13 Days in Taiwan

[cowboycaleb]

Hi

I am visiting Taiwan (second time) with my wife, kid and 2 elderly parents (first time).

Any feedback on how to improve the itinerary below would be very appreciated.

Day 1 Thurs
Arrive Kaohsiung at 10.30am
Take HSR to Taipei
Check-in to Minsu

Taipei 101
XiMenDing
Yong Kong St
Sleep in Taipei

Day 2 Friday
Yeliu
JiuFen
RuiFang NM
Sleep in Taipei

Day 3 Saturday
Beitou
Danshui
Fisherman's Wharf & Lovers Bridge
Shilin NM
Sleep in Taipei

Day 4 Sunday
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
National Place Museum
Wufen Pu
RaoHe NM
Sleep in Taipei

Day 5 Monday
Hualien
Taroko daytrip
Fengjia Nightmarket
Return to Taipei
Sleep in Taipei

Day 6 Tue
PingXi Line daytrip
Sleep in Taipei

Day 7
?? - no ideas yet

Day 8 Thurs
Take HSR to TaiChung, pickup rental car
Drive to CingJing Minsu
Dinner at Carton King
Sleep in Cingjing

Day 9 Fri
Wake up early for HehuanShan Sunrise tour
Drive to Sun Moon Lake
3 Piers, Old England & Formosa Aboriginal Village
Stay in SML

Day 10 Sat
Drive from SML to Shinshe
Castle, Lavendar Cottage, Mushroom Farm
Return rental car
Miyahara
Fengjia NM
Sleep in Taichung

Day 11 Sun
Rainbow Village
Luce Chapel
TaiChung Park
Yimin YiZhong
YiZhong Shopping Street
Sleep in Taichung

Day 12 Mon
Travel from TaiChung to Kaohsiung by HSR
Xinguang Ferry Wharf
Kaohsiung Tower
Dream Mall
RuiFeng NM
Sleep in Kaohsiung

Day 13
Lotus Lake
Takao Railway Museum
Cijin Island
Lover Pier
Formosa Boulevard

Depart on 9.30pm Kaohsiung flight to Singapore

 

[Gixxerfied]

Fengjia NM on Day 5..Fengjia NM is in Taichung btw..Ziqiang is in Hualien..And i believe at most 1/2 day trip to Taroko by the time u reach Hualien from Taipei..Since u have 2 elderly + 1 kid, why wana rush a day trip?? I see that Day 7 is empty, you could stay 1N in Hualien instead..

And also why not shift Day 5 to Day 5/7 before Cingjing??Book a driver to bring u from Hualien to CJ straight early in the morning, on the way can Hehuanshan sunrise..Finish CJ, head down Taichung the next day to collect ur rental car?

 

[cowboycaleb]

Fengjia NM on Day 5..Fengjia NM is in Taichung btw..Ziqiang is in Hualien..And i believe at most 1/2 day trip to Taroko by the time u reach Hualien from Taipei..Since u have 2 elderly + 1 kid, why wana rush a day trip?? I see that Day 7 is empty, you could stay 1N in Hualien instead..

And also why not shift Day 5 to Day 5/7 before Cingjing??Book a driver to bring u from Hualien to CJ straight early in the morning, on the way can Hehuanshan sunrise..Finish CJ, head down Taichung the next day to collect ur rental car?

I heard the journey from Hualien to CJ via Taroko is very dangerous? Mountain road with lots of twists and turns which may make it unsuitable for young kid and old folk?

 

[Gixxerfied]

I heard the journey from Hualien to CJ via Taroko is very dangerous? Mountain road with lots of twists and turns which may make it unsuitable for young kid and old folk?

That is correct. Need to get a good driver..

But rushing on a day trip to Hualien then Taroko then one NM then rush back Taipei is gonna be tiring for elderly as well..

For your initial plan, booking a driver from TPE to Taroko? or Public?

 

[cowboycaleb]

That is correct. Need to get a good driver..

But rushing on a day trip to Hualien then Taroko then one NM then rush back Taipei is gonna be tiring for elderly as well..

For your initial plan, booking a driver from TPE to Taroko? or Public?

I plan to take a train from TPE to Hualien and then get on one of those tourist bus from Hualien to Taroko that stops at each sight.

Is that a good idea?

 

[Gixxerfied]

I plan to take a train from TPE to Hualien and then get on one of those tourist bus from Hualien to Taroko that stops at each sight.

Is that a good idea?

The train part would require advance online booking since that is a popular route.

Dont take public bus since u have 4 pax..Book a driver for 1/2 day tour would be better..

By the way, fastest TRA from Taipei to Hualien is about 2hrs per trip..So to and back would knock off 4hrs..

 

[Wolfaro]

I am currently in Taiwan.

Day 13 Cijin island should spend u at least 3-4hrs already. So should plan。

Must check also esp Monday some night market not open

 

[Wolfaro]

Love pier also under major make over I think

 

[cowboycaleb]

The train part would require advance online booking since that is a popular route.

Dont take public bus since u have 4 pax..Book a driver for 1/2 day tour would be better..

By the way, fastest TRA from Taipei to Hualien is about 2hrs per trip..So to and back would knock off 4hrs..

Is it better to get a driver and drive down from Taipei or get a driver in Hualien?

 

[cowboycaleb]

Love pier also under major make over I think

Is Kaohsiung worth a visit or should I just skip it and use the time in Tainan instead?

 

[Wolfaro]

Is Kaohsiung worth a visit or should I just skip it and use the time in Tainan instead?

Never been to Tainan. But if Kaohsiung can recommend the following places

Cijin Island
Dream mall (very big shopping mall and amusement park at roof)
凯旋夜市and 金钻夜市（side by side near dream mall)
Ruifeng Night Market
maybe垦丁

 

[Gixxerfied]

Is it better to get a driver and drive down from Taipei or get a driver in Hualien?

To get one in Taipei will cost u much more..The drive there not short but u wont face the headache of trying to secure reserved seats ticket for TRA..

 

[Ronaldo88]

I am currently in Taiwan.

Day 13 Cijin island should spend u at least 3-4hrs already. So should plan。

Must check also esp Monday some night market not open

How is the weather there? Saw news tat typhoon coming..me going on 8..

 

[wildkev]

How is the weather there? Saw news tat typhoon coming..me going on 8..

8th Aug will be the most critical day. Mostly will be big rain even there is no Typhoon. Check your flight status on and off to prevent any delay and waste trip to Airport.

 

[wildkev]

Is Kaohsiung worth a visit or should I just skip it and use the time in Tainan instead?

When will you be going? If you happen to be there in Oct, Lotus lake might be good for your parents as they will be having a big event there. (万年季)

 

[Wolfaro]

How is the weather there? Saw news tat typhoon coming..me going on 8..

Taiwan news reported typhoon will land Taiwan on 6Aug.

My flight back is on 8Aug too. Must pray not affected

 

[Wolfaro]

Looks like soudelor is cutting across right in the middle of Taiwan

 

[Z_Dash]

Actually its cutting across nearer to north part of taiwan between taipei and taichung. But the width of typhoon is almost 280km wide from what i read just today update......thus will spread across almost whole taiwan.

 

[Wolfaro]

Most likely all flight to Taipei on 8Aug will be affected.
Decided to fly back one day earlier.

Below is latest update by Taiwan news.
today evening soudelor outer circle will touch land of eastern coast of Taiwan. The core will reach coast the early morning of Saturday.
Those in Taiwan esp mountain area pls take extra pre-caution. Tonight to Sunday, expect lot of rain