Day 5 of the Ultimate Taiwan 10 Days DIY Trip
Cingjing to Sun Moon Lake
One or two days before departure, we booked our transportation via the tripool online. Journey from Cingjing to Sun Moon Lake was 1 hr 15 mins. Cost was NT$1350.
Accomodation @ Timing House, B&B
Upon arrival, we checked into Timing House, B&B. We stayed there for 2 nights. It is located along Sun Moon Lake and is 100 m from Shuishe Pier and Shuishe Visitor Centre. Within 30m of the property, one can find convenience stores, restaurants and shopping street. Staffs were helpful. We were welcome by a little wagging dog named after the Lodge. We also got three ferry tickets at special price to cruise the Sun Moon Lake.
Address: No.123 Zhongshan Road, 555 Yuchi, Taiwan
Cruise Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s largest lake. It is located in the mountains of Nantou at the geographical centre of Taiwan island. The east side of the lake is round, like the sun, while the west side is long and narrow, like a crescent moon.
There are three ferry piers within the lake to move around from one point to another, which are Shuishe Pier, Xuanguang Pier and Ita Thao Pier. There are also local bus that goes around the lake with stops at major points along the perimeter of the lake.
Xuanguang Pier
We boarded the ferry at Shuishe Pier and the first stop was Xuanguang Pier. At this stop, one must try the famous 阿婆茶叶蛋 ( Grandma tea egg). That day, we were also being entertained by an Oboriginal singer from the Thao Tribe who sang a few melodies of their folksong. Great Singer indeed!
Ita Thao Pier
The next stop was Ita Thao Pier. Look for the direction to Ropeway station and it will bring you to Formosa Oboriginal Culture Village. Ita Thao is home to the Thao Tribes who believe that their ancestors came from the Alishan area of Chiayi County.
For us, we went straight to the shopping street to satisfy our stomach.
Back to Shuishe Pier
We toke a stroll around the Sun Moon Lake (as far as our legs could go). If time permits, it would actually be nice to rent a bike and cycle round the lake. Sun was setting soon and that was all for that day.
Dinner @ Restaurants near Shuishe Pier
Chai Po Egg, 水连菜, 山猪肉 
水连菜, 山猪肉
Day 6
Ride JiJi Line in Central Taiwan
The Jiji Line (in Manadari 集集線), is a branch line of the Taiwan Railways located in the Changhua and Nantou Counties. It’s terminus is almost at the geographical centre of Taiwan.
Built by the Japanese government to bring materials and equipment to build the hydroelectric power plant at Sun Moon Lake in 1919, the line was used to transport timber and then it was reinvented as a tourist railway.
Trains on the line, which is just under 30 kilometers long, start in the west at the town of Ershui in Changhua County before crossing over into Nantou County, making stops at the Yuanquan, Zhuoshui, Longquan, Jiji, Shuili, and Checheng stations. The trains consist of just a few cars; the railway itself is a single-track narrow-gauge line. Tourists will often get off at stations along the way, explore the surroundings, and hop on the next train to continue their rides (there are services about every 80 minutes; a single ticket from Ershui to Checheng is NT$45, a day ticket NT$90). You can use EASY Card to pay. The full trip, one way, takes just a little over 40 minutes, but if getting on and off at the various stations, plan to spend the whole day.
We rode on the JiJi line when we explored the Jiji Town from CheCheng Town.
CheCheng Township
How to get there: From Sun Moon Lake Drop Off (just outside the Shuishe Visitor Centre), take bus 6671 to CheCheng Village at Shuili Township (Nantou Bus). Bus Journey is about 1 hr 30 mins. Fare NT$58. You may use EASY Card to pay.
Checheng is a rustic logging-village close to Mingtan Reservoir. As the last terminal of the Jiji tourist railroad, the village prospered for a while in early days due to the construction of the reservoir as well as the logging industry. It is now a recreation area for both leisure and educational purposes.
Logging Pond
Logging Pond 
Wood Museum
Old Town
Freshly Dried Fruits & Nuts – Grapes, Tomatoes, Ground Nuts
JIJI Township
We boarded the JiJi Line at CheCheng station, passed by the Shuili Station and alighted at JiJi station for our tour at JiJi town. It was a 14 mins ride.
