2100 because the driver had thought that there were 4 of us (his offer rate was based on 4).
A lesson to learn here is to reconfirm the fare before getting on to the taxi. Nevertheless, although expensive, it turned out to be a better option because we were able to reach Cingjing early to tour Cingjing Farm on the same day. It would then allow us the whole day at Hehuanshan the next day.
Accomodation @ Shiwai Taoyuan 清境民宿事外桃源
We stayed at 清境民宿事外桃源 for two nights. The hotel is just about 8 mins walk from the Small Swiss Garden and is surrounded by mountain view. The room was big enough and each one of us had our own proper bed to sleep on. The hotel provides complimentary breakfast and we had a hearty breakfast of Taiwan Porridge.
3 Bedded Family Room
Cingjing Farm
At an altitude of one thousand five hundred meters, Cingjing Farm, with a favorable climate throughout the year, is a popular summer resort. Parents can take their children to the green grasslands to feed sheep and watch horse riding performance. Family can have a meal at Carton King and seat on cardboard-made furniture. The Mansion on the mountains, called The Old England, is a hot spot for pre-wedding photos. At The Old England, visitors can enjoy British afternoon tea and sample local delicacies such as urn-roasted chicken and Yunnan cuisine.
Cingjing Farm Trails
There are a total of 8 trails around the Cingjing Area.
487 Step Trail
487 step trail is one of the 8 trials around the Cingjing Area. We did this step trail which is a mountain side staircase that is about 800 meter long. It is especially beautiful during the autumn season and takes about 30 minutes to walk (one way). The trail led us to the southern entrance of the Cingjing Farm. The green green grasslands in Cingjing Farm are open pastures for sheep and cows. Weather was sunny that day. Many tourists were feeding sheep. We also saw a wedding couple taking wedding photos and mingling with the sheep.
Starting Point – 487 Step Trail 
Ending Point – 487 Step Trail 
Great Wall Trail
Journeying on, we took the Great Wall Trail which is the highest elevated trail in the area. It is just 250 meters long and is near the north gate of Cinjing Farm. It is the best spot to view the magnificent 3500+ meter high HeHuan Mountain as well as the lower elevated part of the northern section of Cingjing Farm.
Cingjing Skywalk
On our way back to the Hotel, we took the Cingjing Skywalk, a nature walk on the skybridge. The skywalk is about 1.2km long. It offers an awesome scenery of the mountain range as we slowly descended to the bottom of the skywalk .
Day 4
Hehuan Mountain
Hehuan Mountain is a 3,416-metre-high (11,207 ft) mountain in Central Taiwan. The peak lies on the borders of Nantou and Hualien counties and is located within Taroko National Park. Hehuan Mountain is a popular destination for the local people in central Taiwan. The 3,421-metre east peak and 3,422-metre north peak of Hehuan Mountain are both higher than the main peak. The area is extremely popular with hikers and trekkers because the peaks here can be climbed without the need for high-mountain permits
Hehuanshan Sunrise Tour (half day)
This was a three hour tour that literally started our day on a high. We woke up at 3.30am so that we could catch the van that would picked us up at 4.30am. The van journeyed towards several peaks namely: Meifeng, Cuifeng, Yuanfeng, Kunyang, and Wuling (the highest elevation in the Taiwan highway)! Our first stop while making our ascend was to go stargazing when it was still pitch dark. With the help of a laser pointer, the tour guide introduced the numerous stars to us as we gazed towards the sky. A few managed to see shooting stars too.
After about 30 mins of stargazing, we proceeded to the peak of iconic Hehuanshan to witness the most breathtaking sunrise in Taiwan. Unfolding before our eyes were sea of clouds rolling in like fluffy marshmallows.
After a long wait……..dawn broke and slowly………. out came the Sun
Where to Book: simply book the tour at the Hotel where you stay. Cost NTS400 per person round trip.
Should you decide to stay at Hehuanshan for Hiking after the Sunrise Tour, you can inform the tour guide to alight you at the Hehuan Visitor Centre. Price remain unchanged and you will need to arrange your own return trip. So it is advisable to arrange that at the same time when you book the sunrise tour at your hotel
Hehuanshan Hiking
After the Sunrise Tour, the driver alighted us at the Hehuan Visitor Centre for our hiking trip while the remaining tour members headed back to Cingjing Area.
Hike 1: Hehuan East Peak, 3421m
Duration: 2 hours round-trip
By far the busiest peak in the region and for good reasons… It’s right by Hehuan Visitor center, it’s not too hard, nor too long, and the views from the top are simply stunning! Take it easy and walk slowly, you will definitely be feeling the altitude as you start climbing up. Drink plenty of water and take rests when you start feeling your heart pounding or when you’re out of breath.
The main trail begins right across from the cottage and ascends the north slope of the mountain. There are some steep sections where you have to use your hands, or where hiking poles might come in handy.
The trailhead is 25m past the Songshan lodge. This trail is the easiest way up the East Peak as it’s mostly covered with wooden stairs.
Last few steps to the Peak 
On Top of The East Peak
Hike 2: Hehuan Jian Shan, 3217m
Duration: 45 minutes round-trip
If you’re pressed by time, but you still want to “get high” then you can try this short but steep walk. The trail starts just behind Hehuan Visitor Center. The summit is a great spot to have your coffee in the morning or to watch the sunset. Again, take it easy and walk slowly, you will definitely be feeling the altitude as you start climbing up. Drink plenty of water and take rests when you start feeling your heart pounding or when you’re out of breath. The parking lot in front of the visitor center is a convenient (and free) camping spot.
View from the Peak
If above is not enough and you wanted more, you can also hike the Hehuanshan North Peak (3422m) and Hehuanshan West Peak (3145m). Former is a 3.5 hours round trip while the latter is an 8 hours round trip and the most strenuous day hike. So check it out before embarking on it.
Lunch @ 伊拿谷 Restaurant at Cingjing
The early rise to watch the Sunrise plus 3 over hours of hiking at Hehuanshan got us really famished. At about 12.30pm, the taxi we booked the day before came to pick us up. On our way back to Cingjing, the driver brought us to 伊拿谷 restaurant for lunch. The restaurant serves the famous urn roasted chicken (甕仔雞) , a must try dish in Cingjing Nantou. This restaurant also provides transport service to bring us back to our hotel after our meal.
訂餐電話：049-2803710 Address: 地址：南投縣仁愛鄉大同村仁和路信義巷36之1附1號. Click Here for Direction
