was talking to the local tour guide in Taiwan when I was there last august. usually before the typhoon hit taiwan, it will be scorching hot for the prior few days. temperature will hit a high of 38-39 degrees ( not sure if it will hit 40) until even the thermometer at train stations will break down and malfunction. I was there when Tyhoon Tienpin hit. Was at kenting 4 days before the typhoon arrive and I had sun burnt just by walking around the streets..
Had my alishan trip cancelled as well. It was 2 days before typhoon hit. I could have still travel by private mini bus up to alishan from chiayi, but I cancelled it by my own choice though, because I'm uncertain even if I make it up, can I make it down and not have my plans disrupted.
When typhoon finally enter taiwan, I was at cingjing. Minibus can still travel up to the mountains from sun-moon lake. But the storm created a scary feel, fallen branches and leaves are everywhere along the road in cingjing, with strong wind howling loudly through the night. I remember seeing on TV how hengchun, kenting, the town that I visited just few days before got flooded and destoryed by the typhoon, and how airport runway was ruined by the bombardment of rocks caused by the typhoon.
But when next morning comes, it was clear sky, and I had pictures of 云海taken when I was at 合歡山. Point is, you can still go places, but you must have the contacts to bring you up. if you want, you can pm me and I'll pass you my guide's details. Chinese speaking, and knows along about his country. I would say he is one of the best guide you can get for central taiwan travel.
=P