There were many eateries here and our first stop was to settle our lunch. Simple yet satisfying.
Main Attractions in JiJi Town
Wuchang Temple became famous after the 921 earthquake collapsed its lower floors, leaving the roof to stand in ruin. It now lies photogenically crumpled like a dishevelled king beside a newly built twin that has taken over the functions of the fallen temple.
The Military History Park is a historical park featuring decommissioned relics of the ROC Armed Forces and that includes M18, M41, and M48 tanks, a C-119 bomber, and an old TF-104G fighter jet.
The Mingxin Academy was built in 1885 as the first private school in the region. It is now a museum with a traditional library which will transport you back to the past. Accompanying this display are examples of traditional handicrafts.
Scenic Bicycle Tour thru the Green Tunnel – Planted in 1940, the camphor trees lining Provincial Highway 16 between Mingjian and Jiji have grown over the past decades into a shading canopy of green that admits the sun in splashes of light. The “Green Tunnel,” as it is known, extends for 4.5 kilometers approximately parallel to the Jiji Branch rail line, creating a perfect spot for a scenic bicycle tour through a rustic landscape. You can easily find bicycles for rent along the main road in front of the JiJi station.
Back to Sun Moon Lake – At Jiji station, take the JiJi line and alight at Shuili Station. Leave the station and continuing straight and turn left on the first road. At the bus stop opposite Shuelii bus station, take bus 6671 (Nantou Bus). Journey is about 1 hr 15 mins. Bus Fare NT$54 per person.
Day 7
Sun Moon Lake to Taipei via Taichung
How To Get There:
From Sun Moon Lake to HSR Taichung Station: By Tourist Chartered Taxi (Fixed Fare – around NT$1900); Journey Time: 1 hr. or By Tripool (Door to Door Private Transport Service – around NT$1500); – this requires advance booking. or By Nantou Express Bus (Bus Fare – around NT$195 per person); Journey Time: 1 hr 40 mins
From HSR Taichung Station to Taipei Main Station: Fastest Route is by High Speed Rail. Journey; 1 hr 2 mins. Fare NT$675 per person
Lunch @ Taipei Main Station
Accomodation @ Marriott Taipei
We stayed 3 nights at Marriott Taipei. The hotel is 35 mins from the Taipei Main station. It is situated at Zhongshan district. We liked the comfortable bed and it was a wonderful stay for us.
Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
One of Taipei’s largest creative arts spaces, this complex sits on the grounds of a former tobacco factory established by the Japanese in 1937. In 2011, the Taipei City government converted and changed the space into a large public park with exhibition halls, art shows, and conference spaces. An Eslite is located at the northern end of the complex, housing a large bookstore, creative works shopping mall, vinyl records store, and a large number of shops in which guests can participate in creative art workshops (known in Taiwan as DIY) or request custom pieces.
Admission Fee to the Exhibition is NT$250. The park exhibition halls close at 6pm while Eslite closes at 10pm.
How to Get There: The park is accessible within walking distance northeast from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station or North West from Taipei City Hall Station.
Old Tobacco Factory 
Book Store 
Dinner @ 元禾食堂 Flourish, Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: No.32, Lane 233, Sec.1, Dunhua S Rd, Da’an Dist, Taipei 106, Taiwan. Tel: +886 2 2771 6115
Delicious & Healthy. Must Try!
Kombucha
Day 8
Maokong Tour
Widely known as the most scenic spot in Taipei to drink quality, locally grown tea, Maokong is a quaint little hilly village located at the top of a mountain providing breathtaking views of Taipei City.
Tea lovers will enjoy Maokong for its wide variety of teahouses and high quality selection of locally grown Maokong tea leaves, while others looking for a relaxing break from the busy city can sit back with a cup of tea and a nice meal.
The best way to reach Maokong is to take the Maokong Gondola scenic cable car up the mountain from MRT Taipei Zoo Station.
How to Get There: Take the Brown Line 1 to the terminus station, Taipei Zoo (動物園). Leave the station and walk for about 5 mins to the Maokong Gondola, a cable-car service that climbs up the mountain to the peak at Maokong. Alternatively, take Bus S10 which operates between MRT Taipei Zoo and the peak at Maokong, with a stop at National Chengchi University (國立政治大學).
