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[freethought]

Heading to taiwan from May 1st to 6th.

Any suggestions on what to do?

[J.B. Clamence]

There are a few interesting sites in Taipei, such as the Chiang Kai-shek Mausoleum (guarded by ceremonial guardsmen) facing a big square with other monuments and interesting happenings. Also check out the new world's tallest building in Taipei.

There's a scenic area a couple hours south of Taipei. I think it's called Wulai, or something like that. There's a waterfall, a mountain, and a tourist center there.

That's as far as I got. I was only there a few days.

[just because]

tarako gorge......

One of the most awesome sites in asia....
It is a way out of Taipei but worth the trip....

[freethought]

thanks for the two so far.

Keep'em coming

[Smee]

There's a lot of good information about Taiwan on www.wikitravel.org

You can do a lot just in and around Taipei, if you wanted. Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, Shillin Night Market, 2/28 Park, Taiwan National University area, go shopping, etc.

From Taipei you can visit Jiufen, a small town set on a hill. Behind it are mountains and a closed-down gold mine. Nice view and a pleasant time (so long as it isn't raining). There's also a big park north of Taipei, but the name escapes me.

A few hours away from Taipei is Hualien. You could spend a night or two in Hualien and visit Taroko National Park. Hualien itself is also pretty scenic. You can go biking along the Pacific Ocean or go whale watching (depending on the time of year, I guess).

Tainan is on the southern coast of Taiwan. There's a lot of history there, especially since various European nations made settlements and consulates there. About an hour away is Kaohsiung, the second largest city. It's really dirty, but the people are nice enough, and there are a few things to do. I wouldn't, however, go out of my way to visit it.

Anyway, check wikitravel for more information. A lot of the details escape me at the moment, and I can't search around now as I'm at work. I think, though, I'd spend 2/3 of my time based in Taipei and 1/3 based in Hualien.

[Tweekville]

Hello,

I just moved here from Taiwan. I lived there for about two years. Ok number one. Don't go anywhere north. This time of year it rains non stop. If you must go, go to Taipei and see the national palace museum. The Chang Kai Shek memorial is cool but takes all of 15 minutes to see unless you stop to see the fish. It's full of all the stuff that was stolen from the mainland back in the day. In Taipei the only decent places to go are the shi da area (unviersity place)bars, clubs, restaurants and such and Gong guan (also another university place) a place called cafe odeon with around 300 Belgian beers and a place called the witches den that a coffee shop with really sweet board games and you can sit there all day and they really don't care. There is a place called Yanming Shan, and it is beautiful, but again the rain. (When i first moved there i didn't see the sun for 9 months) Up at the top you have Keelung, not much to see, and some little beaches that aren't too nice.

Taroko gorge is one one the most astounding places I have ever been in the world, I would say even if it's raining, go if God says you only have one day left go. It's a giant canyon carved from marble, the river that carved leeches chemicals from the rocks that turns the waters, for lack of a better word, two thousand flushes blue (the stuff in the toilets). There are two places to stay inside, a hostel and a 4 star hotel, not really any places to eat though, so bring food if you are on a budget. There are also some hot springs but they are closed seasonally.

Taroko is outside Haulien. Don't go there, there is nothing to do and everything closes at 9.

If you want to find some good parties, go to Tai Chung, it's just on the other side from Taroko. It's has a much younger population very cool town. and it's getting away from the northern rain. Heading down the west coast you then get to the Old capital.

Tainan is the only place in Taiwan where you can feel that old feeling of being around building that are older than most modern countries (well not quite that old) It's a really pretty place with some nice clubs bars venues and such.

South of that you have Kao Hsung, don't go there. It's the most polluted nasty place ever. (I rode around the island on a scooter and i coughed for two days after leaving that city)

Then at the bottom there is Kenting that's the tropical place in Taiwan. The only place to escape the rain. It's not a bad place and it has a really nice aquarium. But if you go there don't stay in kenting go just past it and there is another beach where you can actually go to the beach when ever you want. In Kenting itself you can't go on the beach after dark. If you can rent scooter, they are about 30,000 wan a day.

So those are pretty much all the places that I can think you would want to go.

Beware though. It's hard to get from onside of the island to the other. There aren't any train lines that cross the middle of the island, but you can take a bus. Oh and if you want a really cool ride to most cities, find Aloha bus it's these first class busses, it's basically riding on a big couch with video games and movies the whole way to where you are going. They are full size busses but only seat 11. And they are really cheap. Little buss attendants come ask you if you want a drink...it's awesome (you can find them in taipei ouside the main station in the big bus stating, just ask the info ladies). A popular circle is taipei, Taroko, Kenting, Tai Chung, Taipei

I know this is long, but i hope it helps and once again, beware of the rain. When it come in it just sits there it's like living in a cloud. you can't go anywhere without being almost wet. Things mold real quick. If it's sunny when you go, the gods are with you. If not just go south.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[vino-luvva]

HIya..hey I dont know to much on taiwan..or taipei for that matter..buT I will say, that if your a foodie...then its a must to have a look at some of the great night markets with there many interesting, tasty, delicacies, foods and snacks. Any tourist centre in taipei will have a free booklet with information and directions to these markets..such foods are..
pork dumplings
oyster egg pancakes
varities of seafoods
toffee apples....the list goes on and on...