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[kumuka]

My GF and I are going to Taiwan over the Christmas holidays for about 9 days. We'll be spending 5 of those days scuba diving down south in Green Island area.

So, besides the usual touristy places, any travelers out there give some advice on cool places to visit or experience, namely restaurants, clubs/bars, activities for the other 4 days in and around Taipei? I heard the hot springs are quite nice.

Thanks!!

[paperbag princess]

Taiwan by day:

If you��re the type of person who wants to get up and do stuff during the day, Taiwan has a lot to offer. During our visit to Taipei we weren��t all that interested in daylight activities there, but outside of Taipei was another story. We went to a place called Taroko Gorge, which is simply breath-taking. The Gorge is near a town called Haulein, on the East coast, it takes about 3 hours by train to get there.

Haulein is a small town, but there are several hotels near the train station that are reasonably priced. We stayed at Chin Yeh Hotel, for NTD1500 a night. When it wasn��t foggy we could see the mountain from our room. To get to the actual gorge you have to take a bus (fortunately right at the train station). There��s a tourist information place next to the bus stop, sometimes they have English speakers and sometimes they don��t, so bring your Lonely Planet and hope for the best.

The bus to the gorge ranges in price depending on where you are going and which way you are going. Confused? So were we. Basically there are two ways to see the Gorge; bus and hiking/bus. The bus option is easy, you take a tour bus that lets you out at all the little hikes and you have a tour guide who makes sure you don��t get stuck in the gorge. The other option is a little more confusing. You take a regular Haulein city bus and get off at the hikes yourself. It��s not advisable to hike on the road itself between the hikes, they��re very narrow and dangerous. When you want a bus to pull over you flag it down.

Another option is to just go to the national park and hike there. On our first day we did a short hike and then waded in the water of the river. The water is very fast, swimming is not advisable, but it was refreshing to dip our toes in after hiking. This river isn��t the main gorge river, this one is clean, clear and full of fish.

On our second day in Hualein, we hiked in the gorge itself. We took a bus to specific hikes in the gorge. The gorge is very deep and lush. The river that runs through the gorge is grey. This is because of all the marble that is mined in the area. At Buluowan, in the gorge, there is an exhibit featuring aboriginal art and weaving, which is small but nice to see. In the shop, weaving is available along with other touristy things.

Taipei by night

Taipei��s night life is amazing. There are so many things to do at night here that you may find yourself sleeping all day. Hotels in Taipei are plentiful and affordable. A favourite clubber��s hotel is the Friend��s Hotel which is on the 13th floor of the same building as the Luxy club. Rooms start at NTD1500. For more info www.ffh.com.tw or 883-2-2773-5177 for reservations.

Taipei��s club scene is a lot more like the one back home. The biggest venue is The Luxy, with three gorgeous rooms, two downstairs and one upstairs. They have monthly parties featuring international DJs and a full roster of locals as well. I went to the Luxy for Sugar (ESP productions), which is on Wednesday. This is their Ladies�� night and it was packed and grinding (over 2500 turn out). To get to the Luxy, take the MRT blue line to Zhonxiao Dunhau Station, and it��s on the fifth floor of the building with the Starbucks in it (next to the California Fitness). For more info www.luxy-taipei.com.
Eden is another club worthy of mention. Eden features house music in its funkiest form. We were there for an ESP productions party, Deep Inside that seriously rocked, featuring DJ SL and DJ Saucey. To get there by the MRT, take the Blue Line to ChungXiao Fuxing Station. Take the Main Exit onto ChungXIao East Road. From there walk East (towards SOGO) about 2 blocks unit you see a giant statue of 98 which is the address sign for the building, go inside and take the elevator up to the 11th floor. For more info www.espdjs.com/deepinside.shtml.
Another great venue is the Source. This venue is 3 floors, the main floor is for drinking, the second floor is for dancing and the third floor is for chilling. We were there for a dnb party called Back 2 Basics put on by Tensegrity Entertainment, featuring Apparition, Remedy, Elements, FunkStar, Adora, and Zeon. We had a wicked time here. To get to there take the MRT green line to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Station exit 4. Walk up the street about 5 minutes; you��ll see the Source on your right.

[jajdude]

Well it was a few years ago but I found a good hotel near the main station in Taipei for under 1000 NT per night. Can't recall address or street name. Figure there must be a few though.

Have a look at:

www.forumosa.com

www.tealit.com

[zoossh]

[ed1980]

hello

how about leaving taiwan for say Thailand

what sort of price would that be ? ship or plane is good



cheers