Maokong Gondola
Upon Arrival – Outside the Maokong Station
Scenery at Maokong Peak
Jiankang Trial – 400m in 40 mins
Late Lunch at 貓空邀月 (YaoYue) Teahouse
Outdoor Dning 
Indoor Dining
Hope Plaza – Farmers’ Market
The Hope Plaza Farmers’ Market invites farmers from around Taiwan to sell fresh season specials during the weekends. Activities are planned from time to time, it is a great place to enjoy the weekend and pick up some groceries.
How to Get There: Take Banan Line (blue) to Shandao Temple Station. From exit no 5 or 6, walk 5 min heading Linshen N Rd; or Take Bus No. 37, 49, 205, 208, 232, 265 ,307, 307, 527, 604, 615, 671 Get off at Shandao Temple Stop
and Walk 5 min heading Linshen N Rd.
Dinner @ Ba Wei Jiang Mu Ya (Ginger Duck in Pot)
One of Taiwan’s loveliest dish – best eaten in winter. A place not to be missed. Other must-try dishes are the rice noodles.
Address: No.52, 54, 56 Changliang Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei 220, Taiwan
Day 9
Taipei Fish Market 臺北魚市 a.k.a Addiction Aquatic Development (AAD) 上引水產
Craving for fresh and affordable seafood, sashimi and sushi? Then this seafood market is not to be missed.
Addiction Aquatic Development is the modern Taipei fish market in Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan. Locals and Tourists can buy fresh seafood here that can be cooked and eaten on the spot or be packed to go.
Taipei Fish Market 
Addiction Aquatic Development
Various Sections within ADD 
Sections within the Addiction Aquatic Development includes:
1. Live Aquamarine Products for Sale – a live aquamarine area, in which temperature controlled tanks contain live seafood like King Crabs, Oysters, Clams etc.. delivered directly from all over the world
2. The Sushi Bar 9.30am to 12am – probably the busiest section. Serves sushi and sashimi
3. The Seafood Bar 10am to 12am – reasonably priced fresh raw oysters, shrimps, and crabs. This is located just behind the sushi bar with limited seats
4. Hot Pot 11am to 12am – located upstairs. Seafood and vegetables cooked in a seaweed soup base hot pot
5. The Charcoal Grill 10.30am to 12am – located outside. Experience fresh seafood, meat and vegetables barbecued over charcoal
6. Fresh Food Supermarket 6am to 12am – you can find imported and local fruits, vegetables, and quality meat cuts
7. Cooked Food – Grab-and-go bento sets. For lunch boxes with seafood, vegetables, and meat. The king crab and hairy crab purchased in the live aquamarine area can be cooked or fried for a service charge here
Note that the restaurants only accept CASH. The restaurants, except the Hot Pot section, are on first-come first- served basis. The place can get extremely crowded during peak hours and on weekends.
Address: No.18, Aly. 2, Ln. 410, Minzu E. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City.( Map)
Operating Hrs : 06:00 to 24:00
TEL. 886-2-2508-1268 FAX. 886-2-2508-0268
Taipei Wholesale Fruit Market
Love the fruits in Taiwan? We do. They are so sweet and juicy. Intending to buy some fruits and bring it home? Do not miss this wholesale fruit market. It is just opposite the Taipei Fish Market or ADD.
Taiwan Snacks
Pineapple Cake
Chia Te
No.88, Sec. 5, Nanjing E. Rd.,
Songshan District, Taipei City
(8862) 8787.8186
Nearest MRT Station : Nanjing E. Rd. Station
Kao NuXu Pineapple Cake 
Our Favorite
Kao NuXu Pineapple Cake 高女婿 台灣總店
Besides its well known pineapple cake, their maltose cracker sandwich is just as good.
Tel: 0809-080-898 or (02)-7709-8123 Email: kaonuxu.taiwan@gmail.com
Sun Cake 太陽餅
Leechi Taipei 台北犁記餅店
Address: No.67, Sec. 2, Chang An E. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan
Phone: (02)2506-2255 Fax：(02)2518-3799
Hours: 9:00am ~ 21:00pm
Day 10
Home Sweet Home
